jaylynn

I'm putting off the Masters and I'm taking a chance and only applying to the HBSW at Lakehead. How do you like it so far? I'm in another post-grad program now and it's so much work so I'm starting to stress out about having a great application because i haven't really thought about it. Did you find the application process hard?

Congrats on getting in! I am definitely applying for the one year BSW at Lakehead next year. Right now I'm on UofT's waitlist but not holding my breath, so I'll most likely be doing a one year grad certificate. I was wondering what campus you're studying at? I don't think I want to apply to the Thunder Bay one, it's too far and I'm in an extremely tight financial situation. May I ask how the application process for that program was? I'm determined to getting into something social work related next year, damnit!

No movement on the waitlist for UofT in 3 weeks according to Angela

Unfortunately my experience is on the low side. I attended UofT for undergrad and I had pretty great grades but had to sacrifice more hands-on experience so I could study during the year without having a million anxiety attacks. I also got pretty lazy in the summers up until 3rd year so might have some gaps on my resume. Other than that I volunteered here and there at a food kitchen and early years centre...I recently got a job working with young adults who have developmental challenges. Hopefully if I don't get in off the waitlist, the experience I gain in the next few months will help improve my chances. Compared to most, my experience is extremely minimal so I definitely think my grades are what landed me on the waitlist.

I messaged someone who was wait listed last year and got in the very first week of September. She said she contacted admissions about once a month to let them know she was still interested, she also said it's a good idea to send in an updated resume. I think the second suggestion makes a lot of sense and I sent in an updated resume last month. I recently signed up for a free social work course offered by the University of Toronto...I might try finding a way to add this to my resume as well so I can subtly show them that I'm 100% committed to improving my skill set.

Definitely good advice! I have tried to become more mindful of the language I use lately. Being a 22 year old girl, it's hard not to accidentally speak in lazy slang or vocabulary, but I work with individuals with developmental challenges and have naturally become more aware of my use of sensitive words.

Me too! The uncertainty is frustrating and kind of stressful, as I'm someone who is comforted by predictability. I'm really trying not to think about it as much but knowing that I won't know for sure until September is nerve wracking.

I don't even know if UofT's waitlist is ranked, but I could be mistaken. Either way I'm sure they must have some system for knowing who stood out more than others. Too true! And this hope will have to last until the very first week of September! lol Thank you for the kind words! I'm also lacking in the experience department compared to what I've read on here so I feel a little better knowing you felt the same way about yourself but ultimately got in. Once again congrats

Congrats on getting into UofT hopeful_applicant! I'm getting so anxious about this movement on the waitlist. I just finished my undergrad and emailed Angela before i went on vacation for a week asking about sending in updated transcripts and she said to wait until class averages and final GPA were calculated. It wasn't calculated until the day I got back and now I feel like that has put me at a disadvantage since there's been movement. I mean the chances are still low but it would've been nice for them to have my updated transcripts before they started looking at who to accept because my grades did go up. wah lol

Thanks for the advice! I'm jam packed today and heading out for vacation tomorrow so I just sent an email so I don't sound incredibly overwhelmed hahaha. Hopefully I get a response by the time I leave.

I have a question for those just finishing up their undergrad. I was waitlisted at UofT and I'm supposed to send in my final transcripts. I've received all of my grades, but course averages and the final GPA hasn't been calculated. Should I wait to send them an updated copy until all of this information is made available or just send them now with my final grades?

I think 75 is reasonable. I can't imagine them having any more than 100 on a waitlist because it would just mean more work for them when having to narrow it down a second time if a spot becomes available. I also thought it was weird that a lot of waitlisted people were on this forum though

I think everything is so subjective. Honestly, I put so much work into my Laurier application because I had more time and my UofT one was pretty terrible and I decided to apply last minute. I didn't get accepted into either but for some reason UofT wait-listed me. I was incredibly surprised considering I lack much experience and my personal statement had a couple of grammatical errors. I'm thinking it was my high grades that got me on the wait-list. I also have some personal experience with mental illness so I'm wondering if that might have worked in my favour. Who knows. Either way, I think everyone on this forum is extremely dedicated and even though I do not know any of you, I'm so proud for everyone who received acceptance somewhere. It's a huge accomplishment, considering how competitive this field is becoming!

