SLP- getting in

[UConn123]

Hey everyone!

I just joined gradcafe, I wish I knew about this sooner!

I am an undergrad at the University of Connecticut right now and am going to be applying for grad school in the fall. However, I am very very nervous about getting in.. my GPA is very low- 3.15 and I will be taking the GRE's this summer. I will also be shadowing a few SLP's this summer to get observation hours. My resume is decent, a few clubs and a lot of volunteer hours. 

Can anyone tell me how hard it will be for me to get in, if I get in at all? It is my dream to be a SLP and honestly it does not matter to me where I go to school, I would just be happy to get into a grad program.

Or would it be wise to take a gap year and build my resume, maybe retake classes, and then apply next year?

Thank you in advance for your help!! 

[SouthernDrawl]

I would try to find programs that only look at your last sixty credit hours to try and offset the lower overall GPA. A word of caution on retaking classes: if the schools you are applying to use CSDCAS, they will not factor in those grade replacements when calculating your GPA. Use a program like Magoosh to get your GRE as high as you can. Write a thoughtful SOP and try to find letter writers who really know you well and whole heartedly recommend you. It's hard to say what anyone's chances are; application cycles are norm-referenced. Best of luck to you!!

[taeslp]

I am speaking from personal experience but I can have a similar story to you.

I graduated with my undergrad degree and had a 3.3 GPA.  I decided that I needed something to set me apart when applying so that schools would not discount me for my GPA.  I decided to take the first year off and got a job at a school for children with special needs.  I then ended up taking a second year off and work as an SLPA for individuals with IDD.  I also took this time to really prep for the GRE to obtain the highest scores I could, continued to volunteer/shadow SLPs, and thoroughly researched the schools I applied to.

I applied this round for fall 2016 to 10 schools.  So far I have been accepted to 2, waitlisted at 5.

I truly feel that there is no better thing to do than to gain experience in areas of this field.  It helped reaffirm my passion for speech, taught me valuable lessons, helped me make connections, allowed me to write a thought provoking SOP, and helped me to stand out.

I am a much more mature person than I was fresh out of undergrad and I feel more prepared going into my master's degree with some real world experience under my belt!

 

Hope this helps!

 

[EESpeechie]

As far as the 60 units go, try taking some easy filler classes if you can to add units which will make your GPA higher

[copaceticbroad]

I second the posters who say you should take some time off to get outside experiences. My numbers are decent, but I feel very confident that what clinched the deal was the amount of time I have spent:

• teaching English to non-native speakers (2 years)
• teaching language arts to high school students (6 years)
• and learning how to function in a professional environment (all of my time post-college)

I wouldn't necessarily recommend either of the top two points, though you should definitely work with a population that relates to SLP, but I can't recommend the last point highly enough. Being able to conduct yourself like a professional is a huge asset. At one open house, I watched some undergraduate applicants speak to professors somewhat unprofessionally– not rudely, mind you, just in a way that emphasized their inexperience– and it made quite an impression.

Also, one way to make sure you get accepted is to be open to different possibilities. If you're willing to consider an online program or one that's far away or one that may not specialize in what you want, your odds are much better.

[masonnjarr]

I am currently in the same boat as the girl with a 3.3. I applied to 8 schools and didn't get in either. So,  I am taking this year off to hopefully get a job in the field, and retake my GRES. I am hoping this works out for me too. 

 

Best of luck. It's so hard to say what all the schools want.

[Crimson Wife]

I wouldn't retake courses but maybe take some interesting electives, preferably ones that you can tie into your area of interest within SLP.

[HopefulFutureSLP2016]

On 4/26/2016 at 3:01 PM, taeslp said:

I am speaking from personal experience but I can have a similar story to you.

I graduated with my undergrad degree and had a 3.3 GPA.  I decided that I needed something to set me apart when applying so that schools would not discount me for my GPA.  I decided to take the first year off and got a job at a school for children with special needs.  I then ended up taking a second year off and work as an SLPA for individuals with IDD.  I also took this time to really prep for the GRE to obtain the highest scores I could, continued to volunteer/shadow SLPs, and thoroughly researched the schools I applied to.

I applied this round for fall 2016 to 10 schools.  So far I have been accepted to 2, waitlisted at 5.

I truly feel that there is no better thing to do than to gain experience in areas of this field.  It helped reaffirm my passion for speech, taught me valuable lessons, helped me make connections, allowed me to write a thought provoking SOP, and helped me to stand out.

I am a much more mature person than I was fresh out of undergrad and I feel more prepared going into my master's degree with some real world experience under my belt!

 

Hope this helps!

 

I am in a similar boat currently. I see that you're from PA..where were you an SLPA at and how did you obtain the position? I've been looking into becoming one just to better my chances for next application season.

[Kanga]

You are correct...your GRE is on the lower side. I would work extremely hard to have excellent grades this fall.

Make sure that you are actively involved in your CDS classes.....see the professor during office hours, etc. That may help you have a stronger letter of rec from that professor (if needed)

I second using Magoosh to prep for the GRE.

In the back of my mind, I would have a back up plan to pursue if you application isn't successful. It's not uncommon for applicants to have to apply a second season.