Speech and Language Therapy entry 2012

Thanks, this is helpful to know. Im getting everyone I know to read my statement so we'll see how that goes! Its getting closer now!!

Hey everyone,

I've just booked on the Citylit course for November 1&2 will anyone else be going too? I'm so looking forward to it, not even just because it will look good on my personal statement but because I'm a total geek and it sounds so interesting! Hope to see some of you there =)

Rhona

Hello

I am applying for an MSc/PG Dip SLT course soon and I'm still trying to make up my mind where to apply to. I'm pretty set on Reading, UCL, City and Sheffield. I'm thinking about Essex too, but I'm not sure how long this course has been running, and how good it is. Does anyone have any info on this please?

My sister went to Essex uni and enjoyed her degree there, and I know the uni is good but I need details about the Speech and Language Therapy courses specifically. They don't really provide much information about their history on the school/department website, unless I've missed something.

Thanks!

Good luck!

Wow can't believe I haven't even considered Reading for their postgrad course (I thought they only offered the BSc for some silly reason). Do you know how many places they have and whether they interview? (I'm assuming all postgrad applicants are interviewed - except at City).

Sorry can't help you RE Essex... hope you don't mind my questions

Wow can't believe I haven't even considered Reading for their postgrad course (I thought they only offered the BSc for some silly reason). Do you know how many places they have and whether they interview? (I'm assuming all postgrad applicants are interviewed - except at City).

Sorry can't help you RE Essex... hope you don't mind my questions

I've applied for Reading MSc - it would be my first preference as that's where I'm from! I emailed them about the number of places available and I think it was around 18. And yep, they interview

I don't really know much about the Essex course either the websites pretty rubbish!! But I've applied for it anyway.

I've sent off for Reading, Sheffield, Essex & Newcastle, just City and UCL to go, although I really don't want to be in London...

Ah no problem. I'll apply to Essex anyway probably.

I went to a Careers Day at the University of Reading (put on by Berkshire NHS) and I was told that they have 10 places for the postgrad course usually. However this was in July, so it might have changed since then - as Pimpom suggested it might be around 18. I asked the tutor how many applicants it was per place and it's a staggering 45:1 (based on 10 places available). Crazy! I don't have much hope of getting in, but I'm just trying to get as much volunteering experience as I can and kind of hoping having a good degree from Reading already I might stand a chance. I reckon they might only except Firsts though - given the large amount and therefore wide choice of applicants they have! Eek.

City don't interview? Wow, I'm surprised. I thought all unis would want to see what you are like in person.

Yep, Reading interview for postgrad but not for undergrad.

Does anyone know - for undergrad, do you only need one reference?

Yes, you only need one, usually from your tutor or current employer, depending on whether you're applying through an institution or as an individual.

I graduated two years ago so I've requested one from my old lecturer (he knew me better than my tutor as I only saw my tutor about 3-4 times). Do you think this will be okay? They say they prefer an academic reference and as I graduated fairly recently (ish), I thought he'd be okay?

The basic structure I have so far is basically: open with a quick why SLT, followed by why would I make a good Speech & Language Therapist (in this section I've included relevant transferable skills from my current degree course, and voluntary work and what it taught me about SLT) and then finishing with a sort of acknowledgement of the workload/commitment required and what my future plans would be with the degree.

What has everyone else said for why SLT? I think this is a really difficult question - it's just a career that I've ALWAYS known I wanted to do, and that I find fascinating.

I'm unsure as to whether I should be explaining why I would be a good Speech & Language Therapist or why I would be good for the course, should I be making a distinction here?

Finally - my ideal future plans with an SLT degree would be to get involved with paediatric SLT early intervention in deprived areas (I saw some of these programmes when I shadowed paeds SLTs in really rough areas of Glasgow and they're amazing!) Do you think I should say that this is my ultimate goal, or am I narrowing myself too early by saying I want to paediatrics? I was a student teacher before I decided to apply to SLT so obviously I'm more geared to working with children.

I also have no idea how I'll cut it down to 4000 characters as I have a lot of work experience and so much to say about it all!

Hi,

I've just started trying to pull all my ideas together into my personal statement tonight and I have a few (actually many!) questions I was hoping some of you could help me with

The basic structure I have so far is basically: open with a quick why SLT, followed by why would I make a good Speech & Language Therapist (in this section I've included relevant transferable skills from my current degree course, and voluntary work and what it taught me about SLT) and then finishing with a sort of acknowledgement of the workload/commitment required and what my future plans would be with the degree.

My questions are this:
What has everyone else said for why SLT? I think this is a really difficult question - it's just a career that I've ALWAYS known I wanted to do, and that I find fascinating.
I'm unsure as to whether I should be explaining why I would be a good Speech & Language Therapist or why I would be good for the course, should I be making a distinction here?
Finally - my ideal future plans with an SLT degree would be to get involved with paediatric SLT early intervention in deprived areas (I saw some of these programmes when I shadowed paeds SLTs in really rough areas of Glasgow and they're amazing!) Do you think I should say that this is my ultimate goal, or am I narrowing myself too early by saying I want to paediatrics? I was a student teacher before I decided to apply to SLT so obviously I'm more geared to working with children.

Sorry for the big rambling post, the personal statement is just so important it's scary! I also have no idea how I'll cut it down to 4000 characters as I have a lot of work experience and so much to say about it all!

Thanks for reading =)

Rhona

I was referring to a school tutor rather than a university tutor. The lecturer who knows you best will be fine.

I have trouble summing up why I want to do SLT too... For me I think it's all about relationships. Helping a child to connect with their peers and parents etc.. Without communication and relationships, I imagine life would be a very lonely/isolated experience. Hmm.. obviously I wouldn't explain it just in relation to children though. And I'd try and make it a bit more coherent Trouble is - not sounding too sentimental!