jaylynn

SO grateful another thread has been started, thank you Roxanne. I've applied to Windsor, Laurier, UofT and Waterloo for the advanced standing MSW. I was waitlisted a couple of years ago for the two year program. Since then I've completed the HBSW at Lakehead, and a graduate certificate in Youth Justice at Durham College. I'm feeling very discouraged this application cycle as I wasn't in the right head space when I wrote my applications. Once again, I'm very grateful to not have to experience this stress alone. Good luck everyone!

Would also love insight on this... the obsessive refreshing gets tiring.

Yeah, I was waitlisted two years in a row for the two year MSW program. Hopefully the advanced standing program is less competitive.

@Dry_Guy I'm 25, almost 26. I completed my undergrad in criminology, then did a college certificate in youth justice, THEN, the one year HBSW at Lakehead. ? 3rd times the charm...I just want my MSW, ?

Thank you! Mine still says "In Process." So I'm assuming rejected or waitlisted, at best. Nothing but mind games!

Woowoo! do you know how they found out?

As many have already stated, this thread is starting to get ridiculous. I have been creeping this forum since 2014 and used to find it as a huge source of support during the application process. In fact, a friend and I referred classmates from Lakehead's 1 year HBSW program to it about two years ago. The direction it has taken is embarrassing. While I respect that everyone has a right to voice their opinions and feelings, this is not what this space was intended for. YWEANG: Yes, I applied to UofT, I also applied to 3 other schools that I felt were best aligned with my future career goals. My dream is to get my MSW. That is all. Suggesting someone doesn't want to attend a school because it is "too ethnic" is so accusatory and misinformed it blows my mind that someone as informed as yourself would even make that generalization. We have ALL taken this root because we want to make society a better place. Social Work is hard work and I applaud anyone who has committed their future to learning how to improve social conditions. Whatever institution we attend, our hearts are in the right place.

Hey @rabschaud, the only way I could get around this was by uploading it to google drive and editing it as a PDF using DocHub.

the references are the worst, I feel so pesky! But ditto! good luck everyone.

Those applying to advanced standing have to answer the same question. Personally, I discussed a couple of skills I have that are relevant to social work (i.e. empathy), and how these skills have been demonstrated in particular work experiences. I addressed the next part by discussing which marginalized groups I have worked with and what I have found through working with such diverse populations. If you're someone who is coming out of school, you might not have as much volunteer/work experiences. In which case, I would just elaborate on one or two experiences you do have. I think here they're really just emphasizing the fact that social work requires a lot of understanding and they want to make sure you're someone who would be comfortable working with all types of people. Not sure if this helps, but it was my interpretation of the question. Best of luck!

Hey @riaveda that's so annoying! Are you applying to the two year or advanced standing program? I know when the application wasn't up yet for the advanced standing, OUAC wouldn't let me create an account. As for setting up eGAS, I just followed the instructions provided in a confirmation email from Windsor. It worked for me no problem, but if you did receive instructions, what part of it isn't working for you?

Hey all, For those applying to Windsor's Advanced Standing program, is anyone else familiar with how eGAS works? It says my references won't be notified until I submit everything else, but what if I can't complete everything before December 1 (the deadline). My mind is spinning with confusion.

It was for Laurier. Turns out OUAC was just under maintenance much longer than expected. Thankfully up and running now!

Anyone trying to get their applications going but OUAC won't let you? Honestly so frustrated!

Congrats to everyone who got into UofT yesterday! Must've been surreal to get that call Experience is a huge thing, and I'm disappointed I didn't look for social service jobs while in University. I recently started working at a halfway house and homeless shelter (both pt) and I'm heading to Lakehead in July...I hope with this extra experience I'll have greater chances down the road. Speaking of which, a group has been made for Lakehead - Orillia on FB if any of you happen to see this https://www.facebook.com/groups/413302472145054

Yeah, unfortunately. It's quite a frustrating process having to ask people for references again. I went to UofT for undergrad...so I never had to submit my transcripts, so maybe they keep those on file.

Too bad no one knows how big the waitlist for UofT is this year. Last year it was 75 people, so I pretty much accepted the fact that I was probably less qualified than at least 10 of the 75 and unfortunately, I don't think many people turn down UofT. But I have heard of it, so it's definitely possible! I had messaged a girl who was accepted the last week of August. How nerve wracking would that be!

I was just wondering if a Facebook group was created for Lakehead - Orillia? I'm not too sure if one was made during the initial round of acceptances.

Thank you so much to the both of you!! I was unsure what I was going to do at first but I realized I have to jump on any opportunity that gets my foot in the door for social work. WOOO

Congrats! I also just found out I'm off of the waitlist for Orillia! I had sort of wrote the whole school thing off cause I thought it was a lost cause. Now I have to re-think what I'm doing this summer

Since they have to review everyone on the waitlist again, I would assume that even though the waitlist opens April 28, it would take time to determine who to accept... I'm hoping it's before May 16th though. It makes me uneasy knowing we could get a call in June if someone else drops out. I've applied to numerous summer jobs and i would feel like such a dick if I had to back out last minute. It also makes planning a vacation hard On a more positive note, I'm sure the time will fly though and hopefully we both get in!

I think I inquired about that last year and Angela said no. I assume it would be too much work to go through everyones new application. The resume is just a small indication that lets them know that you're doing everything you can to improve your experience. Although I could be wrong. I'm just under the impression for some reason that she would not want that lol

I believe last year about 75 people made it on the wait list. Which is a huge feat considering only about 150 get in and over 800 people apply. I'm not too sure how big the wait list is this year though. Unfortunately, since it's UofT, not many people decline so there isn't much movement on the wait list. However, it does happen. I was in contact with someone who applied in 2012 and she actually got off of the wait list about a week before September. She said she worked on her resume all summer and continued to send Angela an updated resume. I'd just start working towards your next plan and hope for the best. Although i imagine getting off of the wait list that late in the summer would be a nightmare for people who live outside of Toronto.

Hi B39, you can send an updated resume as long as you're on the waitlist. I updated it about 3 times last year, even once in August, and just sent it to Angela who updated her files.

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted! It seems like quite a few of you have discovered this forum! I finally got mail today and I have, for the second year in a row been placed on the waitlist at UofT. As well as on the waitlist for Lakehead. I may go crazy this summer but I would have probably thrown up if I had been rejected from UofT this year, so I'm grateful I've decided that I'm going to apply to as many social/human service jobs as possible and re-apply again when I'm 25 or 26 if I don't get in this year. I know when i was waitlisted at Lakehead I was really disappointed because I didn't hear of anyone getting waitlisted there last year. Then my thoughts were that if I was rejected from this small program then there is no way I'm going to get into my Masters. But those are self-defeating thoughts! I feel like there's a greater chance of getting off of the Lakehead waitlist because applicants will probably get into their choice of Masters or other BSW programs! I'm pretty sure the program has become slightly more popular than in the past. I hadn't even heard about it last year..