[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

My situation is actually the near opposite. I want to go back to school so that I can get a job that's more challenging, more interesting and in higher demand than what I'm currently doing. I still have the same job since my undergrad days and I don't feel like my BA has helped me to advance professionally, until I was accepted into an MSW program. Now I see my current job and my BA as stepping stones to a better career path.

 

I am a bit concerned about leaving my job mainly because of the costs associated with attending school fulltime. I am anticipating the upcoming two years will cost around $45,000 and that's a bit scary. It would be easier if MSW programs gave funding to grad students, like most researched based degrees do. But if that were the case, they would probably admit far less students into their programs and have very low acceptance rates, somewhere along the lines of admiting 4-5% of applicants.   

 

If you have a BSW or perhaps a degree in psychology it might not be so difficult to find social work related employment. But for people coming in with other degrees, I think it's extremely difficult to find employment in the area and a degree is the best way to go.   

York provides funding for all admitted MSW students.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Thanks for the info! I mean it's late May, so I hope there are no financial repercussions (other than the $500 deposit I paid). I don't live in Toronto, so would I have to go in person to sign anything?

 

How was your experience in doing this? Were they accommodating? I'm actually starting to kind of worry a bit. I've tried to search in terms of dates and last date to withdraw without financial penalty, but I've found nothing. 

 

I did not have to sign anything. It was relatively easy and accomplished in one phone call. Congrats!

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

I have paid the deposit and my acceptance went through. I just don't know how to officially withdraw. I'm not going to withdraw until I send all my documents in to U of T. I know I can withdraw, I just don't know the process.

Thanks for all the kind words!

To those who are going to U of T....see you in the fall!!

I went through the process. Call MSW admissions and inform them of the situation and they will inform you of the procedure for your specific circumstances.

Get everything in writing! This is important as improper withdrawal has serious implications regarding fees, enrolment and grades. Congrats and good luck!

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

I honestly think in choosing interview candidates that it is a multi-dimensional situation in which you could not attribute the difference to specialization vs. scholarship. Like academic programs, employers place a lot of weight on how well you 'fit' with their organization. I would say the York funding package is pretty 'generous'. Personally, I have been offered minimum $9000 in assistantships and $6000 in scholarship for the advanced standing program. It is also important to note that York tuition is $1800 per term- only $5400 for the degree. 

Nice! I too received the $9000 minimum guaranteed funding through assistantships (no scholarship though). Your grades must be top notch! Congrats. I'm also advanced standing. See you in September!

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Hi everyone,

 

I hope everyone is well and I hope most of you have gotten into the school of your choice. 

 

I want to ask everyone their opinion regarding U of T and York's MSW program. I had been admitted to both and trying to decide which school to choose. York was originally my first choice, because of the research framework in the MSW program is what I want to use in my research. Plus, given the fact that they offer such a generous funding for the 2 years, they're making it so attractive to go there. However, since I have been exposed to U of T and its academic environment and location, it seems like the ideal school. U of T has the area of research I am interested as a specialized stream--gerontology. U of T also offered me a slot earlier than York did.

 

So basically... Should I choose the framework or the specialized stream? Should I choose the name or the funding? Should I choose clinical vs. critical? I want to do a collaborative/diploma in health services and policy research and both schools have this program as well. I am trying to decide which school would offer me the best research experience, best practicum training, and the best education all in all. What do you guys think are the pros and cons of the MSW programs at York and UofT?

 

Your inputs would be greatly appreciated.

When I had to decide, I went where I got funding. Having no extra debt is huge. Both Uoft and York are well respected as are all MSW programs in Canada. I chose York because my own experience has all been clinical and I wanted to expand and be challenged. Having spoken with people in the field, both schools will provide equal opportunity for the placement of your choice.

As I understand it, the streams at UofT are a specialization but the accreditation of the program as a whole is a general one like that of York. The choice will be mostly centered on clinical vs critical. York is very critical which for me, is key. UofT is very clinical which you may like.

Don't go into debt if you can avoid it. An MSW will be an MSW regardless of where it was obtained when you apply for a job.

Good luck! Whatever choice you make will be the right one!

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Yes, it definitely helps.  What type of organization were you doing case management for?  Thanks for your feedback.

non-profit community based organization.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Can you provide some additional info about what you did to improve your chances the second time around, i.e. returned to school to improve GPA, work experience, etc.  Also, what type of work experience do you have?  Thanks!

