esimanon

Ive been invited to the title IVE stipend interview at UC Berkeley!!

Hello All - I'm a second year at a UC Master of Social Welfare program. Let me know if you have any questions about the application process. Also, feel free to check out the google docs I created below that give a summary of the skills/experience of applicants

I just got an email from Catharine and she said they reviewed the last of the applications today and she's 'doing her best to schedule the last few' I presume it will be by the end of the day. Best of luck!

The interviews are march 25th and 26th. If you dont hear anything by next week, you could send an email to check on your status.

I just want to add some good thoughts for anyone who didn't get into grad school this year. I think that there has to be a certain percentage of just luck and favorable variables that make some applications seem more in line with what a school may be looking for at any time. An extra year of added experience can only help any of us and you will be that much better as a social worker. Not to take away from the disappointment of this moment, but I think your talking about using this next year is an excellent predictor of how great you will actually be as social workers because you care about rounding out your applications, in whatever way you think will be helpful.
 
Good luck, everyone! Here's to a wonderful, happy 2015!

Just a note to Emarouk about PSU...when I was researching programs theirs was one of my favorites, so I decided to visit when I was in the area and the advisor I met told me flat out that I wouldn't be accepted without one year direct social work experience or about 1,000 hours of volunteering. I don't have anything close to that, so I was discouraged enough not to apply. The advisor I spoke to made it seem like they were pretty strict about it, so that might have been the problem. You sound like a really strong applicant outside of that so don't be down about it! I'm sure everything will work out for you in the end

I strongly believe that one of the most important aspects of being a social worker is the ability to have compassion for your clients that overshadows your own fear or insecurities.
 
The goal should be providing services to those who are suffering versus holding fear around their disorder. Having worked in a mental health hospital - I too struggled with fear of the unknown and for my safety. Yet, I soon realized that having fear for your client perpetuates the very issues that you are trying to alleviate them from - a society that doesn't understand them and (therefore) alienates them. 
 
You need to overcome this fear to be truly effective in your work and to ensure that your emotional well-being is not compromised by your work. 

I've learned that reading other's personal statements has helped very little. I've read about 6 different ones (all were accepted to their programs and all different programs across the nation) and they all differed from one another. Some were very personal and witty others were more straightforward and calculated. 
 
I've learned that only I can convey what I want without having influence of others or adapting someone else's style. Remember this is also a writing sample of sorts. 
 
I think your best bet is to match your interests with each individual programs', really showcase your skills and experience and tie them in to the questions they ask, and somehow, someway make yourself stand out. 
 
I'm trying to find a balance between being personable, but showing professionalism as well. It's difficult, not gunna lie.

You can try asking co-workers who have applied to grad school if they are willing to share their statements. If they don't want to share it with you or if they don't have a copy, you can ask for suggestions on how they wrote their essays. Asking previous professors for advice is also helpful.

As mswhopeful2015 stated, Berkeley's MSW program doesn't have a minimum score and only looks at Verbal. Don't worry about the quantitative reasoning score. My score was really low for Q. I didn't study for that part at all and didn't try (at all) when I took the test. However, I did study for the Verbal portion. I found that each time I took a practice test, my score increased by a few points. Basically, if you practice taking the test it's very probable that you will do better each time, because you're getting better at taking the test. When I took the actual test, I didn't get a super high score but I achieved the score I was aiming for. You may want to consider re-taking the test if you are feeling like the rest of your application isn't that strong. I think the last day to take the test in time for Berkeley's deadline is November 25th or around that time.

I am in a different field but wanted to say good for you for standing up for yourself. It is easily to let yourself get pushed around in situations like this and it is great that you are taking control of your education. Good luck in whatever you decide!

From what I understood the SOP should discuss what led you to pursue a msw and what you plan to do once you have the msw. This is also the statement where you mention the concentration you're interested in and how/why it connects to your future career goals.

Your PHS should describe your personal connection to social work

Might be interesting to collapse the Google spreadsheets from prior years into one workbook--I know there's one for my class, entering Fall 2012, floating around here somewhere. Just a thought!
 
Best of luck to all. 

@esimanon Thank you for sharing. Good luck to you this time around! Are you applying to any other programs?
  @ontheswpath Thank you for all the information! I attended the info session today and it definitely gave me better idea of how to differentiate between the statement of purpose and personal history statement. I would love to send you some ideas I have and also hear about your experience so far in the program. 

I strongly believe that one of the most important aspects of being a social worker is the ability to have compassion for your clients that overshadows your own fear or insecurities.
 
The goal should be providing services to those who are suffering versus holding fear around their disorder. Having worked in a mental health hospital - I too struggled with fear of the unknown and for my safety. Yet, I soon realized that having fear for your client perpetuates the very issues that you are trying to alleviate them from - a society that doesn't understand them and (therefore) alienates them. 
 
