What inspired you to pursue speech-language pathology? 

My passion for speech-language pathology began when I learned that my infant cousin, Meadow, was non-verbal. At the time, I had just completed a course in first-language acquisition, where we explored how language-based play can be used to assess early comprehension and communication development. When I spent time with Meadow, I began applying these strategies to better understand what she was comprehending and what she may have been trying to express.

That experience was incredibly meaningful because it was the first time I saw how classroom knowledge could directly impact someone's life. Helping someone so close to me communicate, even in small ways, felt transformative and solidified my desire to pursue a career where I could help others find their voice.

Since then, I have intentionally pursued experiences in both pediatric and adult settings to deepen my understanding of the profession and develop a well-rounded perspective on speech-language pathology.

Which aspects of preparation had the most impact on your success? 

One of the most significant factors contributing to my growth has been seeking experiences across a wide range of clinical and community-based settings. Initially, I pictured myself working primarily with children as an SLP. My work as an SLPA reinforced this interest by supporting young children and their families in home-based settings, implementing individualized treatment plans under an SLP's supervision.

At the same time, my volunteer experiences with adult populations significantly broadened my perspective on the profession. Volunteering at Queen's Park Care Centre introduced me to adults recovering from stroke and other illness-related communication impairments. Supporting individuals through these challenges expanded my grasp of the profound psychosocial impact communication disorders can have on identity, independence, and quality of life. These experiences also allowed me to draw upon my background in cognitive science. It was incredibly rewarding to see my academic interests and clinical experiences begin to intersect in such a meaningful way.

Please explain your approach to the letter of intent.

I approached my letter of intent as an opportunity to demonstrate both my academic readiness for graduate study and my long-term commitment to the field of speech-language pathology. I began drafting my letter early and revisited it frequently throughout the year leading up to my application. This allowed me to continually reflect on my experiences and refine how I wanted to present my growth as both a student and future clinician.

Rather than simply listing experiences, I wanted my letter to tell a cohesive story about how my interests developed over time. I focused on connecting my personal experiences, clinical work, volunteer roles, and research background to demonstrate how each opportunity contributed to myunderstanding of communication disorders and reinforced my desire to pursue speech-language pathology.

This letter needs to be tailored to the values and community of the institution to which you are applying. In the case of UBC, I aimed to connect my experiences and aspirations to the school's commitment to inclusive, community-based care and to convey a sense of belonging and genuine enthusiasm for joining their speech-language pathology labs and program.

Throughout the writing process, I met regularly with Rita Parmar, Student Advisor, whose feedback was instrumental in strengthening the structure, clarity, and overall impact of my letter. Those conversations helped me better articulate not only why I want to become an SLP, but also the type of clinician-scholar I hope to become.

If you could give one piece of advice to yourself as a first-year student, what would it be?

If I could give myself advice as a first-year student, it would be not to worry about having everything figured out immediately. I did not discover the field of speech-language pathology until my third year of university. Once I did, I spent considerable time reshaping my academic and extracurricular path to become a strong candidate for graduate school.

At the time, that process felt overwhelming because I felt I was behind others who had identified their goals earlier. Looking back, however, I realize that the experiences I gained before discovering speech-language pathology still played an important role in shaping my perspective, resilience, and academic interests.

I would remind myself that growth is not always linear and that changing direction does not mean starting over. Pursuing opportunities that genuinely interest you, staying open to new experiences, and asking for guidance when needed can ultimately lead you toward the right path.

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

One thing I would emphasize to prospective students is the importance of seeking mentorship and support throughout the application process. Meeting regularly with Rita Parmar was incredibly valuable for me, not only in strengthening my application materials but also in helping me better understand the expectations of graduate school and the profession itself.

I would also encourage students to pursue a wide variety of experiences whenever possible. Working with both pediatric and adult populations, conducting research, and volunteering in community-based settings enabled me to develop a much broader understanding of speech-language pathology and to confirm my passion for the field. Each experience contributed something unique to my growth and helped me become a more reflective, adaptable, and well-rounded future clinician.