What are the odds?

[zsmi0820]

Hello everybody. This is my first post and I'm slightly on edge over break worrying about SLP Grad School. My mom keeps telling me that I shouldn't even bother applying, but I just wanted to ask people who actually know what they're talking about. Here are my qualifications:

1. 152V/148Q/4.0AW (I know it's not great but I don't have the money to take it again)

2. I am a male (I know how this sounds, but I've been told by numerous people that it helps

3. My overall GPA is a 3.42, but my major GPA is somewhere around a 3.8

4. Double Major in Hispanic Linguistics

5. Letter of Rec from Head of Speech Department at large university

5. 2 different research experiences (One in Speech and Hearing, one in Biology)

I just want to know what you all think. I applied to a lot of larger name universities, and am starting to get nervous and regret that.

[Pronounce]

Can you still put some applications in to some of the lesser known or less competitive programs?  

 

[twinguy7]

Yes, definitely apply to mid west schools

[Jolie717]

6 hours ago, zsmi0820 said:

Hello everybody. This is my first post and I'm slightly on edge over break worrying about SLP Grad School. My mom keeps telling me that I shouldn't even bother applying, but I just wanted to ask people who actually know what they're talking about. Here are my qualifications:

1. 152V/148Q/4.0AW (I know it's not great but I don't have the money to take it again)

2. I am a male (I know how this sounds, but I've been told by numerous people that it helps

3. My overall GPA is a 3.42, but my major GPA is somewhere around a 3.8

4. Double Major in Hispanic Linguistics

5. Letter of Rec from Head of Speech Department at large university

5. 2 different research experiences (One in Speech and Hearing, one in Biology)

I just want to know what you all think. I applied to a lot of larger name universities, and am starting to get nervous and regret that.

You would have to be more specific as far as "larger name universities" for me to properly weigh in.  That being said, your stats look good to me - if you have great letters of rec and managed to spin your experience into your LOI properly you should be fine.  It can't hurt to apply to a few "safety schools" if you have the time and letter writers available, however.  

I hope your mom is telling you not to bother to apply because she is confident you will get in *without* extra school apps.  But in all honesty, a couple hundred dollars and some hours of app time is worth peace of mind, in my opinion, even if unnecessary in the long run!

[thespeechblog.com]

Hey zsmi0820, 

You seem to have pretty good stats. But when someone asks "What are my chances based on ____ profile?" The only honest way to answer is, "Well... I need to know what the competition looks like." I know that´s a sucky answer :/ I´m in the same boat of waiting as well. 

The rest of the answer:

1) Your GRE scores are at the lower end of average from what I´ve seen - but at least they´re still average. So that´s a +

2) Being a male probably helps a liiiittle bit - here´s an article on it from ASHA: http://www.asha.org/uploadedFiles/asha/publications/cicsd/1999FAComparisonofCharacteristics.pdf

3) 3.8 is a pretty good GPA - was your major SHS/ComdDis?

4) What was the other major? Hispanic Linguistics will add some diversity and help your app stand out. Do you speak Spanish? That would help too. 

5) Do you know if that person is a good writer? Is he/she published at all? How often? That will help you determine if he/she can write a good LOR

6) The research experience is great - I hope you emphasized that in your personal statements. 

Edited December 30, 2015 by fuzzylogician
Edited to remove advertisement and link