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Applying to graduate and professional school can be daunting. And, making sure you fulfill all the requirements and check all the appropriate boxes needed to complete your application is extremely key. Are you not sure what to expect about how COVID-19 might impact the process? You’re not alone!
Earlier this month, Katie McGovern ‘23AUD, was one of three student panelists to participate in the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association (NSSLHA) discussion titled Office Hours: Don't Get Spooked by Grad School Applications. The live event series is designed to bring students and professionals together to talk about relevant topics important to current students.
McGovern – the current AuD student state officer for the state of Delaware for National NSSLHA - was asked by the programming chairs to sit on the panel. The other two students were in Speech-Language Pathology master’s programs. The trio fielded questions ranging from program details, application necessities, and even some about how programs have adapted since COVID-19.
“I jumped at the opportunity to be involved in this because I remember how many questions I had during the application process and I didn't know who to ask my questions to, so it was a pretty stressful time,” McGovern said. “I was especially excited to be on the panel to represent audiology and the Osborne College of Audiology here at Salus University. Being able to reminisce about my application process reassured my decision to attend school here and really got me more excited for all the information I have learned, and all that I have yet to learn that will make me a successful and passionate practicing audiologist post-graduation.”
With nearly 700 views and more than 500 questions, the three students shared strategies to help conquer the grad application process and learn how to:
Breakout questions from the panel with McGovern’s key feedback are below:
Q: How many programs would you recommend applying for both SLP and audiology?
A: I went through the application process twice. I put all the schools I really wanted in the first one. I was on the fence about taking a gap year and I ended up taking a gap year. So I would say realistically there's no right or wrong number. If it's a school that you would consider going to and if you think you'd be happy there, I say apply to it. If it's in your distance area (whatever criteria you’re putting into pick your schools), I would say if it's something that you're considering that you would say, ’If I got in here, I would definitely consider going,’ I would say it's a safe bet to apply there.
Q: For second-time applicants, do you have any advice on re-asking professors for letters of recommendation, especially because so much time has passed since this individual has had classes with them? So that second go-around, any advice for that?
A: Yes. So my biggest recommendation for that would be, if you're going to ask one of your professors that you haven't had in a while, obviously it's somebody that you had a connection with enough that you feel you're able to ask now. When I emailed my professor the second time around, I attached my resume. I attached a picture of myself and I also wrote a little blurb about something that she would remember me by from the class and then I went into, "I'm applying to grad school again. I would really love it if you'd write a letter of recommendation for me." And, she responded with, "I know exactly who you are. Thank you for sending the pictures. I have had so many students. Sometimes the faces get lost in the crowd. Thank you for sending me your resume. I was going to ask you for that anyway."
So doing those little things that you're giving them like, "Here's who I am, here's what I've done, here's how you might remember me." That will make a difference than just emailing a professor, "Hi, I was your student a year ago. Hopefully you remember me." And, giving them reasons to remember you. Showing them that you care enough that you want to make sure that they remember you that they will write an honest, good letter on your behalf. That made all the difference for me the second time around even from the first when I was fresh out of... I was still in undergrad applying to schools and some of my teachers are like, "I had you two years ago. I don't really remember you." So I definitely learned that from the first time around and it made all the difference in the world and getting my letters was so much easier.
Q: What is one thing you wish you knew before applying to graduate school?
A: I wish I did not stress out about not having those undergrad internships as much as I did, because I always panicked. I wasn't able to find one. I wasn't able to find one in my gap year, but everything ends up okay. I also wish I had researched my schools. I knew where I was applying, I knew what I was getting into, but I wish I had really reached out to more people at the school to try and get student opinions about the schools.
The school I'm at now, I was put in touch with one of the older students in the program and I'm so glad I was because she made me so much more excited to go to my interview, to go through the application process, to do all that stuff that's very nerve-wracking otherwise. I was so excited because I knew the school that I was going to was the one I wanted to be at. If enrollment offices have any type of ambassadors or student liaisons that you can get in touch with, just to ask questions and pick their brain about different things and what to expect.
Q: I'm seeing a lot of questions about personal statements and essays, specifically how to talk about strengths and personal statements. What if you're applying to more than one school? Do you do one then the others? Do you write them all at the same time? What are your best tips and advice for personal statements and essays?
A: You really do want to sell yourself. Keep it short, keep it concise, but make sure you are selling yourself because you are the best thing you have to offer to these grad schools. So show them why and make them want you and make them fight for you.
