AccioMSW

I am more confident! I've been volunteering at the Alzheimer's society and got a promotion at the retirement home that I work at to Activity Director. The only thing is that my contract goes until next November. However, I am able to cancel early if I give four weeks notice. So I think I'll apply anyway and see what happens. Great full time experience to have though!

Well it's beginning to be the most wonderful time of the year again!
 
Welcome new users and welcome back those who weren't successful on their application last season.
 
What has everyone been up to/how are you preparing differently for the 2014 season?
 

AccioMSW,
 
It looks like you've got them all. The only others I know of are in Alberta and BC. You can always double check on http://www.aucc.ca/canadian-universities/study-programs/ in case there are any new programs being added in the upcoming year.

I'm sorry to hear the news, AccioMSW. You gave it your best shot. I hope this year will bring you something even better - like a great new job.
 

Windsor is 30 out of 230 applicants.
Laurier is 90 out of 500 applicants.

I spoke to the secretary at U of Windsor and she said the first round of admissions decisions has been made. The offers are currently being processed by the admissions department and by late this week or early next week all offers in the first round will be mailed out.  

To everyone who is discouraged: last year I applied to a program and was straight out rejected by every school. I took a year off and surprisingly it happened to be the best year of my life. I got such incredible experience which would not only help me for grad school but to find a job once I completed grad school. Although I've been waitlisted I have hope that I can still get in simply because of the experience I had this year. Don't give up hope and honestly there is no rush into your career. You will be doing it for the rest of your life. Take a rejection as an opportunity.

Yes but there hasn't been any news on Windsor so it's much easier for people to talk about U of T considering all of the updates surrounding it haha. Like someone else said, we should hear back next week.

U of C anyone? I can't believe this....  Well, I can, but,,, I don't want to ... ugh. Totally have decided I didn't get in.

Another up all night, trying to come up with a plan b. Wish they would just tel me I didn't get in already so I can stop hoping and get some sleep! :-\

Just thought I'd mention... I called Windsor today and was told that they are just wrapping up the reviewing process and that first round decisions should be mailed out next week. 

My neighbour told me to stop checking the mail, and that it won't come until 4:30-5:00! I guess after checking the mail 5 times today other people noticed! LOL
 
This is killing me!!!

Everyone keeps telling me stay positive, be patient, you tried the best you could. But I dont' think they really understand what this wait feels like. What it feels like to have you life on hold waiting for this decision. What it feels like to just want to go to school this badly and the competition is crazy. I know i tried my best on my essays my average is a B+/A- which isn't the best. But i have direct social work experience in shelters, self/esteem empowerment women's group facilitation, employment counselling. IM just thankful I have this forum to air out my fustration. Gd luck to everyone still waiting, I really wish you all the best. IT will be over soon!!!

After a long wait, I have now received acceptance to the Advanced Standing program at York. I am very excited. Good luck to everyone still waiting!

I'll just add to my previous comment about this post... This is long post.
 
When you write your letter, I was advised to present myself as a unique candidate and show what I have to offer that is different from other people. Classroom discussions are an important part of the learning process and most grad programs don't want to take students who are all similar to one another with similar backgrounds. They get a bunch of applicants who meet the minimum requirements of a B+ avg and 2 yrs of experience or more. So you need to convince them that you are special and can make a positive contribution to the classroom and the profession that someone else wouldn't do in hte same way.
 
What makes you different and what makes you stand out?
 
When you write about your experience and interest in the program, your story should fit together and make sense. There should be a progression leading up to wanting to get an MSW and all the experiences you have thus far. For instance, perhaps you want to further learn about or explore a social work related issue that you regularily encounter at work or volunteer work and this can only be done by pursuing an MSW.
 
When you tell your story, remember to show and not simply tell. We all know some of the things the admission committe would like to hear. But how does your history reflect what you are saying? You need to provide evidence for what you say or you will not sound very credible or convincing.
 
