An_Idealist

I'm majoring in Classical studies and anthropology, but I'm interested in social work with a clinical focus, particularly in medical social work and working with the disabled and elderly. I've only recently started thinking about social work as a career, but I do have informal experience with the environment; a close family member had a chronic illness and spent the last three or so years in a nursing home. Of course, I understand that this is not enough for me to get into a good MSW (I was hoping for NYU or Fordham since I live in NYC and would like to remain in the area). So I thought a public policy minor might help - I was told it certainly wouldn't hurt - but I feel that it would be more beneficial to someone interested in macro social work. So lately, I've been thinking about dropping the minor, which would give me some extra time to maybe do some volunteer work. What do you guys think? In my opinion, volunteer experience would look better than a public policy minor, but I don't want to make any rash decisions, only to regret them later.

Perhaps I phrased this wrong, or maybe I'm reading your response incorrectly, but what I'm trying to say is that I want a real job as soon as possible. I'm not going into social work for the money (not that social work is a career associated with big salaries anyway). I want a career in social work whether I get into a MSW on my first try, or whether I have to apply several times before being accepted. I'd just rather it be the former, not the latter!

It was only two or so months ago that I decided I wanted a career in social work. Before then, I had been very unsure on what to do with my life. As a Classical Studies major, I had assumed for my first two years in undergrad that I'd go into academia and get my PhD, but by the end of my second year I knew I definitely did not want to stay in Classics. After that I began toying with the idea of going into non-profit work, but after speaking with a friend's mom, she suggested social work. After researching, I realized that social work isn't just about taking children from damaged homes (I had known that before, as I've interacted with social workers in other fields, but for some reason that didn't click. It seems pretty dumb of me now not to realize that earlier though!). My interests are in working with the elderly or disabled. I'm also interested in medical social work and patient advocacy. I don't have any formal experience in these areas. However, I did have a close family member who was sick for almost my entire life and was in a nursing home for two and a half years. I spent a lot of my time there, and interacted with a number of the other residents. I know that this is certainly not enough if I hope to be accepted to a good MSW (my top choice is NYU). I plan on volunteering at a hospital this summer (due to a packed school schedule, working, and a daily 2 hour (one-way!) commute to and from school, I don't think I can fit in volunteering during the semester). Unfortunately, I don't really know what else I can do to better my chances of acceptance. I have a good GPA (4.0), but I've heard or read that that doesn't matter much. How can I get more experience in social work? Also, would a public policy minor help my application at all? I declared the minor last semester and am starting the classes for it this semester, but since I want to focus more on clinical social work, I'm not sure how much I would benefit from it, and I don't know if that would seem weird to admissions if I say I'm interested in clinical social work, but have a public policy minor. I don't know if I'm overthinking at this point. But I really want to get into a good MSW program on my first try, because my mother needs me for financial support, and I'd really like to get a good job as soon as possible. I know social work jobs don't pay much, but compared to what I make now at my part time, minimum wage job, it'll be quite enough. Okay, sorry for how long this is. Just to recap, I actually only have 2 questions: How can I get more experience in social work? Would a public policy minor help my application at all? Thanks in advance!