Purplescarves

Thank you! I've been celebrating since I got the email. Here are my stats: GRE - verbal: above average; quantitative is a non-factor GPA - overall: 3.6; major: 3.8 Volunteer work - 3 years locally and internationally, social service related Professional work - 5 years full-time in social services/nonprofits (program development, program implementation, program evaluation). For about half of that time, I worked full-time at one org and then part-time at another org. I moved up from coordinator to manager to director. Knowing what I do about social work schools now, you definitely do not need this much experience to get in. Most students have less than this. For me, getting the experience was valuable for a number of reasons: save money, increase earning potential, and maximize my education. Grad school is expensive. Having more experience has made me more competitive for scholarships. It also means I'll spend less time in grad school trying things out and more time honing my skills in a specific area. My undergrad major was history so I highlighted how those studies have helped me in my work in social services. Last year on this forum I read that Berkeley accepted students mostly from a psych background. Maybe I'm the unicorn, and if you are, think about how your studies can contribute to your skill as a social worker. What can you bring to the table? For me, it is historical knowledge of systems of oppression and social movements. About a year ago I read The Social Work Graduate School Applicant's Handbook, which was really helpful. I referred to it continuously while drafting my statements to make sure that I was addressing key elements. I rewrote new drafts from scratch several times. I also had a few mentors/friends help me in editing my statements. They are all getting a card and bottle of wine! I'd like to pay it forward so if you would like me to look at your statement now or in the future, just PM me. I hope that helps! For those who were accepted, are you going to the MSW New Admit Reception?

I don't know much about either school, but have you talked to current students and alumni of both schools? I'm in that process and I can't tell you how helpful that's been, especially the conversations with alumni. I wouldn't make a decision without that step.

I got into CMH!!!

My roommate is attending part-time. For the past two years she has worked and attended school, with no practicum requirement. She knew that once the practicum begin that she would not be able to work full-time so she is resigning to focus solely on school. It's a tough situation, but necessary due to the cost of the MSW being so high.

I definitely get the winter blues. Some people combat that by purchasing a natural light lamp or getting involved in winter sports. I try to throw myself into some type of social activity so that I'm not just lying around and complaining. It gets cold, snowy, and icy. People are just now starting to sigh with relief because winter is almost at its end. After ten winters, I'm glad this will be my last. However, I am also glad I tried it out. There is so much you gain from living in another city. I've had incredible work experience. I've met so many different people because there is such a high concentration of students. I've witnessed all four seasons. I said this in another post, but Boston in the summer is just magical to me. It's a completely different city. You might want to check out the housing options while you are here. You can check out Craigslist and try to schedule 2 or 3 viewings. That will give you a sense of where you would be living and the costs. If you will be bringing a car you can live farther out, like in Jamaica Plain, which is one of my favorites after Roxbury. You will hear bad things about Roxbury and Dorchester, but typically from people who have never lived there. Like any city, there are great parts and not so great parts. There are some neighborhoods closer to BC that have bad reputations because they are overrun with undergraduates, like Allston, the 'student ghetto'. However, I know of some BC graduate students that live there and they are fine. It all depends on what your ideal is. My only recommendation is to stay away from the 'B' green line if you will be relying on public transportation. It's not the typical train service, it's much much much slower. BC is great. You will realize once you get here that it isn't in Boston. It's in Chestnut Hill, which is a quiet upper class neighborhood. The campus is stunning. The sporting events are fun (campus on a game day is nuts because of the tailgating). They have a lot of resources. Professors are hard working and accessible. The Jesuit influence encourages the student body to become involved in service learning opportunities. Like any other university, it has its challenges. Students of color and the LGBTQ community work hard to make the campus more inclusive and accountable to its mission. The majority of students are coming from a more privileged background and can stay in that so-called "bubble" if they so choose. There are some who do push outside of that and actively seek out knowledge and experiences that are different from their own, but it is not the norm. As a result, patterns of oppression and marginalization that you see in society at large are replicated on campus. Again, this is typical of most schools. It was a great place to learn academically and socially. I love BC.

I pulled this from the 2012 Berkeley thread: - avg 700 apps last couple years - 102 spots available last year - Child/Family 32 spots / 200 apps - Mental Health 28 spots / 200 apps - Gerontology 10 spots / 50 apps - Health & Management each had roughly 15-17 spots / 100 apps - 3.58 avg gpa last year (last 60 units from semester or 90 units from quarters) I applied to CMH and I'm in the process of reaching out to current students and alumni to get more in-depth reviews of the program. Of course, it's Berkeley, but I'm looking for rigorous mental health training and so far it seems like that may be lacking. :-/ Has anyone else been in contact with students or alumni?

Enjoy the city in the summer when it's quiet. At first it was strange, but it is now my favorite time to be in the city. There is so much less congestion, parking is easier to find, and everyone is in such a pleasant and easygoing mood.

I went to BC for undergrad, decided not to apply for the MSW, but my roommate and friend are attending and/or will be attending. I'll let them know you are interested in meeting up. Make sure you dress warm. Let me know if you have any questions about Boston or BC. I have been here for ten years.

I made a similar move as you about ten years ago. I'm glad I did it. While I will be going to grad school back home in the warmer snow-free climate, I learned a lot living in a new area. If you do the make the move, just keep these things in kind: - You will need to invest money into buying quality winter gear. Add that into your budget and start shopping now. A lot of stores are placing their winter stuff on sale (LL Bean, REI, Altrec, etc.). You don't have to spend a lot, but you also don't want to re-purchase things that fall apart. I like LL Bean for that reason, they will accept returns if something goes wrong at any point. - Monitor your mood. If you start to feel yourself slump or you just feel more 'down', you may just need a little bit of fresh air, human company, and vitamin D. - Build a social group. Spending winters alone sucks. - Congratulate yourself after making it through your first winter. Nature will do some of that for you by offering you incredibly beautiful spring weather and scenery. Take pictures, soak up the sun, and restock up on winter gear if you need it.