Pre-Application Support Service


As a pilot program, current KU PhD students have put together a pre-application support service (PASS). This service is designed to provide support to applicants in communication sciences and disorders by increasing transparency and visibility of graduate application resources. This service is available to all applicants, but we specifically encourage historically underrepresented students, including racial and ethnic minorities, first-generation students, indigenous students, LGBTQIA+ students, students with disabilities, and students from low-income families, to apply.

How it works

  1. Applicants will submit an enrollment form including any drafts of application materials that they’ve completed. Based on availability of peer mentors, applicants will be enrolled in PASS on a first come first serve basis. Applicants will be notified if PASS capacity is reached. Enrollment in PASS is open until November 8, 2024.
  2. Applicants will be paired with a peer mentor who is a current SPLH PhD student at KU.
  3. Mentors will meet with applicants up to 2 times over phone/Zoom to answer questions and provide up to 2 rounds of written feedback on application materials.

SUBMIT YOUR INTEREST FORM HERE: https://kusurvey.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0MrYX5VaJ9C9nUy 

Applying to PASS does not guarantee admission to the Speech-Language-Hearing PhD program and is entirely separate from the admission process. None of the information shared with the PASS program will be shared with faculty or the admissions committee, and your peer mentor will agree to keep your information anonymous. Likewise, participating in PASS does not obligate you to apply to graduate studies at the University of Kansas. Help us learn more about the feasibility of pre-application support service programs in communication sciences and disorders by participating in a pilot study of this program. Upon filling out your interest form, you will have the option to opt in to the pilot study. Research participation is not required - if you do not wish to participate in the study but do wish to be matched with a mentor please email olivia.boorom@ku.edu for more information.

Resources

Below are several resources that may be helpful in understanding the PhD application process and crafting your application.

Cientifico Latino Application Guides and Writing Samples

OpenAcademics Writing Samples

Tips for Choosing a PhD Advisor

Questions to Ask Before/During an Interview

MIT Communication Lab’s guide on how to write a statement of purpose

Swarthmore College Example CVs

ASHA programs and initiatives

ASHA has several multicultural constituency groups that can provide resources, funding opportunities, and networking connections to assist with applications for graduate school:

National Black Association for Speech-Language and Hearing (NBASLH) Mentoring Programs, Funding/Scholarship Opportunities, and Resources

South Asian Caucus of ASHA

Asian Pacific Islander Speech-Language-Hearing Caucus

Native American Caucus of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

Hispanic Caucus for ASHA

S.T.E.P.: Student to Empowered Professional Mentoring Program

ASHA Pathways to PhD Enrollment Handout