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lola9900

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    Michigan
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    2014 Fall

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  1. Figaro, Have you read the study? You seem focused on the blog and one of this guy's rants. I think if you read the study (which was published in a peer refereed journal), you might come away with a different perspective....or not. I am certainly not the fancy police. You seem intent on your current course. I wish you the best of luck PS: The word "fancy" was taken from the post "A professors insight: .... state v. ivy...." (or something akin to that), which I believe I mentioned in my earlier post. I would strongly urge others on this sight to read the professors post, if you haven't already. It provides information from someone who has been the in the field quite some time, as well as insight from upper-class MSWers and soon-to-be PhD students. The consensus seems to be that it doesn't much matter where you go for your MSW; go to the most affordable school. There were some posts that argued that while it doesn't matter, generally, it does matter (at least somewhat) if you are focused on macro or international social work.
  2. Figaro, If you read the article carefully, I believe that was the point of it: the article by Kirk et. al is pointing out the USNWR rankings don't work for the MSW field. While I do agree that the article takes a cynical view of MSW programs, I don't disagree with the authors' premise that academia has a lot vested in generating as much money as it can -- with state budgetary issues from California to Michigan to Rhode Island, many schools (from primary to higher education) are experiencing the squeeze. The difference is that higher ed can pass the buck on to its students. This is, perhaps, one of Kirks main points -- the MSW programs are money-makers. Many (most?) don't provide funding (or at least most students don't receive funding), therefore students take out student loans, and programs like Columbia and USC, which I have heard can cost as much as $80k to get through, will be the beneficiary. Does that mean that USC and Columbia don't have good programs. Nope. Not at all. But, as it has been discussed through the years on this forum, the MSW program requirements are so regulated that most (all?) schools are required to provide essentially the same curriculum (and often the same field placements if within the same locale). So what does a graduate of Columbia or USC get that a graduate of Hunter or UCLA doesn't? Name recognition? As has been discussed, this doesn't tend to buy you much in social work (according to those in practice) at the master's level. At the PhD level, that is a different story. (See the post "state school v. Ivy" (or something similar written by a professor of social work) for a further discussion of this). Note some argue that it buys you something if you are Macro focused; others contradict this. My intent in providing the link to the study is (hopefully) to help others avoid overpaying for their MSWs. I have a law degree, so when I looked into getting my MSW, my first instinct was to get into an Ivy because they would have the best recruiters. I still believe that is true for law school (I would advise anyone thinking about law school to only go if they could get into a top 10 program or if they could go for free (and really only if they could get into a top 10 program because law school is a lot of work)). But after reading the posts here and elsewhere and talking to people I know in the field, I have come to the conclusion that it's what you make of your MSW program (e.g. field placements, networking, taking coursework outside of the social work area (policy classes for macro)), rather than the stature of the school that you are going to. All that aside, I did think very carefully about where I wanted to attend (geographically) because that is where I plan to live after I graduate. Thus, location and cost were the dominating factors for me (rather than prestige). Your point re: decrease in acceptance rates: With the increase in the number of applicants over the past few years, the acceptance rates may have decreased (assuming that the number of students per class size remains constant). Because the last year for data points was 2004, e.g. pre-tanking economy, there are likely more students applying today than in 2004 (or prior), which would account for such a decrease. But as the study is actually a culmination of several years of data points (published in 2009, but using data over 15 years), it is likely that the ordering of the most selective to the least selective and those with the highest yield and those with the lowest yield remain fairly consistent. Will there be certain schools that go up and down in these rankings? Sure. But I would guess that they don't change by leaps and bounds, unless there is some external environmental cause (e.g. programmatic changes, etc.) For example, the study points out the BC and BU have the lowest yields (i.e. number of the students who actually matriculate), but the study accounts for this by pointing out the local competition. BC, BU and Simmons are all in Boston. Many students