LittleDarlings

I applied to Ohio State, Case, University of Kentucky and Pitt. I heard from Pitt and OSU and I am going to OSU:)

Last topic I make of the day I swear! I am wondering if you feel like you grew as a person in the MSW program? I read that it is a lot of self reflection and stuff like that. I am somewhat of a judgmental person which I know is not good, especially in this profession, but I think I have the ability to look at situations objectively. I am reading up on how to be a nonjudgmental person, how to be more "zen", I am in therapy for jealousy and self esteem issues, which are the source and I think the judgments I make on others are based on that. How do you gain the tough skin of being a clinical social worker? I am a very sensitive person and I know that can pose a problem in this business. I just know that this is my goal, I want this so much and I will read whatever books, or do therapy or whatever to make it happen. I am half way there, I got in and now I am just getting scared. One great thing is I finally feel like I have a new focus, I know the direction my life is going and I spend less time worrying about other things (I still worry but definitely not as much). How has the program helped you personally?

So I have read up on this forum about preparing for the MSW program, I am so excited to start but I also know that paper writing is a very important part. I don't think that I am this majorly insightful person, what if I can't cut it? I also know that just my writing skills in general (punctuation) suck. This is a major part of the program from what I have seen and I want so badly to be the best and do the best work possible. How did you prep for the program? Do you have any suggestions? I bought a few "Grammar/Punctuation for Dummies" books that I intend to read in the upcoming months, I also know you can have friends proof stuff but I don't want to be this dependent person. Any tips for preparing for this and being the best student possible?

I had the same problem with my applications, I went to Staples had them upload it on a jump drive then I uploaded. It wasn't blurry on ApplyYou after that.

What places should be avoided? I started looking at apartments and I have found some nice ones in reasonable price ranges. I really want to live in Upper Arlington or Hilliard. I know some places downtown are not safe, when I interned there most of the crimes occurred downtown or near down town and there is a lot of gang activity. Do you have any suggestions about places that need to be avoided? Do you have any apartment suggestions? I found a place called Olentangy Commons and they are nice. I decided I don't think I would mind living 20 mins from campus, like even Bexley or Grove City because I don't want to be in a bad area and I don't want to be around a ton of partying. At the same time I am afraid of isolating myself because making friends and connections is very important to me. Suggestions?

I keep my toothbrush in my bathroom and towel in my room. My ex kept his toothbrush in his shower which grossed me out along with the toothpaste but... To each their own

I am definitely going to avoid private loans. I talked to my therapist about this because she has been through this process. She talked about how she got all her loans through Sallie Mae and has since consolidated her student loans and pays like $150 a month over the course of 20 years I think. I always thought you couldn't consolidate private loans. I am just going to more than likely take out the max in student loans (20,000), then in Grad PLUS maybe I can take out a small amount like 5,000 a semester. As long as I can make my car payments and have a place to live I will be fine. I am perfectly ok with living off of ramen noodles, if needed, and my parents would more than likely help me with food expenses. People do this all the time, this website is an example of that. I can do this! I also contacted my advisor and asked for info about TA/GA. I applied to scholarships, and I am searching for private scholarships. Right now, I am looking into a job to save up and maybe once school starts I can find an on campus job also during the year. I have also considered taking a commission type job while in school, like selling stuff. I have a friend who sells Advocate, and he was in the same position as I am now and he makes about 2,000 a month which is good. I am looking into that, I can make this work!

I bought a few cute blazers at Kohl's, I shop in the junior section still but the women's section has nice stuff in the Lauren Conrad collection. I also would try Maurice's. I have never been there, but a friend of mine got some cute professional clothes there.

The 50s everything seemed colorful and bright and happy. Also the Medieval Times

Thank you both! Ok I am stressing a little less, I am not sure if I will get scholarships (hopefully) but I think I can live off of 4,000 a semester. OSU is 12,424 a year instate according to the website. The funny thing is if I got into Kentucky they are about 11,000 out of state. Even though UK is cheaper I think moving out of state completely would be costly. I also forgot about getting a credit card, I have one but the limit is like 2,000 dollars. I am really good about making all of my payments on time and my credit is pretty good so hopefully I can get grad plus loans if needed. I can totally handle this, and last time I was on indeed.com looking for jobs I saw so many jobs open just in this area for LISWs and LSWs so I can only imagine what a big city like CBus has or even out of state. I can always get my Ohio license after gradation and the supervision hours and then get licensing somewhere else too if I find a job there.

So this just hit me, I am actually going to graduate school in the Fall! Which is so exciting but so scary too. I have only focused on how it will benefit me and the social aspect. I thought about the financial aspect but not as much. Right now I am job searching so I can have a little nest egg to start with in the Fall, I have two promising opportunities. I am looking more into student loans because I know it is inevitable. I know with Federal loans you can take out a max of 20,000 dollars, but I read on the website that they don't actually give you more than your tuition. I am going to OSU which is about 12,000 a year just for tuition, then I have to consider books, a place to live, food and my other bills (car, utilities, water, phone, internet) hopefully I will be able to get into graduate housing which covers utilities and I would just pay for water. I know my parents will help as much as they can but I have a brother in undergrad and they have pretty much stretched our money as far as it can go, I don't want to be selfish and ask them for more than they can give. I am afraid. Every aspect is so scary and exciting, I mean I know people do this ALL THE TIME and manage and it is fine but most of the advice I have gotten is from people who have two incomes which is great but not my case. I know also that you can take out Grad PLUS loans for if you need anymore than what you are given. How has the financial aspect worked out for you all? I am wondering if I can find an on campus receptionist type job and then that would help, or even a job anywhere but I have to consider that I am going to school and my grades are my number one priority. I am just wondering how people do this alone? Am I being unrealistic? I got into an argument with my mom the other day and she pretty much said that going to school for social work is pointless because I will not make enough money to support myself. I don't believe that, I can do this right? I mean I just have to budget and you can pay loans back based on your salary (federal loans) I can do this, I know I will never be rich but I think that even alone making 40-50K a year is ok, and then if I ever have an other half even if they made 30K a year we could still financially survive right? I am jumping way ahead of myself (like always!) but I really believe I can handle this, I want this career so much. Any advice about working while in school? I looked up TA and GA and they aren't offered to graduate students. So any advice at all? About working, or living on loans, or just not being a ball of stress all the time?!

Ok that sounds good, I am just having a little freak out panic session... Story of my life! Lol Thank you!!

I'm going to be forever poor lol

It's a Master program, do you not get funding for Masters programs?

By funding I meant scholarships, I probably worded that wrong. I meant waiting on the financial aspect of the degree.

I got into my number one school this week and I honestly cannot believe it, I am so beyond happy! Issue is no financial information was sent (I haven't gotten the official letter yet) I emailed the admissions coordinator and she said that she had no idea when funding info would come in more, no later than mid April. I know I will accept their offer but should I wait until I hear from all the schools and all of the funding info? Their deadline is Feb 13 so I probably won't be able to wait.

I will continue looking for a job and expanding my resume so I can apply the following year

Haha no I couldn't care less about my rep in all honesty. I apologized for those comments and that's all I can do

I guess it'll happen when it happens. I can't force it, I tried and met some guys I probably shouldn't have. I'm in a non-stressed mood today next week I could be in panic mode again but today is a good day

Thank you for depressing my life again.