Nochal

Thanks, Beth! I'm not sure about scholarships/financial aid. I heard they'll be contacting people about that in future. Personally, I haven't even done FAFSA yet since my work hasn't given me my W2's yet.

The official letter which will be attached to the email will tell you. Congratulations on acceptance!

I'll be 26 when I start my MSW program in the Fall. I started undergrad when I was 20 and I've only been taking 3 courses at a time since I've been working full-time. (I will be quitting my job before beginning grad school, however.)

For me, I was accepted on wolverine access on the 19th and got the email on the 24th, so it wasn't too long of a wait.

I think it's better to be genuine in the personal statement, like you were, than to write something an admissions board may have heard hundreds of times, such as the "I work too hard" route. Being genuine yet professional allows the university to more see who you are and how much of a fit you will be in their program. I don't think what you submitted sounds shady.

Hello, Since so many of the applicants to UMich on these forums have heard back (and have been accepted!), I wanted to start a thread about the specifics of the program that we will be doing. I applied for the Management of Human Services practice method with a minor in Interpersonal Practice, along with Children and Youth as my practice area. When I applied, I couldn't decide between the Management or IP path, but I am glad that I chose Management as the focus since that is what I'd like to do during my career. I am now having second doubts concerning the IP minor, though. My program length is only 3 semesters (Advanced Standing), so other than field placement, I will only be taking 11 courses total: 4 in Fall, 4 in Winter, 3 in Spring/Summer. Using the course planning worksheet (for Fall 2014, unfortunately, as 2015 is not available yet), this is what my current course load would look like besides field placement: FALL -SW502 Organizational, Community, and Societal Structures and Processes -SW560 Intro to Community Organization, Management, and Policy/Eval Practice -SW623 Interpersonal Practice with Families -SW 661 Budgeting and Fiscal Management WINTER -SW660 Managing Projects and Organizational Change -SW663 Children and Youth Services and Social Policies -SW601 Adolescent Development and Behavior -SW683 Evaluation in Social Work SPRING/SUMMER -SW664 Management of Human Resources -SW696 Social Work Practice with Children and Youth -SW625 Interpersonal Practice with Children and Youth In bold are the courses that contribute to the IP minor. Unfortunately, since my program is so short, those two courses take up valuable slots that can be filled by other Management courses that may be more useful to my education. I could substitute those two courses with two of the following: -SW665 Executive Leadership and Organizational Governance -SW662 Management of Information Systems in Human Service Agencies -SW663 Grantgetting, Contracting, and Fund Raising These three seem very valuable to an education in Management if I want to one day hold a position in higher management. I don't want to miss out on taking them just for the sake of having a minor. I decided on the minor because my concern is that if I solely focus on management during my program, I won't have the IP background that an agency may be looking for when I apply for entry level social work jobs after finishing school. I was wondering if anyone had any input or insight into this situation. Also, feel free to post which practice method/practice area you will be doing. It's amazing how much variety there is in this program.

eastsidechickMSW, I believe I received the email regarding setting up wolverine access the day my application was received. Did you not receive that email? Congratulations, Stupid Guns!

Thanks zenkat and MermaidturnedMSW MermaidturnedMSW (and other U of M applicants), just fyi, I saw the decision on the website (Wolverine Access>Student>New/Prospective Student Business>Application Status>View Decision) if you were curious. I'm not sure how many decisions they've made, but that seems to be the first place most applicants find out the decision.

Just heard back today! Best of luck to everyone in getting into your top choice! "The University of Michigan School of Social Work is pleased to inform you that your application for admission to the Master of Social Work Program has been approved. Congratulations on your admission to the MSW Program!"

MSU's program looked great! Best of luck, zenkat!

I assume they're looking for a bit of both in your response, ns2564. I'm sure they're looking at not only your technical critical thinking skills (how you look at the social problem), but also how your solution to the social problem (which will say a lot about your values) aligns with the code of ethics.

I feel like I'm a strong applicant overall, but this is what I'm applying with: GPA 3.97 Baccalaureate of Social Work I don't plan on taking the GRE since none of the schools I'm looking at ask for it. (weird, eh?) Volunteer History: Worked with a monthly cancer support group for families with children for about a year and a half. Right now I'm half way through an internship at an agency providing permanent supportive housing. Relevant employment history: I've been working as a personal aide for people living with developmental disabilities for almost 3 years. LORS: Strong letter from the director of the cancer support place (also a MSW prof) Another strong letter from the county juvenile court administrator (a social work undergrad prof I had) Probably a weak letter from my manager at my job (I've never read her professional writing, but I'm sure she said good things) SOP: I worked hard on it, so *hopefully* it's good.

I think mentioning in passing that you understand the therapeutic process from experience on the receiving end won't hurt your statement. Actually, they say the best therapists are ones who have gone through it themselves. I agree with adacot regarding your second question: if you plan on working to provide for your family or are taking care of a disabled/elderly family member, then that may affect how well the school sees your potential for success in their MSW program.

Unfortunately, I don't have experience attending out-of-state programs. However, I would advise you to volunteer at local human services agencies in Massachusetts before you leave to do your MSW. This will allow you to make those personal connections to local agencies so they'll know who you are after you come back home after grad school. Even if you don't end up going back to Massachusetts, you'll still have had those learning experiences (and resume buffers!) that can help you in the future.

Finally got my last letter of recommendation submitted to complete University of Michigan's application. Having everything submitted is such a relief! My head is telling me to apply to a back-up school, but UofM is my definite top choice. I'll be really disappointed if I don't get in and end up going to another school. I applied for advanced standing with my BSW and "should" get accepted (3.97 GPA, a letter of recommendation from a professor in UofM's program, and I worked on my statement all Summer), but there's always that chance of rejection. Based on snooping around these forums, it looks like UofM has decisions for Dec 1 applicants in mid February. I'm crossing my fingers for everyone applying!