binichka

I applied to schools in CA--UCLA and Cal State LA, Long Beach, and Fullerton. They of course asked for transcripts for all schools I've attended, but the GPA I put on my application was for my last two years. Anyway, I agree with hyronomus4--I think you'd make a great candidate, and you shouldn't let your GPA discourage you from applying. I think you're more than able to demonstrate you are capable of succeeding in grad school.

I'm not sure about the requirements of the schools you're applying to, but the schools I've applied to have only asked about my upper division GPA. I spent the first couple years of my undergrad at community colleges and then transferred to UCLA, and I've never had to figure out what my overall undergrad GPA was, just what I did in the last two years at UCLA. My grade in statistics is the only thing from my lower division coursework I have been asked about. I really think most schools aren't concerned with what you did or how well you did in your freshman and sophomore years. I don't think your low GPA will be a major cause for concern, but talk to the schools if you feel it may hinder your ability to get in a school's program. I think it's much better that you started out poorly and improved rather than vice versa.

BTW congrats to all who've been accepted! Big ups

I made an embarrassingly bad error on my application for Long Beach; I accidentally gave CSULB a LOR meant for CSUEB! (I can't even tell you how upset I was at myself) I was certain that meant I was going to be automatically denied, so I was shocked when LB sent me an e-mail stating that I have till April 2nd to turn in the correct letter! They'll review my app once it's in. I already accepted CSULA's offer of admission, but I think I'm still going to turn in the letter to see if I'm admitted. Wish I had known earlier there was a possibility! I'm still kinda shocked they're giving me this opportunity to submit the letter.

Schooling: 3.3 UD GPA, BA in Anthropology from UCLA Experience: I served in the Peace Corps as a literacy teacher, worked for almost four years for a sheriff's office, and have volunteered as a mentor and ESL tutor. I currently work at a law firm (although it's business/civil litigation)

Congrats as well! Per the CSU website, basic in-state graduate tuition for the 2014-2015 year is $6,738, and an estimated total cost of $7,614. http://www.calstate.edu/budget/student-fees/fee-rates/losangeles.shtml Not sure how much it's anticipated to rise next year (I'm assuming it will).

Thanks, ditto to you! Yes, I'm going to accept. I am really interested in the forensic concentration, it's not too far from my apt here in LA, and my twin sister is also a CSULA student (she is getting her MA in SLP). Thanks alex bo balex, I will look for the FB group

Got my acceptance letter from CSULA yesterday! I applied to the FSW program

I really wrote "a English/Math tutor." Lord help me.

Yay for UCLA! Im applying to CSUs too (Fullerton, LA, Long Beach), but really want to attend UCLA. I hope I have a shot! Undergrad: UCLA, Upper Div GPA of 3.31 Work: aside from retail, I've worked for a sheriff's office for over three years, was a English/Math tutor, and now work at a civil litigation law firm Volunteer: I've volunteered for big brothers big sisters for about two years, volunteered as an ESL tutor for 6-9 months, and was a Peace Corps Volunteer for a yr teaching literacy (I left my service a yr early unfortunately) I have no direct social work experience, yet have worked with at-risk youth and law enforcement, so I hope my experience helps me since I know my GPA is so-so for UCLA. I'm late in the game and didn't apply for fellowships, yet I'm for sure applying for calswec when the time comes! Best of luck all

...And I just realized you're discussing schools in Canada exclusively. Oops, my apologies

This is something I'm curious about for myself, or at least the kind of volunteer work I have (not so sure how applicable it is to social work). Most of my volunteer experience is in education. I was most recently a literacy advisor/teacher in the Peace Corps (I didn't finish the two years, however-- I stayed for one year and left for personal reasons). I have also been a volunteer ESL tutor and a Big Sister with Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Do you think that my experience is irrelevant, or I may be penalized for not having finished a full two years of the Peace Corps? (I left on good terms) I have been thinking about applying for Title IV, so I can see where my experience having worked with children will help me. Is it enough though? Then again, I was also thinking of applying to the forensic social work program at CSULA. I worked for a sheriff's office here in CA for almost four years. Could that possibly help me? I've been out of school since 2007, so I want my experience since then to be my selling point.