smpalesh

I applied for the advanced standing so it was due December 1 and yes, they do just want you to put it in a big brown envelope. If you are handing it in they have a drop box you just toss it in. I know what you mean, it seems better to put it in something, but that isn't what they want.

For those who are applying to UofT Advanced Standing what specialization did you choose? So far I know only one other person (someone from my current BSW program) who is applying to the same one as me - Social Justice and Diversity. Seems most people do either Child and Families or Health and Mental Health.

Oh good, that is much better. The other thing I'm concerned about is that it says they only use courses at a 300 or 400 level for determining your GPA at UofT. My last 1.5 years of school I decided to do a minor in Women's Studies so that time period is all 200 level courses. I know Laurier just uses your last 10 courses which is where I get the 88%, but if you do only the 300 level courses my average is only 83% or 3.7 on the scale you just posted. I am worried that won't be high enough, especially because I only have 4.5 years volunteering (approx 8-10 hrs a week) and then my practicum as experience. No work experience at all. I know I can't change it now but it is stressing me out.

How do you convert a percentage to a 4.0 scale? I thought my average was good (88%) but according to the website I found that is only a 3.3 which seems kind of low to me.

jaylynn - you need to update your signature because I keep thinking you've already heard from schools LOL I actually read through last year's thread when I was laying in bed sick. I hope you get in this year! I'm sure you will actually, since you got on the waitlist last year.

My reference submitted this afternoon and I just got my written statement done this evening! Phew! Have to go tomorrow to pick up my transcript and send that in but other than that I'm done. Well, I still have to do Western but it's not due until January 15 so I can wait on that one until I stop coughing up a lung! Now we wait!

I am also worried about the quality of this reference. Because if she is going to write it quickly when she finally gets around to it then it likely won't be a very strong reference. I know my other two references are strong but this one holds a lot of weight because it's my practicum supervisor. I haven't done my written statement yet. I am still so sick and my brain is just not functioning today. I am going to write the whole thing tomorrow morning. Nothing like leaving it until the last minute! I did the same thing with my Laurier statement too. It seems to be the way I work.

I am so frustrated with my practicum supervisor. She was notified November 26 about the reference letter. In the last 3 days I have texted her twice and emailed her twice and she still has not responded or written the reference letter, which is due tomorrow. I still have to write my written statement and my field practicum experience section. I am so tired of grad applications! I still have to do Western as well, which is due January 15 Anyone else tired of worrying about how to make yourself look good on paper?? Where is the pulling my hair out smiley? lol

I heard back from UofT and they said as long as I have everything else in then it is okay. Phew! Now I hope they actually have my transcript ready to go at UW. Now I have to get everything else ready by the end of tomorrow and I'm set.

I have been terribly ill with pneumonia for the last 2 weeks and I literally completely forgot about my official transcript for UofT!! It is due Monday and obviously I can't get it there by then. I am freaking out right now. I ordered it over a week ago so it should be available to pick up Monday but then I still have to send it to UofT (I'm in Waterloo). Are my chances totally gone now?? The website says they do NOT accept late applications. I just emailed the admissions contact but it is the weekend now so I don't expect to hear back. Why did I have to get so sick?

Which school are you at? I am also doing a 1 yr BSW but my placement runs from September-June (I am at University of Waterloo).

I changed my Laurier one a lot. Like pretty much rewrote the whole thing except for one paragraph. I thought it was good last year but this year I read a lot of tips on writing a good statement so I took those tips and redid the whole thing. I am happy with the new version. Going to write UofT this week - I have a terrible flu right now and my brain is mush so hopefully I'll be better soon.

Got my email today that Laurier has officially received my application package. Now to wait! Finishing up UofT this week and still have to do Western. I will be happy when they are all done.

Anyone else totally stressed about the personal statements/entrance essays? I decided late in the game to apply so I am still working on them. I feel like it really needs to be good in order to get their attention but then I wonder if I'm overthinking things. Have to hand deliver my Laurier application tomorrow morning so I guess I don't have much time to obsess over this. Still working on UofT and Western.

