4 answers
beatrice
Student
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
2
Questions
Asked
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I’m a student in highschool and I was wondering if I should take pre calculus or if its necessary to take it if I want to become a Speech Language Pathologist.?
I am in grade 11 and I want to become a Speech Language Pathologist in Vancouver, BC. I also need advice for volunteer experience and what subjects should I focus on to become a speech pathologist
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4 answers
Karissa Helton
Teacher
205
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Karissa’s Answer
Yes, you should take pre-calculus. If you want to be a Speech Pathologist some schools require Calculus. You are after all a Science major in some ways because you are learning about how the body works. If you know for sure what school you want to go to then look at the degree requirements on their site and see what Math class they require.
I would volunteer in an Elementary School. Try and work in a Special Education class. Also, you could work with struggling readers in a one-on-one setting.
I would volunteer in an Elementary School. Try and work in a Special Education class. Also, you could work with struggling readers in a one-on-one setting.
Thank you for giving me advice.
beatrice
L JH
Speech Pathologist
1
Answer
The Hague, South Holland, Netherlands
Updated
L’s Answer
Great answers everyone!
Man it was long ago since highschool for me haha, but I do remember taking calculus 12. I believe back in the day if I took calculus, then we didn't need to do a undergrad math or something? Anyway if that was and still is the case, it does save money to take it in highschool vs paying for it in college. I think taking calculus itself is wonderful, as it's a great critical thinking subject even if you don't need it for college.
Other things I found helpful to bolster my chances of getting into grad school are:
- Emailing the schools I wanted to get in; and ask what their general admissions degree preference are (e.g. linguistics, speech science, psychology)? Some schools don't care as much; as some schools do seem to have a preference on the type of degree. PS if you don't get in the first time, don't discouraged! I hear tons of people try more than once and it's totally okay. They just have find a way to make it work out financially before reapplying.
- Starting research and volunteer experience early!!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! I don't know the demand now but what I did was go onto the university faculty pages (e.g. SFU, UBC), and individually email the professors and Research Assistant positions. They are typically unpaid, and hours are generally minimal hours (and most of the time it's an unofficial position where students are treated kinda poorly- unless you get lucky). However, the experience is very worth it and something graduate schools look for. This is especially true if you become important enough in research and help co-author papers; as publications are big deal in terms of entry points to graduate school. It's also super helpful if that researcher is very well known in the their field (e..g Janet Werker is a very renowned researcher at UBC for language). These can be hard to find, but I would encourage you to keep at it; as this is very important for admissions.
-Another club I thought was great to get volunteer experience was UBC's Smiling over Sickness club https://wiki.ubc.ca/List_of_Vancouver_Clubs. I was able to get consistent hospital volunteering with sick children and that was really fun and fulfilling. Other than that, a massive google search of adult and pediatric clinics - and emailing hundreds of shadowing opportunities were super helpful. I got only few call backs when I was younger, so sending and calling a lot was vital to landing a shadow opportunity. You might even find it helpful to email https://speechandhearingbc.ca/ and inquire if they know SLPs that are interesting in mentoring.
- GPA is pretty important! When applying to Canadian schools especially; given the limited number of spots; the GPA seems to be a cut off point no matter how much volunteering you have. Hence focusing on good grades is important. For some people this is easy, for some much harder. I would recommend trying to try and seek a healthy lifestyle when you enter college where you can learn optimally; but also keep in mind good mental health. They're both very important, especially as you get older.
- Also take the time to explore other jobs you might like (e.g. other allied health professions- occupation therapy, physical therapy, audiology). SLPs can be big burn out job overall, and I see a quite a few people wanting to leave the job but struggle as our degree is so specialized. It can be quite underpaid IMO and with the cost of living in Vancouver it's no joke. I've seen SLPs try to become school psychologists, accountants etc; and for me I wish I would have considered going into audiology or even looked in medical school thinking back. I think back in the day, I had little confidence in the subject matters I thought I could enter and thrive- and this really limited the other jobs I would have considered; and when you're older, it's quite hard financially and personally to do another degree (although people do do it!). I do truly love my job however, but I have a feeling that it is quite rare (especially in the USA where they're more litigious and caseloads are insanely high). It is also a field that is very underappreciated and unknown, with most people not knowing what we do; and they can be quite disrespectful and overall frustrating. If I could do it over, even with the love I have for my job- I may have considered something else.
