Speech Pathology Master's Program Aspirations - 2nd Career - Low Undergrad GPA (2.5) 14 Years Ago - MBA 4.0 GPA - Is This Realistic?

[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'm crazy as I am very well compensated in my current position 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.

Edited August 16, 2013 by JES3

[mystiqueSLP]

It seems like you'll be prepared for the numbers portion of the application but do you have SLP-related experience? I think passion and experience play a big part, especially for students who have embarrassing GPAs or are coming in without a background in SLP.

[Dibbels81]

I was in a similar situation.  I had a undergrad degree with a sub 3.0, and a Master's degree with a very good G.P.A.  My GRE scores were decent (155, 153).  I applied to six grad schools this past year, and was admitted into two of them.  I would recommend against doing another Bachelor's degree, and instead apply to a post-bacc program.  Most schools only require about 7-10 classes for admission consideration.  A second bachelor's degree isn't necessary.  

[JES3]

Dibbels81,

 

Thanks for the reply.  Do you mind if I ask what schools you applied to?

 

Thanks.

Edited August 28, 2013 by JES3

[RoseGold79]

I was in a similar situation.  I had a undergrad degree with a sub 3.0, and a Master's degree with a very good G.P.A.  My GRE scores were decent (155, 153).  I applied to six grad schools this past year, and was admitted into two of them.  I would recommend against doing another Bachelor's degree, and instead apply to a post-bacc program.  Most schools only require about 7-10 classes for admission consideration.  A second bachelor's degree isn't necessary.  

Dibbels 81, did you do a post bacc program as well?

 

As for me I have an undergrad in SLP (2.79 GPA, do to extenuating circumstances) (graduated 6 years ago) I got an MBA (3.67 GPA) and now I am finally in a space that I can go back into the field. I taught for about a year as a teacher/therapist at a high school for children with learning and behavior disorders. I am considering just taking the GRE (which I know I would do well on) and applying to NOVA. However, is the GRE necessary since I already have a Masters Degree?

 

Any feedback is helpful.

[lexical_gap]

RoseGold79, if your GRE scores are more than 5 years old, my understanding is that you will need to retake them.

To the original poster, JES3, I would also recommend taking a couple leveling classes instead of getting a second bachelor's.  Some schools have more requirements than others as far as required course, but most require at least these three (if you are not doing a 3-year postbacc + Master's program):

• Phonetics
• Anatomy and Physiology of Speech / Hearing
• Audiology

 

Not only will you get some foundational knowledge, you can build relationships with professors for those LORs.  Based on a conversation I had with a professor on the admissions committee at my university, for him, letters from in-field professors hold a little more weight than out-of-field.  I'd imagine he's not the only one with this thought.

 

I, too, was a returning a student (though with a previous Bachelor's instead of a Master's).  I took a two-year post-bacc program before admission.  That said, now that I'm in a grad program, I am glad I did.  I have colleagues who took just the minimum courses to gain admission and feel overwhelmed by the amount of material they hadn't previously learned.  It's been a stressful month for them as try to "catch up".