Saturday, April 3, 2010

Down but not out

As I ponder my rejection, I find I agree more and more with their decision. I did call the Dept head about taking some pre-reqs at GSU and she left me a message, also telling me to get out and observe SLPs in a variety of settings. I can see now that while I focused on the academics and the nuts and bolts of the application, I definitely didnt focus enough on the career of an SLP as a whole. I know I want to work in a school setting, I know I want to work with kids and I do have a variety of experiences with SLPs in that setting due to my own children's needs. But I dont have first hand knowledge of what SLPs do with adults, in hospitals, with newborns, etc.

That said, I am totally stoked about the online second bachelors I am embarking on. I will be taking the first 2 classes this summer as a non-degree seeking student - basically an intro to SLP class and an anatomy class. In the fall, I will hopefully get into the degree program and will take 4 classes. One of which is specifically designed to help with the grad school application, as it requires you to (weekly?) observe a SLPs in a variety of clinical settings and write summery reports. I really think that, plus the committment exhibited by the pursuing the 2nd bachelors will make my application look great next year!

Plus the idea of easing back into academia gradually and online is very appealing to my otherwise chaotic life.

Down, but not out!

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Not this year

Online status was still showing "No decision at this time" so I finally called again. Had to call several depts and nag a bit just to get my own rejection from the receptionist. How anti-climactic. They couldnt even waste a sheet of letterhead on me. [/pity party]

I'm ok. I had my funk and fleeting feelings of worthlessness. But as I analyze and prepare my plan B, I am more pragmatic.

My interview wasnt great. I had a lack of current up to date knowledge of the field. For all they knew, despite my good GRE and GPA, I was just a bored SAHM who decided on a whim that speech therapy would be fun! Whee!

So the plan B that is formulating in my head is an online 2nd bachelors in SLP through Utah State that I can complete in 3 semesters (if I kick butt) and reapply next year. I will not have to take the pre-reqs so I will enter as a 2yr student (as opposed to 3) so I will not have lost any time. Doing it online cuts down on the daycare costs. Geting the 2nd degree will give me recent academic references and experience and will also show that I am committed and not just trying grad school on a whim.

I think it will help. Even if I will only have fall 2010 under my belt by the time I apply. And if I dont get in next year? With the 2nd bachelors, I can work as an SLP asst and get even more current experience and make my app look even better.

So I am down, but not out. I may keep up with this blog still since going back to school as a FT online student will have its own ups and downs, I imagine.