<p>I absolutely love UW Madison's graduate program, but I'm worried about getting in due to where I currently go to school. Could any UW alums or anyone with experience getting into nationally competitive graduate schools shed some light on the subject? I currently go to the University of North Dakota, which is not a very reputable program for Speech Path. However, Ive been a research assistant there, and am currently the PI for a large study that I am waiting IRB approval on (60+ stroke patients). I was invited by one of the faculty at UW Madison to work as her research assistant over the summer, which is where I am now, taking classes to fulfill my psych minor. I go back to ND in th fall for my senior year. I really want to get in to the school, but I know it's so competitive. Is there any advice that could be offered to make my application more competitive? I additionally have about a 3.8 GPA. I haven't taken my GRE yet, but will soon.</p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>Have you done much volunteering? Job shadowing? Write your letter of intent early, and get as many people as possible to read it through; same for your resume or CV, if it’s required.</p>
<p>You look like you’re in a fantastic position to get in – best of luck! :)</p>
<p>I have done some shadowing, and have worked at a local rehab center working with individuals with developmental disabilities in the area of physical fitness (same setting I hope to work in, though somewhat unrelated to being an SLP). I’ve kept my nose to the ground for more speech path related volunteer activities in the Twin Cities, but haven’t succeeded in finding much. However, my mother has a speech impairment as a result of a traumatic brain injury, so I’m hoping that my lifetime of first- hand experience with language disorders will be considered.</p>
<p>Thank you for your advice!! I will follow your recommendations!</p>
<p>I recommend talking to the faculty member you are conducting research with.</p>