I co-authored a publication (addictions peer-reviewed journal), joined a social research lab with an old professor with another publication in the works and started a social justice research group of my own with a multidisciplinary team of academics/professionals i.e. lawyers and criminology faculty in the development of another publication. I started with a simple email to the professors and academics I got along with and earned good grades in their classes. It was awkward emailing them but I realized it was very common and most professors are seeking free help on their publications.

I also have 5 years experience as a full time case manager with the same organization.

Hope that helps!

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Couldn't have said it better than DreamingMSW and MSW13. I too got shut out everywhere I applied first time around and this time got accepted everywhere. The rejected feeling sucks so bad but it makes the changes made to your application and subsequent admission that much more rewarding. Good luck to everyone else waiting.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Thank you for your reply.

Do you think that UofT can give you better job prospects than York?

I haven't gotten accepted to York yet, but I am just trying to decide which one is better in case I do get accepted

I can only speak indirectly to this question but I work alongside several UofT MSW grads. I only have by BSW and we have the same jobs (and same pay). It's not the school that provides prospects upon graduation, rather the experience one has. Any social work school in Canada is a great school. The decision is best made based on "fit" the school has with your own objectives.

That said, UofT is very clinical with specializations while York is more macro/community focused and accredited as a generalist degree.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Congrats Karlie! That's great news. Your experience is definitely impressive.

 

I feel that where I am lacking is experience. I have an A- average, have completed an honours specialization, a thesis, an independent study, and have volunteered in various labs. I also have an abundance of experience working with different populations of children, youth, adults and elders - however, I wouldn't necessarily say these experiences are highly relevant to social work. I have worked in kids/youth camps for the past 6 summers (including camps for special needs, ESL and troubled teens), have been volunteering as a fitness instructor in a retirement home for 2 years, and 8 months ago I began volunteering at St. Leonard's Society. I am pretty confident in my written response, but am seriously questioning my decision to use one of the residents at the retirement community as one of my refererences. He is intelligent, insigntful and I felt he had a good sense of my character. However I am thinking that the admissions committee might see this letter as somewhat unprofessional. If I must re-apply next year, I will likely select a different referee.

I can't say for sure, but it would be very, very likely that a letter from such a person would be deemed completely irrelevant and fall in the category of personal acquaintance/friend despite the professional capacity held with them. Most adcoms seek academic and professional capacity assessment from those in the respective field.

Your professional/volunteering experiences however, are great. Your academics are outstanding. Good luck. You sound like a great candidate!

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

anyone hear back from Ryerson yet? (Advanced standing)

 

I was accepted back in mid-March. I gave up the spot just recently after initially accepting the offer so hopefully it means good news for someone on here.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

The wait is killing me! In the mean time, I've been looking for jobs...no luck. It's all either MSW only or a BSW with 5+ years experience. I'm feeling so discouraged since I've been rejected from two schools and wait listed at U of T (which reastically, won't happen). I'm still waiting on Ryerson even though I really do not like their program. But the reality is, I need my MSW to get a job! Good luck to everyone!

I'll agree with what others have said. I turned down York to go to Ryerson after consultation with a professor from U of T who informed me to go to Ryerson over York. I did not apply to U of T due to a mismatch in philosophical orientation but just know that Ryerson is known for it's social work program, both in academia and the professional world. Best of luck!

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Just declined my spot for York's Advanced Standing MSW program. Good luck to those waiting. Hope it goes to someone on here.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Just got accepted to York's MSW program (advanced standing). Found out via MyFile. Good luck to everyone else waiting.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Thank you so much for your kind comments!

I hope you hear good things from York soon! How long do you have to respond to Ryerson? Hopefully York will be a bit better this year and you wont have to accept your offer to Ryerson without knowing what your status is for York.

 

Thanks! I hope so too. I have until April 2nd to decide on Ryerson.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Congratulations on your getting the offer from Ryerson, hellothere416.

 

Did your RAMSS change re: your application status?

No it hasn't.

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

Awesome, congrats! Was this your top choice?  This is probably going to make a lot of people waiting to hear back from Rye happy! FINALLY decisions are coming out!

I am still waiting on York. I only applied to Ryerson and York because of their focus on social policy and macro practice. I prefer York but only due to proximity from my residence.

 

MSW13, I have to say as a side note that I read the 2012 waiting thread and have to say you are very positive! Really helped me not be super stressed in my wait when I heard of your acceptance. Still a little stressed though regardless lol Congrats to you to!

[Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions]

I just got a letter in the mail telling me I was accepted to the Ryerson MSW program. (Dated March 12th for anyone wondering). It's been a long wait! Good luck to everyone else waiting.