apply to 2 or 3 of these programs. If they get accepted to 1, they will have to decline the other(s) (creating a lower yield for those other school(s)). As I have stated in other posts, one of the weaknesses of the study is the timing. If you have a more recent study or evidence to the contrary, please post. As I said, I am very much interested in attending a school that will give me the best shot at my dream job, so I welcome any literature that can point out which schools are likely to do so. That's why I am reading these boards. But to dismiss the study out-of-hand I think is a mistake, particularly because it was a longitudinal study. But again, it doesn't take into account the biggest recession since the Great Depression...so.....it is not without flaws. PS: As for the credibility of the authors of the study -- the data that they used was published by the Council on Social Work Education. PPS: You don't have to agree with the stats, you don't have to read them, and you don't have to act upon them. I just include the article, so that others swayed by the USNWR rankings might think more critically about them. I also hope that it might help some make a more financially sound decision when selecting their MSW programs. But if you want to "go fancy" -- have at it
  3. Here is another article on MSW admission rates and rankings: http://sweduc.wordpress.com/2009/09/13/msw-and-phd-admission-rates/
  4. I hear you nightwolf1129! From the posts on this board, and due to the relatively low pay in social work, seriously considering the cost of a program is absolutely necessary. The only caveat I might add is that you should go to school where you intend to live after you graduate. But I imagine your military ties combined with an MSW (from any school) would open a lot of doors (anywhere) for you, especially in the area you interested in working. An MSW is not like a JD -- in that case, I think I would only go to law school if I got into Yale, Harvard, WashU or Michigan....the legal market is too tight otherwise. Congrats on your acceptance! And thank you for your service
  5. From what I can see regarding the most competitive programs (which is also found in that study), I think that may be true. For example, Portland State U & Rhode Island College are two of the top 10 most competitive schools (as far as admission rates), with San Francisco State U as the most competitive. I'm not sure of the cost of SFSU, but RIC is the least expensive school I found (in state or out), and PSU is not terribly expensive either (though I have heard the cost of living in Portland is high). The authors of the study also posit that the low yields may be due, in part, to location. For instance, many students apply to both BC and BU; so if they choose one over the other, this leaves the "un"selected school with a lower yield. Looking at the list, there are 3 Boston schools -- all vying for the top students. And this doesn't include Smith, which is less than 2 hours outside of Boston. The same can be said for NY schools. Both NYU and Fordham are on the list, likely because they compete with each other. But note that Hunter (also in NY) is at the top of the yield list...perhaps for reasons that you stated: it is the least expensive NYC MSW option. I believe Hunter is also at the top of the list for the most selective programs (according to the study). So students who are accepted there, tend to go there.
  6. Based on a 2009 study by Kirk, Corcoran and Kil, you still have a very good chance of getting in to BU. According to the study, BU ranked last (of the schools providing information) in terms of yield: 119. Michigan State (44.3%) 120. Washington U (42.9%) 121. U of Vermont (42.5%) 122. U of Wisconsin - Madison (42.0%) 123. U of Penn (41.6%) 124. Boston College (40.5%) 125. Simmons College (40.2%) 126. NYU (39.4%) 127. Fordham (36.3%) 128. Boston U (34.3%) What this means is that in 2009, of those students who were offered admission to Boston University's MSW program, only 34.3% accepted the offer. Thus, 65.7% did not accept, and (I presume) Boston U went to the waitlist to ask those candidates if they wanted to attend its program. Note: The study is a few years old; I couldn't find anything more recent. But I would imagine that though the exact percentages may change and the ordering of a few schools may flip, the list largely reflects today's matriculation rates (IMO). But if someone else has more current stats, please share. This information can be found at http://sweduc.wordpress.com/2009/09/13/msw-and-phd-admission-rates/
  7. Boba felt, Thanks for your detailed answer; it sounds like I will likely have a choice of whether to join the school's system or ACA. As I only pay $25/mo under my current plan, I will likely stick with that (or something similar).
  8. I'm not sure where to post this, so I thought I might post it here.... Does anyone know how the Affordable Care Act will affect school insurance? Most (all?) of the schools I have applied to require students to purchase insurance. Right now I have insurance that is much cheaper under the ACA. Will I have to pay the student rate and opt into the school's system? Is there a provision in the Act that limits your subsidy if you are a student?? Any information anyone has would be much appreciated.
