socialwelfareenthusiast

I received a letter form the doctoral committee letting me know that they were recommending to the Graduate Division that I be admitted to the MSW (I applied MSW/PhD). But, I have not gotten word from the graduate division.

Thank you for posting! At this point every little bit of information helps. The other options I am seriously considering are UCLA and UW (Seattle campus). Like I said before, I am most interested in Cal because of the institution itself, but I would like to hear more from the Social Welfare studetns themselves. *Friedgreentom; May I get in touch with your friend so I can speak with her over the phone and get her thoughts on the program? If so, please private message me I hope to hear more on the quality of this program!

Has anyone else heard anything discouraging about the UC Berkeley program? I have wanted to go to this program for more than a year, but after speaking to mentors (professors at other schools, multiple social workers and some directors at agencies in the bay and in so-Cal) I have only heard bad things and am seriously considering turning down the offer. I've been told that the program is neo-liberal/conservative in thought, that there is a small outdated faculty, and that the quality of the program and it's students are not what they once were. Furthermore I found no support from the multiple faculty that I reached out to via e-mail (I reached out at UCLA and USC and received very positive responses and help from editing personal statements to directing me to faculty where I could help with projects and gain research experience). Someone, change my opinion. I have always wanted to go to Berkeley and still do, but if this is all true than I can't commit! Thanks all.

pamaya, Thank you for your thoughtful input. Do you know anything about faculty specifically working on LGBT/HIV issues? I honestly would love to try life out in Seattle. I've lived most of my life in Southern California. I will keep you in mind as I think of Seattle specific questions. Thank you again!

Thank you both! I appreciate your thoughtful feedback. I am a resident of California - so UW is only marginally more expensive than UCLA (The UC system isn't a cheap public institution!). Seattle won't require a car (I can use my partners if need be), while LA will (with gas, insurance etc.). Furthermore, I think rent will be less expensive in Seattle. There is less than a 10K difference in tuition between the two, and I think other living expenses will even out the overall cost for both schools. Thus, cost isn't the biggest factor in my decision between the two. As for research experience, I'm familiar with faculty who study HIV/AIDS as I've worked in field for a few years now and have set up research opportunities at both UCLA, and UW. My thought at this point is that, obviously, both are strong programs. Nonetheless, I am getting a feeling that UW has overall, more resources than UCLA. They seem to have newer facilities, larger faculty, more research clusters, more student groups (that they detail on their website). Can anyone speak to this? Thanks again!

Thank you Kristopher, I never thought of that... I'm looking for information on the programs in relation to my career goals. My comments on weather and traffic are to highlight my equal ambivalence to both places thus leading to my inability to make a concrete decision. The poll is for fun. Anyone have insight on these two programs?

Hello Everyone, I am interested in doing social welfare research and continuing on to the PhD with a focus on HIV/AIDS affected communities and relating services. Which of the two schools should would be the better fit? I'm ambivalent about living in both Seattle and Los Angeles. Seattle = too cold and rainy LA = waiting in three + hours of traffic each day Both potentially awesome any thoughts are greatly appreciated!