5 Tips on Applying to Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Programs
Applying for graduate school is basically a part-time job and can be very difficult to get that acceptance letter. That’s why I am going to share with you 5 tips on getting into grad school, from my experience and perspective. I know there are countless other tips, but I hope this gives you some ideas!
1. Self-Reflect
Before you even start the application process, go inwards and dig deep. Allow for some self-reflection that will provide clarity. Ask yourself, Why is pursuing a graduate degree important to me? What sort of impact do I want to have as a SLP? What will drive me every morning to wake up? What were some experiences in my life that made me think being an SLP was the path for me?
Be specific and honest here. I would also encourage you to write this down. Don’t judge what you are writing, just write what comes to you (like a brain dump!). Usually, having this all in your mind is a lot. Writing it in a journal or typing it out will not only remove the mental load, but will assist you when writing your personal statement. This is because you can use what you write out during your self-reflection and directly tie it in your personal statement. That way the folks reading your application see YOU.
If you are into it, try out meditation (I use the Insight Timer app on my phone), this will help slow down your thoughts and allow you to glean some insight that might be hiding in your very busy mind.
2. Personalize each Personal Statement
Going off of tip #1, your personal statement is your time to shine. When I say “personalize each personal statement”, I don’t mean to just include your personal stories & experiences (which, yes, you should be doing), but ensure that you are creating each personal statement for each school that you are applying to.
For example, if a university has a bilingual specialization track that you are interested in, include that. If you find a professor that you would love to study under or participate in one of their research studies, include that. Find any information on the university’s website that you resonate with and write why you would like to participate in that specifically.
This will tell them why you would be a good fit for their program and show them that their values align with yours.
Personally, I think that helped me in my application journey. I researched a professor's interest, read their research articles, and included specific information in my personal statements about that information I read. I believe this helped me stand out from others because I was so specific in my interests and the words I chose.
3. Volunteer
Volunteering or working in a related field can tell those looking at your application that you are serious about your time and dedication to becoming a SLP.
I took a gap year after undergrad (talk about burnout!) and volunteered at a special education school in Guatemala. I did this mainly to solidify my decision to apply for grad school, but what I didn’t know then was that it also helped me tremendously with my applications. During one of my interviews, I talked about this particular experience and how it really changed me personally and professionally. The professor I spoke to was highly intrigued and they realized that I really put a lot of thought into my decision of becoming a SLP. Now, I know that not everyone can get on a plane and volunteer abroad, but think about how you can volunteer in your community or in your area.
Maybe you have an opportunity to volunteer at an AAC summer camp or a local speech & language clinic. Just think of what is feasible for you to do that might be unique and make you stand out in your application.
If you are a SLPA, already working in the field, highlight some experiences you’ve encountered that were significant in your journey in deciding to become a SLP.
4. Increase the # of Schools you are Applying to
I know this one is not a realistic option for some, but if you can, apply to as many schools as you can and save up $$ for those application fees (I know you can get them waived too, so make sure to look into that!). The reality is that getting into grad school is beyond competitive, for some it can take years to get an acceptance. Applying to more schools will obviously increase your odds of getting in and of course, if you can, try to expand your options.
In my experience, this helped me get into school. I was able to apply to some schools close to home and schools that were further. I ended attending San Francisco State University which was great because I still received in-state tuition and I was close enough to visit Los Angeles (home) as often as I wanted.
5. Participate in a mentorship program!
We are not islands, right? We work best when supported by those who have walked the path before us. That is why participating in a mentorship program is such an EASY and FREE way to get support. It will give you those extra sets of eyes and a different perspective that your application might be lacking. You also might not think something is important to share in your application, but your mentor might encourage you to include it in your application because it highlights YOUR story, YOUR strengths, and what YOU bring to the field.
I mentored an undergraduate Latina student and helped her throughout the graduate school application process. I loved supporting and offering advice and guidance to someone from a similar background as me. I helped her with her personal statement, looking up different programs, and also just encouraged her, which I know would have been so helpful to receive when I was going through the same experience.
Mentorship programs:
STEP (ASHA): Student to Empowered to Professional Mentoring Program
Heart2Heart: Find on Instagram @speak.fromtheheart
Power to Empower with NBLASH (National Black Association for Speech and Language Hearing)
Getting into graduate school requires a lot of time, effort, dedication, and authenticity on your end, but also remember to lean on other people for support (e.g., peers, professors, mentors, etc.). Hope this helps and let me know of any other tips you have learned in your process so we can all help each other out!
