Application Anxiety Thread

[autismadvocate]

It's like my LoR writer reads this thread - I just got an email! Thank you, application gods!!!! tchris, hope it works out for you, too!

[caterpillar]

Can I join in? USM's app is due on the 1st. Only one LOR writer hasn't turned in the letter. My husband messaged him last night and got back, "I'll try." Wth? You literally just have to copy and paste the same letter you wrote (and already turned in) for CSDCAS ... ugh. 

[autismadvocate]

I feel your pain. I don't know how to feel about UCF - I was delighted when I checked my email and saw this message this morning:

 

Thank you for applying for graduate studies at the University of Central Florida!  Your application to the Comm Sciences and Disorders MA program for Fall 2014 has been received and processed.  Any application supporting documents received as of today have also been processed.

 

But then I was less delighted when I checked my application status and saw that two of my letters of rec for UCF still haven't made it, which means they weren't processed... *sighs*  I will be so glad when this whole process is over and I'm actually in grad school!!!!!

[artsyrunnergirl]

I am not so much anxious about getting accepted somewhere as I am about making the decision.  It is going to be so tough because I love all the programs I am applying for for different reasons.  And I really wish I had time and the resources to visit more of them before I make my decision.  Most of mine don't notify applicants until March 15th.

 

I am not enjoying the wait, but it isn't making me anxious per se. :-)  Just extremely eager!

[ImpulsiveNixie]

I am not so much anxious about getting accepted somewhere as I am about making the decision.  It is going to be so tough because I love all the programs I am applying for for different reasons.  And I really wish I had time and the resources to visit more of them before I make my decision.  Most of mine don't notify applicants until March 15th.

 

I am not enjoying the wait, but it isn't making me anxious per se. :-)  Just extremely eager!

 

I am excited to find out where I am going to be living in the FALL! I have moved so much over that past 12 years that I get this "moving" bug when I have been in a place for too long. I can't wait to know! 

[mheroux92]

I'm most definitely stressing. I'm very thankful that the process of applying is over, though. That was enough stress in itself-and too much hold music. My biggest stress right now is I'm lacking a statistics course and a physical science course that's accepted by ASHA (for your C's) and I know some of the schools (not all) want that before they admit you so they don't worry about you doing it while you're in their graduate program too. So that's stressing me out.

 

But I've decided, if I don't get in, I'll just go to be a missionary in Ecuador for a year and help teach English at the school that I visited on a mission trip last year.

[kbell]

My biggest stress right now is I'm lacking a statistics course and a physical science course that's accepted by ASHA (for your C's) and I know some of the schools (not all) want that before they admit you so they don't worry about you doing it while you're in their graduate program too. So that's stressing me out.

 

That's a good point that I haven't really considered in great detail... How do you know whether a course is accepted by ASHA? Is there a link or guideline for what is acceptable? I have all the requirements fulfilled in terms of general undergrad courses, but some of them are Credit/No Credit (instead of a grade) and some are also kind of iffy sounding like "Genetics for Informed Citizens" or something like that, haha. Would be nice to know if it's acceptable...

[autismadvocate]

artsyrunnergirl, we have the opposite problems. I know where I want to go (or at least my top choice and my second choice - my bottom three get jumbled), but I'm still worried about whether or not I'll get accepted to any of them. My rational brain, thankfully, is telling me that the odds of me not getting into any of the five schools is ridiculously low...but I will feel SO much better when I know for sure!

 

mheroux92, it's nice you have a plan either way! One of the reasons I'm so anxious is that I don't really have a back up plan...it raises the stakes. Congrats on being done with all your apps!!!!

[twinguy7]

It's rough, because there's this conception out there that autistic people aren't intelligent.

 

I would say a lot of autistic people are VERY intelligent.  I work at a neuroscience clinic with many autistic children, teens and adults.  They may have their behavioral problems, but each of them are HIGHLY intelligent in their perspective interests.  Currently there is a 7 year old I work with who can speak any language fluently just by reading that language!  it's amazing!  He also knows ALOT about cultures and geography!  just 7 years old! 

 

So I would agree with you and say autistic people are VERY intelligent.

 

And as for anxiety about getting accepted......   Let's be honsest...  I am just hoping for some waitlists @ least!  I know I am a looong shot with my GPA.  Some waitlists would boost my confidence for spring apps if I don't get an acceptance. 

Edited January 30, 2014 by twinguy7

[autismadvocate]

twinguy, since your GRE scores and CSD GPA are, your work at the neuroscience clinic looks good, and you're applying to a lot of schools, so long as you've got good letters of rec and a good letter of intent, which I would assume you do, I would say your odds of getting accepted somewhere are pretty good!

[twinguy7]

autism advocate, thanks for the good words of encouragement!  I have to keep reminding myself that I do have the positives of working in neuroscience and I also work as an SLP(credential waiver) in Los Angeles.  And yes, I applied to many in hopes of @ least one saying YES   Thanks!

