Application Stress: Suggestions Wanted

[Puffer Fish]

So, with a little over two months until CSDCAS opens for apps, I'm starting to panic a bit. Here's where I stand so far:

 

• I graduated a semester early from my mixed psychology/linguistics undergrad, with a GPA of 3.07 overall, 3.11 in-major. I was not the most responsible student for the first half of my undergrad, due to an undiagnosed anxiety disorder and general "living-without-parents-for-the-first-time" problems. If I don't include my study abroad courses, my last 60 credits GPA is 3.21. If I do include them it goes down to a 3.076.

 

• I'm taking pre-requisite courses now and doing a lot better in them. I've only completed two classes so far, and I have a 3.7 GPA. This is not including the courses I'm in right now that finish up at the end of this week. As long as I don't absolutely fail the final exams, I'll have A's and B's in these courses too.

 

• I interned with an elementary school SLP this past fall, and I'm going to get a few observation hours at the local hospital by the end of next month with the potential to get some more before apps are due.

 

• I've taken the GRE twice.
  • First time: 157V/148Q/3.5W
  • Second time: 162V/152Q/3.0W

 

Is my high verbal enough to cancel out my less-than-stellar writing? I can't really figure out how I got worse at that...can I send the best of the scores so schools receive 162V/152Q/3.5W?

 

• I have 3 professors that know me well, from across different disciplines (one English literature/poetry, one psycholinguistics/internship advisor, one Spanish) to write my LoRs. I'm not really worried about these.

 

• I have four schools (tentatively five) on my list of 'schools I am going to apply to', as seen in my signature. Is this too few?

 

Do I even stand a chance? Is there anything you guys think I should play up in my SoP? Any suggestions in general?

Thanks in advance!

Edited July 28, 2015 by Puffer Fish

[litesneeze]

The panic is okay! It shows that you are preparing yourself ahead of time, which I totally did not do!

Every program has a calculation of how they objectively evaluate your "ability and potential" as a graduate. You may hear or read about comments which may say "all they care is about grades and GRE" or "experience is key" but it is not completely true. From my experience, a diverse set of knowledge, experience and interests helps. For instance, your double degree in psychology and linguistics certainly helps. In addition, your grades from your pre-requisites is a significant improvement and shows well to admissions committees. Do you engage in non-SLP extracurricular activities, community events, sports teams or even a job/internship? Do not forget about those as well for they are just as important as SLP related activities.

Your improvement in your GRE scores are also great. Yes, some competitive schools like to see high AW scores because writing is an important component in both graduate school and your prospective career, but it is up to you if you would like to reconsider the GREs. For most programs, they just want to see if you go beyond 50th percentile; it's more of a pass/fail rather than a scale. Check the stats for your schools and see if you are on par or beyond the average requirements.

I seriously think that the personal statement and LORs are the most important and I think those components help increase my chances getting into my preferred programs. One school I applied to actually emphasized these components. For the personal statement I:

- stayed on one topic that was not SLP related and managed to tie in that experience with what SLP is about. I was a post bac like you and my prior experience at my alma mater gave me alternative perspectives and skills needed in the field.

- mentioned a particular aspect of the school which interested me.

- did not follow the guidelines strictly! I didnt stay in the word limit but did in the page limit. I changed margins, font size, spacing, etc. so much that I was able to fit 750 words in a space which was suitable for 500! I really dont think that negatively affected my application.

- did not mention a touching personal SLP experience. Too cliche.

- did not use too much "I" and "me"

For LORs, I think a variety of individuals who really know you is good. However, some schools, regardless if you were not an SLP undergrad student, need a rec from an SLP faculty member. Find an extra one or two from your pre-req courses for those particular programs. It also lessens the load on your other recommenders.

If you feel comfortable with your list of schools, then stick with them! It is really up to you. I applied to so many schools with the impression that I wont get in my first chance but I was wrong. I am not familiar with the places you are looking into, but have a mix of reach, target and safety schools. You still have time to add/ remove from your list.

I hope that helps and best of luck! I think you you'll be fine

[Puffer Fish]

Thank you for all your input! I really appreciate it. I don't know about the whole 'reach/target/safety' school thing in regards to master's programs, since it seems like every school should be considered either target or reach for me.

 

 

However, some schools, regardless if you were not an SLP undergrad student, need a rec from an SLP faculty member. Find an extra one or two from your pre-req courses for those particular programs. It also lessens the load on your other recommenders.
 

 

 

The only reason I can't do this is because my leveling courses are online; I rarely interact with my professors and never will meet them in person. I don't feel like they are good candidates for giving me recommendations.

 

The only SLPs I'm going to have worked with in person by the time apps are available are the elementary school SLP and the one at the hospital nearby. The ES SLP already told me she doesn't feel comfortable writing one for me, and I'd have only known the hospital SLP for (at the very least) 8 observation hours, so I don't even feel comfortable asking her in the first place.

 

 

I didn't make many professor connections in college. These three professors are the only ones who know me well enough to give me substantial letters. Everyone else I either had once or twice and/or never went to their office hours.

[jpiccolo]

Thank you for all your input! I really appreciate it. I don't know about the whole 'reach/target/safety' school thing in regards to master's programs, since it seems like every school should be considered either target or reach for me.

 

 

 

 

The only reason I can't do this is because my leveling courses are online; I rarely interact with my professors and never will meet them in person. I don't feel like they are good candidates for giving me recommendations.

 

The only SLPs I'm going to have worked with in person by the time apps are available are the elementary school SLP and the one at the hospital nearby. The ES SLP already told me she doesn't feel comfortable writing one for me, and I'd have only known the hospital SLP for (at the very least) 8 observation hours, so I don't even feel comfortable asking her in the first place.

 

 

I didn't make many professor connections in college. These three professors are the only ones who know me well enough to give me substantial letters. Everyone else I either had once or twice and/or never went to their office hours.

 

Don't give up just yet on those professors. I very rarely talked with my profs one on one during college and yet all the ones I asked were willing to write. I think as long as you got good grades in their classes it's worth a shot to ask them. They'll probably ask to see a transcript and a list of things you've done so they can play that up in their letter. That's what mine did. Even if the SLPs 'know' you better, some schools will absolutely require at least 2, maybe 3, letters from PhD faculty. One school I applied to told me that specifically because they were most concerned about my ability as a student, not as an intern or observer of an SLP. Even if they're online, I say go for it and see if they are willing. There's enough online programs these days that I'm sure plenty of applicants are using online profs as LORs.