willXdavidson

So, if I'm hearing you all right, name recognition only comes into play on the international/ngo type work. Yeah, that appeals to me but it's not practical right now (or for another 15 years or so). I hear you with the VA jobs. It's a passion of mine and I've been told how difficult it is to get in, but I've also heard that if you do your field work/practicum/internship with the VA and you do a good job/make connections it's a lot easier. I think I'll avoid going into (too much) debt and go for one of the state schools where I live.

Ok, let me try a more general question that might elicit some responses. I've seen the rankings of Social Work schools plus I have a good idea about the academic rigor and intellectual curiosity at certain schools. With a little bit of research, it's pretty easy to divide MSW programs into a top tier, middle tier and lower tier. Sure, there would be some disagreement about the edges of the tiers but I don't think anyone would try to say that NSU is in the same league as NYU. (I may be wrong-but for argument's sake let's say I'm not) Based on my assumption that there are generally three tiers of schools where would a student like me fit? Lower grades (2.8-2.9 in grad and undergrad but with a decent reason, according to the dean of one MSW school to which I had applied but am now not going to attend) but excellent test scores, work/volunteer experience, and leadership experience. Thanks for any input! ps-I'm not saying that certain schools produce substandard MSW students. I think the right student can excel and achieve in any program, I just know for me I tend to do better when I'm challenged both academically and clinically.

I'll try to be brief (which isn't one of my strong suits). I had originally applied for an MSW program in my current town(the only option). Well, it turns out I'm moving to the east coast and now have the choice of the MSW programs in pretty much any large city from SC to MA. So I'm pushing school back a year. (starting n the fall of 2011) My career goal is to be a Social Worker with the VA and, once the kids are grown, explore international options (last kid won't be out of the house for 15 years so this is not an immediate concern). My immediate concern is this-my undergraduate and previous graduate GPA's sucked. Undergrad and Grad both were about 2.8. My grad is an MDiv and the ten or so ancient Greek and Hebrew classes killed it. Plus I had some family issues that kept me away from the books in both undergrad and grad school. My work/life experience seems to be good. I have experience counseling (marriage, family, individual), general social work type stuff (I was pastoring a congregation in an economically depressed and culturally diverse area), and currently am a case worker for the State. So, as an MSW candidate I have poor academics but good life experience (excellent letters of recommendation). Oh, and for what's it worth I test way above my GPA. My GRE's were in the 85th-95th percentiles. Now on to my question. What are my realistic options for admissions? I've made the following list that includes all accredited MSW schools located near VA Medical Center locations in my geographic area. I took out schools that had a hard and fast GPA requirement 3.0 or greater (according to their website). I also took out a couple that I knew I didn't want to live in that location and was left with the following: UNC Chapel Hill Washington University in St. Louis UM-Baltimore University of South Carolina Rutgers Norfolk State Fordham University Boston U Wheelock C Boston College Catholic University NYU Columbia University Basically I assume some are out of my league (Columbia and NYU for example) while others I should be able to get into (like Norfolk State). But, what I'm looking for from you all are which schools are the best (challenging and preparing for career goal) ones that I'm likely to get into. Thanks!