jillchristine

If you're eligible for work study depending on your FAFSA, you will essentially have a "paid" internship. That'll be dependent on your financial status. Second year you'll have the opportunity to select stipend-based programs, they are few and far between but they are there You should know your financial package soon after receiving your acceptance, I think mine was within 2-3 weeks. Good luck!

Hi Rosesw! The classes differ a little, some classes are 25-40 students at most (mostly the required classes your first year), but the majority of your classes second year will be between 10-15 students. Also your practice (therapy) classes are typically smaller. It is a larger program so you do need to advocate for yourself frequently, but I think it's a good skill to learn so we can properly advocate for our clients. Advising staff are always available but you do need to seek them out, but they are always available as well as others that can help you. There's actually a set of three advisors you have while in Columbia, each one serves a separate purpose but it's nice in case you don't get along with one of them you can always seek out a different one. I think Columbia's great because people in the city you work for or meet really do hold you to a higher standard (not that I necessarily agree with that), but I think that pushes you to be the best you can and that's so important in graduate school. Also you really do learn from the best professors, many of them come to the school for the great research program and you have the opportunity to learn from those individuals which is an interesting opportunity in itself. There are great speakers coming to the school all the time and there are many student groups you can be a part of. You can have a say in the syllabi for classes (professors and students meet at the end of each semester to revise it) and each class uses the same or a very similar syllabus. Don't get me wrong-- the program is not perfect. And I think that's why most people don't like CUSSW, I think they come with these crazy expectations because of the school name and price tag and get disappointed very quickly. First year placements often suck (I had to change mine halfway through) as they take little consideration into what you want. Most of the placements I've heard are in schools or family, youth, and children. I'm convinced they just put you wherever first year which is dumb, but whatever. You have a better selection for second year and CUSSW has connections with some of the best placements in NYC. Another thing students have complained about is that professors are sometimes afraid of discussing sensitive topics such as racism. However, the school is always sending out surveys about how to change that so clearly they know its a problem and are working on it. Hope that helped a bit, let me know if I can be clearer about anything!

I would strongly advise against it as it will add time to your schooling. However, Columbia does have an AGPP which is a generalist practice that combines both clinical and all other concentrations. Chilly is right though, you need a certain amount of classes to take your LCSW, which I believe is possible through the AGPP program but with a lot of planning. Clinical specialization you get these classes automatically. You need your LCSW to be a therapist or you can work as a therapist as a LMSW while under supervision, it doesn't matter if you're specialized in clinical practice. The only thing that matters for LCSW are the courses you take. Also remember the LMSW licensure test is strongly clinical. You can refer to this link for the classes you need to take: http://socialwork.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/file_manager/pdfs/Student-Resources/LCSW_CourseRequirements.pdf

No worries, I remember being there! From what I've heard many people receive need-based scholarships, but obviously this depends on your fafsa. I was marked as an independent with no parental assistant, so I received a high amount of scholarships-- approximately 16k scholarship along with 4k work study (get paid for your internship) both renewable each year. Also they sometimes add more money as the year goes on, since they receive donations all year round. I originally received a lesser scholarship amount but appealed for more (which I always recommend). Jordanna- I am unsure about fellowships, however if you appeal to the financial aid office they are more than likely to give you something, especially if you are international. I received my package very soon after my acceptance letter so you should be hearing soon. Other schools make you wait until the summer after you've accepted their offer. Also I would suggest to all of you to contact the schools you're accepted to to ask for an extension before you submit your deposit if you are still waiting on another school. They'll likely do this and you may save a couple hundred dollars in acceptance hold fees. Chilly8- I am personally awful at stats (took it multiple times in college with nothing better than a c+) however I took it at a community college over the summer and got an a. This was definitely the best thing to do since your first semester is often the hardest and an extra class can be really stressful. Although I've heard CU's Stats class on Saturdays (that you would be required to take if you do not have the stats requirement completed) is a good class and can be a good bonding experience for new students and the professor really makes sure you pass with a b or better. However, I still don't think it's worth the extra stress if you can avoid it. I chose CU because I was impressed by their program and knew the reputation would take me far. Also, it became my second most affordable option following the scholarships (only PITT was a little cheaper). I also loved the campus and the opportunity to meet so many people from different countries, states, etc. it's such an international campus and it's amazing! That being said, I know a lot of people that don't like CUSSW but I think its mostly due to the fact that they expect too much from the school considering it's Columbia, you have to be realistic and understand that every program will have its flaws. You do need to advocate for yourself a lot at the school since it is a large program, but CUSSW has networks with all of the best placements in NYC and people hold you to a higher standard coming from the program, all of which I think makes CUSSW worth it. Sorry that's a lot, feel free to ask anything else & good luck!!

I'm a current CUSSW student, feel free to ask my anything And totally agree about the apartments (it was my deciding factor in not choosing NYU) also CU gave me a much larger financial package, NYU wanted me to wait until June to give me my scholarship info and I got Columbia's right away.

