For 2014 and before people - what do you wish you'd done differently while applying?

[Chandru1]

As I start working on apps, I want to know what you've learned from the experience. Did you apply to too many schools? Too few? Wished you'd done something different on the essays?

I'm really looking forward to your responses! Thanks so much in advance!

[ballerina18]

I applied to SLP graduate programs two years in a row. Here is the rundown from my experience:

 

For Fall 2013 Admission: I only applied to one online graduate program. I was very overconfident and underestimated the competition in this field. I still needed to complete some prerequisites, my SOP was only so-so, and my GRE scores were average. I didn't follow up much on my application. I didn't want to "bother" anyone in the admissions office so I basically waited to hear from them. Despite having an excellent GPA (3.9) and good letters of recommendation I was wait-listed and then denied admission.

 

For Fall 2014 Admission: This time around I applied to three different programs all across the country (Kentucky, Idaho, Colorado). I did not limit myself to only online programs. My GPA was marginally higher this time around, I had completed all prerequisites, GRE scores were still the same as I chose not to re-take the exam, I chose different people for my letters of recommendation, and I worked for MONTHS on my SOP. The final version of my SOP was extremely different from my first draft. I made a point to follow up often on my applications. I called the admissions office, sent emails to the office secretary, sent hand-written thank you letters to all the secretaries of each program, and I continued to make my interest in their programs known. I was initially wait-listed at the program I was accepted to, but I kept in touch and made it off the wait list. =)  I'm so excited to be starting an slp graduate program this Fall!

 

Having gone through the process twice, I feel like I recognize my mistakes from the first time around. My biggest mistake was not applying to a number of different programs and seeking out the best programs for my interests. I didn't branch out and take risks.

 

Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

[QS05]

Looking back now I think that I applied to too many schools. However, at the start of working on my applications I knew how competitive this field was and wanted to apply to many programs so that I would increase my chances of being accepted. The only downfall to that is that applications are expensive and then you have to add in the payment of transcripts being sent and taking the GRE.

I believe that the best thing I did was to research schools that were a good fit for me. I emailed many programs and asked them for their average GPA and GRE admission scores. I also asked them about pre-reqs because I was an out-of-field applicant. After emailing the programs I was able to narrow down the list of programs I wanted to apply to. I had a good range of "safety" schools (I know there's no such thing as a safety school in this field but I labeled the programs in which my GPA and GRE scores exceeded the scores of their average admissions from last year), hit or miss schools, and reach schools.

Also, I did not write a universal personal statement. I wrote a new one for each program I applied to. Many of my personal statements had the same elements to it (my background, why I wanted to pursue speech, etc.) but each one touched on why I wanted to go to that specific program and why I would be a good fit for them. I think that personalizing my personal statement a little really caught the attention of admissions committees.

Just a side note for when you are done with applications and waiting to hear responses.... I thought I would hear from many of my programs in March. Starting March 1st I was checking my emails repeatedly and stalking my mailman. However, most of the programs I applied to did not start notifying until the second week of April! It was a long and nerve wracking wait especially since I saw many others posting on this forum about hearing from programs. It just so happens that the ones I applied to notified their applicants later. So don't be discouraged if everyone else on here is hearing back from their programs early on. I took this as a sign that I wasn't going to be accepted anywhere and that wasn't the case!

Good luck to you with your application process! Feel free to message me if you have any questions

[BiancaNicole21]

My only regret was worrying so much!

 

I think the number of schools you apply to is a personal decision. I started out filling out applications to every school in Florida (which is where I live) and soon realized, if I got into some of these programs, I wouldn't want to move there.

I ended up applying to 2 schools and got into my first choice.

 

I would also recommend giving yourself plenty of time to ask for letters of rec, write your Letter of Intent, and perfect your resume. I know a few people I went to undergrad with who asked professors 2 weeks before a deadline for letters of rec! The professors weren't too happy. Give yourself enough time to make sure you are happy with what you will be submitting. Take the time to do research on what your specific programs specialize in and what research they contribute to! This always looks good in a Letter of Intent!

 

By the end of application season, I was happy with what I accomplished and what I submitted! If you are still in school, try to ignore what all your other classmates are doing or what they say about their applications! I regret comparing myself and not thinking I was as "good" or competitive as some people who also applied. You can only do the best you can! Be proud of what you submit and leave the rest behind

I wish you and everyone else applying the best of luck!

[whatsinmind]

If I went through the process again, I would be more selective about where I applied. I agree with BianaNicole21 that how many schools you apply to is a personal decision. But be sure to make that decision based on your personal preferences in the type of program you want instead of applying to programs because you feel the pressure and competitiveness of the admissions process. 

 

Also, my former professors from my undergrad and previous internships were lifesavers during the application process. Besides writing rec letters, they have so much insight on which programs you should apply to and, eventually, the decision process when you are considering multiple acceptances. I was an out-of-field applicant, so the professors I worked with in my internships in SLP and CSD departments constantly gave me feedback on the list of schools I was applying to because they knew my personal interests and were better acquainted with the departments I considered. Even if you aren't an out-of-field applicant, your professors have gone through the application process too. They give great feedback on your personal statements and the programs you are considering. If they don't have time to give you the help you need, you can usually ask if they can connect you to a former advisee/student of theirs who can help you with the process. Just be sure to reach out for help when you need it!

