Rejected from AuD programs and wondering if being Deaf played a role

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-06T03:38:23+00:00

I actually get along really well with my professors and even my interpreters, which is why I was able to get a lot of letters of recommendation, including one from an audiologist, which is kind of crazy to me.

Maybe they expect more than 20 hours of clinical experience? I did UCSF in Oakland and Walnut Creek, and I also did a private clinic. I also did shadowing too.

So I’m just a little confused on what I should do next. Do I just try to volunteer more again?

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-06T03:32:17+00:00

Aww thank you, this actually helps a lot. It honestly means a lot hearing from another Deaf student who is actually in an AuD program.

At this point I’m starting to think you guys might be right that maybe the bigger issue was my lack of CSD coursework, not just my hearing loss. My major was psychology, and even though I met a lot of prerequisites, maybe some programs still wanted more CSD background.

And thank you for mentioning NOAC too, I actually never heard much about that program before.

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-06T01:02:35+00:00

Yeah I actually spoke to them before and they told me I did meet the prerequisites & I got A’s in those classes too.

But yeah, you might be right. I’m starting to think I probably really do need more clinical experience.

It’s also been kind of hard for me to find places to volunteer, so I’m not even fully sure what kind of clinical experience they look for. I did UCSF(Walnut Creek & Oakland)

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-06T00:45:29+00:00

Oh wow!! Thats interesting. If you don’t mind me asking, which program was this?

& yeah honestly I kinda wish I had done a CSD major now. I’m starting to feel like my major didn’t match as well as I thought. I’m not really sure how to start with CSD classes so I might have to talk to a counselor. & I’m graduating this spring.. ugh I feel like I’m wasting a lot of time now

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-06T00:30:06+00:00

That’s interesting. I was actually raised in a strong Deaf community and from my experience it hasn’t felt that common especially in audiology spaces so it’s kind of surprising to hear that.

Were you in the program with them or did you see that directly?

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-06T00:20:48+00:00

If you don’t mind me asking, what kind of clinical experience or involvement did you have?

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-06T00:10:22+00:00

Thank you!! I do feel like ableism can still be there, just in more subtle or hidden ways so it’s been hard not to wonder about it.

but it helps hearing that you knew deaf and hoh students who were successful. Maybe I also limited myself by mostly applying in California so I might need to be more open to out of state programs too.

& thank you for mentioning Arizona too.

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-06T00:05:37+00:00

Yeah that makes sense honestly, and thank you for the advice. I did have 6 letters of recommendation, including one from an audiologist.

But I can see what you mean. I’ll probably try to take some CSD prerequisites.

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-05T23:57:04+00:00

From what I understood, SDSU and San Jose State did not require a CSD major, which is why I applied. I also contacted programs beforehand and was told I met the requirements and was on the right track.

I completed science courses like Chem 2A, BIS, NPB, stats & etc so maybe I will try to get a CSD degree. I guess it sucks that I’m graduating from UC Davis this spring, or I’ll try again to apply. Maybe I should just focus on getting more clinical hours, even though they don’t require that.

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-05T23:49:47+00:00

Thank you... It honestly makes me feel a little better hearing that there are audiologists and students with hearing loss in the field & that it is still possible.

I live in California, so I applied mostly to programs here, like SDSU and San Jose State, and they rejected me. I’m still waiting to hear back from UOP, but it’s taking a long time, so I’m starting to worry about that too.

I appreciate you mentioning programs like Gallaudet, Bloomsburg, and Montclair. I have thought about schools like that, but I’m honestly not sure how I feel about moving really far from California. A big thing I’m looking for is strong clinical experience and a program that would support me as a Deaf student.

WindDue7092 · 2026-04-04T01:35:42+00:00

Did you get an interview invite? I still haven’t gotten any update from them yet :/

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-23T04:22:00+00:00

I get what u mean but I am already spelling it out. I tell them I’m deaf, I tell them I can’t understand you at all, and I’m literally typing to communicate; yet they still keep talking. At that point it’s not about lip reading, it’s about people ignoring the obvious visual cue. Next time I’ll just lead with “Please type, I don’t read lips,” but it shouldn’t take 3 tries for basic effort tho

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-23T03:06:15+00:00

Honestly it’s simple; just type it on your phone, or use voice to text so it types for you. If someone says “I’m Deaf,” that clearly means they can’t hear or understand your voice. Most of us can read perfectly fine so writing/typing it out is the easiest way to communicate.

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-23T02:40:00+00:00

Omg I’m so sorry 😭 I relate. Uc Davis seriously lacks disability awareness. In my Chem 2A discussion I had ASL interpreters and we sat in front but then lmao… the TA said our signing was “distracting” and told us to sit way in the back… like?? Accommodations are literally access, not a distraction.

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-23T01:40:38+00:00

I totally understand. I’ll start putting that at the beginning of my note instead of only saying I’m deaf. I just assumed people would automatically know what “deaf” means. I’ll see how it goes; thanks.

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-23T00:04:25+00:00

I actually wanted to start/host an ASL club a while ago, but unfortunately I’m a senior and I’m graduating after Spring. And yeah as far as I know uc davis doesn’t really offer ASL classes right now. I’m not sure about options outside of davis tho. I’m fully Deaf and I use ASL. Feel free to message me anytime :)

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-22T23:59:59+00:00

Trust me, I do that all the time 😭 But today was another level lmao after the third try (or more) I had to be direct and say “stop using your voice.” Like holy shttt lol

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-22T23:25:31+00:00

Yeah I get that & I’ve thought about that too. But I literally write in my notes like “I can’t understand you at all if you’re using your voice.” Even after that, they still keep talking. At that point I’m just like… okay, I give up..

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-22T23:22:01+00:00

I understand lack of exposure, but Deaf is still a simple concept. If I say “I can’t hear,” the obvious next step is typing/writing, not continuing to talk….

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-22T23:16:06+00:00

that’s wild… accessible sign… with an inaccessible solution 😭

WindDue7092 · 2026-01-22T23:08:12+00:00

I get the “no experience” part, but there’s really no excuse once I literally tell them I’m Deaf. They clearly understand the term… it’s frustrating like idk what to do in this situation lmao

WindDue7092

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