  9. LcswINthemaking, If you click on the "Results Search" tab at the top of site, you can navigate the pages to see if/when Berkeley sends out its results. So far, I have only found PhD results for this year; from past years (which you can also see on this tab), the results usually start trickling out at the end of February or early March. Good Luck!
  10. FYI: You can also look at the "Results Search" at the topic of the website and type in your area of concentration and sort by school. Unfortunately, there was only 1 post with stats for U of Alberta. (hover over the read diamond to see stats). Good Luck
  11. Eeeeshh, my bad. I tried to re-edit again upon realizing that the leasing office did not put you two together. I thought it brought you two together after your other housing situation went condos. Overlooked the Craigslist thing. So, yeah...way off as far as going after the leasing agency. Sorry You may still be able to put pressure on your roommate's P's. I would still go to school's law school (if there is one...this school sounds really small...so maybe not); regardless, the state bar website may be your best resource for finding someone to help you find a legal answer (i.e. maybe write a demand letter to roommate and/or roommate's Ps). Good Luck...
  12. BEFORE DOING ANYTHING MENTIONED BELOW: GO TO YOUR SCHOOL'S LAW SCHOOL CLINIC OFFICE or to YOUR STATE'S BAR ASSOCIATION WEBSITE: I would go to the leasing office and tell them that you intend to break the lease if they do not enforce the lease provisions (e.g. that your roommate has a dog in the premises that is not permitted or that she is doing drugs). Remind them that neither you nor the leasing agency approved of the animal, nor has your roommate paid the additional cost of the animal. 1. I might also discuss this situation has affected the health and safety of your animal (whom you consider a family member) and yourself. It has taken away from your studies and has forced you to live in fear that your roommate will retaliate either via theft, vandalism, (or other criminal enterprise), or via some intentional tort (harming your dog, intentional interference with a contract (either with the leasing agency or with your graduate program (as it is interfering with your ability to perform your job), and intentional emotional distress (or harm), trespass (which can be a crime or a tort). 2. I might tell the leasing agency (and perhaps her parents) that you intend to prosecute this matter to the fullest extent under the law. 3. REPEAT: GO to your school's law school (hopefully there is one), and talk to them about possible remedies for your problem (go there first before threatening the leasing agency and/or roommate's parents). 4. Also, if roommate is doing any type of illegal drugs (or underage drinking) I might take pictures of her in action, take pictures of the paraphernalia, etc. Take this evidence with you (as well as pix of illegal dog + dog pee and any subsequent damage due to pee) when your go to your law school or state's bar association pro bono office. NOTE: You can usually google the state bar's website. On that website you should be able to search legal aid or pro bono, etc. Or call state bar and ask them if anyone can help you. NOTE: If she is doing drugs, I think that it would be a slam dunk argument that it is affecting your health and safety living with her (as with pot, the second-hand smoke can cause a lot of harmful affects on you and your animal, anything stronger, could make the argument that there is an undesirable criminal element associated with that particular substance, etc. Causes her to be erratic....Hopefully you see where I am going with this. NOTE: To find out where you can get the best legal help, go to/call the law school, and ask if there is a student clinic that works with students who have landlord/tenant issues? If they say no way, we don't touch that type of law, ask them politely whether there is a pro bono organization sponsored by that state's bar association that might be able to help you. Each state bar association should have legal aid type organizations that will be able to better direct you. Property law (landlord/tenant law) varies state-to-state. That is why I say go to the school's law school clinic or to the state's bar association for help, because they will know the best claims for you to make. FINALLY: The point won't be to embroil you in a lawsuit, but to make the threat to the leasing agency (for which they are on the hook, as they had "NOTICE" that this girl was a problem with the previous five roommates checking out on her) that you intend to take action against the agency, the roommate, and the parents (if possible). No one wants a lawsuit, including your leasing agency. So, if they are given a legit reason to get this girl out of there, who is likely ruining the apartment with dog pee, I'm sure you would be the preferable roommate to keep on. So give them that reason.... 5. OR DO NONE OF THE ABOVE...JUST SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT to hopefully help empower you Nothing in this post should be construed as legal advice.
  13. Could use "Search Results" and the top of the website to search by school name.
  14. Thanks so much for the information! I checked it out and the dual degree sounds promising
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