BigLifeChange

What AM I getting myself into.....?

That is good input and very helpful. Thank you. I will have to check to see if colleagues can write letters, although I doubt it. The company has one of the worst HR systems I've ever encountered, and everyone is afraid of losing their jobs. Others have had the same problem. I've been thinking about the MSW for a while, and I was one of two people who got laid off in my group. I think it was the universe's way of telling me to get on with it.

Ah, Thank you. That thread is enormously helpful. I'm trying to find a good way to explain switching from business to SW; something other than: I would rather treat sociopaths than work for them. Since I'm a non-traditional student, going back to school at >40 (although it's pretty common these days), how relevant do you think childhood family experiences are to the SOP? I hated the MBA program, but finished it because my marriage ended just before the program, and it was the one stable thing I had. I guessing that is relevant. I'm a little worried about letters of recommendation because my former company does not allow managers to provide letters of recommendation - it's a public company with government contracts and they are paranoid about liability. I had the same thing when I worked at Northrup years ago. I can get stellar letters from professors in the MBA program, which is the same university where I'm applying for MSW. Admissions requests having one academic and one professional letter of recommendation.

Hello! I'm so glad I found this site. I've seen this topic for other majors, but not for social work. What do people think is the most important aspect of a statement of purpose for MSW programs? I'm sure it varies by school, but there must be some commonalities, no? I don't have much practical experience, so I'm focusing on goals, how past experience applies, why I'm switching from business (with my MBA) to social work (MSW). Any thoughts?