[Missthang]

My regret was causing myself soooo much stress and worry over things I couldn't control. I knew I mailed everything in VERY early, but I still drove myself insane constantly checking my email and application portals for any updates for nearly 2 months. I also wish I would've given myself more credit instead of thinking that I didn't stand a chance anywhere and stressing about what my Plan B would be. I knew I had my resume and personal statement both written to perfection (thank you career services center counselors!) and also had good GRE scores and last 60 and major GPAs, but I let my low cumulative GPA make me believe that that would be the 1 thing to bring me down. Thankfully 1 not-so-great thing didn't ruin me and all of the other good things in my application helped me shine!
 

Looking back I can only laugh at myself and tell senior undergrads who are about to endure the applications process my tips of advice on what I did and what I shouldn't have done to help ease their worry. I wish I had more people who would've given me advice, but I think I did pretty well for myself! I'm looking forward to starting school (even though I'm nervous as hell about clinic!!) and can't wait for these next 2 years to fly by...

[Chandru1]

Thank you so much for all of your responses! They're all very helpful and I'll definitely PM you guys, especially as application time comes closer.

[lisa19]

I also wish I applied to less schools. One of my schools I was 99% sure I would not get into, and the other I only applied to ask a "back-up" - I never wanted to go in the first place and ended up not getting in anyway. Some people apply to only 1 or 2 schools while others apply to 10. What you choose to do will likely depend on your location, stats, and other reasons. I say only apply to schools you would actually attend, and do have your reach schools but consider the costs of applying when deciding to throw out another app there just for the hell of it. Good luck!

[Chandru1]

For students with low (3.0) GPA and out of field, would it be best to:

A: apply to as many 3 year and postbac programs as financially possible in order to increase the chances of acceptance in one.

B: apply to only one guaranteed admissions postbac, raise my GPA, and then apply for Fall 2016 admission in a 2 year program.

I'm confused as to the best course of action in my position.

[lisa19]

I'm not familiar with postbac programs, but is there really such thing as having guaranteed admission into one?

 

Also, could you not do both options? Apply to the guaranteed admissions postbac and also apply to a few of your top choice 3 year and postbac programs and weigh your options after you hear back? I think that would be your best bet.

[Chandru1]

Portland State and UO-Eugene just want an undergrad degree, GPA is not looked at. I am thinking of combining my two options but am having trouble deciding how many 3 year programs to apply to.

[bkjo21]

Here are my 3 major tips for overall application processes:

 

1. Stay organized!  If you're applying to several schools (I applied to 8 or 9), you need to make sure that you know what information each school wants and how.  Some schools are online apps, some are paper apps, some are both, some schools want 2-3 recommendationssome schools want your references to fill out a specific form, some want a resume, some don't, some want more than 1 essay, some have their own essay...so many details to keep in mind for each school!  I first made a spreadsheet of all the schools I was applying too.  I included information about the application fees, deadlines (very important!), how many references letters are needed, if it's online or paper, essay themes etc.  I then made a separate manilla folder for each school and in each folder made a checklist of the things I needed to submit or do for that school.

 

2. Ask for help!  Use the resources at your undergraduate institution, whether its advisors, professors, or even career services reps.  I know advisors tend to have a bad rep, but if they are actually SLPs, their insight may be very valuable.  If they are negative, don't let that discourage you, look for someone else.  Talk to your professors that you've had classes with - even if it was just one class.  Ask them questions and ask for suggestions/tips.  Tell them your interests and goals and how you can use them to help you stand out as an applicant.  They can help guide you in the right direction.  Ask multiple professors the same questions also, so you have more than one perspective.  (Also, it will help you get a recommendation letter, if haven't already!) Also, use the career services offices so they can review your essays and your resume.  Essays and resumes - even just the appearance/format can make a big difference!  They can give you insight on what things to include on your resume and what not to, and also how to format the resume.  They can also review your essay for you, and give you constructive feedback.  If you go to a big school, it's likely that you will need to set up an appointment with career services, so be sure to do that earlier in the semester!  I have to admit, that I myself, did not take full advantage of these resources and I wish I did!  Although I ultimately did receive an acceptance, who knows if I could have gotten more?  

 

3. Stay positive, be flexible, and don't stress out too much!  It can definitely be stressful especially if you apply to many schools, but remember it is not the end of the world!  There is no point in stressing about something you can't control.  It's not going to change anything.  So just take a deep breath, and be patient and have faith What is meant to be will be.  I know not everyone has this mantra.  I'm not sure what your take is on it.  However, it makes things a lot easier to deal with if you keep this in mind from the very beginning, because then it will be easier to accept whatever happens - good or bad!  I didn't get my first acceptance until AFTER April 15th!  I also got off a wait list just last week!  Anything could happen, so be prepared for and open to changes!  

 

--

Like I said earlier, I applied to 8-9 schools.  They were mostly in the NY/Long Island area.  I got accepted by 1, wait listed by 2 (then later accepted by 1), and rest were all rejections.  Someone mentioned before, it really all depends the area you are applying too and it also is all just chance, in my opinion.  I met one girl, who's scores were lower than mine, who's reference letters weren't so good, but she got accepted a school that wait listed me.  On the results page, I saw people with much lower scores getting into schools that rejected me.  So that just goes to show, schools do look at the whole package!  So make sure you do the best you can possibly do in each category - GPA, GRE, essay, resume, and letters.   

 

I hope this helped in someway!  Feel free to PM later this year or even next year!  I love to help out (hence one of the reasons I chose this profession  )!  Good luck on all your applications!