Very experienced in Neuroscience, but new to SLP.....do I even have a chance?

[sarahcd]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm here because I just 6 months ago firmly decided on pursuing SLP. I'm currently a senior at a university in CT, a neuroscience and psychology double major. My school only has a minor in SLP and no CSD major, so its not like it would have been possible for me to switch to studying SLP exclusively.

 

I plan on applying to grad schools in the fall (ones that dont have SLP prerequisites). Before this change I had planned on getting my PhD in Neuroscience, so I've done 3 years of undergrad research and am being published in an actual scientific journal in the fall, but I decided last winter that I wanted to work in a clinical setting with mentally disabled people in restoring functional communication, rather than work behind a bench. I'm worried I've wasted too much time on these accomplishments and havent done enough to make me stand out to an SLP grad program.

My goal would be to get my MA CCC and work for a few years, then get back into research, but this time in neuroscience underpinnings of CSD related to SLP.

 

I've been working my hardest since I made this change, and by the time I would by applying, here are the SLP qualifications I would have:

 

GPA: 3.87

Excellent GRE score

50 observation hours in outpatient, hosptial, child and geriatric experiences

8 months volunteering with Alzheimers/Dementia patients

5-6 months volunteering with children, in a special education setting

A few SLP courses: Intro to Language disorders, Phonetics, and Intro to clin. methods, in addition to all of my psych and bio courses

5 month member of autism awareness club

5 month member of american sign language club

 

Obviously I've been working very hard to develop skills needed in this field. And even though it is less relevant, I am a very talented researcher, and I'm in 3 honor societies.

 

My question: what more can I be doing? It looks like alot on paper but would grad schools even consider me because I havent invested enough in this field like other people have? I'm wondering if I should take a year off to do a post bacc and try to find a job working with kids or something but I really dont want to.

 

Looking for any input!

 

Thank you so much everyone, I appreciate it more than I can say!

[twinguy7]

I have been working with nuerofeedback the last year and it helped me gain more knowledge, gain patient 1 on 1 experience and I love it!  I think your background would serve you well!  Good luck! 

[lookwhoslp]

They want a diverse group of people, especially those from diverse backgrounds that want to research. I think you'd have a good shot and many people switch after obtaining a BA and do the leveling courses. I'd suggest doing the minor or at least taking some classes  so that you have less pre reqs to do. Some programs have a leveling program that go right into a masters, others you have to reapply for the masters (and possibly not get in... in this case apply to numerous schools). You have good stats and experience, so there's a good chance you'd get in. I don't want to scare you, but even those with SLP majors and decent scores don't get in the first time around, half of it's a guessing game as some that had better scores didn't get into some places while people with lower scores but maybe more experience got in. Don't let that stop you though, just keep pushing through and gaining more experience if thats the case... there's lot of competition but once you're in you're golden. There's also schools that have start times in spring or summer too so that is always good for back up options.

I'm actually interested in the neuroscience side of things, and several schools have a more medical focus or even neurogenic concentrations. University of South Carolina had a certificate option for that. Others I forget... but you can look at your prospective school's curriculum to see which classes they offer.

[sayjo]

I actually think you've got a good shot for an out-of-fielder.  The only thing you could do differently is to continue to take SLP pre-req classes.  I don't think you need to do the whole post-bacc.  Just look online at schools you are interested in and see what pre-reqs they require and try to take some of those while applying.

[sarahcd]

Thanks for your time everyone, this was helpful!