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jpcnac

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    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Windsor is such a retarded school. Declined because I do not have a 4 year degree. I graduated after 3.5 years (completed graduation requirements in August). Then, as of the next month took extra courses as an independent student until I had the equivalent of 4 years. (I only did this so I could hand out resumes in September that stated I had a BA rather than working on completing a BA).

     

    Their selection system does not account for people who study outside of Ontario. In Quebec, most people attend cegep after their last year of high school. So after Ontario's grade 11 (which is the last year of high school in Quebec), grades 12 and first year of university are spent in cegep. Then you attend university for 3 years, and start out with second year (or 200-level) courses. 100-level courses do not exist.

     

    I did not attend cegep as I come from another province. So I jumped right into 2nd year university courses and took a whole bunch of extra third year courses until I had enough credits for the equivalent of a 4 year program. So I have 2nd year courses, twice as many 3rd year courses, and 4th year courses on my transcript, totaling 4 years. The problem they have is that I took 4 courses after graduating, rather than wait to complete these courses before applying for graduation because without these 4 course I do not have a 4 year degree.

     

    I am so glad Laurier takes provincial differences into account. I applied to 6 graduate programs in Ontario and BC (and got accepted into 3 of them) and Windsor is the only school that did not recognize these distinctions. So much for providing equal access and equal opportunity to all candidates. I certainly hope these social workers treat their clients with more fairness and equality and train their students to do the same.

    ....probably watch your use of the word 'retarded' next time

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    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. 

    Yes, I stand corrected, you are right. I was not clear--what I was referring to was the fact that a specialization can help you get hired much easier than a scholarship would because it signifies a skill base ideally sought after by an employer.  This is not in any way meant to minimize a scholarship. Obviously it speaks volumes about academic achievement. I'm just thinking more down the road when you are actually trying to find a job. If we are both applying for a job working with seniors and I have 'scholarship' written on my resume while you have 'gerontology specialization', I'm thinking that the employer would lean towards you.

     

    edit: I just thought about it and I'm not sure what 'generous' funding package means. Is York offering a full scholarship? 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Hello,

    What a tough decision!  Although I don't think you can go wrong choosing either, I would go with U of T.  My reasoning is that although York funding is really attractive, it is not something you can put on your resume like you can with a specialization. Also, if funding is an issue, U of T offers many, many scholarship opportunities. There are also a variety of placement opportunities and if you are eyeing a hospital placement, U of T has tons of those.  Finally, you cannot beat the name recognition of U of T.

    My feeling is also that a lot of your learning will be self-directed.  Just because York explicitly names your area of interest, that in no way means that you cannot achieve that same learning at U of T.  However, having said all of that (like a recruiter for U of T! lol) York is also a very well respected school and there is no shame in going there. Really, I'm not sure that either school will actually deliver on everything they promise in their brochures. It is up to you to seek out and get the education you desire and this can be done at either school.

    You can definitely name that you received an assistantship and/or scholarship on your resume...

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    JPCNAC,

     

    You must have been an outstanding applicant to receive an acceptance so early. They knew you would end up being accepted in the end before reviewing all the other applications and ranking them. Congratulations.

     

    I think McMaster just goes through the process faster than other universities. I know someone who is currently in the program and received acceptance in January last year. Also I think the program is smaller than some of the larger and more popular programs discussed here. I am very excited to know I have somewhere to go in fall, I would also hope that all successful applicants to all programs are 'outstanding'.

     

     

     

    Congrats jpcnac! 

     

    I was curious, does anyone know about Social Service Work Programs? I realize college programs are nothing like graduate school but it would provide me with experience in an organization, which I really want. It was my back up if I don't get accepted to a Masters program right away and I just found out I got accepted to an accelerated program today but not sure what to do about it because it starts in May and we don't exactly here about M.S.W. decisions until April-ish. 

    I think my grades are competitive (I've consistently been in the A range for the last two years) but I don't think I have enough experience in human service organizations...next to nothing. I volunteered for about a year at two organizations and one wasn't really social work relevant. But... I'm not very confident about getting in for some reason.. however, that might just be my nature. 

     

    Ahhhh :blink:

     

    I don't think going the SSW route would be the best choice. A one or two year BSW would be more advantageous and provide you with experience. Also because SSW is a para-profession the experience you get in that field will be at that level (not degree level social work). If you don't want to do more applications this year then maybe you should take the year off to volunteer at multiple organizations and seek social work- related employment either part time or full time. A lot of experience can be considered as "related" to social work and benefit your application.

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2013 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Hello everyone.

    I've been following along with the discussion here, but never really felt the need to contribute.

    I am currently completing my BSW at Laurentian University. I applied to McMaster and York (Advanced Standing) for Fall 2013. 

    Today I received acceptance to McMaster's program. I was shocked because I didn't expect to hear for while. I haven't seen a lot of other people talking about Mac, but I am definitely relieved to have heard back already. It will likely be awhile waiting for York now. Best of luck to everyone waiting it out!

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