U-M_Detroiter

Good luck, alesso! I agree that it is important to study under someone that is as passionate about a subject as you are. I think having connections with a certain faculty member will also increase your chances of getting into that program if they really want to work with you.

Thanks! I applied the week their application opened, so the wait has been killing me. They said I wouldn't find out until probably Jan. or Feb.

At first I planned on applying to about 5 or 6 schools, but I applied to U of M (first choice) and Wayne State (second choice) early. I found out I got into Wayne State very quickly, so I didn't bother applying to other schools. Im interested in health policy, and micro practice in health.

With an LCSW it is possible to do clinical work even though you aren't necessarily trained in it?

I will be starting my MSW fall 2014, and I am having second thoughts about concentrating in policy. I know that it is not too late to change, but I would like some advice on which is more suitable for my interests. I have recently interviewed several oncology social workers for a class project and the work that they do really interested me. However, my initial interest is in social policy, and conducting research. What types of jobs would be I be able to get within the realm of policy and research? Policy analysis, grant writing, and fundraising are all jobs I am aware of. I am very good at and enjoy statistics, as well as using database programs such as SPSS, R, and minitab, this is why my mentor suggested concentrating in policy. I also have been conducting research for several years as an undergraduate (in psychology) and it is something that I love doing. After interviewing clinical social workers, however, I really like the direct impact they have on individuals lives. I would love to work in a hospital setting, dealing with cancer patients if I went this rout (I battled cancer during middle school). Is there a way that I could possibly do policy as well as clinical? I know at Michigan it is possible to minor in a concentration. Thanks for any input!

If CP is the reason you want to go into social work then you should definitely touch on that. Talk about what dealing with CP has taught you and how you can apply that to your future in social work. Being concise in your personal statement is important (from what I've been told), and I think this helps prevent you from making your story a sob story because you only have so much space. I wouldn't dwell on what you lack, rather focus on what abilities you can contribute that will make you a great grad student and social worker.

Just got accepted to Wayne State University! My second choice! Only took them about 3 weeks to get back to me.

I've had a hard time finding the stats on various programs. I'm sure that if you contact the programs you are interested in they would give you some info on their acceptance rates.

Well, I have only applied to programs with rolling admissions so far. Just because, from what I understand, earlier is better.

I am currently in the application process, so I think I can offer some help. I know for FAFSA you apply to it just like in undergrad when it opens in Jan-Feb. I haven't had to do mailed letters, but I would just try to stay as organized as possible with LOR's. I emailed my LOR's frequently to remind them because they live very busy lives. Just make sure to be as polite as possible about it. I was told my biweekly reminders were helpful though, haha. Some programs (Michigan for example) require a biology course. My minor is in biology so I didn't have to worry about this, but I was told if I hadn't taken a bio course upon submitting my application, I would have to take one sometime in the summer before being formally admitted. Honestly, I think as long as you know what you want to do and what population you want to work with, and you clearly state that in your personal statements you will be fine. From what I understand, MSW students come from all types of undergrad majors, but Justice Studies could be a very useful asset in an MSW program. Hope this helps!

Thanks for the advice all! In my application for U of M I was told to list "n/a" for those I did not have information for, and then to explain why I put "n/a" in my additional information statement.

This forum is an awesome way to communicate with other MSW applicants and current MSW students. I thought I would start a thread for people to correspond through while applying to MSW programs for the fall 2014 academic year. I have already applied to The University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. I plan on applying to The University of Washington, The University of Wisconsin - Madison, and Western Michigan University. My top choices are The University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Ive found it hard to find programs with a strong policy concentration, and this is why my list is so limited.

Unfortunately, I did not have the foresight to get contact numbers or anything like that. I'm hoping that they will be able to verify via records? I did not have to take a drug screening, have a background check for several of them, or even submit a resume. They were opportunities I signed up for at community events.

Hi, I am applying this fall to several MSW programs. I have good research experience, a decent GPA, and a ton of volunteer experience. However, there are two or three supervisors that have relocated and I do not have anyway of contacting them. One, for instance, was locally campaigning for the 2012 presidential election, transporting individuals who did not have cars to and from polling centers. I am afraid that schools will think I am lying about the experience. The volunteer experiences were good and pertained to Social Work, so I defiantly want to include them. Any thoughts as to what I should do? Thanks!

I agree. I wrote mine about the issue that inspired me to go into social work. I don't think that coming up with a new innovative problem is as important as creating an effective solution to the one that you do decide to write about.

Thanks again. I have met with an admission counselor once already, but I have so many more questions now that I have started and completed (at the moment) my applications materials, so I am hoping to make another visit to the SSW.

Thanks for the input! When they calculate GPA for the last 60 hours is that from the point I apply or the last 60 hours after graduation?

Hi all, I am applying to U of M's MSW program next month, and was curious as to who else is planning on applying? My stats: 3.3 overall gpa, 3.7 major gpa, I graduate this spring with my B.S. in psychology. 3 years working at a geriatric health campus, have been continuously volunteering at hospitals, for the american cancer society, fit kids 360, and various campus programs since graduating high school. I am also a research assistant and have presented at local and national conferences. I plan on concentrating in social policy and evaluation with health as my practice area. Other schools I'm applying to: University of Washington, Wayne State University, Eastern Michigan University, and maybe UPenn. I am most interesting in policy analysis as I love statistics and research in addition to social work. I am very nervous about getting into UM as I hear it is very competitive. Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated!