Hi, everyone,
This is my first post, but I've been reading much of the forum and it's so incredibly helpful. I know that no one can really tell what my chances are, but with your experience reviewing other people's posts and hearing about who's gotten in and who hasn't over time, I wonder if you could spot any issues or have any advice for me. (Plus, I always love to read other people's stats and their stories!)
My stats:
1. My long-term goal is to be a clinician. My interests are psychodynamic modalities and ideally, I would like to eventually work both as an employee for a larger hospital/agency/etc and to have a LCSW private practice. Eventually, I would like to complete the PhD in social work at Smith. Looking for CSW licensing in CT/NY/MA (depending on where we end up living).
2. Applying to MSW programs for Fall 2015 at Columbia, NYU, Hunter, and UConn. First choice is the NY program at Sarah Lawrence.
- Currently finishing up a BA in Psychology and Philosophy from a good state university. GPA: 3.91 but I have 3 more semesters and it will hopefully go up a bit more. Part of the classes taken years ago at an Ivy League. I dropped out then because I was a brand new immigrant, v intimidated by the school, balancing full-time work with school, no idea what I was doing with myself. Did not leave on bad terms, got good grades while there, and paid off all debts to this school since. But I did interrupt my BA for over 10 years and worked.
- CLINICAL EXP: Employee at a somewhat clinical capacity for a mental health center that is part of an Ivy League.
- RESEARCH EXP: I know it's not a must, but part of my job is also to RA for the clinic's studies. I also RA'd for 1 year at the same clinic as a student.
- VOLUNTEER: Almost 2 years of weekly volunteer work as a counselor for a teen suicide prevention hotline. 1 year of RA'ing at said Ivy; random volunteer for local mental health center for low and no-income population with severe mental illness.
- WORK HISTORY: almost 10 years of experience. This is a career change for me and I think I can make a relatively compelling argument for being sure that this is what I want to do with my life and being completely committed to this career.
- REFERENCES: current supervisor/PI who is also professor at same Ivy; volunteer hotline supervisor; v nice professor at current undergrad. I think the hotline volunteer letter might just be a v basic letter, not really sure if they go beyond that?
Other stuff: This year I won a big private scholarship; I freelance and have published articles for some big name websites. In my 30s, minority in several ways (not that these are merits in any way, I just know that sometimes programs are a little favorable to applicants with "diverse" backgrounds)
My concerns:
1. My work history is a bit all over the place and kind of varies from mid-level management positions to more administrative positions. Same overall field and only 4 employers in 13 years, but I was really looking for what I wanted to do with my life and I bounced around a bit:
- Employer 1: 5 years: 2 promotions, quit because I moved
- Employer 2: 2 years: quit because I found a better job
- Employer 3: less than 1 year: left on great terms, because I had a life event, supervisor still gives me great references
- Employer 4: 3 years: laid off, not for performance, company went down
- Employer 3 again: 1 year, quit for better job
- Employer 3 again: present job, amazing opportunity in the field, plan on keeping this throughout grad school
2. I didn't finish undergrad when I first started it. But that was 12 years ago and since I returned last year, I've been taking a lot of classes, working my butt off, and maintaining a good GPA. I'm not a flaky person in any way, it's just taken me till now, in my 30s, to get the courage to really go for what I want. Immigrating from my country of origin really messed with me and knocked me off-track for a few year and I kind of lost track of what I wanted and what I could reasonably accomplish.
3. Everything!
What do you think?... Any and all advice and critiques are appreciated.