MaggieDot

Hi gaucho_girl, Welcome! I can relate to so much of what you wrote. I'm preparing to apply to schools this next cycle. For me, I first made a list of schools I was really interested in (taking into account cost, location, courses/concentrations offered, professors, and I'll admit--I put some weight on reputation as well). I'm interested in clinical work, but from what I understand, most programs are generalist and tend to provide students with a breadth of knowledge in Social Work with a few opportunities to explore or focus on a concentration. Internship opportunities are important, so find out if you have any influence over yours. I started this process in February-March. I found out about information sessions (some schools have webinars), contacted the admissions departments to ask any specific questions I couldn't find answers to online, and reached out to people I knew had experience in the field or had attended/are attending schools I'm interested in. I also contacted potential LOR providers and updated them on my plans. March-May. I'm currently setting up trips to visit out-of-state schools on my list to see the campuses and to get an idea of what living in those areas would look like. None of the schools I'm applying to require the GRE, so it's not something I have to worry about, but I'd say study for 2-3 months diligently and take it anytime before application things kick into high gear for you. If you have time and aren't happy with your performance, you can give it another go. I started brainstorming ideas for my personal statement a while ago (~May), but I'm still having new experiences and opportunities come up, so I'm holding off on the actual writing/editing/proofreading/editing/proofreading process until probably September, when I'll place major focus on that. If you're in a more stable place than I am, I'd say the more time you have to develop and work on your statement, the better. It seems to be a critical factor in gaining admittance to schools. I'll be asking for LOR sometime in October (my apps are due in Dec. and Feb.). All in all, I started this process 10-12 months before applications are due, but I also didn't have much experience in Social Work, so I've been spending that time gaining experience, too. Good luck with everything!

Hi all, - I'll be in NYC from July 17th-20th and want to know if anyone would like to meet/talk/hang out. I'd love to make some friends in the area, as I plan to attend school there. - I've started contacting social services organizations to try and set up information visits/shadowing opportunities. I'm interested in working with Latino/a immigrants, in access to reproductive health services, and after-abortion wellness. If you have any suggestions for organizations you think I should contact in the NYC area, please share them! Anything helps. Thanks in advance, and good luck to everyone! *You can PM me or post here--whichever you feel most comfortable with.

unlikelymermaid and Simbacats: Thank you for sharing your experiences! It definitely took me a few years out of college to figure out that I want to commit myself to social work. It was something I generally tried to run away from, but ultimately, I think it's where my heart is. I just want to make sure that I can secure a position in grad school soon (hopefully, one of my top two choices) so that I can move forward with doing this type of work. I'm trying to make a lot of progress right now so that I can, in ways, make up for lost time I spent while exploring other career options. I'm just very excited to finally be actively working toward a career I know I can really be invested in. Thank you for the support and contributions to this topic, I really appreciate it!

Ah, gotcha. Thanks for clarifying!

MSDubbs, thank you for your input. I had been thinking about how to address the fact that I'm gathering all of this social work related experience now, as opposed to when I was in undergrad or even immediately after graduation (in a way that doesn't simply chalk it up to "life happening," although, really that's how I feel about my journey on deciding to pursue social work). I think you're right about being transparent about my reasoning, though. What do you mean about the volunteer work being detrimental in the long run? Do you mean that jumping in too quickly might wear me down early? Thanks for the info and the support!

Simbacats: Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to reply and for your valuable insight! I think their emphasis on diversity is really what attracts me to the program. I can tell that research isn't as huge for them as it is for other programs (like U Mich.), and since I'm more interested in interpersonal practice and applied social work right now, it feels like a good fit. I AM interested in research, too, but my research interests also involve historically marginalized groups (and I don't plan on pursuing this until later anyway). I can say that my volunteer activities involve populations and social issues I really do care about, I think I'll just have to wait to start my statement until I get more experience under my belt. I feel that even though I'll have had less than a year of experience working directly in social work related areas when the time comes to submit an application, I'll have had extremely meaningful experiences (because I'm already having them) that will help shape a clearer picture of the work I want to dedicate myself to. Is there anything else you would recommend me doing? Would you mind sharing who you asked for LOR? Thank you, again, for your post!

Thanks for your responses and feedback. I know I still have a lot to learn, so I'm trying to gather as much experience as I can before the next app season. I hear that personal statement/SOP is critical to getting accepted, so I'm going to be putting a lot of time into that as well. If i don't get accepted this next cycle, I'll definitely try again. Kris427, thanks for your advice. I certainly wouldn't mind going to a smaller/lesser known school for the MSW, but I have my heart set on living in NY for school (I didn't follow my heart for undergrad). That being said, I'll take another look at programs in the area that I maybe haven't considered seriously yet.

Purplescarves--that's correct. I have no previous SW experience and am just beginning to set up experience to be able to apply. I emailed one of my professors from undergrad about my progress recently, hoping I can keep communication going enough for him to feel comfortable writing a letter when the time comes to ask. Hunter is relatively low cost compared to other schools I'm interested in, and I'm hoping I would receive aid from U of Mich., although we'll see what happens since I'd be an out of state applicant. I'd be okay taking out loans, but wouldn't want to get myself into more than $20,000-$30,000 in debt for an MSW. Thanks for the advice and the support!

Sorry, I meant this next app season (next Feb for Hunter, I guess technically 2014).

Hi everyone, I decided just recently that I wanted to pursue a MSW degree (clinical). I'm looking at Hunter College and U of Mich. Here's what I've been lining up for myself since: - Talk line counselor at two non-profits (working with people who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, homelessness). I year commitment, both require 65 hour training. Just started training for one, will start next in two months. - Research assistant position at well respected university's psychology department (working with immigrant populations). Will begin in May. - I might volunteer at a hospital, but not sure how much that'll help. I know I'll get exposure, but I want to be able to work directly with people in a social work capacity, not sure that's possible though. I don't want to be a volunteer receptionist. I'm not sure if this is enough experience to get decent LOR and apply. I've been out of school since 2010, have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 (Sociology and PoliSci). I'm considering applying this fall just to see what happens. What do you guys think? Should I wait until next year to apply? Anyone recently accepted that wouldn't mind posting their stats?

Hi Everyone, I'm looking to apply to programs that have a strong clinical focus. I don't think I'd mind living in Ann Arbor, and I love the idea of living in NY, but still stuck between these two programs. Total cost of the program + living expenses will of course come into play. I know Hunter is pretty inexpensive, but living in NY won't be easy. I don't know too much about Ann Arbor, but tuition will be higher for me since I'm out of state (CA). Other things to think about: - Licensing/access to internships and supervised positions after graduation. I'd like to be able to stay put until I become licensed. - Is one state's license more well regarded than the other? I'd like to be able to move around if a good opportunity came up. SO, are there any current students/recent graduates from either U Mich. or Hunter that can offer some insight as to what it's like attending these programs? Any input helps. Thanks in advance!