Advice to SLP applicants

[Jenbugg86grad]

First off, let me just say I know how hard this process is. The time, money, decisions, waiting, and the hours of agonizing over the unknown possibility of either being accepted or rejected. Admittedly, I went through this process three times! Yes, it was awful.... BUT it was also amazing. You read that right. When I first applied to graduate school I confidently thought I "had it in the bag" (yes, a pompous brat) I had good grades, experience (SLP-A two years, volunteer, NSSLHA leader) had a decent GRE. Well, I got my "SLP" in the face when I was rejected; twice. I had a very real honest (honestly brutal) conversation with my graduate department's adviser and she basically said what the committee looks for in their applicants, are yes; good grades, decent GRE's (aiming for 150 verbal, 142 math), experience, but what they value even more, is a person with emotional maturity (yes, she was politely telling me what I lacked), someone with "grit", someone who other people would want to work with; someone who perseveres through hardships and challenges; opposed to crying, comparing, victimizing, freaking out ( yes this WAS me). I know this seems obvious, but have you made it obvious in your letters; what about LOR's? My advice was to work on my personal letter; to make it outstanding. I think committees look at the 100's of applicants and see a majority of wonderful students. My advice to you is to stay humble, be genuine (don't just say what you think they would want to hear; be YOU), ask yourself what type of person YOU would want to mentor; who would stand out to you if you were making these decisions and all there was, was a letter addressed to you? Also, from personal experience, don't let a rejection stop you from doing what you love, yes it hurts your pride, but pride will not help you achieve your goal; hard work will.

So if you don't get in...have your personal moment ( always remain professional when within that environment; with teachers AND peers) and then move forward like the bad ass that you are, and focus on your unique reason for wanting that acceptance letter. I tried three times, and during the two years off, I went through my dramatic debilitating moments, but that advisors "tough love" gave me the "grit" to move FORWARD. I continued to work as an SLP-A, volunteered, took graduate classes, attended SLP workshops, formed positive professional relationships ( made sure to get and ask for, key word to always use: STRONG LOR's) and the third year I got my golden ticket into graduate school at The University of New Mexico. It was the best day, and hindsight I wasn't ready the first time, I needed that journey. We all have our own path and it definitely appears questionable sometimes, but trust in it, and your ability to overcome ALL obstacles; it will only make you better, it will only make you stronger. This may be corny to some of you (I'm corny) but I wanted to share because , well, to maybe help / guide/support someone who this might resonate with. Also, in case you wanted to know, grad school is awesome, hard, but everything so far is do-able. The University of New Mexico is a great school and I am so happy here as a first year graduate student. If any of you are thinking of attending feel free to chat me.

XO and much love grad cafe SLPeeps

 

P.S additional advice; stop comparing yourself to others, there are people here in my program with B's, low GRE's, have taken two SLP classes, have an undergraduate degree in art; point there is a wide-spectrum of differing applicants. 

One more thing, take breaks or remove yourself from grad cafe when and if it makes you feel discouraged and or/ is having a negative impact on your life and this experience; remember this is about YOU and not the person who has traveled the world and speaks all languages with a 4.3 and five research grants and 170's on their GRE; YOU DONT KNOW THAT SCHOOL'S PROCESS (if you do, well then share).

Oh and leave my grammar alone...( just make sure your's is perfect in your statement) 

Edited January 10, 2016 by Jenbugg86grad

[macklin_b]

Just wanted to say that I really appreciate this post! When you were applying the second and third time, did you apply to different schools or all the same ones? I'm a second-year applicant so I tried to be more strategic where I applied this year with schools that better matched my stats.

[smslp]

Very powerful, and right on the money!  Hopefully others will read this and take the advice seriously.  Thank you for sharing!

[Mpc11g]

Loved this! Thanks so much for sharing.

[Jenbugg86grad]

6 hours ago, Mpc11g said:

Loved this! Thanks so much for sharing.

 

6 hours ago, Mpc11g said:

Loved this! Thanks so much for sharing.

@smslp, @Mpc11g I am happy it was helpful (:

@macklin_b, I am so glad! So in my case I kept applying consistently to three schools that had put me on a waiting list and my home school (who rejected me), I also applied to different schools each time depending on their process, criteria etc. Apply to UNM!!

Edited January 11, 2016 by Jenbugg86grad

[twinguy7]

On January 10, 2016 at 1:09 AM, Jenbugg86grad said:

congrats Jennbugg!!! 

[decasey]

Thank you sharing this...I really needed to hear a lot of what you had to say today. Your advice is spot on and genuine. I truly appreciate your realness and honesty about how hard this is, but also how rewarding it can be. It's all about keeping it in perspective. Glad to hear it's all worth it.

[thespeechblog.com]

JennBugg thanks SO much for sharing this wonderful advice! Also, congrats on getting in! 

I'm looking at UNM too (it's pretty much my top choice actually!). Do you think we could chat? I'm not sure how to email you through here, but my email is michael@thespeechblog.com I'd love to speak with you more about the program please! 

[Jolie717]

1 hour ago, mcamp said:

JennBugg thanks SO much for sharing this wonderful advice! Also, congrats on getting in! 

I'm looking at UNM too (it's pretty much my top choice actually!). Do you think we could chat? I'm not sure how to email you through here, but my email is michael@thespeechblog.com I'd love to speak with you more about the program please! 

I love your blog - your "how to write an SOP" post really made me change my approach - I feel my essays were much stronger because of it.  

[thespeechblog.com]

21 hours ago, Jolie717 said:

I love your blog - your "how to write an SOP" post really made me change my approach - I feel my essays were much stronger because of it.  

Jolie717, thanks so much   I really tried to write a good quality post that was helpful! I'd be happy to skim over your essays/SOP if you'd like. My email address is on the about me page in the blog. GOOD LUCK

[Rose Garden]

Excellent post! 

[Jenbugg86grad]

On January 19, 2016 at 6:14 PM, mcamp said:

JennBugg thanks SO much for sharing this wonderful advice! Also, congrats on getting in! 

I'm looking at UNM too (it's pretty much my top choice actually!). Do you think we could chat? I'm not sure how to email you through here, but my email is michael@thespeechblog.com I'd love to speak with you more about the program please! 

Hi! I am so glad it has been able to provide some positive insight, and I am excited that UNM is your first choice. I would absolutely be willing to answer any questions you may have. I will email you shortly.... (I already have a ton of HW!!)

[MrsH]

Just stumbled upon this @Jenbugg86grad and love your post!