Goobah

No it's not difficult, I just wanted to know if someone had a more creative solution than the binary yes/no (award/no award) I don't feel like the Summa award would actually make a difference, to be extremely honest, I feel like I kept telling someone they had screwed up it -- that I wasn't actually qualified for the award, but the university awarded it to me, so I put it on all my applications -- the misery of feeling like I mis-represented myself. Again, I have paperwork to show I didn't purposefully misrepresent myself, and that it wasn't my final semester grades that caused the change. I don't feel like I have to have the award re-instated, but I don't like feeling taken advantage of .. i.e. the school can do whatever the hell it wants to, and the student has to suck it up. That seems a very patriarchal view to me. I just want some culpability -- like an official letter they can write and I can put on file with my grad school stating they incorrectly calculated it and when, and that it was their mistake they missed it, not mine. Not because I'm so broken hearted over losing the award, it's because I feel like it caused me to mis-represent myself. It's more about the principle rather than just the re-instatement of the award. Also, fixing the process for future students would be nice. That's why I originally asked for input on other "solutions" rather than just the re-instatement. As any transfer student will tell you, GPA isn't a simple matter. Every school has different rules and dealing with the tons of rules makes life fun. I wish GPA were strictly a matter of reflecting academic work, but it's not. I wanted mine to reflect my actual work -- so again, I'm happy with the 3.7 hahaha. That's the irony. Just was honestly looking for some more creative solutions. **edited to take out the phrase, "apology letter" because it's not really an apology, I just want a letter proving they screwed it up, despite my due dilligence.

Every university does it differently, but yeah, I've seen a number of stories online where it is pretty common to not use transfer credit to calc GPA. I think I need one off the 5 classes to graduate (i'll have to double check) -- Comm 1. I'll take the lower GPA rather than have to have my bachelor's rescinded hahaha. I guess I just really feel cheated. Swindled and pimped, tricked by a business... (ha!) When I spoke with a person from my grad program, they were genuinely puzzled and said that had never happened before. She asked why it took so long after semester close for them to review my GPA, and why wasn't it done before graduation. Yeah, I guess that's the puzzle isn't it. The worst part of it is, that I was warned 80,000 times by upper classmen to document, document, document. So I did. Even with my documentation -- I know the name of the advisor I spoke to, and I know the names of the 2 other advisors I spoke to. All of them basically said, (paraphrased -- and with such confidence that they didn't even review my transfer credit) "The registrar's office is notorious for not being consistent in loading transfer credit. We've tried to fight the good fight and every time they tell us they have the final determination. If that's the determination, I 'd stick with it." I do have documentation that an advisor looked at my transcript and they moved transfer credit from one category to another to satisfy some course requirements. I have really tried to avoid throwing every advisor I asked about this under the bus, because I would hope that the registrar's office sees the mistake was theirs to begin with. If they are the ones that erroneously posted transfer credit 3 years ago, then maybe they should man up to that. I cannot see in anyway that I'm supposed to be responsible for fighting something as nebulous as "transfer credit determination" especially when all documentation is worded that "We are the final authority, we can choose to make any determination we wish AT TIME OF INTAKE." I get that I have responsibility to make sure my own records are correct, but dang how much? They had 6 months to review my transcript before I graduated. I guess I'm just really annoyed because I feel like they had multiple points at which to catch this error themselves. Intake, speaking to advisors -- ALSO, I had to apply for re-instatement because I left the university for over a year!! So they had another opportunity upon re-instatement to review my records. Then during graduation review, and again, someone separate had to review my records for the Summa Cum Laude award. Soooooooooo why would this be my fault at this point? Ugh, it's just an error of stupidity...

