Anyone get into Masters SLP program with an undergrad GPA of 3.13 or less?

[wewers78]

Anyone get into a Masters SLP program with an undergrad GPA of 3.13 or lower?  Is it possible?  I have not taken any Pre SLP courses yet, but I will take them at LaSalle or Northwestern beginning this Fall.  If I ace my Pre SLP courses, but have a 3.127 undergrad GPA, do I still even have a shot?  Please tell me some of you had an undegrad GPA of 3.13 or lower....

[twinguy7]

Look at my stats below in my signature.

[proteinprotein]

I received admission to ENMU with an undergrad gpa of 3.0. I went through their postbac program and had a 3.8 gpa and average GRE scores. It is def possible just work your butt off with your pre SLP courses and apply to tons of places like twinguy7. I only applied to ENMU and it was one of the worst things I could have done to myself.

[mo~]

A lot of state schools (like CSULB CSULA CSUF) only look at your last 60 units. And most place put more priority on your SLP grades than your undergrad GPA. If you can get good grades in your slp classes you have a great shot!

[Bapple]

This thread put a smile on my face!  

[HippoPirate]

My undergrad GPA was 2.66 and I got into a very competitive master's program. My undergrad was ten years ago, though, and my post-bac GPA was 3.91. I also had very high verbal and writing GRE scores and relevant personal and work experience.

Edited June 19, 2014 by HippoPirate

[arthritiskid]

My undergrad was a 3.1 when I graduated, and my SLP coursework was a 3.75. I didn't think that I would get in, and here I am!  

[wewers78]

My undergrad GPA was 2.66 and I got into a very competitive master's program. My undergrad was ten years ago, though, and my post-bac GPA was 3.91. I also had very high verbal and writing GRE scores and relevant personal and work experience.

Thanks for this!  I graduated from undergrad 14 years ago.  I really need to do well in the post-bacc program.  May I ask where you are getting your Masters from?

[wewers78]

Thanks, all.  This gives me hope!  Did any of you do your post bacc via distance learning (online)?  If so, how did you get teacher recommendations when you applied for your Masters?

[HippoPirate]

Thanks for this!  I graduated from undergrad 14 years ago.  I really need to do well in the post-bacc program.  May I ask where you are getting your Masters from?

 

I heard from more than one professor that the longer ago you did your undergrad, the less weight they give it. But that might not be true everywhere. I'm going to Pacific University in Oregon. It's a very new program, but I'm told they got over 500 applicants for 35 places. I was offered a place in the first round of acceptances.

 

In addition to kicking ass in post-bac, I would highly recommend getting some work/volunteer experience in the field. Work with culturally/linguistically diverse populations is an especially sought-after qualification. I know other students with a 4.0 in post-bac/undergrad who didn't get accepted anywhere, presumably because they didn't have relevant professional/life experiences.

 

Another thing that I think contributed to my acceptance was the interview. I was wait listed at a comparably-competitive school that didn't do interviews and ended up not getting in. So if you're a good interviewer, I think it's a good idea to apply to some schools that do interviews.

 

Good luck!

[wewers78]

I heard from more than one professor that the longer ago you did your undergrad, the less weight they give it. But that might not be true everywhere. I'm going to Pacific University in Oregon. It's a very new program, but I'm told they got over 500 applicants for 35 places. I was offered a place in the first round of acceptances.

 

In addition to kicking ass in post-bac, I would highly recommend getting some work/volunteer experience in the field. Work with culturally/linguistically diverse populations is an especially sought-after qualification. I know other students with a 4.0 in post-bac/undergrad who didn't get accepted anywhere, presumably because they didn't have relevant professional/life experiences.

 

Another thing that I think contributed to my acceptance was the interview. I was wait listed at a comparably-competitive school that didn't do interviews and ended up not getting in. So if you're a good interviewer, I think it's a good idea to apply to some schools that do interviews.

 

Good luck!

Well, a big congratulations to you on your acceptance!  That is fabulous!  And thank you for your input.  Perhaps my Bachelor's in Spanish will be a plus.  I am looking into volunteer work, as we speak.  Thanks again and best of luck to you!

[arthritiskid]

Thanks, all.  This gives me hope!  Did any of you do your post bacc via distance learning (online)?  If so, how did you get teacher recommendations when you applied for your Masters?

 

I did my post bacc via distance learning! I took about 9 classes through Utah State University. They have a 2nd bachelors CSD program all online. It's very affordable too! I was able to have two jobs and balance my classes so that I could save some money as opposed to going to a full time post bacc program and spending about 10K more. USU professors are willing to write references for you too (as long as you do well in the class I'm sure). It's clearly not as personal, but I'm sure they can touch on your strengths and weaknesses academically. I was too early in my first semester there to ask for a reference from a COMD professor, so I got one from a two undergrad profs and two previous employers! The USU professors are really wonderful! I've had good experiences in each of my classes. 

 

Hope this helps! I strongly recommend USU!  

[wewers78]

I did my post bacc via distance learning! I took about 9 classes through Utah State University. They have a 2nd bachelors CSD program all online. It's very affordable too! I was able to have two jobs and balance my classes so that I could save some money as opposed to going to a full time post bacc program and spending about 10K more. USU professors are willing to write references for you too (as long as you do well in the class I'm sure). It's clearly not as personal, but I'm sure they can touch on your strengths and weaknesses academically. I was too early in my first semester there to ask for a reference from a COMD professor, so I got one from a two undergrad profs and two previous employers! The USU professors are really wonderful! I've had good experiences in each of my classes. 