You need to overcome this fear to be truly effective in your work and to ensure that your emotional well-being is not compromised by your work. 

@ LIttleDarlins - I just want to add that I said what I said previously because I very much understand what it's like to work in an ACTUAL dangerous environment.
 
I worked in a visitation center where parents visited with their children that were removed from their care by the state and placed into foster care. As the staff that worked the front door and managed the case files (which resulted in being the one instituting the rules/regulations) I was very much at danger. In the year that I worked at the location, I had several threats against me - both in person and over the phone. I had a two stalkers trying to enter the building and continuously call the office. One stalker came to the office and banged on the front door screaming, "Let me in, little pretty, I know you are in there!". We had a panic police button installed, an intercom system so I could alert other staff (whose office was in the back room) to assist me in a safety situation and for one week I wasn't allowed to leave the building unless I was escorted by another staff. In addition, I was subject to verbal abuse almost on a daily basis. I had one parent almost physically assault me. I also worked at a mental health hospital where a client threw a trash can at me and another tried to punch me (luckily another staff stopped them). 
 
Although I was faced with true danger, I was not afraid. Instead, I used these measures to see how much support the clients really needed. When you see how extreme people can get, it shows you the pain/suffering they are in. If you use this as a tool to see what clients need, you can assist them better. When a client had an outburst towards me, I would say, "I can see that you're really struggling right now." 9 times out of 10, this would lead to a conversation where I would be able to give them space to talk about their stress and provide support.
 
Also, when clients could feel that I was afraid, they often tested me more. By showing them that I was not afraid of them, we were able to connect on a deeper and more natural level. Almost every client will have a way of testing you as many of them have had many service providers. They want to see what you're made of - so trying to navigate through the field of social work in fear will not serve you or your future clients. 
 
If I seemed harsh before, I am sorry. I just want you to feel secure in your work and be the best at what you do. It took me a while to learn about fear in the work - I believe you will be great if you get past the fear element. You will grow in ways you could never have imagined in social work

@ LIttleDarlins - I just want to add that I said what I said previously because I very much understand what it's like to work in an ACTUAL dangerous environment.
 
I worked in a visitation center where parents visited with their children that were removed from their care by the state and placed into foster care. As the staff that worked the front door and managed the case files (which resulted in being the one instituting the rules/regulations) I was very much at danger. In the year that I worked at the location, I had several threats against me - both in person and over the phone. I had a two stalkers trying to enter the building and continuously call the office. One stalker came to the office and banged on the front door screaming, "Let me in, little pretty, I know you are in there!". We had a panic police button installed, an intercom system so I could alert other staff (whose office was in the back room) to assist me in a safety situation and for one week I wasn't allowed to leave the building unless I was escorted by another staff. In addition, I was subject to verbal abuse almost on a daily basis. I had one parent almost physically assault me. I also worked at a mental health hospital where a client threw a trash can at me and another tried to punch me (luckily another staff stopped them). 
 
Although I was faced with true danger, I was not afraid. Instead, I used these measures to see how much support the clients really needed. When you see how extreme people can get, it shows you the pain/suffering they are in. If you use this as a tool to see what clients need, you can assist them better. When a client had an outburst towards me, I would say, "I can see that you're really struggling right now." 9 times out of 10, this would lead to a conversation where I would be able to give them space to talk about their stress and provide support.
 
Also, when clients could feel that I was afraid, they often tested me more. By showing them that I was not afraid of them, we were able to connect on a deeper and more natural level. Almost every client will have a way of testing you as many of them have had many service providers. They want to see what you're made of - so trying to navigate through the field of social work in fear will not serve you or your future clients. 
 
If I seemed harsh before, I am sorry. I just want you to feel secure in your work and be the best at what you do. It took me a while to learn about fear in the work - I believe you will be great if you get past the fear element. You will grow in ways you could never have imagined in social work

@ LIttleDarlins - I just want to add that I said what I said previously because I very much understand what it's like to work in an ACTUAL dangerous environment.
 
I worked in a visitation center where parents visited with their children that were removed from their care by the state and placed into foster care. As the staff that worked the front door and managed the case files (which resulted in being the one instituting the rules/regulations) I was very much at danger. In the year that I worked at the location, I had several threats against me - both in person and over the phone. I had a two stalkers trying to enter the building and continuously call the office. One stalker came to the office and banged on the front door screaming, "Let me in, little pretty, I know you are in there!". We had a panic police button installed, an intercom system so I could alert other staff (whose office was in the back room) to assist me in a safety situation and for one week I wasn't allowed to leave the building unless I was escorted by another staff. In addition, I was subject to verbal abuse almost on a daily basis. I had one parent almost physically assault me. I also worked at a mental health hospital where a client threw a trash can at me and another tried to punch me (luckily another staff stopped them). 
 
