2016 Canadian SLP Thread

[lindzzz]

9 hours ago, JonasNegm said:

You guys want to know what I find quite misleading (and perhaps purposefully so) about these SLP programs? The required minimum GPAs. U of T's is a B+, which is a 3.3, and Western's is a a mid-B which is just a 3.0. But God knows that basically no one is getting in either school with those grades, given the current trend of applicants. I just feel that these university sites should raise their minimum to around 3.5, or state very clearly and up-front that you need A-range grades to be competitive. Because if people don't read forums like these (which they shouldn't have to), I'm sure you've got tons of applicants with a 3.4 thinking that they're a whole 0.4 above the requirement at Western, or perhaps going through their undergrad careers feeling as though they have a good shot at SLP, without realizing that a 3.4 is actually way below average! It's just dishonest, and with applications costing hundreds, you can imagine how much the universities make in just app fees...

It's also just disheartening to see that money is a barrier to education, even if you're just applying! I've paid over a thousand bucks in application fees so far this year, and just for getting someone to read a few letters and transcripts, that's just ridiculous and a bit exploitative IMO (ie ORPAS charging $300 for one application). 

I completely agree that the application process is a bit deceptive. I didn't realize that the SLP departments often don't even look at all of the applications that don't meet whatever minimum "criteria" they are looking for - and they actually don't state this minimum. I thought that by paying an application fee I was guaranteed that my application was going to be looked at, especially being way above the minimum GPA and above the competitive GPA listed.. But that wasn't true. 

And yeah.. They are making a killing on these applications. Last year I only applied to one school, but this year I'm applying to six. Pretty rough on the pocketbook and discouraging to know that perhaps none of my applications will even be considered.   

As we all know, it's a lot of hard work/time/money put into these applications.. And I really feel that all applications above the minimum that departments state on their website should be considered.. Or the TRUE minimum should be clearly stated.

 

Edited January 10, 2016 by lindzzz

[OverCaffeinated]

8 hours ago, lindzzz said:

I believe what the OP was saying is that most (maybe all.. Can't remember at the moment) SLP departments indicate that you need at least a 3.3 to be considered.. So someone with a 3.4 may believe they have a competitive application based on this, when that is simply not the case. 

ah i see... yeah thats absolutely not the case at all

well thats what u get for applying to a competitive program... nothing to do now but get that gpa

[speechies]

23 hours ago, lindzzz said:

I completely agree that the application process is a bit deceptive. I didn't realize that the SLP departments often don't even look at all of the applications that don't meet whatever minimum "criteria" they are looking for - and they actually don't state this minimum. I thought that by paying an application fee I was guaranteed that my application was going to be looked at, especially being way above the minimum GPA and above the competitive GPA listed.. But that wasn't true. 

And yeah.. They are making a killing on these applications. Last year I only applied to one school, but this year I'm applying to six. Pretty rough on the pocketbook and discouraging to know that perhaps none of my applications will even be considered.   

As we all know, it's a lot of hard work/time/money put into these applications.. And I really feel that all applications above the minimum that departments state on their website should be considered.. Or the TRUE minimum should be clearly stated.

 

Exactly! It is really disheartening

[lindzzz]

Does anyone who has applied to ORPAS still have outstanding references?

I still have one for an academic reference; I know he sent it with just enough time before the deadline.. so I'm wondering if they are just slow to input them or if perhaps I'm screwed :S

 

[serendipity.]

Hey lindzzz,

One of my references (clinical) is also outstanding at the moment. I contacted ORPAS and they said it is taking them a while to process all of the incoming documentation due to high volume mails. Hopefully the status of documents gets updated soon! 

 

 

[lindzzz]

18 minutes ago, serendipity. said:

Hey lindzzz,

One of my references (clinical) is also outstanding at the moment. I contacted ORPAS and they said it is taking them a while to process all of the incoming documentation due to high volume mails. Hopefully the status of documents gets updated soon! 

 

 

Oh great! Thanks so much for letting me know, that makes me feel better for sure

[treaclemineroad]

I don't know if anyone will be answer this question yet since the U of Alberta deadline is still a ways off but -- I know that you can submit your application even if you've got outstanding LoRs, but does anyone know if you can still monitor the status of LoR receipt once your application is submitted? I'd like to get the submission out of the way like I have with all the other applications but I also want to be able to see whether my last outstanding LoR has been submitted yet.

[rose7740]

3 hours ago, treaclemineroad said:

I don't know if anyone will be answer this question yet since the U of Alberta deadline is still a ways off but -- I know that you can submit your application even if you've got outstanding LoRs, but does anyone know if you can still monitor the status of LoR receipt once your application is submitted? I'd like to get the submission out of the way like I have with all the other applications but I also want to be able to see whether my last outstanding LoR has been submitted yet.

