talkinlikeateen

I currently attend Cal State Long Beach. Many of my professors have taught at USC in the MSW program, and they've all said it's pretty much the exact same curriculum, same books...all you're paying for is the brand. The one thing that USC does have is the networking - they're big on that - but I've never met anyone who told me that going into so much debt (seriously, 40K a YEAR) for a social work degree is worth it. If you can afford it and you feel it's worth it, that's your choice! I understand wanting to attend your dream school. It just was not a practical decision for me, nor was it worth the enormous debt I would have been adding to what I already have. UCLA and UC Berkeley have good programs, although I think the UC's call it social welfare. Not sure if it's more policy oriented or if it's just a preference of calling it that rather than social work. UC's are obviously more expensive, but nothing compared to USC! Good luck!

I did not take any time off. I went straight in after getting my BASW. I'm still unsure of whether or not that was a wise choice, LOL. On one hand, I did it because I don't think I would be able to continue if I took a break, started working and getting used to that income (and all the added responsibilities that come with more money) then having to quit and go back to a student salary. At this point, I'm used to it. Plus, I'm 27 years old...I just want to be DONE so I can start my career, and there are so many more opportunities for MSW's than BASW's. On the other hand, I feel like I can't fully get in the game yet. Maybe I'm burnt out on school. I don't know. I think I'll push through just fine, maybe it's just because it's still new. It's all a matter of knowing yourself. Do YOU think you can go another 2-3 years (depending on the program) of exams and papers and a thesis (ugh) and internship? Or does the thought make you want to curl up and die (dramatic, I know lol)? There's nothing wrong with taking time off. If that's what you need to mentally/physically/emotionally prepare for the journey, then it's the smart way to do it!

I've always been told that you need to have at least one academic reference, so they can attest to how you are as a student and how well they think you'd do in the program. The other two can be professional, but you really should have at least one academic. That being said, you could always contact the department and ask them if they need an academic or if it would hurt your chances by submitting all three as professional references. They'd be the best source for answers.

I was actually told by a faculty member who reviewed my statement that I should go into detail about experiences leading me to social work. For example, I started out saying that personal experience with mental health professionals made me want to help others who were experiencing the same things I had. The faculty member asked me to somewhat elaborate on what exactly those experiences were, so I disclosed that I had been diagnosed with GAD when I was sixteen, and I struggled with depression and self-harm for many, many years as a young adult. The experiences I had with MH professionals who helped me through those hard times made me want to do the same for others, to let them know that it can get better and it won't always be so hard. Obviously you don't want to go into so much detail that it's like a sob story, but if you've been in foster homes or had a lot of experience with DCFS or, like me, mental health/self harm or suicide or what have you, I think it's okay to disclose that you spent a lot of time dealing with whatever it was, the impact it had on you - positive or negative - and how social work was tied into that, which led you to want to be a social worker to help others in that situation. Good luck!

The only ones I applied to from that list were SFSU and CSULB. I did my undergraduate at CSULB and am in the MSW program there as well, and with that school, it's extremely competitive. I did the calculations during orientation and not even 10% of the applicants got in. A lot of the schools do rolling admissions so in that case getting applications in as soon as possible after they're available is key. I think the further on in the process, the more competitive it is. Northridge, I've heard, is one of the easiest to get into. A former peer of mine got into Fullerton not having much if any SW experience. I've hear San Jose is competitive as well. All I can really attest to is long beach, though.

Social Work

The agency application is exactly the same one I filled out for my senior field placement in undergrad. It just asks what stipends you're interested in, what your ultimate population/setting goal is, basic information, what your cross streets are, mode of transportation, what areas of the field you're interested in for your first year of placement, previous experience, and what your desired geographic location for placement is. The interviews start at the end of this week and go through the end of next week, I believe. I agree with caliuniversitykid - you would benefit from contacting the department. I'm pretty sure you can download the application through the website, but they can tell you exactly what you need to do. They may be able to do a phone interview or something?

You don't get to choose your adviser. Your seminar instructor is your adviser in your first year, assuming you are doing the 2 year track. You will be e-mailed your seminar class (and adviser) along with your agency placement some time in June.

They gave handouts that were specific to your track. Information on how to navigate the different systems (my csulb, beachboard). We filled out the internship applications and signed up for days to interview with the staff prior to field placement. If you're two year, you can only sign up for Monday/Friday classes from 9-5:45 Mondays and 9-3:45 Fridays. If you're three year, only Monday/Wednesday night classes and Saturday classes. Seminar will be assigned along with field placements some time in June. That's about it.

A few of us got our rejection notices a few weeks back. I think they're still making decisions through this month. Have you checked the gateway?

No problem! I think it's just a general overview of the next 2 years (or 3 if you're on that track), talking about the university, I believe we get the applications for our internships. I don't know if we get the classes we're assigned to there or if they e-mail it to us. I'll let you know either way!

I am! What track are you?

I am. It's just a basic orientation - going over the course sequence for the different models, filling out internship applications. I'm not sure if we're given our classes at that point or if they will be emailed to us.

I did about 380 hours, though 280 were done through internships from the BASW program. No paid experience, that's for sure.

I'm not sure per concentration. I think in total there are roughly 300 admits per year. 30 are advanced standing, and I believe it's about 260 between two and three year. Don't quote me on that lol

Class sizes aren't large at CSULB. Yes there are a lot of admits but they're split between advanced standing, two year and three year. There are quite a few sections and people have classes on different days throughout the week. I don't think class sizes will exceed 25 students. They never did with the BASW classes at least.

Just checked the gateway. I got denied. A little bummed out - was hoping to get a 3/3, but it's okay. I have a feeling I know why, and if that's really the case, they're idiots. lol. I still got into my first choice! Good luck to those still waiting

That's for CSULB, sorry

If you get accepted to the program, you have ten days after receiving the notification to submit your checklist and secure your spot. As far as the university, I'm not entirely sure. The website doesn't specify (other than for transfer students and first time freshman) and I was never given a deadline.

Yeah, I figured as much! I just found it a bit odd. Ah, well. I can live with two more weeks...

We'll probably hear back within the next few weeks...unless they decide to extend the decision date again

Congrats on being admitted! I submitted my intent to enroll elsewhere, but the waiting is still killing me! I just want to know, haha

Anybody else get notification that their Financial Aid Award is up and ready for review/acceptance? I found that odd since I haven't even been admitted...both of the other universities I applied to didn't send that out until I was accepted.

When applications at CSULB come in, they are forwarded to faculty (I believe three) for review. Each of them rate your application - ratings consist of GPA, experience, references, personal statement - the scores are combined, and that's how they decide who is admitted. Obviously each faculty member is going to put more emphasis on something different. One may focus more on grades, another may really only care about how you sell yourself in your personal statement. However, I've heard that the personal statement is where a lot of people get screwed. You can have a fantastic resume, but if your statement just isn't doing it for them, you're going to get a low score. Personally, I only have the experience from my internships, but I had great references and (I feel) a fairly strong personal statement. My cumulative GPA sucks, but my university/major GPA is pretty good, so I'm not sure what they focused on more. Just the same, I agree that you can't really base it on other people's stats, because I really don't feel CSULB puts more emphasis on any one area when ranking applications.

I emailed because there was a mix up with my mailing address, hence the reason I received a confirmation email (that clearly stated admission decisions would be by April 2013) from the department in the first place. That time, they said decisions will be sent via mail by May. Maybe they received more applications than they expected?