Getting letters of recommendation

Since I just went through the horrible process of applications, I want to share my knowledge while it is still fresh. There is so much to say that some factors of the application deserve their own posts...

This was probably the most stressful part of the application-gathering process. All my peers told me that I needed to get all my letters of recommendation from professors in the communication disorders program. Unfortunately, I had just started my post bacc year and did not know my professors-- nor did they know me. Fortunately, my classes were pretty small and I made sure to ask questions and participate in class. At the beginning of the semester I went and met with each of my professors (even if it was just making up a question as an excuse to go into their offices).

However, I still wasn't comfortable with the idea of asking these almost-strangers for letters that would determine my future. I decided that I would get two letters from my undergraduate professors and two from my communication disorders professors. It was really easy to ask the two profs from my undergrad because I went to a small private school so I felt really close with my profs. I just sent off a quick email asking them if they would be willing and after I got the reply, I went to my old school and handed them my packets. A few months into the semester, I was finally confident enough to ask my new program professors.

The Packet:

I might have gone a little overboard with my letter of recommendation packets. I bought the cheap pronged folders from Staples and clear page protectors. The first page of my packet was an introductory letter and also saying thanks for writing the letter. My 2nd page was my resume and then I also attached my letter of intent so they could get a clear idea of my goals. Then I made a spreadsheet that documented each school, the application deadline, if the letter needs to be mailed or emailed, and any extra information about the school. Then, in each clear page protectors, I included a copy of the letter of recommendation form and an addressed, stamped envelope. Most of my professors were impressed with my organization but one told me that I didn't need to work so hard haha.

Tips:

• Ask for letters early, you do not want to be the 80th person to ask for a letter of recommendation because professors would be overwhelmed
• Contribute in classes and meet with profs outside of class to build relationships
• Analyze which professors can speak to the best of your abilities, don't just ask someone who is highly regarded in the field
• Organize the letter of recommendation packet so that it makes writing the letters less work for the professors

Letter of Intent/Statement of Purpose

Since I just went through the horrible process of applications, I want to share my knowledge while it is still fresh. There is so much to say that some factors of the application deserve their own posts...

I have to admit, I love my letter of intent. I debated posting it so that prospective students would have a sample, but I don't want someone to randomly use my work. Instead, I'll try to give you helpful hints so that you can write your own original letter.

Tips

• Begin your letter with something to catch attention. Think about it from the committee's point of view. They get 200+ applications per year. That means 200+ letters to read on top of the essays that they might be grading for class. It is important to stand out.
• If you have an anecdote that can catch attention + introduce the kind of person you are, then you are golden. Since I had a speech disorder when I was young, I had many funny stories to tell from my childhood. I used one of these stories to introduce myself to whomever was reading my letter. It was short and sweet and led nicely into the rest of my application.
• HOWEVER... do not just use a generic application intro. I have heard multiple tales of essays that start with "I want to be a SLP because my brother had a lisp, my aunt had a TBI, and my friend's cousin's daughter had autism." These prompts are over-used and most committee members will begin to doze off. There is a fine line between telling and showing. It is imperative to show yourself through the letter.
• Incorporate only the most important topics within your letter. Most reviewers will only do a quick scan of your letter. If you make it too wordy or long, they will just toss it aside. Write about 2-3 experiences that showcase your potential and only write about things that relate to the field. It's great that you were a cheerleader in high school, but admission committees could care less.
• Do not be too broad. Nail down specific reasons why you will do well in graduate school. Instead of saying "I will be a great student" say "My junior year in college, I maintained a 3.9 GPA while working full-time, supporting my family, and volunteering 5 hours/week at a rehabilitation center." Or, better yet, do not mention that you will be a great student at all because they will see it in your transcripts.
• Leave them with the thought that you belong in their program. If you do not mention their program specifically, they know that multiple other programs are reading the exact same letter. I researched each program and included at least 2 distinctive features into my last paragraph. I then thanked the committee for their time and finished.
• Do not include quotes, especially cheesy quotes. Please.
• Stay positive. Do not let your letter include a sob story or a negative experience with fellow therapist/boss/family member. If they feel any negativity they will attach that feeling with you
• My most important goal was to make my letter sound like me. I know that I am goofy, compassionate, and cheerful person and I wanted my letter to reflect that. I included a silly (but true) anecdote, added in individualized experiences, and did not write in a "scholarly essay" style. I knew that this was a risk but I thought it was more important to show the true me then only write what I thought would get me in. And, evidently, it worked!

Application Process

I have most of my prerequisite classes with juniors and get asked questions about the application. I figured that I would share my experience and tips on here for anyone that will be going through the process in the future.