CR/NCR is not technically a dropped course. You still have to do the coursework in order to get the CR designation. I am an undergraduate at UofT and did it for two courses and actually received a couple of 90s on some of the assignments (unfortunately). a NCR is considered a failed course. CR just means the school will never officially release your final mark and it won't affect your GPA. I've heard mixed reviews on how this affects admissions for graduate school but I know a few people who did it and are planning on going to law school. I don't think UofT cares so much because they take your best 4 or 5 senior level credits and don't actually look at all of your courses. Windsor on the other had, looks at all of them I think, so I'm not sure how they would view it.

I think she said she called them shortly after that was posted.

Just got home and saw the small white envelope waiting for me, so I immediately knew I didn't get in but I was waitlisted and it's better than nothing. I have a plan B if all fails, the uncertainty kind of blows though. Congrats to everyone who got in, and to everyone who is still waiting, have hope! And to everyone who has not gotten in this year, perhaps I'll be seeing you on the forum again next year!

That is quite unfortunate. I never even considered that. I've always attributed the lack of males in Social Work to the stereotype of it being women's work. I can get into a whole rant on gender issues but I'll stop myself here. Congrats on your acceptance!

Do you mind explaining the qualifying year program? I've never heard of it and I'm looking into options for next year... Since it's not a degree, do you have to attend McGill for the MSW? Are you guaranteed admission into the MSW program if you complete the qualifying year program?

Also rejected via postal service from Laurier today. Saw that coming though. My grades are decent, i think with the top 10 courses I'm over a 3.5 GPA but I lack much experience. Oh well. onto my backup plans, unless I get into UofT. Which I doubt.

I'm sorry I'm nervous to check my mail now. I wish they sent rejections via email and acceptances via postal service. at least opening an email isn't as emotional and scary hahah

This is so nerve wracking. I just want to know. I'm fine taking a year off and working/doing a graduate certificate because that was my original plan but this whole waiting for an acceptance/rejection is just messing with my emotions lol

Everyone's positivity is so uplifting! I'm not getting my hopes up too high because I applied last minute since I was debating taking the year off but it would be nice not having to do this again next year. Eeek

That is so amazing MSW13! Congrats! All that anxious waiting paid off and now you can relax and celebrate. UofT is also my ultimate goal. I was on the fence of whether or not I should apply to the two year program this year because I didn't feel like I had enough experience but I ended up applying just so they could see next year that I improved and I'm committed to getting in. I don't plan on taking extra undergrad courses to raise my GPA after this year because I think my GPA should be okay, but I just got a job working with children and young adults who have developmental disabilities and I may do a graduate certificate in youth corrections/interventions next year. Your story gives me hope!

My plan A is getting into a M.S.W. program (fingers crossed) Plan B is a graduate certificate program for a year in youth corrections and interventions + working at an organization that helps people with developmental challenges in the summer + volunteering throughout the year (So far, this is what's happening as I've already gotten into the program) Plan C was a graduate certificate program in Victimology My plan D was to take an accelerated Social Service Work program at Seneca, but the campus is in king city and a 2 hour commute from me. It also starts in May and my last exam of undergrad is the last week of April so I declined the acceptance. It would've been my plan B if it wasn't for the commute and lack of freedom after graduation. Plan E was to just work part time and volunteer as much as humanly possible haha I like to think any plan other than do absolutely nothing will pay off in the end!

CR/NCR just means I will get the credit if I get a 50% in the course but the grade doesn't show up on my transcript. I can end up doing really well in the class and it would regrettably not show up on my transcript. It's pretty much designed for those interested in taking an elective that they're not sure how they'll do in, but I've found most people choose to use the option when they bomb a midterm. Thank you for your comforting words though. I might choose to use the option for just one class because my workload is way too much to handle and i'd rather focus doing well in 4 and not having a low 60 pop up randomly during my last year because I couldn't balance everything. Man, I don't know how people can work and volunteer during the school year! I just had to stop going to my job for a month because time is running low.