Admission rates

[ashny]

Are there people who don't get into any masters SLP programs at all and have to pursue a different profession? I was discussing how competitive it is to get in with a family member who said that everyone must get admission somewhere at some point.  I realize that  sounds simplistic and it is extremely competitive to get admission but considering that many schools accept around 1/3 to almost 1/2 the applicants, is it possible that only a small minority of students do not get admission into the SLP programs?

[wcslp]

Anecdotal, of course, but I know many many many people who have failed to get into a program and have switched careers as a result. Note that I am located in California, and things are much more competitive here, so that may play a factor as well. 

In undergrad, our graduating cohort had maybe 70 people, and we were all quite close. Maybe 15 of them (myself included) were accepted into our school's grad program. Surprisingly, only a handful were accepted into other programs in state, but I have heard numerous times that California's programs heavily favor their own undergrads, so that may be why. The rest of my cohort did not get into any schools here, and after the second year, maybe a dozen or so chose to go out of state. Of the remaining students, they have tried year after year to get accepted, applying to the same schools over and over again without luck. Many of them have now switched careers (it's been about 5 years since). I know most of them went into teaching, a good chunk went to nursing school, some are still holding out luck applying, and the rest are doing unrelated things (two girls actually opened up unrelated Etsy shops). 

This has actually been the norm among my peer groups here. I'm friends with many girls who were rejected several times, but still constantly told "Don't give up on your dreams. If you want it bad enough you can do it.", etc. Which, don't get me wrong, I agree that if it's your passion, then you should pursue it. But many times, in my experience, these ladies are playing a losing game. I can't imagine the amount of money they've put into this, and now even more money to switch careers, and years of time wasted. These ladies are absolutely brilliant, but it's a numbers game at this point. I truly empathize with people in this situation, but I absolutely think it's important to understand when to move on and to be realistic about yourself. 

Sorry about rambling! 

[Speechster]

There are plenty of people who never get in. I applied three times and had to go out of state, and i had decent scores and gpa. If you want it, go for it. But please remember it takes a lot of hard work and there isnt much room to cut corners.

[Crimson Wife]

I have heard that NOVA online accepts pretty much everyone if they're willing to wait long enough for a seat. No GRE required. However, their program is $$$$ ($1200/credit hour plus assorted fees). So you'd have to think long and hard about how much debt you're willing to take on in pursuit of your career dreams.

I'm too old and my kids are too close to college-age themselves to go into huge debt just to become a SLP vs. a SLP Asst. or Teacher of the Deaf. Yes, SLP's make a higher salary than SLPA's and ToD's, but not enough to pay off the kind of debt that NOVA would require.

[slpmayb2123]

Statistically speaking, yes, there are plenty of people who don't get in.

Applicants with degrees in CSD/SLP, good GPAs, and good GRE scores aren't guaranteed a spot just because they fit a program's qualifications... it's just a reality of the field. Super competitive. I know a few people who have applied to 3 - 4 cycles with lower stats (<3.4/ GPA, <295 GRE) and never gotten in. While this is partly due to not applying broadly/researching schools that accept those with their statistics and backgrounds, it's also because it's just that competitive, sadly. 

[ashny]

On 1/5/2017 at 2:16 PM, Crimson Wife said:

I have heard that NOVA online accepts pretty much everyone if they're willing to wait long enough for a seat. No GRE required. However, their program is $$$$ ($1200/credit hour plus assorted fees). So you'd have to think long and hard about how much debt you're willing to take on in pursuit of your career dreams.

I'm too old and my kids are too close to college-age themselves to go into huge debt just to become a SLP vs. a SLP Asst. or Teacher of the Deaf. Yes, SLP's make a higher salary than SLPA's and ToD's, but not enough to pay off the kind of debt that NOVA would require.

That's interesting considering that NOVA has such low admission rates posted on ASHA edfind (almost 1 out of every 9 students) if ASHA is a reliable source of information. I'm sure you will have tons of choices of grad programs with your stats.

NOVA:

 

Number of Applications Received:

Full-time Students: 944

Part-time Students: 0

Total: 944

Number of Admission Offers:

Full time: 133

Part time: 0

Total: 133

[ashny]

On 1/4/2017 at 8:53 PM, wcslp said:

Anecdotal, of course, but I know many many many people who have failed to get into a program and have switched careers as a result. Note that I am located in California, and things are much more competitive here, so that may play a factor as well. 

In undergrad, our graduating cohort had maybe 70 people, and we were all quite close. Maybe 15 of them (myself included) were accepted into our school's grad program. Surprisingly, only a handful were accepted into other programs in state, but I have heard numerous times that California's programs heavily favor their own undergrads, so that may be why. The rest of my cohort did not get into any schools here, and after the second year, maybe a dozen or so chose to go out of state. Of the remaining students, they have tried year after year to get accepted, applying to the same schools over and over again without luck. Many of them have now switched careers (it's been about 5 years since). I know most of them went into teaching, a good chunk went to nursing school, some are still holding out luck applying, and the rest are doing unrelated things (two girls actually opened up unrelated Etsy shops). 

This has actually been the norm among my peer groups here. I'm friends with many girls who were rejected several times, but still constantly told "Don't give up on your dreams. If you want it bad enough you can do it.", etc. Which, don't get me wrong, I agree that if it's your passion, then you should pursue it. But many times, in my experience, these ladies are playing a losing game. I can't imagine the amount of money they've put into this, and now even more money to switch careers, and years of time wasted. These ladies are absolutely brilliant, but it's a numbers game at this point. I truly empathize with people in this situation, but I absolutely think it's important to understand when to move on and to be realistic about yourself. 

Sorry about rambling! 

Studying in the USA is so complicated. In many other countries you can become a speech pathologist with a bachelors degree.  That way your bachelors is not wasted and you dont need to switch careers. The process of taking prerequisites, CSD programs that don't guarantee anything, GRE's etc are ruthless in my opinion. 

[SLPtobe22]

On 1/4/2017 at 6:50 PM, ashny said:

Are there people who don't get into any masters SLP programs at all and have to pursue a different profession? I was discussing how competitive it is to get in with a family member who said that everyone must get admission somewhere at some point.  I realize that  sounds simplistic and it is extremely competitive to get admission but considering that many schools accept around 1/3 to almost 1/2 the applicants, is it possible that only a small minority of students do not get admission into the SLP programs?

I'm just guessing - but there are probably people who get discouraged and stop applying after the first time! I read a post about a girl who applied like 4 times until she got in. 

There's this post http://www.thespeechblog.com/575-2/ and also this one https://slpecho.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/grad_slp_chances/ from some blogs on SLP stuff. 

 

[Callen]

I've heard countless times that SLP grad school is competitive, so I put it as this "SUPER COMPETITIVE" thing in my mind. I'm kind of hoping it ends up being less competitive than my brain thinks. If not, I guess I won't be disappointed because I'll have already known that it really is that competitive.

[thespeechblog.com]

I interviewed a now practicing SLP, Treasyri, who wasn't accepted until her 4th round of applications. But note that first part now practicing SLP. Be smart about how and where you're applying. Don't be afraid to apply again.

[ashny]

mcamp thanks for sharing your blog link - it has very useful information.

[thespeechblog.com]

15 hours ago, ashny said:

mcamp thanks for sharing your blog link - it has very useful information.

I'm glad you found it useful!