Since I knew I wanted to go to graduate school since my sophomore year, I made sure to keep my grades up. I worked with my undergraduate advisor to plan classes that would expose me more to the literacy and language aspects of education. I also took time to observe the SLP at the school where I student taught and I observed the cochlear implant preschool downtown. I volunteered at my university's literacy center, writing rally, and reading program. All of these things allowed me to have a solid resume for applications.

Taking the GRE was a bit difficult. The first time that I took it (in the fall of my senior year), my advisor told me that my math score would not even be looked at. Being horrible at math, I took her advice to heart and did not even try on the math section. Unfortunately, her advice was not true. So I signed up to take the test again this past fall. Thankfully, I worked really hard on studying for the verbal section the first time I took the test, so I didn't have to study for the second time. My test score total was a little above average; my math was below average and the verbal and writing sections were far above average.

I began writing my letter of intent/statement of purpose in September. I wanted to make sure to incorporate what I was learning in my classes and have a long time to edit it. By the time I turned in my applications, I was really proud of my letter. I made sure to tweak it a bit for each school that I applied to in order to let the admission's committee know I really wanted to get into their program.

For letters of recommendation: if you are like me and have just recently met your professors for COMD, make sure that you make a good impression within the first few weeks of school. It is important that admission committees to see that professors in the field think you have potential. Since I didn't know the two professors I asked very well, I also asked for two letters of recommendation from my professors from undergrad. I think this helped the committees see me as a well-rounded candidate.

The hardest part of this process was the waiting period. I sent my applications in before spring semester started and didn't hear from my first school until the middle of March.

Tips

• Start the application process early
• Get to know your professors really well so that you can get good letters of recommendation (and because they are honestly great people to talk to)
• Volunteer with kids, adults, geriatrics, and everyone else! Just interact with your community and find a way to tie it into SLP in your letter of intent
• Do not go on gradcafe.com-- it is so addicting and makes application anxiety worse
• Keep your grades up! I think this is the most important part of applying to graduate school. As the head of my department said, "Good for you for doing extra-curriculars. But if you don't have the grades to match, then that stuff is just extra fluff."
• Don't be afraid to retake the GRE. But also, honestly evaluate your performance on the test. Unless there is a major reason that you did poorly (illness, family emergency, didn't study the right material, etc), don't bother retaking it. I seriously have not seen GRE scores independently affect acceptance
• Cater each letter of intent to each school you apply to
• Create spreadsheets to analyze the details at each school-- once you get acceptances, there is not much time to make decisions. For instance, I received an acceptance today and only have a week to decide if I will attend. It is important to know the facts so that emotion won't completely influence your choice.
• Do not over- or under-apply. In my opinion, it is very extreme to apply to 10 schools. Not only is this expensive but, most likely, these are not all schools that you would attend if given the chance. Only apply to schools you would be proud and excited to attend. On the other hand, don't under-apply. Don't place all your hope on 1 or 2 schools because chances are that you might not get in. I applied to 5 schools and think that I could have gotten away with 4. There is one school that I applied to and I knew I wouldn't go there. Don't make my mistake.
• Most of all-- take a deep breath and know that things will work out no matter what

Nice to meet you

I'm a student in Washington state that will soon be starting graduate school for Speech-Language Pathology. My interest in therapy started when I was very young. I was placed in speech therapy before I even started school and spent many years trying to get rid of my speech sound disorder. After a number of years in school therapy, I began private therapy and luckily improved quickly. Now I am a fully-functional speaker (most of the time) and want to help other kids overcome their communication struggles.

I graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in May 2011 and promptly enrolled in a post baccalaureate year of leveling classes for graduate school. I had to take these leveling classes before beginning the program since I do not have a communication disorder undergraduate degree. Fall 2011 was one of the toughest semesters of my life. Not only was I taking 18 credits of science-intensive classes, I was also working 15 hours/week as a nanny and volunteering 10 hours/week in the speech clinic. But I made it through and had all my graduate school applications in by the end of winter break.

This semester has been relatively easy compared to the last. I'm taking 17 credits, still nannying, and working as a research assistant for an aphasia study. I'm loving my classes and cannot wait to start working with clients next semester. Which leads me to my final point-- I got into graduate school! Actually, I got into a few programs so right now I'm working on making a decision on where I will be next fall. Wish me luck :)

Let's start with hello!

Hello!

No matter how you got here, thanks for reading! I'm not sure what direction this blog will take but I love the idea of documenting my journey through graduate school. There are SLP (speech-language pathology) blogs popping up everywhere these days so mine is just another one to add to the list. I can't promise that my posts will always be entertaining or educational but I can promise do to my best. I might take detours and add details from my life but, hey, it's my blog so I can :). Let me know your opinions and your ideas, I love to hear them.

Happy reading!