Hi!
I'm Michael.
Bilingual SLP, admissions coach, blogger
I work as a pediatric speech-language pathologist in public schools and my own private practice. At work, I love thinking about culturally and linguistically appropriate services, bilingualism, literacy, and assessment.
I blog about those things at ThinkSLP.com
Before working in SLP, I taught middle & high school, and I used to coach students on getting into undergrad. That’s when I started studying college admissions.
When I got into SLP, I saw that the admissions process was scaring off good candidates. I started The Speech Blog to help demystify the SLP grad school admissions process and help candidates put their best foot forward.
Over 6 years later, I’m still at it!
My approach to graduate school admissions
Start Early
There’s no substitute for hard-work, and hard work takes time. The best candidates start early. Starting 6-months before your applications are due is the minimum, but a year (or two!) is best.
Strategy
I believe the best candidates are strategic and intentional in every step of the process. From picking programs to writing your essays, I encourage applicants to clarify their goals, strengths, and weaknesses and set actionable steps to address each one.
Evidence
From scholarly research studies to interviewing experts, I base my suggestions on evidence when I can and fall back on my experience when necessary.
My book
SLP To Be: The Unofficial Guide to Getting into Graduate School for Speech-Language Pathology
This guide provides advice on...
My Journey: From No SLP-Experience to CCC-SLP
My name is Michael, and I started my journey to become an SLP back in 2014. I found speech language pathology to be the perfect intersection of language science, health care, and education.
After talking with an SLP-friend and shadowing a hospital-based SLP, I decided I wanted to give it a go!
I spent two years researching graduate programs, taking pre-requisite courses, and planning my strategy. I had none of the pre-requisite classes, my GRE score was not the best, and I had just moved to Mexico City.
All the effort was worth it on March 14th, 2016 when I was accepted into my top choice program with full funding. Now I practice full-time as an SLP in the public-schools and in my own private practice.
If you’re interested in this field, I want to help you! We need bright and talented people in our field, and unfortunately the difficult application process drives a lot of them away.
Why The Speech Blog
If you’re interested in this field, I want to help you! We need bright and talented people in our field, and unfortunately the difficult application process drives a lot of them away.
Based on real academic research, interviews with experts, and ongoing experiences, this blog started as a way for me to document my own journey. I took inspiration from my previous work counseling and coaching high school students on getting into college to earn the bachelor’s degree.