Do most people wait until after graduating before they apply to grad school?

Graduate School
1

<p>I’m a senior undergraduate who wants to get into a speech-language pathology Master’s program. They tend to be really competitive, and I just don’t think I have the qualifications to get accepted just yet. I’m planning on applying this fall, but if I don’t get into any schools, I’m going to take a year off to shadow a therapist, work, and intern. I have a few questions…</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Do most people wait until after graduating college to apply to grad schools? How long would be a “good” wait? One year? More?</p></li>
<li><p>Do grad schools look at “breaks” to gain more experience favorably?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>My GPA is less than stellar, so I’m trying to compensate by getting a good GRE score and experience. Is this a good idea?</p>

2

<p>There’s a thread in Parents Forum about this- look back a page or two.</p>

3

<p>^ Where?</p>

<p>1) I would say it’s 50/50. There is no “good” wait - it’s all about what you did with your time - but the typical wait is 1-3 years.</p>

<p>2) In grad schools’ eyes, any time spent getting useful research experience is time well spent.</p>

<p>3) Compensate with experience, which matters MUCH more than GPA or GRE.</p>

4

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/841987-speech-therapy.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/841987-speech-therapy.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>No. I had applied for graduate school by january of my senior year. Applications for most graduate students are due by March of your senior year if you plan to start the following Fall and not have a year off. if you wait you have to take a year off and apply for the next year. I started writing my personal statement and taking the GRE the summer before my Senior year of undergrad. I was applied by January and I found out I was accepted to all 5 schools by March/April. SOunds like you need to get started!</p>

6

<p>I never said I haven’t started. I’m taking the GRE this weekend, and I’ve been thinking about essays and letters of recommendation. Nice that you are so presumptuous and pompous, though.</p>

7

<p>@cyo118,</p>

<p>Excuse you! YOU posted on CC asking a question… I gave a detailed, personal reply. No need to be RUDE. Dont ask a question if you dont want an answer!!!</p>

8

<p>You didn’t even answer any of cyo118’s questions.</p>

9

<p>I don’t think it’s that she purposely didn’t answer but rather that she misunderstood the question. I think she thought cyo was asking if he/she was supposed to wait until his/her senior year was done before he/she applies but that’s not what the OP was asking at all.</p>

<p>In any event, what “most” people do varies by field but is more importantly irrelevant. What’s important is whether <em>you</em> need to take a break. A lot of people do end up taking time off, and there’s no “good” amount of time - it’s the amount of time that works for you to get the experience and credentials necessary to make your application strong. I will add the caveat that going too long can make it look like you’re out of touch with academia and being a student, but I think this is less of a problem in professional master’s programs. A break can be looked upon favorably if you use the time wisely to boost your application by getting related experience - working with a SLP in the meantime may be an excellent use of time.</p>

10

<p>@SallyNYU: Relax</p>

<p>@Kryptonsa36: My thought exactly</p>

<p>@Juillet: If I take any time off, it’d be one year, giving me more time to fulfill internship opportunities. I currently have an internship with a therapist, though, so perhaps that’ll be enough.</p>