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Well - I got into Columbia! Finally - and happy about it! But now comes the REAL challenge...paying for it. I am going to start a new thread now about people's thoughts and approaches on paying such a high a tuition I feel like I should be more excited about this as it was the only school I applied to because it had just what I was looking for. But do I want to pay off loans until age 70?

That is great news for you TerriM! cupojoe, that is crazy that your transcripts got filed under your maiden name - they lost my grad ones which totally held me up! Hmmm...well, last year most people heard around February 19, so perhaps they have quite a few more this time around.

Hi, Has anyone who applied to Columbia Social Work for the January 15 deadline heard yet? Thanks and good luck to all!

Congrats on the NYU decision! I wonder what is holding Columbia up? Nobody from the Jan. 15 deadline batch seems to have heard yet.

Good luck everyone Wow - I did not know they offered scholarships for AmeriCorps? I did it for two years...is it too late to apply to WUSTL? TerriM - I wanted to give you my opinion on school debt for whatever it is worth...I am in my mid-30's with quite a bit of work experience and some debt from undergrad and my MPH. I am now considering going into a LOT more debt for an MSW and this is why: First off, I am not interested in owning a home as I am very mobile and travel a lot to live/work in other countries. Home ownership feels more like a burden than an asset to me, personally. Therefore, my priority is spending money on an education not a mortgage or car payments. You must assess your priorities and I suppose I prefer the investment of knowledge/experience. You cannot put a price on education. A very good education - one that you may have to go into debt for - will reward you and open doors for you throughout your entire life. Think about all the many years of work you have ahead of you. People always say, "The name of the school does not matter!" Well, that is simply untrue. And I know this because both my undergrad and masters in public health are from West Virginia University and I have had a lot of prospective employers and people in my competitive field question my legitimacy/ability/knowledge because my degree is from a “second-rate” school. (Let me just add here that I loved WVU, found many brilliant people there and feel honored to have attended – sadly not everyone sees the value in the institution. I do loathe the snobbery I have encountered because of my beloved alma matar.) Anyone who says the name if your school does not matter does not truly know what they are talking about. I am in the competitive field of international human rights and you better believe it does! I suppose it also depends on what field you want to enter, as well. But it take it from me – someone who has a broad range of experiences from local and to international organizations – the sad truth is there is a lot in a ‘name.’ My advice, TerriM, is to go to the school you are most interested in and you feel can offer you the most. Worry about that before money – as money is just, well, money.

Hi TerriM, Perhaps this is a bit off topic - but when you say you can't afford Columbia, do you mean you simply don't want to take out that amount of loans? I still have not heard from them yet...oh well. Did you decide to pass on Pitt? I'm from Pittsburgh and it is a wonderful city. Best of luck on your decision!

Forget the Peace Corps - go with the international (UK-born) CUSO-VSO out of Canada now recruiting Americans. They are fantastic and the perfect way to get into the competitive, hard to break into field of international development. It has a lot more respect than Peace Corps with INGO’s as they are known for dealing more in capacity building rather than service delivery (ie teaching English or digging wells.) Most people are into their 30’s bit there are some late 20-somethings with the org. You do need to have some work experience, however. I have been doing VSO for about three years (!) and am just finishing up. I also volunteered for AmeriCorps for two years...sometimes it amazes me to write that down as it is just really sinking in that I will have spent five full year as a fulltime "paid" volunteer. Wow - I need to "get a job." That is my plan B.

Hi all, What about a very poor undergrad GPA of 2.77 but a graduate GPA of 3.5 (MPH)? Will they automatically just throw out my app when they first see the 2.77 or will they look deeper into my grad transcripts?

Do you think schools that are swamped with apps right now just automatically screen out the really low GPA's to expedite things - or do you think they actually read each and every personal statement? Seriously...even in social work I have my doubts that they go that far with the low-GPA folk. Any thoughts?