Hi there, 

You can definitely still check up on your reference letters, and can even resend the links once your application has been submitted (I sent mine in a couple of weeks ago). You'll still be able to see your entire application and each of the sections/their percentage of 'completeness'. 

Good luck!

[klfstudent]

On the U of Alberta app was anyone able to click on the little "i" info icons next to some of the upload buttons and boxes in the education section? I wasn't able to click on them and wasn't sure what we're supposed to put in the GPA/Standing/Rank box and if we have to upload a degree certificate? 

[speechies]

Oh gosh the wait is already getting to me!

[OverCaffeinated]

1 hour ago, klfstudent said:

On the U of Alberta app was anyone able to click on the little "i" info icons next to some of the upload buttons and boxes in the education section? I wasn't able to click on them and wasn't sure what we're supposed to put in the GPA/Standing/Rank box and if we have to upload a degree certificate? 

u dont click. just put your mouse over the icon. it says (3.0, 70%, First Class)

regarding the degree certificate, i dont see a req for that, i only uploaded the transcipt

[OverCaffeinated]

53 minutes ago, speechies said:

Oh gosh the wait is already getting to me!

me too 

5 hours ago, treaclemineroad said:

I don't know if anyone will be answer this question yet since the U of Alberta deadline is still a ways off but -- I know that you can submit your application even if you've got outstanding LoRs, but does anyone know if you can still monitor the status of LoR receipt once your application is submitted? I'd like to get the submission out of the way like I have with all the other applications but I also want to be able to see whether my last outstanding LoR has been submitted yet.

(almost) every application allows u to view receipt of references after.

[klfstudent]

1 minute ago, OverCaffeinated said:

u dont click. just put your mouse over the icon. it says (3.0, 70%, First Class)

regarding the degree certificate, i dont see a req for that, i only uploaded the transcipt

Did you put your cumulative gpa or subgpa in that box?

[OverCaffeinated]

2 minutes ago, klfstudent said:

Did you put your cumulative gpa or subgpa in that box?

 

tl;dr i left it blank.

 

as that box is optional i didnt put anything. they will be calculating your gpa anyway, i dont see why we have to guess. 

[treaclemineroad]

5 hours ago, rose7740 said:

Hi there, 

You can definitely still check up on your reference letters, and can even resend the links once your application has been submitted (I sent mine in a couple of weeks ago). You'll still be able to see your entire application and each of the sections/their percentage of 'completeness'. 

Good luck!

Thanks!

3 hours ago, OverCaffeinated said:

tl;dr i left it blank.

as that box is optional i didnt put anything. they will be calculating your gpa anyway, i dont see why we have to guess. 

I think I'll do that too. Guessing can too easily lead to overestimating or underestimating one's GPA, esp. because apparently Alberta's system considers an A to be a 4.0? But I don't know whether to go by their system or not? So it's simpler just to let them come to their own conclusions based on the data.

I am going out of my mind about these last LoRs. This last one, she's already submitted one of the letters, I don't understand what the hold-up is on the other two. Please just upload it so I can BREATHE. Calling to remind her is so awkward, too. I feel like I'm being a pest. [/whining]

[lindzzz]

41 minutes ago, treaclemineroad said:

Thanks!

I think I'll do that too. Guessing can too easily lead to overestimating or underestimating one's GPA, esp. because apparently Alberta's system considers an A to be a 4.0? But I don't know whether to go by their system or not? So it's simpler just to let them come to their own conclusions based on the data.

I am going out of my mind about these last LoRs. This last one, she's already submitted one of the letters, I don't understand what the hold-up is on the other two. Please just upload it so I can BREATHE. Calling to remind her is so awkward, too. I feel like I'm being a pest. [/whining]

Yeah I'd just leave it blank. I filled in a couple of them where my transcripts had the gpa calculated for me, but it's not required as far as I can see.

Perhaps you could just resend the references? Then maybe they would just assume the system resent them as a reminder because it was taking too long  and you wouldn't have to bother calling them.. just an idea. 

[OverCaffeinated]

10 hours ago, treaclemineroad said:

Thanks!

I think I'll do that too. Guessing can too easily lead to overestimating or underestimating one's GPA, esp. because apparently Alberta's system considers an A to be a 4.0? But I don't know whether to go by their system or not? So it's simpler just to let them come to their own conclusions based on the data.

I am going out of my mind about these last LoRs. This last one, she's already submitted one of the letters, I don't understand what the hold-up is on the other two. Please just upload it so I can BREATHE. Calling to remind her is so awkward, too. I feel like I'm being a pest. [/whining]

tl;dr I FEEL YOU.... 

