51猎奇入口

What inspired you to pursue speech-language pathology?  

I hadn鈥檛 started out wanting to pursue speech-language pathology (SLP). I had initially wanted to be an English teacher. However, the more I participated in Linguistics classes, the more I realized I was interested in the scientific aspect of language. SLP was offered as a career in many classes, and the more I learned, the more interested I became. SLP combined my two loves: speech science and teaching. 

I was also inspired by the multitude of people who, after I decided to be an SLP, came to me saying they had needed assistance from an SLP when they were younger. I have always wanted to help those around me, and using my love of language to encourage others to find their own voices solidified that this was the career for me.

Please share your experience of being waitlisted. 

I was waitlisted for both of the programs I applied for. This caused me to begin rewriting my application, as I thought I would not make it into the program this year. I had received a rejection after three months of being waitlisted from the University of Alberta, which discouraged me; however, it made me believe that, if I could get waitlisted, I鈥檇 make it into the program next time. 

I was fortunate to be offered admission to UBC after three months of being on their waitlist, showcasing that patience is important, even when things seem like they aren鈥檛 going according to plan. Overall, waiting a little longer to get into the SLP program showcased how much I truly wanted to be a part of it.

Being waitlisted doesn鈥檛 mean that your application isn鈥檛 enough. It just highlights how competitive SLP programs are, and should be used as a moment of reflection and growth. 

Which aspects of preparation had the most impact on your success? 

Speech-language pathology is incredibly competitive, meaning becoming a well-rounded applicant was one of my top priorities. 

Working as a pediatric speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA) has been the most impactful experience, as I gained hands-on experience and solidified that being an SLP was the career for me. I was able to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-life scenarios, while learning additional techniques and strategies I used to help my clients. I also learned more about the application process while applying for my Master鈥檚 from the SLP I was working under, which helped ensure my application was strong.

I was also a research assistant in the Language and Brain Lab, allowing me to gain hands-on research experience. This experience helped me learn to collect and analyze speech data, while also showing me that I had a deeper interest in the neurological basis for language.

During my academic studies, I also had the opportunity to participate in a teaching practicum, as I was a part of the Certificate in Teaching ESL Linguistics program (Note: this program is no longer offered). This allowed me to learn how to create lesson plans tailored to my students, which is a skill I have used with my speech therapy clients.

Please explain your approach to the letter of intent. 

When writing my letter of intent, I kept in mind that many applicants have similar experiences, meaning I had to highlight what I learned from my experiences versus simply listing what I had done. This was especially important, as the admissions committee was also receiving my transcript and my resume.

I had my friends, family, and SLP from my job read through and provide feedback to my letter of intent. This ensured that it was accessible to those outside the field, while being specific enough for those within the field of SLP. With every comment, I would revise my letter, removing irrelevant information and adding more personalization to ensure I was showcasing myself to the best of my abilities.

I highlighted specific experiences that shaped why I wanted to be a clinician, as well as my interests in research and how I could achieve that goal within the program I had applied to. Doing this separated my experiences from others while showcasing the clinician I wished to become.

If you could give one piece of advice to yourself as a first-year student, what would it be? 

Be patient and kind to yourself. I thought I had to know what I wanted to be right away, and I was scared when I shifted from teaching to SLP, but that was not true. It鈥檚 important to give yourself grace, especially as being an undergraduate student can be overwhelming.

I would also tell myself that, despite grades being important, they are not everything. Enjoy your undergraduate degree, make memories, and enjoy your time with friends, because it will be over faster than you expect.