I don't actually know. I know of a few people in my current program (BSW) who are applying this year. I think because they are a new program there might be fewer applicants but don't quote me on that

I agree it is still a good idea to try. But yes, their website, and the info they will give out, is a minimum of 3500 hours (2 years) but when I got my rejection letter it said that successful applicants had 3-5 years experience. Again, definitely still apply because it is not all about the hours. Just acknowledge that they are very practice-focused and have a backup plan. That is my opinion. I am still applying even though I don't have enough hours. It's worth a shot.

Personally I think that doing a BSW can be an excellent idea. The odds of getting into advanced standing programs are usually better than for the 2 year. Plus you get valuable experience (schooling and practice). I was disappointed when I didn't get into the 2yr at Laurier last year but I am totally fine with it now bc the BSW program at UW is awesome and I feel like I'm gaining so much by being here. The practicum experience is really helpful for applying for grad schools and it provides almost 1000 hours throughout the school year. I will have approximately 850 hours in a social work agency by the end of June. I do practicum 3 full days a week. I would not have been able to get that experience if I had not been doing the BSW. My advice for people is always to consider the BSW programs. It is 1 year and then you apply for the 1 year MSW so it is the same length of school. You could apply for both and if you don't get into the 2 yr program at least you can still be continuing your education and then next year you apply for the 1 yr MSW. The odds are actually higher with the Advanced standing. For example, last year at Laurier there were 600 applicants for 90 spots in the 2yr MSW and 120 applicants for 28 spots. That seems to be a similar trend at most universities.

A number of people from my current program are applying to the UW MSW and it is expected they will be accredited soon. Being that it is UW, which has a really good reputation, I think it is not too concerning. They held a meeting with people from our program to discuss concerns about the MSW and the general consensus among most people was to take the chance on it. If that is the area you are hoping to work in it could be a good fit for you.

Also, have you considered Western? They might be a possibility as well, and there website doesn't mention having to have a certain amount of hours.

I applied for the 2 year program at Laurier last year. My grade average was in the high 80s but I only had approximately 2000 hours of experience. I did not get in and they said the average hours to be accepted is 3-5 years with each year equaling 1750 hours - so 5250 to 8750 hours. Last year there were 600 applicants for 90 spots. I am not trying to be discouraging but Laurier REALLY focuses on the experience and number of hours. I am applying there again this year for the advanced standing (after I didn't get in last year I entered UW's 1 yr BSW program) but I still only have less than 5000 hours. I figure I'll at least try, but I'm also applying to UofT and Western's advanced standing program.

I am currently at UW in the BSW program and the current MSW class seems to think it is a good program but there are concerns about the fact that it is not yet accredited. The other thing to consider is that it is primarly health-focused - for social workers who want to work in various health fields. I personally am not applying to it for those reasons. UW itself is a great school though, I did my undergrad there and am now doing my 1yr BSW there.

Hi all, I just stayed up much too late reading the thread from last year and thought I would join My educational history is a 4yr BA in Social Development Studies with a Minor in Women's Studies from UW and I am currently doing my BSW at UW (awesome program and I highly recommend applying if you are applying for 2 yr Masters just in case). I was going back on forth on what I wanted to do and now I am trying to do applications really, really quickly because everything is due! I am applying to Laurier and UofT in the Social Justice and Diversity specialization. Not really sure about my chances because I don't have a lot of experience. I had kids young and then went back to school so I've been spending my time mothering insteading of working! I have been volunteering for 5 years on a rape crisis line but that is only 8 hours a week so it doesn't amount to many hours. I am currently doing my practicum in a similar agency (different city). Gradeswise it depends on whether they do last-year or cumulative average. I messed up a bit with my earlier courses so my cumulative average on my BA is only 81%. But my last year average is 88%. I don't know if they factor the BSW grades in but I am almost done my first semester and am expecing to have around an 86-88% average for this semester. Anyway, I look forward to getting to know (and go crazy with) all of you!