 

lol well... one of my references isnt submitted to orpas, and its by mail. so i asked the refereee and they didnt answer my question regarding of actually sending it. told me not to worry. and ofcourse i DID worry.. so i called orpas today and they said they havent processed and looked into the documents they have received but havent filed yet. its not there either!!! they asked me to call my reference and have them resubmit. the deadline was a week ago.... i still have outstanding references from this referee incduing alberta and bc... i am having HEART ATTACKS.....

Edited January 14, 2016 by OverCaffeinated

[treaclemineroad]

14 minutes ago, OverCaffeinated said:

tl;dr I FEEL YOU.... 

 

lol well... one of my references isnt submitted to orpas, and its by mail. so i asked the refereee and they didnt answer my question regarding of actually sending it. told me not to worry. and ofcourse i DID worry.. so i called orpas today and they said they havent processed and looked into the documents they have received but havent filed yet. its not there either!!! they asked me to call my reference and have them resubmit. the deadline was a week ago.... i still have outstanding references from this referee incduing alberta and bc... i am having HEART ATTACKS.....

Oh lord, that sounds ridiculously stressful. I hope everything gets sorted out for you soon. I can now attest that when you finally do get all your LoRs submitted, it is an amazing feeling of relief. My last reference person just finished uploading to Alberta and McGill, so I can finally breathe. I can see clearly now, the rain is gone.

[lindzzz]

6 hours ago, OverCaffeinated said:

tl;dr I FEEL YOU.... 

 

lol well... one of my references isnt submitted to orpas, and its by mail. so i asked the refereee and they didnt answer my question regarding of actually sending it. told me not to worry. and ofcourse i DID worry.. so i called orpas today and they said they havent processed and looked into the documents they have received but havent filed yet. its not there either!!! they asked me to call my reference and have them resubmit. the deadline was a week ago.... i still have outstanding references from this referee incduing alberta and bc... i am having HEART ATTACKS.....

Ah that's brutal  So sorry. Pretty frustrating when such important things are out of your hands like that!!

[nins]

For those of you freaking out about late letters of references.. don't worry! Last year one of my references full on forgot to send in an entire part of the reference (the rating form) and I was freaking out. ORPAS was very nice and they accepted the completed reference form via fax one week after the deadline. It didn't give me any problems as I got in. The schools wont get any of your information until the end of January (which is when your transcripts get sent) so you still have time. I know exactly how you must be feeling, but don't worry, it will all work out!

[OverCaffeinated]

any idea if ORPAS will post the break down of the gpa like csdcas does? or are we just never gonna know?

[treaclemineroad]

44 minutes ago, OverCaffeinated said:

any idea if ORPAS will post the break down of the gpa like csdcas does? or are we just never gonna know?

I don't know how CSDCAS posts a breakdown but I know that ORPAS has a publically available chart to show how GPA/subGPA is calculated, and they should email you in early February to tell you what they calculated. At least that was the case last year, according to the 2015 thread. I don't know firsthand.

By the way, did you get all your LoR stuff sorted out OK?

[OverCaffeinated]

4 hours ago, treaclemineroad said:

I don't know how CSDCAS posts a breakdown but I know that ORPAS has a publically available chart to show how GPA/subGPA is calculated, and they should email you in early February to tell you what they calculated. At least that was the case last year, according to the 2015 thread. I don't know firsthand.

By the way, did you get all your LoR stuff sorted out OK?

yeah it got posted few days ago. pretty stressful... 

[JonasNegm]

On 2016-01-10 at 11:31 AM, OverCaffeinated said:

Not true. Uoft admitted applicants with a b standing last year. Gpa does play a big role but applications with lower than 3.7 standing get looked at too, just last. Lots of people reject the acceptance and then those on wait list get a chance to get in. 

 

Also so hold on, where are you getting the 3.4 from? The minimum for uoft is a 3.7... 

That's not true. A 3.7 is an A- average. And I quote...

"All applicants must have a four-year University of Toronto bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from an approved university—20 full course equivalents, not necessarily an “honours” degree) with at least a mid-B standing in the final year (or last five full-course equivalents)."

Mid-B = B = 3.0 GPA. So the cutoff on the site actually even lower than I thought! No idea where you read the 3.7 minimum from. Not even their medical school has that high a cutoff.

[OverCaffeinated]

15 hours ago, JonasNegm said:

That's not true. A 3.7 is an A- average. And I quote...

"All applicants must have a four-year University of Toronto bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent from an approved university—20 full course equivalents, not necessarily an “honours” degree) with at least a mid-B standing in the final year (or last five full-course equivalents)."

Mid-B = B = 3.0 GPA. So the cutoff on the site actually even lower than I thought! No idea where you read the 3.7 minimum from. Not even their medical school has that high a cutoff.

the cut off isnt mentioned anywhere because it changes every year. only the admissions committee knows the actual cut off