You may also want to point out the similarities between your program of study and social work, particularly if the connection isn't too obvious. While they probably get a lot of psych and sociology majors applying, if your degree is in another area, point out the similarities and the ways that this area of study has prepared you for social work. Also mention any specific courses you took if you find them especially beneficial. ex: Psychopathology course if your interest is in mental health. Fortunately, I took an elective course that required a social work textbook and I discovered that my program was like social work in some ways. I was sure to point this out in my essay.
 
Remember to clearly make links to what you want to say. Write very clearly so everything you want to say is obvious. They are reading hundreds of essays and let me tell you they aren't taking their sweet time doing it. Your essay will be read over very quickly. Be very direct in everything you want to say and don't assume they will put 2 and 2 together because there's no time for that. You can practice by having someone read your essay very quickly for the first time and see what they remember about it and what stood out for them when they read it.
 
Finally, if you don't have real research experience but took a research course and did mock research assignments in class, put that on your resume. I mentioned every research assignment I did as my class was very hands on (as well as theory based) and I was surpised to discover how much research experience I actually had without ever working in a research lab. 
 

Hi Erin,
 
I'm not sure why I was successful to be honest, but I'll speak briefly about my experience here.  The entrance requirements for social work in particular seem hard to gauge because they put so much weight on the more subjective parts of your application (personal statement/preparation/apparent motivation and work/volunteer experience).  I'll apologize in advance for what is going to be a long post.
 
Last year, I applied to 3 schools (Calgary, Laurier, and York).  I was accepted into Calgary and Laurier, and waitlisted and ultimately rejected by York (who took an absurdly long time to give any notifications). 
 
I actually think my work experience was the weakest part of my application: I had about 8 years of working with vulnerable people (ill elderly persons) and a bit of not-for-profit experience, but nothing directly related to social work (though I now do).  I also volunteered as a case worker with a local politician for a few months, but that was really about it.  
 
I did have pretty decent undergraduate grades.  My overall average was between an A- and an A, and I had a solid A average in my last three semesters.  I also did a double-major, which meant that pretty much all my 3rd and 4th year courses were upper level ones (which I have been told by profs looks pretty good on a grad school application).
 
I think the strongest points of my application were my references and my personal statement.  My referees gave me glowing letters and I feel that in my personal statement I was able to very clearly describe both my motivation for pursuing social work and how my personal, academic, and professional experiences had informed my decision to apply to an MSW program.  I also had a friend of mine who is currently in grad school look over my personal statement and give me feedback.  
 
Finally, I also contacted a couple of school prior to applying to see if I would be a good fit in their program.  I also studied the faculty at each school with an eye towards who I would like to work with and even emailed a professor whose speciality is very similar to my own interests.
 
One other point, because of the current economic situation and because of the glut of persons, like myself, with generic BA's, ALL graduate schools are becoming harder to get into.  Being rejected isn't necessarily a negative reflection on yourself, your experience, or your application; it's just really hard to get into professional graduate programs at the moment.  
 
Sorry for the long-winded reply, I hope this makes sense and that it helps you in some way.  Good luck next year if you decide to reapply, LOTS of people get admitted into graduate school after initially being rejected, so don't lose hope.

I absolutely agree. The fact that we are all so in tuned with this forum, definitely shows our drive. Thank you for your inspiring words!

PS honestly everyone in this forum should get in. If you are determined enough and care enough to constantly follow-up on a forum like this then you display the passion and drive that social workers should have. Each one of you will be a fantastic social worker. Please, if you do not get in this year (and that would be the institution's loss) do not give up. The world needs more individuals like you as social workers.

I am 21 and more than ready to take on grad school! I've known that this is what I've wanted to do for a very long time. The sooner I can start my career and help others, the better

Thanks so much! You're on the ball  

Happy Easter to everyone!

Happy Easter to everyone!

Happy Easter to everyone!

Hey all! 
 
Just got an email that I've been put on the waitlist at Laurier! WOW! I feel like I've been accepted...wasn't expecting this at all! 

Just got into Laurier!! I am shocked!! OMG!