I am so late to the game, but I came down here just to see if you were able to take the class! YAY Eager!!!!!!! I have application anxiety because I never win. My friends and family tell me the same thing -- if there is an interview they will want you/take you. Hooray for getting your foot in the door!!!! Goobs

Okay everyone, I am coming with this issue because I am for real not sure 1. How I should feel about this, and 2. What I should do about it... I am a non-trad student with transfer hours from 5 different undergrad institution. When I transferred to my final location, they evaluated all my schools and decided to take classes from one university, but not count them for GPA. This was my earliest foray into college (1992-1993). I asked an advisor about it at the time, and he said the registrar's office makes the final determination. I'm going to give full disclosure here, just so you guys have all the facts. With those classes from 1992 (like 15 hours maybe?) my GPA is 3.72. Without those classes, my GPA is 3.97. Not a super big difference. Really, I am not ashamed of a 3.72. I am not invested in it either way. I called and spoke with my new grad program immediately because I was terrified they would think I was mis-representing myself. They were so very gracious!! They said it wouldn't make a difference to my admission, but once my UG institution had my GPA all "figured out" to send them their final determination just for transparency reasons. Yay, I agree How I found out they re-calculated my GPA: I downloaded a transcript on June 7 (I walked on May 6) that had my Bachelor's degree posted, and my Summa Cum Laude award posted. I get my Diploma on Jul 15, and there is no summa cum laude on it, and another Honors is printed on the wrong line. I contact them to tell them of the discrepancy. The first response was we show you are supposed to have both, I send them a scanned copy of mine. Then I get an email saying the whole thing was a mistake and "at the end of the semester your transfer credits were added in for GPA purposes." That's it. No apology, no explanation, nothing. I asked to speak to someone else about this, because I'm not sure how you go for 3 years at a university and someone not spot the fact that your transfer credit is being calculated incorrectly, and then, for it to be done without notification 1.5 months after I have left the university seems wrong to me. I guess what I'm asking you guys is realistically, what should I expect as a resolution? I'm currently working with the registrar's office. My mentor from the UG institution advised that I contact the Ombudsman's office. I was awarded Summa Cum Laude by my UG, and they are taking it away because of the calculation this summer. I had asked numerous advisors why they wouldn't calculate those credits in for my GPA, they all stated something to the effect of, "The registrar makes the final determination at intake. They do whatever they want to." I think I did my due diligence in talking to 2 separate advisors. Mind you they were casual conversations. AND 3 years ago. Also, the catalog states they have the right of final determination at the time of matriculation to accept credit or not. My husband, friends, and family are seriously angry on my behalf. They state I should accept nothing less than the re-instatement of my Summa Cum Laude award. I always like to have a compromise solution, but in this case, I can't even think of one. Any ideas? Should I be a better advocator on my own behalf and insist on the award being re-instated or just not care because I'm in to my new program and I have official paperwork proving I'm not crazy, my UG is.

I'm almost 40. I quit 2 years ago to finish undergrad I don't have oodles of social work experience, though I have pertinent job experience. I do have some research experience though. I felt like I fit in with everyone, I may be completely clueless though... Hehehe

So this thread died a little, and I found it a page or so back. How are ya'll doin? I'm done with all my high intensity projects, and its fun, smooth sailing from here on out. Putting together my grad announcements, decorating my cap, putting off my homework. How are you guys doing that are still waiting? I have to wait until Aprill 22 to finish up financial aid apps -- schools direction. I miss eager

Congrats! It's good to have choices

Yeah, I wouldn't take this as an omen! It is obviously nerves. I hope you hear soon!

Oh yay!!!!!!!!!!!! And such a quick decision! They saw you and were like, "We like this person! Let's get her the decision now!"

I was on the phone with my dear friend. She was telling me about Easter/family issues. I had set my iPad down so I could pay full attention to her during our talk. However, after a while I saw the blinking notification for gmail. It had a name I didn't recognize and the title "program decisio..." And because I cannot do two things at one -- I immediately told her "omg I think the school has made a decision, I have to look." She was just as excited as I was! She told me to go log on and tell tell her what the program said, "I want to be on the phone!!!!!" So I checked and I was so nervous I could barely navigate to the "acceptance letter" heading. I told my friend on the phone it said acceptance letter and we squeeed. She asked me to read the whole thing. I read, "we are pleased to inform you..." I stopped and we squeed, "you have been accepted..." The truly funny part of this story is that I am not a super girly girl, and not at all air headed as this whole story sounds, but sometimes, during some situations you just have to act goofy. The best part was that I was so nervous that I didn't notice until much later that in a big bold heading right when you log in it says "accepted Full time fall 2013." I didn't even need to read the letter to find out!

