Speech Pathology Masters - Will I Get In?

[JES3]

Hello,

 

I am a 37 year old male who eagerly wants to change careers from business administration to speech pathology.  I graduated in 1999 with a lousy GPA of 2.45.  Yes, very embarrassing... 

 

In the past 14 years I have excelled in business and hold an executive administrative position in the medical field.  I completed an Executive Master of Business Administration (GPA 4.0) a few years back.  I plan on obtaining a 2nd bachelor's degree in speech pathology and maintaining as close to a 4.0 GPA as I can.  I am also studying for the GRE and plan on doing well.  

 

My friends think I am crazy as I am very well compensated in my current job and would be taking a major reduction in remuneration to change careers.  I am at a stage in life where I want to pursue my passion, not dollars.

 

I would appreciate any feedback as to how realistic it would be for me to get into a program.  I am determined; however, I am also a realist and know that admission into advanced degree programs can be VERY competitive.  

 

Thank you for your consideration.

[sak91]

The first thing that comes to mind when I read this is why SLP? You are very accomplished in business and it doesn't seems to make sense why you'd want to change. I think that is the first thing admissions would want to know so you'd need to write an excellent statement of purpose that tells them. You say it's your passion but why is it your passion? What changed?

 

With that being said, my best friend was an SLP major in college and applied to around 10 grad schools for her masters in SLP. She was rejected by all of them and was put on the wait list at GW. She ended up getting off the wait list at the very end and is now enrolled there. Here's what she did:

 

-She had tons and tons of speech related experience. Do you have that? She worked as a research assistant in a media lab for 2+ years, volunteered at an autistic children's camp, worked at a pre-school implementing a literacy program for spanish children, etc. etc. There's a lot more but I'm forgetting it all.

 

-When she was put on the wait list, she sent in more materials and a letter expressing her interest. So should you be on a wait list that's probably what you should do. 

 

Anyways, you need to show passion and interest and I think you may have a decent shot. I'm not sure if you have any speech related experience but from what I know, you'd need it. Good luck.