GRADUATE SCHOOLS THAT LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE, NOT JUST GRE SCORES (MICHIGAN, INDIANA, OHIO, ILLINOIS)

[Dammke1118]

HEY GUYS, I AM LOOKING INTO MICHIGAN SCHOOLS. I HAVE 3.56 GPA AND MY GRE SCORES STINK! I AM RETAKING IT SEPT 5TH BUT IT IS A CONSTANT WORRY THAT I WONT BEABLE TO GET 150 IN BOTH VERBAL AND MATH. ESPECIALLY MATH! MY RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE EXCELLENT AND I WILL HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH 4 CLIENTS (TWO SEMESTERS OF CLINICAL)  I VOLUNTEER FOR SPEECH CAMPS FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS AND I AM INVOLVED IN OUR SPEECH PATHOLOGY AND ASL CLUBS AT MY UNDERGRAD UNIVERSITY. 

 

I JUST NEED TO FIND SCHOOLS THAT LOOK AT THE WHOLE PICTURE. 

 

THANKS!! 

[geographyrocks]

Well, that would be almost all of them. GREs are generally used to thin the applicant pool. Look for a strong fit and try to at least hit the minimum GRE.

Just a note: don't type in all caps. It's like you're yelling at everyone.

Edited July 21, 2014 by geographyrocks

[Missthang]

All schools look at the whole picture.... Do you have a standout letter of intent/personal statement? Do you have a great GPA (especially last 60 hrs and are you getting As in your comd classes)? What kind of volunteering/research/clinical/work/etc. experience do you have on your resume? These are all the things that programs are looking for in applications. GRE scores are mainly used for weeding out people or providing assistantships. Maybe you have an "okay" GPA but your GRE scores are amazing or vice versa- they can sort of balance one another out. Look at the average GPA and GRE scores for the schools you are interested in. If you are near their numbers or above then that's great as long as you have other things to make your application standout like an awesome resume, personal statement, and especially letters of recommendation.

[Dammke1118]

Thank you guys, sorry about all caps! Didn't mean for it to sound like I'm yelling.

 

I am just afraid if my GRE scores are not up to par, they will pass over my application. 

[BiancaNicole21]

Most programs have minimum requirements. From what schools have told me, they automatically declined or waitlisted applicants who did not reach their minimum requirements for all areas. However, having a strong GPA, great letters, etc will help you if a program has a high volume of qualified applicants or if you are waitlisted.

 

The GRE is terrible!  Several people who would be amazing clinicians and students are held back because of a single test.

I wish you the best of luck when you retake the GRE! Take this time to study and strengthen skills you are lacking!

 

(Personal Note: I took the GRE 4 times to get the score I wanted! This helped me get into my first choice school!)

Don't let a test stand between you and your dreams!

[Dammke1118]

 Thank you BiancaNicole21 for your encouragement! congrats on your acceptance! I have already took it twice, and they raised the price! its absolutly rediculous! I am doing the Magoosh program which is very helpful, I am just worried that my test anxiety will get the best of me! 

[twinguy7]

I know GVSU in Grand Rapids looks at the whole picture.  My GPA and GRE's are not that great but they interviewed me and took me as a person into account and my experiences in the field.  I highly recommend them.

[Dammke1118]

I know GVSU in Grand Rapids looks at the whole picture.  My GPA and GRE's are not that great but they interviewed me and took me as a person into account and my experiences in the field.  I highly recommend them.

I have been in contact with the director there, she responds back very quickly! I am just having trouble getting in contact to schedule a meeting/tour of the place. 

Twinguy7, do you know how many they accepted this year? 

[twinguy7]

They accept 30 each cohort.  They have a fall and winter cohort, so 60 per year if you take that into account.  I had the same trouble with getting a tour.  I visited back in April.  To be honest, it's not much to tour.  The Cook-Devos Health Sciences building is where all of the classes are held.  All of the classes are held basically in one room also in that building.  All Clinical praticum is done off site in different surrounding cities.  So don't worry about a tour.  You can google earth or map the building and that's basically the tour itself.  All of the professors are busy so it's hard to schedule a tour also.  I move up to Michigan in 3 weeks!

[Dammke1118]

Thank you! you will love MI, I go up there every summer! I wish I lived there now, so I could pay in-state tuition! It's so expensive! 

[kuuipo]

I applied to all schools in Michigan. Waitlisted at GVSU. Accepted at MSU (where I did my undergrad). Denied everywhere else. Undergrad GPA similar to yours, however I have been out of school for awhile (6 years), and have worked as an SLPA  I agree that every school looks at the "whole picture." I think many people have a tendency to say GVSU is less competitive, and while that may be true (right now), I think that is due to the fact that it is a new program, not that they view applicants differently.