Plan B: If you don't get in.

[SundayMatinee]

I know many people say to be positive and keep hope, and I'm not saying I'm not. However, there is always the possibility that this year might not be the year. With that said, I was wondering if anyone here had recommendations as to what I could do in a 6 month-1 year period before the next application cycle. I'd rather not have a year wasted if I don't get in. I was thinking of teaching English abroad, and I was wondering if anyone knew of some organizations that do that? Also, any hope in being an SLPA or any other speech related jobs (such as day care, or working with children with disabilities). I'm willing to do anything or go anywhere that would give me relevant experience. 

 

I should also mention my credentials are: B.A. in Speech & Communications Sciences (Expected July 2015, taking 1 speech summer course, last one). Also, I'm planing to volunteer in a hospital this semester, I'm putting through my application for that tomorrow. My speech GPA is a 3.6 (Last 60 credits). Prior to that I received an associates with a 2.8 GPA. I currently live in New York & attend CUNY Brooklyn. I'm also willing to travel to another state to be an SLPA.

 

Thanks & good luck everyone!

Edited January 26, 2015 by SundayMatinee

[theory411]

I know many people say to be positive and keep hope, and I'm not saying I'm not. However, there is always the possibility that this year might not be the year. With that said, I was wondering if anyone here had recommendations as to what I could do in a 6 month-1 year period before the next application cycle. I'd rather not have a year wasted if I don't get in. I was thinking of teaching English abroad, and I was wondering if anyone knew of some organizations that do that? Also, any hope in being an SLPA or any other speech related jobs (such as day care, or working with children with disabilities). I'm willing to do anything or go anywhere that would give me relevant experience. 

 

I should also mention my credentials are: B.A. in Speech & Communications Sciences (Expected July 2015, taking 1 speech summer course, last one). Also, I'm planing to volunteer in a hospital this semester, I'm putting through my application for that tomorrow. My speech GPA is a 3.6 (Last 60 credits). Prior to that I received an associates with a 2.8 GPA. I currently live in New York & attend CUNY Brooklyn. I'm also willing to travel to another state to be an SLPA.

 

Thanks & good luck everyone!

Hey, I know the feeling. To answer your question: I had a friend who took a year off because he did not apply to any graduate programs and he works for YBM ECC in Korea. They fixed him with an apartment and paid for his airfare. They give him a living stipend and he has been having a wonderful time. You might want to look into it, if you are really concerned. Teaching english in another country is a wonderful opportunity and so much fun (so I hear!). 

 

Best wishes for your application season :-) 

[Arcanelady27]

I know many people say to be positive and keep hope, and I'm not saying I'm not. However, there is always the possibility that this year might not be the year. With that said, I was wondering if anyone here had recommendations as to what I could do in a 6 month-1 year period before the next application cycle. I'd rather not have a year wasted if I don't get in. I was thinking of teaching English abroad, and I was wondering if anyone knew of some organizations that do that? Also, any hope in being an SLPA or any other speech related jobs (such as day care, or working with children with disabilities). I'm willing to do anything or go anywhere that would give me relevant experience. 

 

I should also mention my credentials are: B.A. in Speech & Communications Sciences (Expected July 2015, taking 1 speech summer course, last one). Also, I'm planing to volunteer in a hospital this semester, I'm putting through my application for that tomorrow. My speech GPA is a 3.6 (Last 60 credits). Prior to that I received an associates with a 2.8 GPA. I currently live in New York & attend CUNY Brooklyn. I'm also willing to travel to another state to be an SLPA.

 

Thanks & good luck every

 

 

 

I took some grad classes at CUNY Brooklyn last semester.  I applied last year and did not get in. However, I was granted permission by the former grad deputy to take classes as a non-matriculated grad student. The new grad deputy no longer gives students this option, so I was only allowed to take two classes but did good in the classes. It is a great idea to volunteer. I was told by former grad deputy to volunteer and did so at a rehabilitation hospital.  Becoming a SLPA is a great idea but you do have to take classes and get certified for that and I am not sure how long that takes. It could be more than 6 months to a year.

Definitely get your GPA up as high as possible and do well on the GRE.  If you do not get in, try taking grad classes as a non matriculated student.  None of the CUNY's have this option but other schools may allow it. 

[JustJay]

I actually am considering teaching english abroad myself if I don't get in! My friend got an offer to teach in China for a year, but I would choose to go to South Korea myself. I currently work as a preschool teacher so my other plan was to stay in the field I'm in while working on a k-5 teaching cert in the U.S. Getting a full blown teaching cert would be more long term security vs teaching abroad so I'm pretty torn what the best path for me would be. I've always wanted to see the world so leaving the U.S. would be a dream come true and is quite tempting. Hmmm.... I guess I'll now in a month or two!

[twinguy7]

If anyone was thinking SLPA as a second option, I know in California I worked as an SLP with a credential waiver which essentially was like being an SLPA.  The company who hired me was Total Education Solutions ( TESIDEA.com ).  They get you the waiver and assign you to a few schools with as many hours as you want.  Pay was $25/hr.  

 

Another idea that I had if I did not get in to grad school was a Nursing Home Administrator.  Almost all states have guidelines as to how to become an admin for Nursing Homes but for example, California's guidelines were you had to have 1,000 hours (9 months at 40hrs/week) of Administrator in Training hours.  After that you have to pass the state test and then you are able to get a job as an admin.  They make 6 figures in California and all you have to have is a bachelors degree in any field.  I am in Michigan now and an admin told me here its a little different.  There are no set number of hours in training.  You just have to pass the test and of course have some experience.  I do not know how much they  make here though.  

 

Hope that helps someone!

[Itsjaxx]

Personally, I think teaching English abroad would be a great idea also. I am Nicaraguan so my focus would be working in countries in Central America. However, I currently volunteer as a literacy/esl tutor so I made the decision a while ago to go back for a second masters in TESL/TESOL studies (applied linguistics) at some point. So my plan B if I do not get into grad school the first time around is to also apply for a couple Master programs in TES(O)L which are severly less impacted. That way you can improve your chances of getting into grad school later, but also make more money than you would as an SLPA in the meantime.

[bindlestiff]

It's funny how many aspiring SLPs have a back up plan of teaching English abroad. I'd love to go teach English to French-speakers, and I've thought a little about deferring (if I get into a grad program) so that I could do this for a year. But honestly, I'm too scared that I would forget everything I've learned in undergrad!

[dial1010usa]

As Twinguy7 mentioned above, if you are from CA, there are many options. My daughter graduated last year but she did not get in anywhere. She took CBEST test and applied for jobs in schools for substitute teacher and assistant for SLP. She got into both jobs, pay wasn't that great but she got experienced and got accepted in spring'15. She also had worked in nursing home for the past 4 years.

 

One piece of advise- You must have some kind of experience with kids.

 

As mentioned, she had nursing home experience with elderly peoples but the only reason she didn't get in fall'14 because she didn't have enough experience with kids.

 

SLPA is good but its expensive in CA.

 

Try to shadow SLP, work in hospital, schools or nursing homes.

 

Good luck to all!