Dr. Janice I wanted to write another post to share application tips for students applying for audiology programs! Part 1 can be found here. Application resources can be found here.
Applying for grad school is a big decision – but one that is necessary to take you one step closer to your dream career! You’re probably juggling a million things on top of applications and life won’t stop just because. Some days, you can push through and other days, you feel totally drained. It’s ok to take a break from it all and relax. Seriously, taking care of yourself mentally and physically should be your #1 priority.
Once you get back into the swing of things, work on your applications with passion and positive vibes! I hope the following tips will help you get started:
1. Your personal statement (aka statement of purpose)
Ask mentors, friends, and relatives to read your personal statement. This is one of the most important components in your application, so you’ll want to make sure your purpose is clear and easy to follow. Getting feedback will allow you to clarify any confusing points. I must’ve had 10+ drafts floating around my readers before I personalized my statement for each school (see tip #6 below).
2. Mailing applications (if applicable)
If any portion of your application packet needs to be mailed, remember to put it in the mail AT LEAST 2 weeks before the official due date. The USPS is great, but sometimes things don’t always get delivered on time due to weather & other circumstances outside of your control.
3. Review, review, review
…every piece of your application before you submit. Check your file names. Don’t be that person who accidentally references ABC University when applying to University XYZ audiology program. Always double or triple check before you hit ‘submit’.
4. “Back-up” school
Honestly, there’s no such thing as a “back-up” school when applying for graduate programs. Yes, I know there are rankings for more prestigious programs vs. less prestigious programs. However. Each school is different and a panel will review your application to determine if you’d be a good fit for their site and program. Unless you have a VERY strong relationship with your undergraduate speech & hearing/communication sciences department, you may not necessarily have a shoo-in to be accepted. Apply to schools that you feel would be a good fit for YOU.
5. Pay attention to details and numbers
Apply to as many schools as you feel comfortable paying for. The fees can really add up! I applied to 5 schools and I was overwhelmed. Also, applying to 10+ programs isn’t necessarily going to up your chances of getting in somewhere if you don’t take the time to personalize your application to the uniqueness of each program. And last, but not least…
6. Stay organized
Find ways to stay organized with your deadlines. You can use my free organization tool to reference all the program details in one file (sign up for my mailing list to download) or create your own calendar to set reminders. I use my planner as an organization tool and feel totally lost if I don’t have it with me 24/7.
That’s it for now. Feel free to share additional tips that have helped you get through your applications in the comments 🙂
Best wishes with the process!
…and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
