What goes into SLP graduate school applications?
Schools will ask for different things, but there are five basic parts to most SLP grad school applications.
- Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Graduate Record Examinations Score (GRE)
- Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Interviews…(sometimes)
1. Grade Point Average
There’s no getting around it: your GPA matters. It is a reflection of your previous work and achievement in an academic setting.
Can you still get into grad school with a low GPA? Absolutely!
2. GRE Scores
Just like your GPA, your GRE score is a number that matters. It is an easy way for schools to compare one candidate to another; that’s why they like it.
Can you still get into grad school with a low GRE score? Absolutely!
Can you raise your GRE score? I studied for a few months with Magoosh and raised my score 17 points… so yes!
3. Personal Statement
This is the first real look at you that the admissions committee will get. In my opinion, it is the real heart of your application.
Personal Statement, Letter of Intent, Admissions Essay… there are many names for this document. But it all serves the same purpose: it is your chance to take control of the application and tell your story.
GPA and GRE scores are numbers. They’re important, but they’re cold and lifeless. Your letters of recommendation are mostly beyond your control. But your personal statement is something unique and powerful.
One of my mentors, Professor Faith Beane, describe a personal statement essay to me in a way I’ll never forget: it should be like you’re going to have a cup of coffee with someone and you’re telling them about your professional self.
Is it formal? Yes! But it isn’t like a job interview; that’s where your resume comes in.
4. Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Your resume is another simple yet powerful tool in the application process. Where the personal statement is warm and inspired, the resume is professional and structured.
In short, your resume will summarize your professional, work, and volunteer experiences related to your application.
Learn how to write a resume for SLP grad school here.
Learn the difference between a resume and a curriculum vitae (CV).
5. Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendations (LORs for short) are letters written by people (usually professors) on your behalf. Most schools usually ask for 3 academic letters of recommendation.
Think of them like “Amazon Reviews” of your performance. They’re different than grades because they’re full of rich contextual information. They’re also typically private, meaning you won’t know what is said in them.
Don’t just wing it, learn who to ask and how to ask for these critical documents.
6. Interviews
Interviews are where you are asked questions about your application by members of the admissions committee. They might be 1-on-1, 2-on-2, or even in small groups. They are also a chance for you to learn more about the program and if you’re a good fit for each other.
I have a free download here with many of the exact questions I was asked during my interviews as well as tips on preparing here.
How can you improve your SLP grad school applications?
It is going to take time and work to improve your applications, but you can do it!
The first resource I recommend is my book: SLP To Be. It is a comprehensive guide to all parts of the application process starting at $9.99.
The second is of course my blog. If you’re at the beginning and feeling overwhelmed, Start Here.