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LetsPlayHungryHungryHippos

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Posts posted by LetsPlayHungryHungryHippos

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2015 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Were you involved in extracurricular sties to the campus/program? And if so what toes of opportunities are available for being more involved ?

     

    I was involved mostly on campus.  Some of the organizations are part of the undergrad student union, but they still let graduate students join.  For the faculty, there is the student council, and also opportunities to be an MSW student representative on various committees.  There are also some other clubs at the faculty, but I'm not too familiar with them (did stuff for black history month, etc)

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2015 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Do you think it's anywhere in the neighborhood of realistic to retain a part-time job while in the program?

    I would love it if I could continue working one or two days a week.

     

    I worked a part-time job of approximately 10 hours/week, as well as a handful of extracurricular activites.  Next year, I'm going to cut down a bit.  It's definitely possible, some people did it, but its difficult, especially in the first semester when assignments can get a little crazy.

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2015 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Yes thank you for posting!!! I was actually wondering how the semesters are broken up, I can't seem to find this anywhere. Also I'm not sure if you or anyone you know are in a collaborative program but I wanted to know more about the application and admission process for that.

    I will leave it there for starters because I could really go on haha !

     

    Sure, so the semester this year went Sept- beginning of December, then Jan to the end of March, with practicum continuing until the end of May.  I was planning on doing a collaborative program, so I looked into it, but I dont think I'm going to end up doing it.  To be honest, I'm not entirely sure myself when to apply to it.  You basically have to communicate with the department you want to do a collaborative program with, and find out what they require for it (usually like, a specific course, and one or two other things related to social work courses, not entirely sure on this one)  Best to actualy email the department you are interested in speaking with.

     

    Here are some dates that vaguely outline the semesters: http://socialwork.utoronto.ca/current-students-services/dates-deadlines/

    Feel free to ask more questions if you like!

     

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Hi Everyone!

    I've been lurking this forum for a while and it seems y'all would be a fantastic bunch to get some advice from.

    Here's the thing - I would like to do an MSW, but I don't know if my application is going to fly. Here's my credentials:

    -undergraduate thesis in cognitive psychology

    -4.00 GPA in my last 5.0 credits, 3.94 CGPA and 2.0 credits left to do this year

    -80 hour placement working with children with hearing impairments

    - ~50 hours volunteering in an elementary after school program

    -certificate in religious diversity dialogue from the multifaith center at U of T - attended training sessions and organized/presented at a retreat to attain this

    -2 year campus club exec experience including president of a large club

    -2 year convention organizer for a convention with 2,000 - 3,000 attendees

    -camp counsellor for a once a year, 5-day youth camp 3 years in a row

    -research assistant for a year (mostly a paper pusher but still)

    As you can see, I don't have a lot of direct social/community service experience compared to most other applicants (will be doing more this year). I was thinking that academically, if I keep up the grades then I would have a pretty good shot at U of T atleast, but probably not other programs where experience counts for a lot more. In addition, even if I could get into U of T I don't know if that would be wise because I feel like having more experience under my belt would give me more confidence and insight and make me more ready for the masters program.

    I don't know, what do you guys think? Is it worth it to apply to other than U of  T? Should I consider some post-grad college programs to get better placement opportunities? Should I just do a second bachelors?

    Looking forward to your responses!

     

    I think your application looks great! I agree that it is not for all schools, particularly ones that look for professional experience, but there is no harm in trying (except for application fees :P), particularly since GPA is a large part of applying.

    A lot of your experience can be called community service experience (schools, children, etc).  I encourage you to look at Calgary's application profile, as they had a list of things that were considered community and social work volunteer hours that you might not expect.

    If you want to be a social worker or do an MSW, then I think you should go for that and not worry too much about other programs - since you seem to be on the right track for an MSW.  If you would like to take a year to volunteer and take a break from school, then there is nothing wrong with that (i did it!). However talking to people I know that have graduated from MSW programs, even with boatloads of experience beforehand, a lot of them never feel "ready", that just likely comes with years of career experience and gaining a level of comfort the the actual profession.

    What would you do a second bachelor's in - are you referring to a BSW or something completely different?  Also, if you do apply to post-grad college programs keep in mind that UofT does not accept academic references from college professors, only ones from universities.

    Have you looked into Waterloo (1 year BSW, 1 year MSW) or programs outside of Ontario (if you didn't want to only apply to UofT)?

    I wish you luck and keep us updated, you seem to be on the right track for at least some programs, and it's good that you are thinking about this thoroughly.

