Erack Posted August 10, 2013 Posted August 10, 2013 Hi all! This site has been so helpful with easing some of my anxieties over grad school application. I see the fall 2014 applicant topic and was wondering if anyone is applying for a spring 2014 start. Thought we could start a thread for those of us applying for then. A little about me: I'm a non traditional student, 40, single mom of 2. Graduated with my BS in speech pathology in 2008. Been working as an SLPA since graduation and finally ready to get my masters degree. Being divorced with children has me limited to my area so I'm applying to UTD and TWU then UNT in the fall since I didn't see a spring start for them. I have to admit I'm terrified to be returning at my age and seeing how many of you with stats far superior than mine get rejections doesn't help my fears. Hoping to hear from others applying for this spring semester. Good luck to all!
NCAR823 Posted August 10, 2013 Posted August 10, 2013 Erack. I am a Fall 2014 app but just wanted to say DON'T be stressed one of the most important things I've learned in life is stress just builds walls where you want windows and doors. If this I'd your passion you can make it happen! As for competution, just remember that some of the best scorers may not have the same ability to connect with a child as someone with with a less than excellent GPA. Strong SOP and LOR are gold!!!
Erack Posted August 10, 2013 Author Posted August 10, 2013 Thank you, I'm trying not to stress but that's easier said than done . Good luck to you in your application process!
tex_hart Posted August 25, 2013 Posted August 25, 2013 Erack, I have also applied to UTD for Spring Admissions and am also a non-tradition student. I'm crossing my fingers that it works out for both of us!
Lingchick Posted September 4, 2013 Posted September 4, 2013 Hi all! This site has been so helpful with easing some of my anxieties over grad school application. I see the fall 2014 applicant topic and was wondering if anyone is applying for a spring 2014 start. Thought we could start a thread for those of us applying for then. A little about me: I'm a non traditional student, 40, single mom of 2. Graduated with my BS in speech pathology in 2008. Been working as an SLPA since graduation and finally ready to get my masters degree. Being divorced with children has me limited to my area so I'm applying to UTD and TWU then UNT in the fall since I didn't see a spring start for them. I have to admit I'm terrified to be returning at my age and seeing how many of you with stats far superior than mine get rejections doesn't help my fears. Hoping to hear from others applying for this spring semester. Good luck to all! I commend you for going back to school and taking a chance. I am also an older student in my 30's and feel a bit intimidated by it all. Best of luck to you!!
Erack Posted September 11, 2013 Author Posted September 11, 2013 tex_hart, good luck to you! Hopefully we will both be starting soon! The wait is killing me
Toonces Posted October 13, 2013 Posted October 13, 2013 tex_hart, good luck to you! Hopefully we will both be starting soon! The wait is killing me Erack and tex-hart, I'm trying to get into UTD for Spring '14 COMD also. Any news for you guys yet?
Erack Posted October 13, 2013 Author Posted October 13, 2013 No word yet. I see on the results page some people have gotten acceptances and rejections already. Hoping we hear something soon!
wishingwishing Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 Toonces, how did you find out you were on the wait list?
Toonces Posted October 15, 2013 Posted October 15, 2013 Toonces, how did you find out you were on the wait list? I apologize for any confusion, that tagline on my profile is from last semester, so I was on the wait list for Fall '13 and didn't get selected from the list. Dr. Stillman at UTD emailed me (last semester) to tell me about being on the waiting list. He said that because I still showed interest (I had previously emailed about whether new rec letters would be needed if I didn't get in Fall and reapplied for Spring) and because my qualifications were good that I was put on the waiting list. After a couple of months had passed and others were only getting rejected by that point, I asked him if I should go ahead and reapply. He said they weren't likely to pull anymore candidates from the wait list and since I didn't get outright "rejected," I could roll over (defer) my app to Spring 14. So my app has been "in line" for Spring 14 since May and I still don't know if I'll make the cut. I'm also a non-traditional student near 40, so I am feeling your anxiousness too. Going to go ahead and prep my apps for the other DFW/North TX schools too...
wishingwishing Posted October 16, 2013 Posted October 16, 2013 Ok, thanks! I have been debating about what to do ... it's been so long that I feel like it's pretty certain I'm not getting in this semester. I am thinking about taking leveling courses before I apply again, but I am also thinking about just giving up on the SLP plan. I am 45, and if I have to wait another year to get started on a 2+ year degree, well, that's a long time. I only have one academic recommendation, but I also assumed that the fact I already have a master's degree (with a 3.9 gpa) would show that I can indeed handle graduate school. My grades and test scores are higher than their median for this semester, so that leaves either my letter of intent (I thought it was good), my lack of SLP experience, or my lack of academic referrals. I absolutely think they need some wiggle room in who they accept, but I wish the process was a little more straightforward in a) what they are looking for and in regards to dates (and keeping us informed). How long am I supposed to sit here and wonder what is going on? And the program assistant told me nothing helpful other than "some people get tired of waiting and give up." Does that really sound like the way to go with this process? I'm getting a little bitter.
SashaB Posted October 16, 2013 Posted October 16, 2013 Anyone's else's Galaxy login stop working for UT Dallas? Now I can't even check, ugh! (probably not a good sign)
Erack Posted October 17, 2013 Author Posted October 17, 2013 Just checked my galaxy, it's working. Kind of wish it would stop working so I'd quit checking it obsessively!
Toonces Posted October 17, 2013 Posted October 17, 2013 Ok, thanks! I have been debating about what to do ... it's been so long that I feel like it's pretty certain I'm not getting in this semester. I am thinking about taking leveling courses before I apply again, but I am also thinking about just giving up on the SLP plan. I am 45, and if I have to wait another year to get started on a 2+ year degree, well, that's a long time. I only have one academic recommendation, but I also assumed that the fact I already have a master's degree (with a 3.9 gpa) would show that I can indeed handle graduate school. My grades and test scores are higher than their median for this semester, so that leaves either my letter of intent (I thought it was good), my lack of SLP experience, or my lack of academic referrals. I absolutely think they need some wiggle room in who they accept, but I wish the process was a little more straightforward in a) what they are looking for and in regards to dates (and keeping us informed). How long am I supposed to sit here and wonder what is going on? And the program assistant told me nothing helpful other than "some people get tired of waiting and give up." Does that really sound like the way to go with this process? I'm getting a little bitter. I agree that the process is mysterious. On a practical note, if you decide to continue, I would recommend volunteering for a SPAU professor (research related is even better). It boosts your knowledge confidence, you can ask questions about the field, it shows your dedication to (and experience in) the field, and it should help with recommendation letters. Some people have had really good luck talking with the program head and asking about ways to make themselves a better candidate. I was a little timid for that somehow. I tried to think about the requirements and the vagueness and I have a hypothesis. Maybe they're trying to find people who are dedicated enough to stay in the program. If they tried to make it easy to figure out or black and white, everyone's apps, experience & LORs would look the same. When the process is tough, it separates those who aren't positive the field is right for them. Schools can't afford to have low rates of graduation, so if this process is at all strategic, it may be meant to favor the most persistent applicants. Or maybe I'm full of hot air. I know I'm staying in the fight till they tell me to take a hike because I like everything about this field. You may decide that your interests and options are more flexible. I really wish you the best of luck!
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