Applying to graduate school in speech-language pathology or audiology can feel overwhelming. Between comparing programs, navigating CSDCAS, requesting transcripts and recommendations, writing personal statements, and preparing for interviews, applicants have a lot to manage.

During National NSSLHA’s Office Hours: Graduate School Search and Applications event, professionals with graduate admissions experience shared practical advice to help students approach the process with greater confidence.

Panelists included:

• Radhika Aravamudhan, PhD, EdD, CCC-A, FNAP, chair and program director at Drexel University
• Kelly Gillespie, CCC-SLP, program director at DePaul University
• Maurice Goodwin, CCC-SLP, owner and speech-language pathologist at Goodwin Voice & Speech, PLLC
• Ivonne Maldonado-De la Rosa, PhD, MLS, CCC-SLP, assistant professor at A.T. Still University
• Teasha McKinley, director of centralized admissions for CSDCAS at CAPCSD
• Jessica Sullivan, PhD, department chair at Hampton University

Watch the full event:

1. Navigate CSDCAS Early

CSDCAS—the Communication Science and Disorders Centralized Application Service—allows students to apply to multiple participating speech-language pathology and audiology programs through one centralized system.

Applicants enter shared information about their academic history, experiences, and background once. Each program can also request its own materials, such as school-specific essays or supplemental questions.

One of the panel’s clearest recommendations was to start early. Applicants should carefully review each program’s deadline and deadline definition because requirements can vary. One program might require an application to be submitted by its deadline, while another might require all materials to be received or the application to be verified.

Applicants should also remember that transcript entry and transcript verification are separate steps. CSDCAS requires official transcripts from every institution where coursework was completed, including institutions from which credits were later transferred. Applicants must also enter their coursework into the system.

Starting early gives you time to:

• Request transcripts from every applicable institution
• Enter and review your coursework
• Monitor recommendation letters
• Correct missing or inaccurate information
• Complete each program’s supplemental requirements
• Allow time for verification before program deadlines

You can explore the CSDCAS application, consult the CSDCAS Help Center, or contact the CSDCAS support team with questions about a specific application.

2. Find Programs That Fit Your Needs

There is no single graduate program that is right for every student. Before building your application list, consider what you need to succeed academically, clinically, personally, and financially.

Panelists encouraged students to think about questions such as:

• Do you learn best in person, online, or in a hybrid environment?
• Do you prefer a large or small cohort?
• Does the program offer the clinical experiences that interest you?
• Is an on-campus clinic important to you?
• What student support services are available?
• Where do you want to live?
• How far will you be from your support system?
• What will tuition, housing, transportation, and other expenses cost?
• Are graduate assistantships or work-study opportunities available?

Attending open houses and speaking with faculty and current students can help you better understand a program’s culture, expectations, and student experience. Applicants can also use ASHA EdFind to explore programs and compare available information.

There is also no magic number of programs to which every student should apply. Panelists recommended developing a balanced list based on program fit, admissions criteria, cost, location, and the amount of time required to prepare strong, customized applications.

If you are interested in a particular specialty, such as bilingual service delivery, look beyond the name of a program or specialization. Ask whether you will have access to relevant clients, clinical experiences, coursework, faculty expertise, and mentorship. A formal specialization can be valuable, but it is not the only way to develop specialized skills.

3. Use Your Résumé to Tell a Clear, Honest Story

Admissions committees understand that not every applicant has access to research laboratories, clinical employment, or extensive CSD-related activities. Your résumé does not need to include every possible type of experience to be meaningful.

Instead, focus on what you did with the opportunities available to you. Relevant experiences may include:

• Employment
• Leadership
• Research
• Volunteering
• Community involvement
• Shadowing or observation
• Caregiving
• Participation in NSSLHA or other organizations

Experiences outside of CSD can demonstrate communication, teamwork, reliability, problem-solving, adaptability, and commitment. Rather than trying to make every job sound directly related to speech-language pathology or audiology, explain your responsibilities and accomplishments clearly and authentically.

Panelists also emphasized that an unusual design will not compensate for unclear content. A standard, organized résumé is appropriate. For most graduate-school applicants, one or two pages should be sufficient.

Be prepared to discuss anything listed on your résumé during an interview. Do not overstate your role in research, clinical activities, or other experiences. Most importantly, ask someone else to proofread your résumé before you submit it. Claiming to be detail-oriented while submitting a document filled with errors sends conflicting evidence.

