大象传媒

Jamie Steeves has accepted an offer of admission to the MSc in Speech-Language Pathology program at UBC. This was her first round of applying. At 大象传媒, she majored in Linguistics with a Psychology Minor and a Learning and Developmental Disabilities Minor.

What inspired you to pursue speech-language pathology?

I have always loved working with children and throughout my volunteer experiences, such as with the , I had the opportunity to work with individuals of various abilities. My specific interest in SLP began when my mom, an education assistant, started working with a child who uses an AAC device. Seeing the different ways SLPs can empower others to communicate sparked my curiosity and desire to pursue this career path.

Please tell us more about your work and volunteering experience. Which positions were most significant in achieving SLP admission?

One of the most impactful roles I had was as a speech language pathology assistant (SLPA) at a private practice. Working in a smaller private practice allowed me to develop a close relationship with my SLP, and I had access to a wealth of resources and mentorship. This experience not only solidified my passion for this field, but I also developed practical skills I was able to highlight in my Letter of Intent.

I volunteered for over six years as a Special Olympics coach. I started volunteering with the Special Olympics when I was in high school and since then have grown tremendously in my leadership skills. This personal growth is something I discussed in my Letter of Intent as well.

I was also a research assistant for the in the Psychology Department as a simulation actor. This was a great experience to gain some skills in research.

Though not directly related to the field of SLP, my part-time jobs were also an important part of my application. They showcased my time management skills, work ethic, and commitment. I believe it was important to present a full picture of who I am, which includes both academic and non-academic experiences.

I want to emphasize that I didn鈥檛 overcommit myself to volunteering, labs, or extracurriculars to have a competitive application. Personally, I didn鈥檛 have close relationships with professors or participate in many research labs, as I had to work part-time throughout my degree to finance my education. What mattered most was having a well-rounded application. 

I want future applicants to avoid feeling stressed or comparing themselves to peers who may be doing more, and to just focus on what makes them well-rounded applicants and be genuine about their experiences. 

Describe the 大象传媒 courses that had the most impact on your success. 

I enjoyed Psychology courses related to child development such as Development of Children's Thinking (PSYC 354) and Adolescent Development (PSYC 355). They applied to my life outside of my courses in both personal and professional domains.

Which 大象传媒 instructors helped shape your journey to SLP admission?

Two instructors who had an impact on my journey were Dr. Sherrie Atwood and Dr. Claudia Wong Einwag. I thrived in both of their classes because I had the chance to actively participate and showcase my thoughts and experiences. Given my engagement, I figured they could speak highly of my academic strengths in my letters of recommendation. 

Please explain your approach to the Letter of Intent. 

My approach to the Letter of Intent was to provide specific examples of my experiences, highlighting the qualities that would make me a successful SLP. I focused on my personal growth throughout the years and reflected on what I have learned from each experience. 

I not only focused on what would make me a good clinician, but I also highlighted the traits that would make me prepared for the rigors of the graduate program.

I sought feedback from people who knew me well, as well as from those who didn鈥檛 know me at all. I asked for feedback from people of different academic and professional backgrounds, which ensured my Letter of Intent was effective from different perspectives.