Lola1233

new editions are ridiculously expensive -- can I get away with just buying and older edition (esp if it was within 3 years)? And why the heck does a textbook have 8 editions published within a 20 year period anyway?!

I agree with what everyone has said. What worked well for me was to write authentically and not with impressing them in mind. Be sure to stick to their prompt and all their rules, but let your true self shine through. Because SW tends to be a "calling" rather than a just a strategic career move, I think admissions reps are keen on reading about people who have a very purposeful life reason for choosing SW. Show them that and you'll be gold. If you're an imposter, it'll probably show in your SOP. Just tell them exactly who you are, the good the bad and your purpose in SW. They can take it or leave it, and my bet is they'll probably take it. If it makes you feel better MSW is not a very competitive program to gain admissions to -- in comparison to other professional degrees. With acceptance rates around 40%, you'll be fine as long as you have moderately good grades and you show them you're not a robot.

Agree with all of the above. Please speak to someone in your program about this -- if not for your own safety, for the safety of his future clients who will be depending on him for support and guidence. This guy has some issues he needs to sort out prior to being any sort of counselor.

Do you mind sharing the app/website?

I'd love to give you some advice for SOP -- been there myself. -- but I'm not sure what you're referring to. Can you clarify? What is imposter syndrome?

I won't name names but I was essentially offered free tuition at a "top" msw program. I recently visited and words cannot describe how much I hate the city it's in. I have no desire to settle there, but that seems to be a common outlook for the students in the city. The city is home to some world renowned universities so there's a massive amount of students who go for the education, then leave. But since the MSW doesn't seem to be a very mobile degree (like law, medicine, or business) -- I'm questioning this big move. It would be a cross country move for me and I'm dreading it -- I'm thinking of backing out. What would you do?

I started my process one or two months before the first suggested deadline. 1-2 months gave me ample time to write a good personal statement, request 3 LORs from former teachers/employers, and request all necessary transcripts and paperwork. I haven't taken the GRE for MSW apps so I'm not sure what to tell you about that.

International public health.

I completely agree. Does anyone know or have a list of these big private schools with a good reputation for giving lots of merit-based aid?

This is a VERY good point. In gereral, I find that private schools have MUCH more leeway in terms of giving huge scholarships/tuition forgiveness than public/state schools. For me, the process of narrowing down schools to apply to was heavily based on cost -- a list like this would have been very helpful for me. So, I figured other applicants who are choosing schools based on tuition fees will find this type of list helpful. Of course, you have to do your due dilligence once you decide on a school -- and everyones final cost will differ. But, knowing at a glance that USC, for example, costs over 80k for their MSW degree, automatically eliminated them in the running for me, scholarship or not (unless it was a full-ride).

ANNUAL cost of TUITION/FEES (this estimate does not include books, living expenses, etc) This estimate is for standard, on campus, full time, 2-year programs. (Prior to Financial Aid) Resident/Non Resident (where applicable) Ohio State - 12,200/ Univeristy of Washington - 17,500/ UCLA - 20,000/ UC Berkeley- 20,000/ WUSTL - 47,000 University of Denver - 39,000 University of Arizona - 11,000/26,500 Univeristy of Michigan- 23,000/37,000 Boston College- 39,000 Boston Univeristy- 29,000 NYU - 47,000 Columbia - 44,000 I will start an xls on this...just wanted to throw some numbers out there.

That doesn't seem too bad. Paige and Kristoper, are these estimates per semester/year/or for the entire 2-year program? Paige...do you have the numbers for the other schools you applied to?

Something that might be helpful for applicants or those deciding on schools is to create a list of top/most popular MSW programs on this forum, and a *rough* estimate of tuition costs both in/out of state. I'm willing to manage the list if everyone wants to chime in on how much these programs cost per year -- in tuition/fees, and not counting books, living expenses, etc. This will save a prospective applicant many hours of searching through school websites that are often confusing and vague when it comes to tuition and fees.

It does look like a beautiful campus and a great place to go to school. The program seems to be phenomenal for global service social work. The costs; however, are staggering and quite scary to me.

I am awaiting financial package information as I deferred admissions last year to this year. Anyone in a similar boat? Would anyone like to share info about anything pertinent to this program?

I could be wrong but I don't believe that MSW programs are particularly concerned about gaps on your resume as much as an employer would be. I would either explain your situation in your personal statement, if there is room for that, or leave it as-is. Or you have the option of putting in some sort of contract work/self employed statement during your gap. I was a recruiter and that's what we commonly saw for people who were "in between jobs". But, honestly, MSW programs look at your app from a holistic perspective so that will include your undergrad degree, GPA, job experience, and special circumstances. Plus, for the most part, these programs are not very difficult to get into as long as you meet their qualifications and hover around or above the average stats of applicants who are accepted.

I found a few older threads about BC but I thought I'd start a new one for a fresh application season. Anyone applying here? Does anyone have insight to share about the program, acceptance, and financial aid/scholarship packages?

That's helpful, thank you Cherb. For me, I'm hoping that I'm an attractive enough candidate that schools will be willing to give me a nearly free ride in order to have me be apart of the program. Im just trying to get a feel for which programs are more liberal with that idea, and which ones see their program as a cash cow. I guess the two aren't mutually exclusive.

I am very interested in U of Denver as well. But costs are prohibitive. I looked on their website and it says that 90% of students recv merit aid and they have full tuition waivers. I'm curious to how common this is though. Has anyone received full or nearly full tuition waiver scholarships? I wouldnt be able to attend unless the tuition costs are down to 10k a year.

I just saw your other post. Thanks for all the details!! Just out of curiosity, are you funding the rest of your tuition with loans? I'm seriously confused to how MSW students w/out independent/family financial assistance are paying these huge tuition rates. I was accepted last year to a private school (30k per year tuition not including living expenses or books) and they only offered me 20k in loans. I'm completely broke so I'm assuming that's the ceiling of what they offer in loans to anyone....... How the heck are people paying for school?!

This is great info, thanks everyone. I am interested in a macro concentration as well, though I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I'd like to do with it. Does anyone know anything about opportunities in international social work (with a MSW with a macro concentration, I'd assume?)?

Also, I noticed you're attending U of Chicago - they have a hefty price tag (nearly 40k per year?) did you receive any other free aid/tuition forgiveness than the 18k you mentioned in your post?

thanks MSW Hopeful! That is very helpful. For BU - How much tuition forgiveness did they offer you?

Has anyone applied to this program? The tuition costs are astronomical but the website says that 95% of their students receive merit scholarships/tuition forgiveness. Would anyone like to share their experience with this? Also, how competitive is this program as far as admissions? I couldn't find a applicant statistics sheet like UDub offers.

Hey everyone, I am compiling a list of affordable MSW programs and info on their tuition and types of SIZABLE scholarships offered. If anyone wants to share any info, I will add it to the list.