2nd time to apply for Grad School

[AmandaLeeW23]

Hey guys.... 

   Soo I was wait listed at every school I applied to last year (only 3 schools) this time around I have more experience, have been working in a school and worked with a speech path this past summer. I also am hoping to raise my GRE score bc it was a little below average-average but the GRE is my worst enemy, I hate it and standardized test. My major GPA is good, I only had 2 B's in the whole major all the rest were A's and my overall GPA is a 3.4 (I slacked off Freshman year :\ big time) I am also going to completely change my letter of intent because I think I had the wrong focus in mind. Anyways, is anyone else in the same boat? If so what are you doing differently? Something bad for me is I always did good in my classes so I never had to meet with my professors THAT much, well now when asking for LOR's I think it is going to bite me in the rear because I never really got to know them but you would think my grades reflect my passion for the class in a way. I was also wondering if it would be bad to have the SLP I worked with, the principal or superintendent etc. write me a letter? My undergrad department only allows us to ask a professor for no more than 3 recommendation letters, which really limits me when it comes to applying to more schools which is why I was going to throw in some employers and SLP's because this year I want to apply to probably 6 if not more schools... I just want in soo bad! Any advice would be great!!!  .... Oh also I am going on a few different departmental tours next week, what are some good questions to ask?! 

Edited November 23, 2013 by AmandaLeeW23

[skeener687]

Hi!

 

I feel ya! I was wait listed last year and didn't get in, so I am in the same boat. I feel much more prepared this time around. I've been volunteering in the speech department at a rehab hospital, and I have learned so much about the profession beyond what I learned in my coursework. I have a much clearer picture of what I'd like to do as an SLP and what I'm looking for in a grad program. I've also gained other experience that has helped make me more qualified. I've just been trying to stay active in the field and learn as much as I can. I am retaking the GRE, although I think my score last year was good, except for the AW. I have a difficult time writing under time constraints!

I was also nervous about my LOR's, so I made it a point to ask professors with whom I took multiple courses. I also brought up papers or projects that I did well on in my classes with them. I definitely feel more confident about my letters this year compared to last year! I feel like I made somewhat of an effort to get to know my professors over the last year, and I have more to show on my resume. I don't think it would be bad to ask your employer or an SLP for a letter, although some schools prefer strictly academic references. Perhaps you could ask the schools? I have heard that question asked at information sessions, so I'm sure they hear it often. When you visit the departments, I would recommend asking questions related to your interests and what they have to offer. I would also recommend researching the schools and asking questions to clarify or learn more about those particular aspects of each program that interest you.

I have talked to quite a few people who did not get in the first time they applied, but had success the second time, so we can do it!

[AmandaLeeW23]

Okay great I also have been working and gained a tremendous amount of experience in my time off, I am hoping the second time around is much more successful, but I feel like it is a game of luck. I am taking the GRE again in 2 weeks but am nervous because I haven't REALLY studied a lot for it (I despise the GRE!) but I have mediocre scores (could be better)....  I have been working in a school, unfortunately where I am from I think there is one speech path (a smalllll town) so I'm hoping that will look good!! 

[Shelbyisms]

Okay great I also have been working and gained a tremendous amount of experience in my time off, I am hoping the second time around is much more successful, but I feel like it is a game of luck. I am taking the GRE again in 2 weeks but am nervous because I haven't REALLY studied a lot for it (I despise the GRE!) but I have mediocre scores (could be better)....  I have been working in a school, unfortunately where I am from I think there is one speech path (a smalllll town) so I'm hoping that will look good!! 

HI! Where did you do your undergrad? I have a lot of friends that got accepted into the OK schools (I did mine at OKState but am only applying to Arkansas schols) so I can give you some pointers to get into those schools!

[Persis]

Hi  Shelbyisms, I am a Canadian and i plan on apply to OKState that is if you mean Oklahoma State.  So i will love to hear those pointers too if you don't mind.  Thanks

[caterpillar]

Anyways, is anyone else in the same boat? If so what are you doing differently?

 

My husband is. He's changing out his least-strong LOR writer (a professor) for someone he's worked with professionally while serving kids with speech goals. He was going to retake the GRE but ended up deciding to apply to less competitive schools than last year. 

[Persis]

HI! Where did you do your undergrad? I have a lot of friends that got accepted into the OK schools (I did mine at OKState but am only applying to Arkansas schols) so I can give you some pointers to get into those schools!

Hi  Shelbyisms, I am a Canadian and i plan on apply to OKState that is if you mean Oklahoma State.  So i will love to hear those pointers too if you don't mind.  Thanks

[AmandaLeeW23]

Oh wow so sorry I didn't see the replies to this post! I actually did my undergrad at OKstate too! I so far am applying to all Texas schools. I retook my gre and did worse on everything but the writing section (HOWWWWWWW?) But anyways that is the boat I'm in... I changed my letter of intent and applying to a few more schools than last year also have a few more people writing me letters and a few of the same as last year. Anyways... that is where I am at as of now!! What about everyone else?

[AmandaLeeW23]

And one more thing, do you write individual letters for each of the schools you apply to or do you use one letter as a main template than make changes as needed? A lot of topics seem similar to me in a way that my letter could cover most topics ie topics are: 500 word Statement of Purpose describing the decision to pursue the degree in communication disorders", and "Compose a personal statement describing your professional goals and your preparation for graduate study in speech-language pathology." and one more says , "Submit a personal statement indicating why you wish to pursue a graduate degree in CSD"!  Which in my letter I tell why I'm interested in the field, how I became interested,  how I have proved to be interested (ie grades) and what I plan on doing in the future. Or am I reading these wrong and need to make my letters more specific? 

[Sœur d'une Étoile]

And one more thing, do you write individual letters for each of the schools you apply to or do you use one letter as a main template than make changes as needed? A lot of topics seem similar to me in a way that my letter could cover most topics ie topics are: 500 word Statement of Purpose describing the decision to pursue the degree in communication disorders", and "Compose a personal statement describing your professional goals and your preparation for graduate study in speech-language pathology." and one more says , "Submit a personal statement indicating why you wish to pursue a graduate degree in CSD"!  Which in my letter I tell why I'm interested in the field, how I became interested,  how I have proved to be interested (ie grades) and what I plan on doing in the future. Or am I reading these wrong and need to make my letters more specific? 

 

I would write a main template and make changes as needed. Just be careful to answer all the questions they are asking / address all topcs they inculde in the writing promt. For my school we are supposted to write about our most valuable leanrign and experience and it doens't say anything about including why we want to persue SLP studies. However I am going to try and include both of those things in my letter. Every school can have different expectations, so you could ask for input form current students who have een admitted to the schools you are interested in.

 

Google "Composing a Personal Statement: An Invitation to Frustration by Kyle Mox" Someone on another forum shared this article about personal statements and I found it very helpful!

[ballerina18]

This is my second year applying. I am limited to where I can apply due to my location so I am applying strictly to distance programs. Last year I only applied to one graduate program. I was waitlisted and ultimately not accepted. This year I am applying to three programs. I just hope it is enough to get me in at least one program! **Fingers Crossed**

 

I was going to re-take my GRE, but I figured my time was better spent improving my sop. I'm worried about my lor's. I was able to get two amazing SLPs to write me letters, but I only have one professor writing the last letter. I wish I had more academic references, but I will have to take my chances and see what happens.

 

Good luck to everyone this year!