Best of luck! I think you're gonna be great! So amazing you're already asking these questions early!
Sincerely,
Lorraine
Man it was long ago since highschool for me haha, but I do remember taking calculus 12. I believe back in the day if I took calculus, then we didn't need to do a undergrad math or something? Anyway if that was and still is the case, it does save money to take it in highschool vs paying for it in college. I think taking calculus itself is wonderful, as it's a great critical thinking subject even if you don't need it for college.
Other things I found helpful to bolster my chances of getting into grad school are:
- Emailing the schools I wanted to get in; and ask what their general admissions degree preference are (e.g. linguistics, speech science, psychology)? Some schools don't care as much; as some schools do seem to have a preference on the type of degree. PS if you don't get in the first time, don't discouraged! I hear tons of people try more than once and it's totally okay. They just have find a way to make it work out financially before reapplying.
- Starting research and volunteer experience early!!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! I don't know the demand now but what I did was go onto the university faculty pages (e.g. SFU, UBC), and individually email the professors and Research Assistant positions. They are typically unpaid, and hours are generally minimal hours (and most of the time it's an unofficial position where students are treated kinda poorly- unless you get lucky). However, the experience is very worth it and something graduate schools look for. This is especially true if you become important enough in research and help co-author papers; as publications are big deal in terms of entry points to graduate school. It's also super helpful if that researcher is very well known in the their field (e..g Janet Werker is a very renowned researcher at UBC for language). These can be hard to find, but I would encourage you to keep at it; as this is very important for admissions.
-Another club I thought was great to get volunteer experience was UBC's Smiling over Sickness club https://wiki.ubc.ca/List_of_Vancouver_Clubs. I was able to get consistent hospital volunteering with sick children and that was really fun and fulfilling. Other than that, a massive google search of adult and pediatric clinics - and emailing hundreds of shadowing opportunities were super helpful. I got only few call backs when I was younger, so sending and calling a lot was vital to landing a shadow opportunity. You might even find it helpful to email https://speechandhearingbc.ca/ and inquire if they know SLPs that are interesting in mentoring.
- GPA is pretty important! When applying to Canadian schools especially; given the limited number of spots; the GPA seems to be a cut off point no matter how much volunteering you have. Hence focusing on good grades is important. For some people this is easy, for some much harder. I would recommend trying to try and seek a healthy lifestyle when you enter college where you can learn optimally; but also keep in mind good mental health. They're both very important, especially as you get older.
- Also take the time to explore other jobs you might like (e.g. other allied health professions- occupation therapy, physical therapy, audiology). SLPs can be big burn out job overall, and I see a quite a few people wanting to leave the job but struggle as our degree is so specialized. It can be quite underpaid IMO and with the cost of living in Vancouver it's no joke. I've seen SLPs try to become school psychologists, accountants etc; and for me I wish I would have considered going into audiology or even looked in medical school thinking back. I think back in the day, I had little confidence in the subject matters I thought I could enter and thrive- and this really limited the other jobs I would have considered; and when you're older, it's quite hard financially and personally to do another degree (although people do do it!). I do truly love my job however, but I have a feeling that it is quite rare (especially in the USA where they're more litigious and caseloads are insanely high). It is also a field that is very underappreciated and unknown, with most people not knowing what we do; and they can be quite disrespectful and overall frustrating. If I could do it over, even with the love I have for my job- I may have considered something else.
Best of luck! I think you're gonna be great! So amazing you're already asking these questions early!
