Applying for Fall 2016...Application advice!

[mcook64]

Hi! I am new to this site so let me give you a little bit of a background on me. I have a BA in English Literature from a Massachusetts state school with a 3.7 gpa. I am currently taking the prerequisites for a MA in Speech Pathology with a gpa of 3.5, but I still have 4 classes to take. I am planning on applying for Master's programs for fall 2016 and would love some advice on how to spice up my application. I don't have any clinical experience, as my undergrad major was not Speech-related, and am not sure how I can obtain that sort of experience now. I have not taken the GREs yet but am currently studying to take them in the summer and I have already started my personal statement as I want that to be the strongest part of my application. So far my number one school is Emerson and Worcester State is number 2. I will also probably be applying to every other school in MA and RI that offers the program because I cannot afford to move! Any information you have about these schools, the application process, or just general tips would be greatly appreciated! After reading a lot of threads I'm nervous I won't be accepted! Help me get accepted the first time around! Thanks!

[KellyyyB22]

For experience I would reccomend becoming an instructional assistant/para educator in a school. I ended up being a one-on-one instructional assistant to a kindergartener with autism. This was my only experience I had and it does relate to the field even if it isn't clinical experience. I think this helped me get accepted! Good luck to you

[Lyra1960]

I think if you have the time to do volunteer/ field related work that it is great, but that it should not come at the cost of school work. Probably the number one most important things to focus on (just my opinion, other feel free to disagree) are getting good grades in your remaining classes and taking time to make sure you go into the GREs as prepared as possible. I honestly don't feel like it is essential to have speech related  experience (of course it can help), but at almost all schools, it is essential to have good grades. I was also an English major and took the prereqs. I got two rejections, one waitlist, and eight acceptances. Just general tips, makes sure you start the application process early, be aware of all deadlines and leave room of other people's mistakes when planing to meet those deadlines (ie. a school forgets to send transcripts, not your fault but you still have to meet the deadlines), and asks for letters of rec early primarily from professors who can attest to you ability to succeed in graduate school.

[neucool]

If you really want some experience, working at a camp this summer would probably be the easiest option (and a lot of fun, in my experience). A camp for kids with any sort of disability would give you strong experience, but even working with typical kids will boost your resume. But if it's going to come at the expense of your school work, just focus on that. Keeping your GPA up is more important.

[jmk]

More ideas: 

 

-Search "ot/pt/slp pediatric clinic" in your area. Most clinics love volunteers. You may not observe speech all the time, and will be expected to do some minor cleaning, but great experience. I volunteer at a clinic for 3hrs/week (one shift.) Very easy commitment! 

-Ask to shadow an SLP at a public school, skilled nursing facility, deaf/heard of hearing school, early intervention preschool, or rehab department of a hospital. 

-Search for a speech related summer camp in your area. 

-Work in a setting with children, such as ABA

-Volunteer at your local hospital, or special recreation department of your park/rec district, or special needs classroom

 

I think having (something) to put on your resume is important and can really make your app shine besides an already solid set of numbers. 

[Jlawren6]

If a chapter of NSSLHA is present at your school, join and try to be a representative.  Excellent networking and looks great on the resume.