Me too! Turning 36 shortly, that is...and I'm applying to get my second masters degree that may put me $100,000 in debt if I get into into my "dream" schools. Completely lacking sense? Of course! Working to fulfill goals? Yes. Screw it...I'll do that no matter what it costs. It's only money after all. I've been living in a tiny one roomed place in northern Thailand for the past three years where I've been volunteering and making a "local wage" to survive. I have never been happier. I don't mind dying with debt.

I concur...AmeriCorps/VISTA is great. I actually did it for two years and got so much out of my first one, but the second one I did a few years later was not nearly as engaging. I used the end of service award money for my first masters degree and it was nice. I suppose I love volunteering in some twisted way as I'm finishing up a three year contact with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) here in Thailand working with refugees from Burma. It is a great organization and a fantastic plan B! (you do, however, need some professional skills and experience that meet their needs.) Check them out! http://www.cuso.org/?setlang=/ They are out of Canada but now recruiting US citizens.

Well - I can tell you how I did it. It is the "back door" approach and seems to really work! Anyone who has a bachelor's degree is eligible to sign up for grad classes as a "non degree-seeking student." So, what I did was sign up for a couple of grad classes on a non-degree basis and worked really hard to earn A's and get to the know the faculty in the department. Once they got to know me and saw that I could handle grad work and had the commitment level, I was recommended for admission. I think this is the absolute best way for someone with a poor undergrad transcript to redeem themselves. Look into it and you will be surprised what opportunity comes your way! Do you have any local schools that interest you?

I agree - don't give up! I did absolutely terrible in undergrad - I had a 2.77 and countless withdraws. But I spent a couple years volunteering with AmeriCorps and really involving myself in the community and got accepted to study for my MPH. Granted, the school was far from top-tier, but it put me in a position for loads of opportunity! Do you have a bit of professional experience in the field? This will help tremendously. Hang in there!

Hi, I had posted something earlier in the Social Work forum about this, but just wanted to get a broader sense on the reasonableness of my current source of anxiety: My undergrad GPA is a woeful 2.77 - but it was years ago; I just did not have my crap together. I then went on to get an MPH with a respectable 3.5. However, on the grad app for Columbia's Social Work MS program (policy practice) they asked me to list all schools attended and degrees awarded - however they only asked me to list my sad, little undergrad GPA - not my slightly more respectable grad GPA. This leads me to believe that they are more concerned about my undergrad numbers. On the other hand, I have been working overseas for three years in Thailand on advocacy issues with Burmese refugees/political activists in exile. I also played a significant role in developing and funding a health program for homeless women in Chicago. I just hope they look past those diminutive numbers and see this hard work. My neurotic, rambling question is: Will they simply glance at that 2.77 and ditch my app before digging a little deeper?Any insight on this? Thank you so much!

Hi and Congrats, What do you think about U Penn? How is it for SW policy? Thanks! ann

Hi, I am waiting to hear from CUSSW, I just applied before the Jan 15 deadlines, and their curriculum is perfect for both my policy interests and my grassroots, international interests. However, I'm 36 and don't really need more debt! Any advice on a top-notch school that might fulfill my specific requirements while not putting me so far in debt? I am thinking Columbia might be worth the debt as it does meet so many of my needs. I hope I am not too far here. Anyone heard back lately? Thank you! Ann

Hi Amanda, Was your CUSSW degree/experience worth it? Do you know anything about the policy track? Thank you!!

Can you get US government aid if you apply to Oxford as a US citizen?

Thank you so much for your words of support! I have been quite nervous about this process as my undergrad transcripts look like a crime scene with the many "W" fro from withdrawing from classes. Anyway, I submitted today. So I feel relieved! I am also thinking about applying to the New School International Affairs MA, but I wonder, in all honesty, how much a degree like this will get you a job. Good luck and thanks all! ann

Hi, Applying to the Columbia University School of Social Work with a very low undergrad GPA of 2.77, however I have an MPH where I redeemed myself earning a 3.5. Any thoughts on how much this low undergrad GPA will hurt me? I also have loads of experience, including three years working overseas on refugee issues. Thank you!