Importance of undergraduate institution?

[kbell]

Hi all-

I'm currently applying to SLP M.A and M.S. programs, and as an out-of-field applicant with a slightly above average GPA, I wonder if my stats might hold me back. Do any of you guys have any sense about how important it is where an applicant went for undergrad? Does it even play a role in how adcoms look at applications, especially at an applicant's GPA? That is, would it even be a factor in admissions decisions if an applicant went to a more academically rigorous school and got a lower GPA than someone who went to a less rigorous school? I'm just trying to get a sense of what my chances might be and where I should even try applying.

Thanks!

[Monochrome Spring]

It does matter, to an extent, where you went to undergrad. You are correct that a lower GPA from a more rigorous school may hold as much weight as a higher GPA from a less rigorous school. The balance between those two is probably up the adcom for the season though. It will also matter how strong the department from which you got your degree was, as well. For example, someone applying from a top ranking SLP undergraduate department will hold a fair amount of weight, especially if he/she did research in that department.

[ehemingway]

It's most certainly a variable. Quite a few people from my undergrad program didn't get in last year (from what I've heard, though I don't know much of their grades) and I attend the university with the #1 SLP program in NY according to a few rankings. I'd say don't bank on it.

[srh]

It really depends on the school. I've heard some schools rank you based on your gpa and gre scores and go from there, while others take a more holistic approach to your application and really consider every part of it, including the rigor of your undergrad institution