Schools that like "Older" Students and Spring Admissions

[edardi1]

Hi all,

Do any of yall know of any programs that specifically value "older" students over recent graduates?  To clarify, I mean schools that like students that have had a lot of experience relating to communication disorders?  

Also, I can't filter out on EdFind which schools offer spring admissions.  Could anyone help me out by telling me the ones they know do offer it?  I already know UTD, Southeastern Louisiana, UL-Monroe, and ENMU offer.  Anywhere else? 

Thanks. 

[SLP1719]

I believe College of Saint Rose offers spring semester start dates.  Also look into SPEECH@NYU and Western Kentucky University. (WKU and SPEECH@NYU spring starts are both online). 

[ElKel87]

I can only speak for east coast schools, but New York Medical College! I don't have a CSD background, but I graduated in 2009 with a bachelors degree in a different field and they told me in my one-on-one interview that they "prefer" people like me. Whether that means people with a different perspective or just people with some life experience, not sure.

I see someone already mentioned Speech@NYU which is online. I believe LIU Brooklyn is also starting a spring semester on-campus this year or next.

[Callen]

I know St. Ambrose (in Iowa) loves people who have experience! They don't have spring admissions though!

[katelynmarie]

Eastern Michigan University has Spring Admissions!

[FutureSLP2019]

I believe that many schools value experience. I completed my undergrad about 3 years ago and put off applying to grad school. I think I just got comfortable working after a couple of years and the thought of applying to grad school seemed very overwhelming, but this fall I felt I was ready to take the next step so I can advance in my professional career. I have a high GPA, but my GREs are nothing to brag about (V:153; Q:144). I truly believe that my personal and professional experiences are what made me stand out, along with strong LORs and SOPs.

I started off my undergrad career as an Acting major, but after taking a Speech for the Stage course I fell in love with speech and using IPA. I then became a Linguistics major to further my studies in speech and language, while doing quite a bit of volunteer work with adult English language learners. Since graduating, I have been working full time with developmentally disabled adults.

I applied to 5 schools and have so far been accepted to 3, waitlisted at 1, and still waiting to hear back from the last one. I didn't think I stood a chance at a couple of the programs I applied to due to my GRE scores, but thankfully the admissions committees looked at the whole picture. I put a lot of time and effort into my SOPs, highlighting all of the important skills and characteristics I have developed over the past few years. Just make sure to be yourself and highlight the qualities that will make you stand out from the average applicant.

[kayyyyy_]

You could try Fresno for spring admissions but I don't know if they "value" older students. I can agree with @Callen and say St. Ambrose really values experience and wants to get to know you as a whole rather than just numbers. 

[SleepynotInSeattle]

On 4/3/2017 at 10:12 PM, FutureSLP2019 said:

comfortable working

Do you mind sharing what kind of work or volunteering (if any) you did between undergrad and applying?

[mskat]

The University of South Dakota has a Spring cohort!

[FutureSLP2019]

On 4/5/2017 at 1:16 PM, SleepynotInSeattle said:

Do you mind sharing what kind of work or volunteering (if any) you did between undergrad and applying?

I work with developmentally disabled adults. I have worked in a couple of different positions within the agency. I first worked as an Activity Therapist Assistant in a workshop setting. I mostly worked within the kitchen area which was great experience for me because I helped prepare meals for almost all of the clients. There are quite a few clients with dysphagia that are on ground or pureed diets and also need Thick-it added to their drinks. As a result, I became very familiar with all of the clients' feeding guidelines and all of the adaptive equipment they use. I also feed at least a couple of clients a day so if I ever decide to do any work with swallowing disorders, I am quite comfortable working with that population. The day program I currently work at is more educational. All of the clients have daily learning goals, and we do more games and activities with them throughout the day.

I have worked in workshops, group homes, and long-term care facilities, and I have worked with clients on all ends of the spectrum. Many of the clients are grouped together based on personal experiences and need so some locations I work in have more behavioral clients, while other locations serve clients that require more medical care. I do a lot of direct care at my job (i.e., feeding, changing, bathing) and the pay is not the greatest, but I really enjoy working with the clients and believe my experiences will serve me well in grad school.

I didn't do any volunteer work after graduating. My job was not always the most flexible, and I often got stuck working extra hours unexpectedly. I also was still taking a few post-bacc classes and preparing for the GRE when I first started at my job. I still pick up a couple of extra shifts a week since we are so short staffed so I try to enjoy any free time I have. If you want to work with adults, I would recommend at least volunteering with this population. I always love when volunteers come in to help. It makes the day so much easier, and most of the clients love interacting with new people too.

[WannabSLP124]

University of Houston likes applicants with experience but they don't have spring admission. 

[SL PB&J]

Portland State University values older students and/or out of field applicants.

[sen943]

On March 29, 2017 at 4:09 PM, ElKel87 said:

I can only speak for east coast schools, but New York Medical College! I don't have a CSD background, but I graduated in 2009 with a bachelors degree in a different field and they told me in my one-on-one interview that they "prefer" people like me. Whether that means people with a different perspective or just people with some life experience, not sure.

I see someone already mentioned Speech@NYU which is online. I believe LIU Brooklyn is also starting a spring semester on-campus this year or next.

I will also be attending NYMC this fall, It's nice to know I will be with another "older" student as well  

[ElKel87]

@Hnolan Awesome, nice to virtually meet you! It seems like there's quite a few of us "older" students in the cohort which is nice  

I saw your other post about housing, are you in the Facebook group? I think there are some people there who are looking for roommates.

Edited April 30, 2017 by ElKel87

[sen943]

@ElKel87 I don't have a Facebook, otherwise I totally would  I am so excited to meet all of you in the fall though! Are you going to be living on campus? Have you heard anything about living on campus?

[tonguelover]

Peeps. I'm well into my 50's and hoping to get into a program someday that I won't finish until I'm north of 60. You are not "older", and there isn't a University anywhere that will care if you are in your late 20s. 

[ElKel87]

@Hnolan Likewise! No, I'm going to be commuting so I don't know too much about it. I think a few of the people in the Facebook group said they submitted applications for on campus housing this week though so it sounds like you'd definitely have people to room with if you wanted.