 

Hope this helps! I strongly recommend USU!

Thanks again!!

[Bapple]

I did my post bacc via distance learning! I took about 9 classes through Utah State University. They have a 2nd bachelors CSD program all online. It's very affordable too! I was able to have two jobs and balance my classes so that I could save some money as opposed to going to a full time post bacc program and spending about 10K more. USU professors are willing to write references for you too (as long as you do well in the class I'm sure). It's clearly not as personal, but I'm sure they can touch on your strengths and weaknesses academically. I was too early in my first semester there to ask for a reference from a COMD professor, so I got one from a two undergrad profs and two previous employers! The USU professors are really wonderful! I've had good experiences in each of my classes. 

 

Hope this helps! I strongly recommend USU!

 

I totally agree! I enjoyed all the classes I have been taking! All the professors are very helpful and they are very good at their field. I am so glad I am a student of USU. I will ask for recommendation letters from them, I have to actually. Hopefully I will be able to get at least 2. I would be sooo happy!

 

I also highly recommend USU for prerequisites or second bacc. In my opinion, USU has been doing this for a long time and they are expert about it.

 

Good luck!

[alecvdpoel]

Not so stellar undergrad GPA (but better last 60 units and major GPA), currently taking my 2nd prereq course through USU, hoping to get a good GPA in this program! Still need to do the GRE as well... and having a difficult time trying to find somewhere to shadow/volunteer in the field, as nobody will get back to me :/

[AnnaGri]

I did my post bacc via distance learning! I took about 9 classes through Utah State University. They have a 2nd bachelors CSD program all online. It's very affordable too! I was able to have two jobs and balance my classes so that I could save some money as opposed to going to a full time post bacc program and spending about 10K more. USU professors are willing to write references for you too (as long as you do well in the class I'm sure). It's clearly not as personal, but I'm sure they can touch on your strengths and weaknesses academically. I was too early in my first semester there to ask for a reference from a COMD professor, so I got one from a two undergrad profs and two previous employers! The USU professors are really wonderful! I've had good experiences in each of my classes. 

 

Hope this helps! I strongly recommend USU!

Hi, I am planning on applying to USU's 2nd Degree program and I wanted to know what the admission requirements were. I looked at their site and it appears to be as simple as filling out their form. Did you have to submit a letter of rec, transcript or personal statement as part of your app to USU?

[arthritiskid]

Hi, I am planning on applying to USU's 2nd Degree program and I wanted to know what the admission requirements were. I looked at their site and it appears to be as simple as filling out their form. Did you have to submit a letter of rec, transcript or personal statement as part of your app to USU?

 

No, not for their 2nd degree program. I believe that you just fill out the application and then send your transcripts. I can't remember everything though because it was a year ago!

[dhuffman2013]

Hi all! I know this forum is a few months old, but I'm currently in a undergrad speech path program with a GPA of 2.75. I have 2 1/2 years to get it up, but this forum makes me feel so much better that I'm not alone with my anxieties of not getting into grad school and that all of you HAVE gotten into grad programs. 

[Salbando]

Look at my stats below in my signature.

I would be curious to know what else in your application file made you attractive to admissions committees?

[twinguy7]

I would be curious to know what else in your application file made you attractive to admissions committees?

 

I have been told it was my experience in the field, I worked a year as an SLPA and a year working with kids and adults on the spectrum as a neurotherapy trainer.  I also worked with kids as a teachers aide in the school system.  I also have lived abroad for 2 years in Brazil so I speak Portuguese and I am conversational in Spanish.  Besides that, having an interview process in the application helped to get across who I am as a person and communicator.  

[Abernab0302]

I have been told it was my experience in the field, I worked a year as an SLPA and a year working with kids and adults on the spectrum as a neurotherapy trainer.  I also worked with kids as a teachers aide in the school system.  I also have lived abroad for 2 years in Brazil so I speak Portuguese and I am conversational in Spanish.  Besides that, having an interview process in the application helped to get across who I am as a person and communicator.  

Off topic, but when you were in Brazil were you studying abroad or accepted position related to speech? 

[hopefulspeechie16]

Is GPA really what it comes down to? I mean without a 4.0 overall or close to a 4.0 GPA does anyone really stand a chance? If you have a good COMD GPA , but  you're overall GPA does not make the cutoff for a program do you still have a chance?

[bindlestiff]

@marshmelos Yes, you still have a chance. GPA is only one of the factors adcomms look at. You might want to go back and read the first page of this topic if you haven't already -- there are people (I'm thinking of Twinguy7) with GPAs under 3.0 who are in grad school. It all depends on 1) the programs you apply to, and 2) the rest of your application.

[twinguy7]

Off topic, but when you were in Brazil were you studying abroad or accepted position related to speech? 

 

Hey Abernab0302,

 

I was in Brazil for a Mormon Mission(2 years).  When I was 20-22yrs old.  Picked up Portuguese there and since its so close to Spanish, I am conversational in Spanish now.

[selbstverteidigung]

What about with low GRE scores?