[autismadvocate]

I didn't know you worked as an SLP! Okay, I'd say your odds just went up. I can't say you're definitely getting into a school (I won't say that for myself, either), but let's just say I would be deeply surprised if you didn't get into *at least* one.

[twinguy7]

Yea, I work at a few charter schools doing everything but assessments(testing).  I was told by one school when searching for schools to apply to that just because I was working as an SLP didn't give me any extra "points".   But then again, it was a school I wasn't qualified to apply to anyways because of the overall GPA under 3.0. 

[mheroux92]

I do have that backup plan, but honestly I'd rather get school all done with first. Then maybe go there later and help with the kids at that school who need it. Ecuador stole my heart, but I should probably get a degree first. They don't have an SLP at their school, so that's an open door!

[autismadvocate]

twinguy7: Yikes! Man, I don't know about that. Maybe that was a very numbers-oriented school you visited. Because to me the fact that you work as an SLP right now serves as an important data point in your advantage. It shows me that you're committed to the career, you have a great perspective to contribute to the class, you have relevant experiences, among other things. I cannot see how that would not be something significant in your favor, except in a school that is super numbers-oriented.

 

My thoughts exactly, mheroux92. I, too, have thought of traveling abroad again and helping out, on my side of things I'd want to work with autistic children. (Shocking to hear, I'm sure, given my penname and interests, lol.) But, ignoring the fact that I can't travel right now, I also will be of far more value to the children there (and by there I'm referring to China in particular, but also to a lesser extent Latin America) with my degree than without it.

[LDadvocate]

Hey twinguy7, you said you worked as an SLP? You're licensed already?

[Bcjami]

Whew, just getting on grad cafe makes me nervous, especially when people starting adding their acceptances and rejections. This is my third year applying, so I'm on edge all the time. Thinking of plan B is so depressing. I guess the only thing that comforts me is knowing that all of my applications are 100% done and everything has been received. Plus, this year compared to my other two app seasons . .  I have all  of the pre-reqs completed or in progress, I really have tried my best to boost my application with things that I can control----boo GRE!! Which prob won't mean much. Anyways good to everyone's anxiety, hope you find some peace and comfort!

[twinguy7]

Hey twinguy7, you said you worked as an SLP? You're licensed already?

I am currently working as an SLP at a few charter school sites in Los Angeles County.  California allows a "credential waiver" for a year for those with a bachelors degree to fulfill the need for SLP's in smaller private and charter schools.  For example.....  all 4 of my schools have a total enrollment of about 300 students each.  2 middle schools and 2 high schools.  My caseloads at each school are: 6, 4, 4 and 16 for a total of 30 students amongst the 4 schools.  They also allow for one additional year on a credential waiver if you get accepted into a grad program or you pass the CBEST test before the 2nd year.  hope that helps explain being an SLP with just a bachelors.

[Love the Sun]

Ugh!  I'm starting to get so anxious!  Reading this thread is making it worse!  haha  Unfortunately for me, I could only apply to ONE local university (I live in Hawaii and can't relocate right now and it's the only school on my island with the program).  UH Manoa only accepts 12-15 applicants out of 100-150, which means it's kind of a crapshoot.  My stats are higher than their average admit, but I don't really have much (or any) relevant experience aside from basic childcare stuff, so my grades and GRE scores are all I have going for me.  And hopefully the LORs and the SOP.  We'll see........  When I've looked before, some people have found out as early as early to mid February for a Feb 1 deadline, so some of us could be finding out really soon! (Please don't drag it out 'til May..........)

[SLPamy]

Wow Love the Sun, I wish I thought about applying to a program in Hawaii. That would be a nice place to live for the next 2 years!

It's so hard to know what the admissions committees are looking for. Hopefully you hear good news in February!

[autismadvocate]

Love the Sun, grades and GRE scores count for a lot, so maybe your odds are better than you think. That said, that's a really rough situation for you, only having one school - my sympathies.

[ImpulsiveNixie]

Didn't Hawaii have a fire in there SLP building a few years ago?

Edited January 31, 2014 by ImpulsiveNixie

[LDadvocate]

wow twinguy7, that's crazy! I just looked it up and you're so lucky, I wish they had something like that in New York because I learn better with experience. Technically New York is one of the states which don't require a masters degree to practice but not really sure how people can get a job when your competitors might have their master's degree. Is this your first time applying to grad schools?

[Arcanelady27]

wow twinguy7, that's crazy! I just looked it up and you're so lucky, I wish they had something like that in New York because I learn better with experience. Technically New York is one of the states which don't require a masters degree to practice but not really sure how people can get a job when your competitors might have their master's degree. Is this your first time applying to grad schools?

 

 

Are you sure about NY being one of the states that do not require Masters degree? 

[Persis]

wow twinguy7, that's crazy! I just looked it up and you're so lucky, I wish they had something like that in New York because I learn better with experience. Technically New York is one of the states which don't require a masters degree to practice but not really sure how people can get a job when your competitors might have their master's degree. Is this your first time applying to grad schools?

LDadvoacte, did you say New York does not require a masters to practice as an SLP?