Additional resources include:

• Résumé Writing Strategies
• How to Write a CV
• Build a Résumé That Tells Your Story
• ASHA Job Seeker Toolkit

4. Customize Your Personal Statement

Your personal statement gives the admissions committee information it cannot learn from your résumé alone. It should show why you are interested in the profession, how your experiences have prepared you, and why you are a good fit for that specific program.

Panelists recommended reviewing every essay prompt before writing. Some programs ask for a general statement, while others provide specific questions. If you reuse a generic essay without fully responding to a program’s prompt, you may miss information the admissions committee is specifically evaluating.

A strong personal statement should:

• Answer every part of the prompt
• Reflect thoughtfully on meaningful experiences
• Explain your interest in speech-language pathology or audiology
• Demonstrate your preparation and motivation
• Show that you researched the program
• Connect your interests with relevant program opportunities
• Add information rather than repeat your résumé
• Be concise, organized, and carefully proofread

If no length is provided, panelists generally recommended staying within two pages. Applicants should allow time for multiple drafts and substantial editing.

You may mention an interest in a particular population or specialty, especially when a program offers related faculty expertise or clinical opportunities. However, there is an important difference between expressing an interest and stating that you are only willing to work in one area. Graduate programs must prepare students across the scope of practice, so applicants should remain open to broader learning experiences.

Generative AI may help with brainstorming or review, but it should not replace your voice. Admissions committees want to understand who you are—not read a generic essay that could have been submitted by anyone.

For more guidance, read Personal Statements: A Guide to Writing Good.

5. Prepare for Interviews Without Memorizing Answers

Graduate admissions interviews vary by program, but applicants should be prepared to explain their interests, strengths, experiences, and reasons for applying.

In addition to expected questions such as “Why this profession?” or “Why this program?”, applicants may encounter behavioral and situational questions. For example, they might be asked to describe a time when they:

• Received difficult feedback
• Made a mistake
• Managed a conflict
• Worked with someone different from themselves
• Adapted when something did not go as planned
• Faced a situation in which they did not immediately know the answer

Interviewers may be more interested in your thought process, self-awareness, and ability to reflect than in a perfect response. Think of several meaningful experiences you can draw from, but avoid memorizing complete answers.

Practice responding aloud with a friend, mentor, or advisor. If you need a moment to think or restart a sentence, you do not need to apologize. Interviewers understand that applicants may be nervous and want to see them succeed.

Applicants should also arrive with thoughtful questions. Research the program beforehand and ask about topics such as:

• Curriculum
• Clinical placements
• Student support
• Faculty interests
• Student life
• Workload
• Research or interprofessional opportunities

Avoid asking questions that are answered clearly on the program’s website. Instead, refer to what you found and ask for clarification or additional detail. Preparing several questions in writing can help you remember them during a stressful interview.

Review Be the Star of Your Interview for additional preparation tips.

6. Look at the Whole Application

Graduate admissions decisions are rarely based on one part of an application alone. GPA matters, but programs with holistic admissions processes may also consider experiences, recommendations, personal statements, interviews, leadership, and evidence of academic growth.

If your academic record is not as strong as you would like, use the other parts of your application to provide appropriate context and demonstrate your readiness. An upward academic trend, meaningful experience, strong recommendations, and a thoughtful explanation of challenges can help an admissions committee understand your full story.

When requesting letters of recommendation, choose people who know you and can speak specifically about your academic potential, professionalism, skills, or relevant experiences. Ask well before the deadline, provide information about the programs to which you are applying, and meet with the recommender when possible. A detailed letter from someone who knows your work is more valuable than a generic letter from someone with an impressive title.

Panelists also advised students not to take the GRE solely for programs that do not require or review it. Always confirm the requirements of each program before deciding.

Finally, an initial rejection does not necessarily hurt your chances in a future application cycle. Admissions can be highly competitive, and programs have a limited number of seats. If you reapply, reflect on your previous application, speak with programs when feedback is available, and identify meaningful areas for improvement. A rejection or waitlist decision does not determine your future success as a clinician.

Applying to graduate school is a demanding process, but it becomes more manageable when you start early, stay organized, and focus on programs that genuinely fit your needs.

Across the discussion, several recommendations came through clearly:

• Review every program’s requirements carefully.
• Give yourself enough time to complete each application thoughtfully.
• Be honest and specific when describing your experiences.
• Customize your materials for each program.
• Ask for support and feedback.
• Proofread everything.
• Remember that one number or decision does not define your potential.

You do not need to navigate the process alone. Visit National NSSLHA’s Grad School Application Resource Center and Grad School Applications blog archive for more information, or read these tips for nailing your graduate-school applications.