I'd also like to mention that it's very important to look up licensing requirements in your state. Many states have a pro-MSW culture, whereas others lean heavily toward the LMHC (or LPC in some states). During my search I got a lot of feed back, and really -- it just varies by state!!! I chose the MSW because I want to work with the military and vets -- and that system still seems to be more comfortable with the MSW. I've heard that California really favors the MFT -- as well as having favorable conditions for the MSW. There are many states in which the LMHC is the clear champ -- you just have to take a look at the requirements.

Thanks MSW13! I know you've worked hard to get where you are and I was thrilled when you got accepted. Yay US!!

I got accepted into my first choice YAY!!!! I'm happy. I went right on and pressed the "accept admission" button. Woot! Very happy. They are not a super competitive program, but decent They said they received triple the number of applicants -- so that makes me feel even more special that they chose me. Woot!

Yes, and still no word. The MSW program I'm waiting to hear from was on spring break this week. So maybe next week? Here's hoping lots of us start to get answers soon!

A third interview? That would be nerve wracking for me! I hope it all goes well! Congrats!

I did not mean to vote your post down! iPad fell out of my hand as I was tring to vote up. I thought there was a way to fix it, but not readily apparent right now! COngrats on getting in!!!!!

Congrats RubyBright and psychdork!!! I'm so happy some people on the thread are starting to move forward! Yay yay! My friend found out today that she was wait listed she is happy that she hasnt been rejected, but is sad that now it's just more waiting... I'm still waiting on my favorite

I just wanted to second what Reyna323 said. I'm in a similar boat to what she described. I felt like that since I knew I wanted to eventually get my LCSW to work with veterans, that I did not need to get into a lot of debt along the way. I applied to a local state school and I'm waiting to hear back from them. Not only does the cost of the WHOLE program not exceed $20,000, but they also offer GA positions and scholarships. They have several different PAID internship programs as well. I know a lot of you want to be "fancy" like the poster 'socialworkphd' described, but really think about debt to predicted income ratio before you pick a school. I just cringe when people think $60,000 is an acceptable amount to be in debt for an MSW. Most LCSW's don't make that in a year (depending on what part of the country you are in). Do you know how much money that is a MONTH? If you feel your situation really warrants it (I know can be macro is more competitive than direct practice), then you have to weigh those sacrifices. However, most people don't really need that name to accomplish the work they dream of.

Jmarti, if it makes you feel any better, some of the best Grad school success stories I've heard are from ppl that were rejected the first time around. In fact my friend keeps telling me to just buck up and apply to the same school again the next year, because that's how she got in. Sometimes this stuff is such a crapshoot... Ugh.

I'm really getting tired of the wait. My omen is that I did not get a honors scholarship I applied to (outside of grad schools). On a good note, I've come up with a really good plan B. My fave program apparently has a military outreach program that offers the MSW online, BUT once you are in you have to attend ON campus second year. Also, they assist with practicum placements -- and since I'll be living in the same metro area the school is in, I'll have all the same practicum placements as the other first years. I really should be happy about plan B, but with the no on the scholarship I'm feeling particularly mediocre.

You guys ready for a new week of hallucinations?!?! Woooo hooo! My fave choice is on spring break this week, so I've decided to give myself a week off from angsting. I figure there will no be no way they will send out the decisions during their spring break. Need to do research work this week anyway! Ugh.

Congrats!!!! MSW13 Yay!

Good luck Callista! I had convinced myself I would hear good news last week. Oh well, no news at all. I discovered that my top choice goes on spring break next week. My guess is that means I'll hear back either Friday of this week, or the week after their spring break. They either want it done and over with by spring break or they will look over apps during spring break. They have a final deadline of April 15, but both alumni and the program told me they usually make decisions before that. And the waiting game goes on.... And on....