Although I was faced with true danger, I was not afraid. Instead, I used these measures to see how much support the clients really needed. When you see how extreme people can get, it shows you the pain/suffering they are in. If you use this as a tool to see what clients need, you can assist them better. When a client had an outburst towards me, I would say, "I can see that you're really struggling right now." 9 times out of 10, this would lead to a conversation where I would be able to give them space to talk about their stress and provide support.
 
Also, when clients could feel that I was afraid, they often tested me more. By showing them that I was not afraid of them, we were able to connect on a deeper and more natural level. Almost every client will have a way of testing you as many of them have had many service providers. They want to see what you're made of - so trying to navigate through the field of social work in fear will not serve you or your future clients. 
 
If I seemed harsh before, I am sorry. I just want you to feel secure in your work and be the best at what you do. It took me a while to learn about fear in the work - I believe you will be great if you get past the fear element. You will grow in ways you could never have imagined in social work

I think you've missed my main point. I encourage you to examine your fear and whether is serves your clients (and you).

1. The term self-righteous is a little derogatory. 
 
2. Little Darling states that she feels unsafe merely because she would be in close-quarters with people who have mental illness. I don't believe that I was being self-righteous by pointing out a larger feeling (based off of stereotypes and biases that Little Darling seems to be holding) in American culture that results in/perpetuates a society that shuns people with mental illness.
 
3. I agree that Little Darling should get more direct care experience to demystify her fears and become an ally to her clientele. 

Agree!  I had one of my placement interviewers tell me that a MURDER happened just on the street outside their building RECENTLY.  Plus, it wasn't in the best neighborhood (not a lot of them would be) with prostitution, drug dealing, etc.  Mind you.....I knew this would be the areas I would be working in as a social worker.  However, that doesn't mean I didn't Ask the Interviewer about safety measures or concerns they had in place to keep employees and student interns safe.  Plus, everyone should ALWAYS be aware of the POTENTIAL for danger with anyone....yes, even those with mental illnesses, if the interviewer TELLS you there are those with violence issues.  Obviously, our goal is to help everyone, but she expressed a valid concern.  Daily LIVING encompasses dangers and work too.  Just ask the interviewer your questions about safety measures to keep safe and they will always provide training to you....or should.....on what you will be doing.  Evaluate every situation you go into and know your exit strategy, let folks know where you are going, etc.  Just because you choose to become a social worker doesn't mean you become stupid in basic safety concerns.  She should be asking these questions.

Lol, well I imagine she feels some of these comments were a little derogatory.  Little Darling if you are interviewing still for your placements just consider the type of clients you wish to work with in the future.  If an INTERVIEWER tells you the clientele has tendencies towards violence....believe them and be concerned.  If they are training you as a practicum student, are you prepared, with training, to still do this  type of work.  No matter the clients there are not guarantees for "No Violence" just based on you don't know people's triggers.  Stop stressing and choose a practicum site.  Just maintain open lines of communication with the field supervisor, whose job it is to keep you safe and address your safety concerns.  If you see something, say something....as they say.  Plus, realize some folks in this forum will not be the most supportive in expressing any concerns here.  

1. The term self-righteous is a little derogatory. 
 
2. Little Darling states that she feels unsafe merely because she would be in close-quarters with people who have mental illness. I don't believe that I was being self-righteous by pointing out a larger feeling (based off of stereotypes and biases that Little Darling seems to be holding) in American culture that results in/perpetuates a society that shuns people with mental illness.
 
3. I agree that Little Darling should get more direct care experience to demystify her fears and become an ally to her clientele. 

LittleDarlings,
 
It sounds as though you do not have much experience in social work. As others have stated, social work is full of unknowns and possibly walking into dangerous situations. I would suggest that you volunteer in a residential facility or shelter this summer before you go off to your MSW program. You will gain valuable experience and some of your fears will be lessened with the experience. If you haven't been tested by a client that is actively SI or HI then you might find the clinical MSW not what you are looking for. 

I'm on the verge of getting banned every time I respond to you, but whatever. Like other people, I find it ironic that you of all people are striving to be a social worker. You made an infamous impression on this board with your view that anyone with a baby before they were ready is an absolute loser, although the majority of people you'd be dealing with as a social worker fit into that category. Now, after your first day out in the field, you're saying how you're afraid of your clients. Makes me wonder if you knew what a social worker did before you applied to every school in social work. You better get used to this life quick because this is the life of a social worker. In my opinion, a social worker is a person open to any situation who wants to make a difference to the world. I've always thought you'd needed to reevaluate your reasons for wanting to do social work, and you've never done anything to make me think otherwise.