    -LetsPlayHungryHungryHippos

    (ps, I got into UofT this year and I also feel a little unprepared and overwhelemed by going into a Masters program, but I'm just going for it anyways :) )

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    I hear you.  I have a B+ (but more recently I took some 200 level courses with A's)  and an undergrad in Business (absoluntely not relevent) and some volunteering and more relevent personal experience.  I recommend contacting Angela and asking if you can speak with someone about your applicaton, though typically they make you wait until after classes start in the fall.  I did get to talk on the phone with someone who told me I had a good application, my grades were good and the only way she would improve it is to change one of my references and get a bit more volunteering.   So I thought I was a shoe in this year, as I am now facilitating peer support groups at BFO as well continuing my work with Hospice Toronto.   But now I am sitting here wait listed again.  What can you do, but refocus and apply again next year. 

    That sounds cool, how exactly did you get feedback on your application?  Did you call Angela in the fall and ask to speak with someone?

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Just got accepted into the Two Year MSW Clinical Stream program at U of C!  My hands were shaking and the tears came! Can't wait to meet with anyone here who is going!  And LetsPlayHungryHungryHippos, Calgary is AWESOME!  And the clinical program holds a lot of weight for jobs, whether you are in Alberta or Ontario.  Psychotherapy is also a regulated profession with their own college in Ontario as of this past April so thats a bonus for us clinical RSW's!  Come and have a view of the rocky mountains!

    Thanks for the shout out and congratulations, you must be so happy!

    I actually not too sure on my interest for clinical social work, that's a huge factor when it comes to my deciding whether or not I will take the placement.  I'm still all over the place on that regard; I'm still interested in policy, international social work, health promotion, hospital social work, etc.

    The rockies sure do sound tempting though :P

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by LetsPlayHungryHungryHippos

    I just called Angela - can I say she is so lovely - and she told me that the selection committee is meeting this week and as people are selected they will be contacted.  So there is no hard firm date (boo) and it looks like if people are selected it may even be next week.   I also asked how many people are on the wait list and she said they will not disclose that.

     

    Personally I am moving my "I am not holdng to hope" date until the end of next week - last year the wait list bearly budged after June.  But after that I have to let this go and move on...even though I don't like the situation I am moving on to.  

     

    I'm so happy to have this forum.

     

    In my experience of bureaucracy meeting "this week" means the middle of next week, but I'll hold out hope.

    Thank you so much for checking! My slight insanity in this waiting will have to go on, but at least we have some info.  Do you know if she was walking about for the advanced standing or 2 year program?

    I'm also happy to have this forum, we can all commiserate :P

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Thanks for your reply and congrats on your acceptance.  I know you posted earlier that you were unsure about the program, from everything I have heard U of C has an excellent program - one aspect that I like about their program is they are known to bring in a lot of sessional instructors which provides exposure to learning from people working in the field and with a broad range of experiences.  That said, I understand that making the move is a difficult choice and comes with its own challenges.

    Thank you for your congrats and your support!  My biggest concern is the ability to move back out east when I am finished with the program.  I also have an acceptance to an education program - I am very itnerseted in workshop development so I'm not sure if it would benefit me to have it, or if I could supplement that education elsewhere

    Best of luck for your own acceptances.

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Long time lurker first time poster.....I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about U of C, it seems many of you have applied to programs out east.  I am on the wait list, but am curious to know how many students they usually accept into the advanced clinical stream and if any one has any insight into the movement on the wait list.  Just trying to figure out my next steps based on the likely hood of getting in.....thanks for any input you may have and congrats to those of you that have been accepted.

    I got accepted off of the wait-list for the two year program at UofC last week - they notified me by e-mail.  Unfortunately I don't know anything about the advanced stream program.

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Anyone has news about McGill?

    May is up to end and my application status has remained  as "In review".

    Is there anyone waiting too?? or Am I the only one??

    Time goes by, that's not fair at all.

    Your user description says M.Eng Mining - just wanted to let you know that this is a thread for the MSW (masters of social work) wait-list, so I'm not sure if this is the thread you were looking for.  Either way good luck with your application!

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Thank you so much for this information, very nice to know there is still a possibility. I'm just wondering for those of you on the wait list what have you been doing while in this limbo? Is anyone going to reapply in the Fall if they don't get in?

    I did just get accepted off a wait-list, but while I was still in limbo I was definitely focussing on doing more volunteering, possibly taking some courses related to social work, and reapplying next fall.  I was also considering getting some sort of a degree in education since I had been accepted into those programs.

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2014 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    I second this THANK YOU, I'll stop checking my email every 5 minutes now. :)

     

    I really don't like this "IF there are any openings" thing. Ugh. Hope is dwindling. Didn't people have to respond by May 8th or something? Weird.

    I can relate to the checking your e-mail every 5 minutes, haha.  Only now I find I'm also checking this forum to see if anyone has heard anything, glad we can take a break until next week (though also moderately stressed)

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