1. CSD GRADUATE SCHOOL 101 By: Constance Carmona Graduate Program Coordinator Dept. of Communication Science and Disorders Moody College of Communication

2. Let’s get down to business 1. Is graduate school right for you? 2. You decided on a CSD masters program, NOW what? 3. Timeline 4. All the things!

3. REASONS NOT TO GO  Nervous about the job search  Putting off entering the working world  You are comfortable at UT and don’t really want to leave  If I don’t go now I know I’ll never go  Pressure from significant other and family

4. REASONS TO GO You have clearly identified a target area of great interest (CSD! SLP! AUDIOLOGY!) You have clearly identified a target area of great interest (CSD! SLP! AUDIOLOGY!) Becoming an SLP or Audiologist is your dream job, and this field requires you to have an advanced degree to be certified and practice. Becoming an SLP or Audiologist is your dream job, and this field requires you to have an advanced degree to be certified and practice. You are ready to put real world experience and theoretical knowledge together You are ready to put real world experience and theoretical knowledge together

5. You decided on a CSD masters program, NOW what?

6. Junior Year  Start researching programs and colleges (internet, graduate guides) -Identify target programs. READ WEBSITES CAREFULLY. Things to consider:  Cost, funding availability  Type of program (cohort? Online? Hybrid? Research or clinic focused? Class size?)  Ranking? How competitive? What are your chances? (UT is #7 in the nation)  What are my chances?

7. Things to consider continued…  Externship opportunities (Options?)  Faculty: focus, research  Outcomes of the program: graduation rate, employment rate  Take notes, save notes

8. Summer Between Summer Between  GRE! Any other tests required?  Study for graduate school test (class, book, CD Rom program) I recommend Cracking the GRE  Take a practice test  Check dates and deadlines (Do I need to take it twice?)  Take required standardized tests

9. Senior Year  September/October -Begin work on a draft of your statement of purpose and draft of resume, request Letters of Reference, take the GRE (1 st time or second)*Most schools will want your scores already sent in by the deadline.  November/December -Request Official transcripts, finalize statement of purpose *tailor for each application* and resume  Depending on Deadline (UT is December 15), try to finish everything as early as you can.

10.  January- Make sure all materials are in, follow up with letters of reference if applicable, the waiting game begins  March/April- It’s almost over. Now.. You get to pick a school!

11. All the things…  Are you a CSD major? Do you have your prerequisites?  Transcripts  GRE  Statement of Purpose  Resume  Letters of reference

12. Are you a CSD major? Do you have your prerequisites?  If you have your undergraduate degree in CSD it is very likely you do not need any other courses  HOWEVER. Every school is different. Do you research, check in, take notes, and make lists.  SLP or Audiology?

13. Transcripts  What kind does the institution require? (Study Abroad? Community College?)  Where and how do I send them? (mail? Electronically?)  Is there a different deadline if I want to include my Fall grades?  How do I know if the school received my transcripts?

14. Statement of Purpose  First impression, sets you apart  Review your history (school, work, personal …)  Review your history (school, work, personal …)  Main points to hit: RESEARCH, ACADEMIC AND/OR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE LEADING TO AN INTEREST IN GRADUATE STUDY, FUTURE CAREER PLANS

15. Statement of Purpose  Some colleges will ask you to respond to specific questions (Yay!)  You should clearly understand what the college is specifically looking for and respond accordingly  What can YOU contribute to the program as well as what you hope to gain.  Keep in mind; writing an effective personal statement is a process that involves significant effort and multiple drafts. As with any major writing effort it is helpful to have periodic feedback on both content and style.

16. Resume  Educational Background  Honors  Related field organizations  Research and/or clinical experience (include area, supervisor, and length of rotation)  Volunteer Experience  How many pages?

17.  The career service office can help!  Attend resume workshops  Tailor your resume to the program if applicable

18. Letters of Reference  Be mindful of deadlines, and your professors time.  UT is looking for all 3 letters to be from faculty (not required*) If not, next best thing, a supervisor in a lab, past boss, the more they know about your ability to excel in the program the better.  Again… ASK EARLY. FOLLOW UP.

19. Overwhelmed?

20. Don’t be.  Start Early  One thing at a time  Come see me

21. Contact Constance Carmona (512) 471-2385 constancec@autin.utexas.edu CMA 4.106 COME BY! MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN.