MissyTee

BC actually didn't offer me any scholarship which I'm a bit surprised by- I got offered at least a little something by everyone else and I thought BC was known to be generous but it was actually one of the cheapest I applied to- the tuition with no scholarship comes out to about $5-6,000 more than Penn with scholarship I was given. But maybe this is the universe's way of telling me I need to leave the neighborhood. Other than my 4 years undergrad and 2 years abroad, I've lived my whole life in Chestnut Hill. It's just hard when certain opportunities they have for working with immigrants and refugees is strong (but competitive). I'm hoping I could replicate that experience at Penn but I worry they just don't have "enough".

I have to get back to both Penn and Columbia with an answer tomorrow for an MSW and I'm absolutely freaking out about it. I don't know how many more pro/con charts I can make! I am looking to do an MSW with a macro focus (program and community organization) that incorporates international/global social work. I have a strong interest in migration and human rights (did a summer course at York Univ Toronto on refugee issues and might go back there after MSW for Grad Diploma) and would like to try to incorporate this into my coursework. At Columbia, an International Social Welfare minor would allow me to take ~ 9 credits at SIPA. At Penn, there is an interdisciplinary Global Human Rights Certificate that allows courses from the law, business, and social policy schools- it sounds very intriguing but it doesn't seem so well known. was in Philly last week and love that city and found Penn so friendly and wonderful but don't know if they have enough for international social work and work with refugees that Columbia is more known for. I could take advantage of some of their fledgling global opportunities to craft my own program though. But Columbia has all the connections that come with being part of that institution and being in New York. Columbia SW has no global study opportunities because to them, New York is the center of the universe and they feel they can give you everything you need right there. I like New York, I'd be happy there but I know living in Philly might be less stressful (saw some of my Philly friends' apartments and was blown away by the size!) and I'd have a little more leeway with budgeting. Columbia would be ~$12,000-$15,000 more and while that doesn't need to be the deciding factor, it does stick out. To compound to the problem, I begged Boston College to tell me if I was admitted and they graciously told me over the phone that I am but have no idea of any $ yet. I don't have to give BC an answer tomorrow so I still have time to consider it along with either Columbia or Penn (which I hate to do to another program but oh well). BC has a great focus on immigrant integration which I'm very interested in but their global practice program is something I would have to apply for and not know if I was accepted into until winter of next year. It's a highly competitive program because they allow you flexibility with where to your global field placement. I didn't get into it, I suppose I would be happy picking something else but it wouldn't be ideal. I basically grew up and currently live next to Boston College, but would not be living be at home if I went there, I have spent enough time living at home. I like Boston and everything here is familiar and there would be little to change but I wonder if I should try a new city, even with a great program in line with my interests right in my backyard. Any advice at all would be so appreciated. I have never met anyone as indecisive as I am- for undergrad I sent in deposits to three different schools and mostly picked the one I ended up at because it gave me a Facebook before any of the others (back when Facebook was college kids only!). I mean, it turned out fine, but I can't do that this time around. Thanks!

Anyone else absolutely down to the wire with 4/15 answer date? I have to get back to both Penn and Columbia with an answer tomorrow and I'm absolutely freaking out about it. I don't know how many more pro/con charts I can make! I was in Philly last week and love that city and found Penn so friendly and wonderful but don't know if they have enough for international social work and work with refugees that Columbia is more known for. I could choose classes in other schools and take advantage of some of their fledgling global opportunities to craft my own program though. But Columbia has courses with SIPA and of course it's New York and has all the connections that come with being in Columbia. I like New York, I'd be happy there but I know living in Philly might be less stressful. Columbia would be ~$12,000-$15,000 more and while that doesn't need to be the deciding factor, it does stick out. To compound to the problem, I begged Boston College to tell me if I was admitted and I am but have no idea of any $ yet. I don't have to give BC an answer tomorrow so I still have time to consider it along with either Columbia or Penn (which I hate to do to another program but oh well). BC has a great focus on immigrant integration which I'm very interested in but their global practice program is something I would have to apply for and not know if I was accepted into until winter of next year. If I didn't get into it, I suppose I would be happy picking something else but it wouldn't be ideal. I basically grew up and currently live next to Boston College, but would not be living be at home if I went there, I have spent enough time living at home. I like Boston and everything here is familiar and there would be little to change but I wonder if I should try a new city, even with a great program in line with my interests right in my backyard. Any advice at all would be so appreciated. I have never met anyone as indecisive as I am- for undergrad I sent in deposits to three different schools and mostly picked the one I ended up at because it gave me a Facebook before any of the others (back when Facebook was college kids only!). I mean, it turned out fine, but I can't do that this time around. Thanks!

Ugh, I haven't heard from BC either and I feel it's a little obnoxious. Yes, I applied there latest out of all the others because of it's late deadline but really, that was still the beginning of February. On March 30, they sent an email saying I should hear in 2-4 weeks but I need to give answers to 4 other schools by April 15th and will most likely choose one of those programs because I've been able to do open houses, talk with students, etc.

I'm a non-religious Jewish superliberal who currently does social action organizing in Boston and I've applied to BC for social work school. It's very funny as I share some of the same concerns as you. I grew up steps away from the campus and know faculty there in economics, law, and sociology- mostly my parents' Jewish friends- who have said that for Jewish grad students it is a wonderfully warm, welcoming environment, albeit one with crucifixes in all the classrooms. Grad students seem to be more diverse with social work and education having more students of color (I only know white students in the Management and Law Schools but that might just be my exposure). Attitudes towards LGBTQ students and issues are so different than what I remember growing up- even 10 years ago it was not a supportive environment but that really seems to have changed. It really isn't how it was in the 90s with it being majority Catholic kids. However, one thing that gave me pause was a social work professor told me that when students wanted to hold a discussion on gay marriage, the school insisted that someone from the Diocese be invited to give his side of the argument. The professor told me she appreciated that- in a "both sides of the story" way which I can appreciate, but don't necessarily agree with. The Diocese is visible in that way on campus. BC does have a strong social justice orientation towards many important issues. I'm very interested in working with immigrants and refugees and in this area, the connections BC has with organizations advocating for immigrant rights and refugee resettlement are strong. A real sense of fighting poverty and educating all can be felt. But issues like women's reproductive rights, comprehensive sex education, etc. might be met with some resistance. As the poster above said, it is Boston and this is a left-leaning social justice-y city with a lot to get involved in. While a typical BC student might lean more apathetic, there still would be opportunities on campus and off for you to participate in social justice work. It is really is an academically stellar institution in many areas. I hope this helped somewhat.

I am looking to do an MSW with a macro focus (program and community organization) that incorporates international/global social work. I have a strong interest in migration and human rights (did a summer course at York Univ Toronto on refugee issues and might go back there after MSW for Grad Diploma) and would like to try to incorporate this into my coursework. At Columbia, an International Social Welfare minor would allow me to take ~ 9 credits at SIPA. At Penn, there is an interdisciplinary Global Human Rights Certificate that allows courses from the law, business, and social policy schools- it sounds very intriguing but it doesn't seem so well known. I'm quite split on the two schools in other areas but wanted to see if anyone had any input on either of these programs to enhance the experience. I'm also considering Denver and that is more focused on sustainable development and environmental issues, but it would have a similar setup with classes at Korbel but for some reason, I'm not as jazzed about Denver (partly because it's lower ranked, though I know that doesn't matter much with SW). I wish I hadn't been so discouraged in pursuing International Development instead of social work as I think I would have been fine in a program like Korbel has.

Those who went to the Admitted Students Day- thanks for your input. I was wondering what they could possibly fit into 7 hours. I was supposed to go to UPenn Admitted Students Day on that same day but weather made it impossible for me to travel to both New York and Philly. So I'm off to New York today and I'll be attending a short admitted students info session on Wednesday at Columbia and might possibly go tomorrow as well to tour since I'll be staying right near the campus. I'll let you know my thoughts. I've found Columbia's website lacking in terms of information and have gotten a much more warmer vibe from UPenn so it's interesting to hear people's thoughts. Good luck to you all!

While Penn doesn't have the exact program I thought I wanted, they have another really interesting program for MSW that is unique and I have always loved everything about the school, from communicating to admissions people to the fact that they required an interview- it felt like they really wanted to know me. I briefly visited a friend in Philly last summer and quickly fell in love with the diversity of the city- it seemed familiar to me as a Bostonian but more integrated (though I could be wrong, I was there a few days). I am going this Saturday to the open house, which conflicted with Columbia's open house but Columbia offers some other dates and I really wanted to see Penn. I think Penn has an edge over Columbia- I'm a bit worried that NYC living could stress me out. Also, still waiting on more information from Michigan and I think Mich and Penn will be my top 2 as well. I'm holding off on visiting Mich for right now. There are a lot of great things about Mich and as a Big Ten alum, I'd love to go back to an awesome college town with a vibrant campus life and its SSW offers so much. Looks like we are all in very fortunate positions to be deciding among these great MSW programs!

I have seen a number of people on here applying for Fall 2015 that have expressed that they want to pursue a specialization or certification in Global or International Social Work. I am so happy to hear that you are out there and exist because other than my two mentors who have been out of school for years, very few people around me seem to know that this specialization is a thing at MSW programs and can offer only limited advice. As we start to hear back from schools and need to make some decisions, I was wondering if any of you can share your thoughts and insights about what you're looking for in a program that offers a global social work focus. Also, does a certificate versus a concentration/specialization mean anything? Does one carry more weight? One thing I'm struggling with is that I really like everything about UPenn's MSW program- the foundation curriculum, the smaller size, etc. They offer an interdisciplinary certificate in Global Human Rights- which is something I'm very interested in and I love the ability to take courses at the law school. Do you think a certificate program like this combined with an international placement and the courses they offer in global social work would be equivalent to a certificate/specialization in International Social Work?

It's been 2+ weeks since I saw my decision on Wolverine Access but I still haven't received anything official by email. Should I let them know? I'm also wondering if I would have heard anything from the Global Activities office at this point for GASP. This is frustrating.

Anyone planning on going to the Accepted Students day on March 21st? I know Penn is also holding something that day but Columbia's looks to be an all day thing and Penn's is only 2 hours, so I thought it would be more worthwhile to go to Columbia's and see Penn another time.

It looks like they need a deposit and response by March 30. Does anyone know if you can request a later date if you still aren't decided?

Hi Ali, My Wolverine Access page said "Application Complete" for about a month and a half and while I had the application in on December 1st, I didn't have a recommendation in until around Jan 10. Then 2 weeks ago, I saw an acceptance decision. I wouldn't give up just yet. Best of luck!

Ahhhh as soon as I saw this board hopping I broke my promise of checking my email until later tonight. And my Penn decision was waiting for me too! Ahhhh I'm in! Congratulations everyone! And good luck to everyone waiting...hold tight!

I've been very Zen waiting for Columbia, telling myself an email will come in due time. But I'm thinking of setting a deadline- if I don't hear by next Monday it will be time to call. In checking the Results page for last year, it looks like people got answers through April but hoping those are people who applied later.

Yesterday when I got my postal mail, there was a UMichigan envelope. Tore it open thinking it might have some shred of important information. But it was just a poster with general information about the school. Like a brochure in poster form. So odd.

Yes, applied and sent in about 3 weeks ago- it was my last application. Also attended a prospective student open house in the fall because I live right next to the campus.

Still waiting for the acceptance letter after seeing admission last week on Wolverine Access. I applied for Global Activities Scholars Program and would be incredibly shocked if I was accepted to that (basically applied as a "why not"). Would I find out that information in the acceptance letter or at a later point? Thinking about switching to one of the Peace Corps programs if t is possible to do so after I know my status about GASP.

Tucson, in my opinion, is so much more interesting and fun than Phoenix and has a lovely sense of community. I'm from Boston but my father fell in love with Tucson when I was a kid, brother is a U of A grad, and my parents live out there in the winter. I was just there last week after 2 years away and the downtown area is so different- they have a light rail system and lots of hip new areas. It's a much more academic atmosphere than Phoenix and there are so many interesting projects that U of A has going on around the town. People are community minded and politically active and Tucson, like many college towns, tends to be a liberal oasis in red Arizona. In terms of housing, I'm so used to East Coast real estate that everything in Tucson seems like a bargain. The North side is going to be more expensive (Foothills, Oro Valley). Tucson is very easy to get around with a car, driving anywhere doesn't take more than 20 minutes and U of A campus is so central. There are cute casitas around the university you could possibly look at.

Nevermind all my bitching and moaning about never hearing. After swearing off looking on Wolverine Access for days until I got an email, I decided to peek this morning after getting multiple emails about the Peace Corps program and the Ask a Student webinar because I thought "Really? You're sending these to me and you still have no update? Ridiculous." But there was finally a "View Decision" link and notification of acceptance. I am beyond relieved. Thank you everyone for answering my questions!

I have toyed with the idea of applying for months now and then decided no, as I really prefer to Tucson to Phoenix and wasn't sure how small the Tucson program is (couldn't find information at all about it). But I'm back to thinking about it after my visit to Arizona last week to escape snowy Boston- such perfect weather! I am going to look into if I qualify for in-state tuition now and make a decision based on that.

So, it's been a bit over a month since my last recommender got her recommendation in (I submitted all other materialson December 1). Still no change in my status on Wolverine Access, no email, and no rejection letter in the mail. I had sent a request for an interview via their "Contact Us" box on their website and have not heard anything back. I will email the office directly now about the interview but I doubt that will change anything. Do you think they might just be holding off until they have better estimate of enrollment to give me a decision? It frustrates me because I love everything about Michigan but my interactions from schools with other schools have been much more pleasant.

I had the application in on the 1st but one recommender did not get her letter in until a week into January which was super frustrating. Once I knew everything was in, I checked into Wolverine Access to test it out. When it said "Application is Incomplete", I frantically called Michigan to see if something was really missing. After that call it changed to "Application is Complete". It really hasn't even been that long since then, but it feels like it. Continuing the waiting game...

Should I try to schedule an interview at this point or is it too late? I am a good interviewee, I didn't know this was an option or I would have done it.

I submitted the application November 30 also but was waiting on a recommender until early January. Grrr. I expect it to be a while before I have an answer from them but am considering attending one of the events in late February anyways.