Hi all! Good luck, I know this is a nerve-wracking time for everyone! I'm a first year at Columbia, if you have any specific questions about the program or why I chose it over the other schools on my list don't hesitate to reach out! I'm happy to help. Just remember to enjoy this time (as difficult as that is to say) because it'll only get harder next year! Also, I know Columbia's price tag can be a little scary but with school scholarships, it turned out to be my most affordable option. So make sure to keep that in mind! Again, please don't hesitate to reply to this or DM me if you have any questions about Columbia

Columbia! For all future students, feel free to pm me with any questions about the program that I can hopefully answer once I start

I am visiting this weekend and still considering it. What made you pick loyola if you don't mind me asking? I'm from NJ by the way.

Hi guys, I received a decision in early Feb, I wasn't accepted which was fine it wasn't one of my top choices. I also applied in October/ November if that helps. Hope you guys hear back soon!! Good luck!

Hi acw, No worries I think you have a great chance! I've applied to those three schools so I'm able to give you a good idea of what you're looking at. Personally I have a very low GPA, 3.04 (but 2.99 when I applied to the schools). However, I have a ton of volunteer experience/ work experience, etc. I founded and operated a legal non-profit for a few years while in college. You most likely won't have to take the GRE, one of the few perks of the social work field Because of your beginning volunteer experience I would wait to get your applications in until after you have a significant amount of time you can produce for your resume. I personally think December- Jan is a good time (in accordance to application deadlines, of course!). I wish I did that to have an extra semester of grades under my belt-- I was wait listed for VCU because of that very reason but I'm sure I would've gotten in if I waited for a slightly better GPA after Fall 2013 grades. As for right now-- try not to worry, you have all next year for that! Try to research the schools that you want to apply to and learn about the areas, etc. Personally, I would start working on your personal statement over the summer. However, the 2014 questions may vary from the 2015 application, but probably not much so it's a good start. Start gathering recommenders around mid-September so they have plenty of time. I provided my recommenders with a large envelope full of the information they had to fill out in order of their deadline and pre-stamped and addressed envelopes if mailing. Make sure you make it as easy as possible for them and they'll be more likely to do it quicker (you can start this over the summer!). And again, have all of your applications in no later than January 1st (or earlier if the deadline is earlier). I thought the earlier I got mine it it would give me a larger chance of acceptance but it would have been more helpful if I would've waited and added more experience and went in with a better GPA. Don't forget a thank you card and/ or gift for your recommenders around November/ December. If you can get an internship over the summer I would recommend that, just do whatever you can do gain more experience.. that's huge in this field (I was a Psych/ Soc major). So far I've gotten into Pitt, Columbia, Simmons, Loyola and wait listed from VCU. I have yet to hear from Sarah Lawrence and NYU. I think you have a great chance and you'll definitely get in somewhere! Also, I filled out 10 applications and it was more than the amount of classwork I had so make sure you have plenty of time to devote to it to not overwhelm yourself. If you have not taken statistics I would take that next year as well since most colleges will require this. Just give yourself plenty of options and remember more experience, the better. Of course, this is just my advice but it's what I did and I have to say it all went very very smoothly because I gave myself plenty of time. Good luck, you'll do great!

I was also accepted! I'm still thinking about it, honestly right now I have no idea. What made you ultimately decide Simmons?

I don't have experience with this through an internship but I did own my own non-profit organization, in which I facilitated support groups for those suffering with Bipolar/ Depression. Once I gave away my company, I came to observe the group with a new facilitator (the new owner) and realized he was extremely nervous by my presence. Of course this is a different situation, but just keep in mind that all of your observers had to start somewhere too! They got nervous when their supervisors observed them years ago, so it's just a building block towards your career. When you're in this situation, just focus on your clients and if you need to, see your observer as a client as well. I think the most important thing to remember is that your client is in a much worse place and you need to focus on their emotions, instead of your own. Practice makes perfect! Just remember everyone has to go through it at one point or another!

Did you check the website? I know in years past the decision was posted on the website before the email came. Good luck! I got my email this afternoon! More than likely not attending but still very exciting to be accepted!!! Congrats everyone!

I was also accepted, I plan to visit in April.. or sooner if I can get out there.

Thank you!! They actually emailed me saying "You should have already received my admissions packet, congratulations! Info, etc." and I hadn't yet received it, but that may have been due to the snow in the Northeast. But I received my packet two days later. No word on financial aid yet but I don't really need any (which I may have indicated on my application, I forget.. now I realize that was dumb haha) but anyway it's not too big of a deal. I'm sure you'll hear back very soon, good luck!!

I don't know honestly, I recently got into Loyola's program and I've heard some good things about it but not much is out there. I will be visiting soon so I will let you know if I learn more then

No worries, it wasn't my top choice but I'm really anxious about Loyola! Definitely, I applied in late October so it's been a long wait but hopefully worth it. I see you're from NY, did you apply to any of the city schools?

I applied to UIC and Loyola.. surprisingly rejected from UIC but still waiting on Loyola.

I agree! I know in years past the earliest they've let applicants know of their status is the first few days of February, but it could be as late as the end of March. I see we've applied to four of the same schools, good luck!!

I've heard back from both of these schools so you should be hearing soon Good luck!

Clinical with mental health concentration, what about you!

I applied to BC in early November, still have yet to hear anything!

This is normal for both of the schools. I also have my transcripts not checked off from NYU as received but an email was sent to me that my application is complete so I know everything is in (also I contacted someone about it and they confirmed). From what I've seen the earliest Columbia has sent out decisions is early February. I've found the 4-6 week waiting period is typically much longer, unfortunately!