eec229

@MyMSW2020 I attended the NYU College of Arts and Science as an English Literature/Creative Writing major many years ago, so I'm not sure my experience with the school would be helpful for considering the MSW program. When I speak to alumni of NYU Silver, I mostly hear very positive feedback although a few people I spoke with had less than stellar experiences with their field placements and found the field placement office at NYU unhelpful when they had problems. I'm not sure how to evaluate this feedback, though, because I imagine that first year field placements can be difficult regardless of the school and I am under the impression that NYU, Columbia, Fordham, and Hunter place students at the same agencies throughout NYC.

Hi! Just wondering if anyone has any additional thoughts on NYU v Columbia. I was admitted to NYU in January and felt certain I'd attend, but was just accepted to Columbia. I think I'm still leaning toward NYU because I want to go into clinical practice, but I wonder if it's the right choice. I also don't know CU's financial aid package yet, so that might make a difference. I attended NYU as an undergraduate and now live in Brooklyn, so I'm also happy to answer any NYC questions if any of you are new to the area!

I'm sorry that you heard this news. That sounds very frustrating considering the work you've put in to raise your GPA. In my previous job, I worked with students applying to school (though never with students applying to MSW programs) and I find that most admission offices will be forthcoming if you reach out directly. I'd try crafting a very polite email reiterating your interest in attending the school and explaining 1) any extenuating circumstances that led to your GPA a decade ago and 2) your coursework since then. Then, I'd ask directly if they could suggest a path forward for future admission cycles. For future applications, you might also attach an addendum explaining the same (past grades and highlighting academic work since then) or you might touch upon this in your personal statement. Dear [ADMISSION DEAN], Thank you for reviewing my application. Although I am disappointed that I will not receive further consideration, I am grateful for you time and attention. I am writing because I remain very interested in attending [SCHOOL] and am eager to take any steps that would make me a competitive applicant in the future. When I was an undergraduate student ten years ago, I achieved uneven grades due to [explanation]. Since then, I have worked hard to improve my record, achieving a 4.0 in the pre-requisite courses in which I have enrolled. [Are the pre-req courses at the school you're applying to? If so, it might help to list them.] I understand the need to meet a minimum GPA requirement and I would be very grateful if you could suggest any work I might be able to do to bolster my application for future cycles. *** That's just suggested language and you'd want it to be in your voice, but hopefully it helps a little. Good luck! It can be so frustrating, but I know so many students who end up at terrific programs after a disappointing admission cycle.

Hi! I'm in a similar position; I submitted my application December 18th and it was confirmed complete on 12/23. I've heard back from NYU and it seems likely that I will not receive a decision from Hunter before I have to decide in March. My understanding is that you'll lose your full deposit if you then decide not to attend but I'm not sure there are repercussions beyond that. As decision deadlines approach, I imagine it would be helpful to reach out ot the admissions office to request an extension for responding. You can always frame the issue financially, i.e., "While I remain strongly interested in attending X University in the fall, I would feel more comfortable making a final decision after considering all of my admission offers and financial aid packages." It's worth asking--the worst case scenario is they say no and you have to put down a deposit to secure a spot at a school.