Sincerely,
Lorraine
Thank you so much! 🙏 I will definitely research more.
beatrice
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
616
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Beatrice,
Precalculus and Speech Language Pathology
Great that you're already thinking about your future career as a Speech Language Pathologist!
Precalculus Necessity: Precalculus is generally not required for a Speech Language Pathology program.
While math skills are important for understanding research and data analysis, the level of math required for Speech Language Pathology typically doesn't extend to precalculus. Focus on building a strong foundation in algebra and geometry, which will be sufficient for most programs.
Subjects to Focus On
To prepare for a Speech Language Pathology program, consider prioritizing the following subjects:
Biology: Understanding human anatomy, physiology, and neurological systems is crucial.
Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior, cognition, and development is essential for assessing and treating communication disorders.
English: Strong communication and writing skills are vital for documentation and interaction with clients and professionals.
Communication Studies: Courses in speech, language, and hearing sciences can provide a solid foundation.
Volunteer Experience
Gaining volunteer experience can be invaluable for your future career. Consider opportunities in:
Schools: Assisting with special education programs or tutoring students with language impairments.
Hospitals or rehabilitation centers: Observing speech therapists and interacting with patients.
Community organizations: Working with seniors or individuals with communication disorders.
Remember to document your volunteer experiences, as they can be valuable when applying to university programs.
Additional Tips
Shadow a Speech Language Pathologist: This can provide firsthand insight into the profession and help you confirm your career choice.
Develop strong interpersonal skills: Speech Language Pathologists need excellent communication and empathy skills to build rapport with clients.
Stay informed about the field: Read articles, attend conferences, or join professional organizations to stay updated on the latest research and trends.
By focusing on these areas and gaining relevant experience, you'll be well-prepared for a successful career as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Best wishes!
Precalculus and Speech Language Pathology
Great that you're already thinking about your future career as a Speech Language Pathologist!
Precalculus Necessity: Precalculus is generally not required for a Speech Language Pathology program.
While math skills are important for understanding research and data analysis, the level of math required for Speech Language Pathology typically doesn't extend to precalculus. Focus on building a strong foundation in algebra and geometry, which will be sufficient for most programs.
Subjects to Focus On
To prepare for a Speech Language Pathology program, consider prioritizing the following subjects:
Biology: Understanding human anatomy, physiology, and neurological systems is crucial.
Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior, cognition, and development is essential for assessing and treating communication disorders.
English: Strong communication and writing skills are vital for documentation and interaction with clients and professionals.
Communication Studies: Courses in speech, language, and hearing sciences can provide a solid foundation.
Volunteer Experience
Gaining volunteer experience can be invaluable for your future career. Consider opportunities in:
Schools: Assisting with special education programs or tutoring students with language impairments.
Hospitals or rehabilitation centers: Observing speech therapists and interacting with patients.
Community organizations: Working with seniors or individuals with communication disorders.
Remember to document your volunteer experiences, as they can be valuable when applying to university programs.
Additional Tips
Shadow a Speech Language Pathologist: This can provide firsthand insight into the profession and help you confirm your career choice.
Develop strong interpersonal skills: Speech Language Pathologists need excellent communication and empathy skills to build rapport with clients.
Stay informed about the field: Read articles, attend conferences, or join professional organizations to stay updated on the latest research and trends.
By focusing on these areas and gaining relevant experience, you'll be well-prepared for a successful career as a Speech Language Pathologist.
Best wishes!
Thank you so much for this!! will do some changes on my courses, thank you!
beatrice
Glad I could help!
Chinyere Okafor
Andrew Au
Professor of Mathematics & Statistics, Retired
183
Answers
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
Calculus is the gateway to more advanced mathematics, which is a door opener to many STEM fields and even non-STEM fields. Hence, it is a good idea to take pre-calculus to give yourself options in the future in case you want to switch field of study.
Also, mathematics is a language, a logical and symbolic language. It can be complementary to the study of speech language pathology.
Also, mathematics is a language, a logical and symbolic language. It can be complementary to the study of speech language pathology.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
beatrice