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'Help to those suffering from speech and language disorders' - Speech Pathology


caitiepont 1 / 1  
Oct 30, 2011   #1
I'm applying to the Speech Pathology Master's program as a non-traditional student, since I did not get my bachelor's in the field. The essay prompt wants me to write about past experiences and characteristics that have helped shape me. This is a rough draft, so I just need some help cleaning the essay up and making it perfect. Thanks!

My dad was diagnosed with stage-four cancer the summer before my sophomore year of college. One of his biggest regrets was never finishing college so from a young age he always emphasized the importance of education. He was a wise man, clever and always full of advice. One of his favorite sayings was "Do what you love and love what you do." He told me that if I followed this rule my career would never feel like work. February will mark the three-year anniversary of his death, but although time has passed, his words still ring loudly in my mind.

Throughout my college career I have been faced with obstacles, such as my father's death, but I have never allowed anything to come in the way of my education and my pursuit for a successful future. I chose to major in Psychology during my undergraduate education because I wanted to be able to help others. The feeling I got knowing I could touch someone's life gave me the intrinsic motivation I needed to succeed. I participated in an internship in a school district, my senior year, working closely with the child study team. I saw the process that is taken from assessment to evaluation to intervention for a child that presents with a disorder. It was through this internship however, that I realized that becoming a school psychologist was not the right outlet for me. It was through my work in the school district that showed me where my future lay.

As a substitute teacher I specialize mainly working in the special education classrooms with children who have a range of disabilities. Mainly I work with children with autism, but I have also interacted with children that have selective mutism, Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, and hearing impairment, as well as children who stutter and have articulation difficulties. While some days are great, more often than not I am dealing with crying, temper tantrums and meltdowns. My job does not provide me with health insurance, nor is my hourly wage anything to be desired; yet, day after day I keep coming back. I pride myself on the work I do with these children and any progress I make with these kids, however small it may be, is good enough for me. I crave that sense of fulfillment, and it is from this desire that I want to become a Speech Pathologist. The education I have received throughout my collegiate career has laid the groundwork for me to excel in my future endeavors, particularly the Communication Disorders program at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. My experience and dedication demonstrate my commitment to this field and my hope to positively affect the lives of those suffering from speech and language disorders. I am confident that on my road to becoming a Speech Pathologist I will be able to prove to my dad, wherever he may be, that I am doing what I love, and I absolutely love what I am doing.
missind33 1 / 1  
Oct 31, 2011   #2
I am currently working on my statement of purpose as well! I think it sounds good, and while I cannot comment on grammar (since I am extremly poor in it). I can give some advice

1) I would mention more of the school that your interested in, what professors interest you, what research? I would take each essay and add a part that describes the school and why you are interest to go there. Schools want you to include this information, because they dont want you to send out the identical essays to other schools. I would look into dropping some professor names and ones you look forward to learning from.

I love how personal and heartfelt your letter is, I feel that if I was on the admittance committee I would without hesitation let you in. One school that I am looking into gave an outline of the statement and this might help you out:

A letter of intent:
The letter of intent should be 1-2 pages, double-spaced with 1 inch margins.
Explain why you want to pursue a career in Speech-Language Pathology and why you want to attend USF to obtain your graduate degree.
Show that you are familiar with our program (professors and research areas in which you are interested, unique features of the department that appeal to you, etc.)

Tell us why you believe that you'll be successful in graduate school.
Point out your strengths and achievements (e.g., volunteering, academic, research, or other experiences) and special skills (e.g., bilingualism, experience with children/elderly, unusual computer skills).

Address weaknesses or possible poor grades on your transcripts.

Good luck!
OP caitiepont 1 / 1  
Nov 3, 2011   #3
Thanks for all the input, unfortunately my essay can only be 500 words max and this is literally 500 on the nose so I can't really add too much without taking a bunch out. I'm definitely going to edit it though, so thanks for the help!


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