bquinn

All great options! If I was willing to move (I live in Western Massachusetts) I would definitely be applying to Michigan, Denver, and UT Austin. I'm only applying to UConn because it's the only local school with a policy focus- if Smith wasn't just clinical, I'd apply there in a heartbeat! What concentration are you looking to do? Hopefully you hear from some schools soon!

As a fellow MA resident, I can tell you that it isn't against any rules to get paid for field placements. They're just very rare and tend to fill up quickly when offered!

Wow!!! That's ambitious and admirable! I'm still in the process of doing my personal statement (working on it at the moment, actually), but two of my letters are in (the other one will be done next week) and I'm going to request my transcript from undergrad tomorrow. Where are your top choices? What inspired you to apply to so many schools?! So curious about your process

Awesome! Have you submitted your application yet?

I was originally going to apply to UConn's MSW program in Policy Practice for Fall 2018, but recently changed my mind. I would have started the application sooner but I got married 10/1, went on my honeymoon, and then my brother passed suddenly the following week (10/19). Needless to say, my emotional capacity for dealing with life, nevermind the application process, has been limited. However, I've started the personal statement and have gotten 2 our of 3 recommendations in so far. I'm nervous that I won't get in (thanks, anxiety disorder!), but I'm applying with a 3.9 undergrad GPA, 4 years of experience in the field, and great recs from supervisors. I guess I'm just curious if there's anyone on here still in the thick of it! I'm hoping to have everything in by January 1 (app is due Feb 1). Ahhhh! PS: is anyone else here applying to UConn...? Doesn't seem to be too popular on these boards.

hi! i'm from new england and the only times i've heard of scsu's msw program is when it was being compared to uconn's. in those instances, the people i spoke to commented that uconn's program was overall much better, both in academics and field placement opportunities. if you're planning on staying in the area, i don't think it will be a huge issue. as long as it's accredited, you should be able to get a job in the area with no issues.

Hi everyone! I'm not applying until this coming fall, but I am visiting UT Austin on Monday-Wednesday to get a feel for the school and city. I live in Massachusetts, so I want to be sure that I like the area before I potentially commit to living there for a few years. I'm meeting with admissions and attending a few classes while I'm there. I made this post to get an idea of any questions I should be asking that maybe I haven't thought of yet. I have some in mind that I'm going to bring with me, but any feedback from you all would be helpful too! I just want to make sure I cover all my bases in my short time there. Thanks!

not sure if the person that submitted their acceptance on the results page checks this, but if you do, would you mind sharing your concentration/stats/date you applied?

thanks guys! it gets discouraging on here sometimes when i see applicants with amazing experience that i just don't have the opportunity to do in my area, which then puts me at a disadvantage for great programs. i will still apply, and hopefully when i take the GREs this summer my scores are on par with what my programs want. i appreciate the encouragement! this is a really supportive forum

this is making me think i shouldn't apply... all i have going for me is work experience and a good gpa i also want to do a macro focus but have no experience with that. thanks for your response, maybe it was the reality check i need.

for those of you who got in, would you mind sharing your stats?

hi! i'll also be applying this coming fall. i'm interested in macro level work with a policy focus and perhaps an international concentration. i work in social services now, but it's more clinical than macro. working in my current position is what made me shift from wanting a clinical degree to a macro one. i have a few schools that i'm definitely applying to: ut-austin, uconn, and upitt. i live near uconn and i think their program is amazing, so it's my first choice. however, i'm going down to texas in a few weeks to visit ut-austin to see if i could imagine myself there. as for pitt, the price is a little off-putting, but i'm planning on applying by the early deadline for guaranteed admission/scholarship. currently, i'm a graduating senior at a smaller state school in massachusetts, and i work full time doing outreach with adolescents and families. i'm trying to start volunteering with a local agency doing work with immigrants so i can have some experience for when i apply, but things are so busy with being a full time student and working full time. i'm already so anxious about applying and it's so far away!

that seems like such short notice! i only ask because going to UT would involve a cross country move, and i feel like i need to justify that with at least getting some money to go there. thanks for your response!

To those who have been accepted: does UT give out grants or scholarships?

I'm not an MSW student yet, but I work with many clinicians who have been through grad school. Every single one of them has told me that working full-time during grad school is a near impossible feat, and that they saw it lead to burn out and academic failure. They all worked part time during grad school, which is what I plan on doing. I feel like by working full time, you can't really devote enough energy toward your classes, which is why we're there, right? I'd be interested to know others' experiences who may have worked full time, and how you managed that.

It would be great to hear what UConn offers you all for financial aid, as it's tied for my first choice when I apply in the fall! Is it need or merit based? Also, anyone here applying for Policy or Administration? I'd be interested to know your stats and what drew you to that specific concentration, as I'm trying to decide between the two. Thanks!

I'm having great difficulty deciding on what type of program to apply to in the fall, so if anyone has insight, it would be greatly appreciated! Here's the deal: I originally thought getting an MSW was my only option. I intended on applying to UConn, UT-Austin, UPitt, and UMichigan, all for macro level programs (UConn is my first choice due to location, and I wanted to apply to the Policy concentration). However, once I started looking around at some dual degree programs, I noticed how well MPA and MPP programs fit in with what my dream job is: program manager at a nonprofit serving immigrants, refugees, and trafficked individuals. Now, I'm conflicted. Do I stick with the MSW alone? Do I change my concentration in the MSW, doing Administration instead of Policy? Do I do dual degrees? Or do I give up MSW altogether and go for the MPA, MPP, or MPAffairs programs? I'm not a clinical person, and I can really see myself excelling in a management role in a nonprofit. I'm just not sure having an MSW will be the right fit for employers. I also don't know if I would be as competitive for non-MSW programs. I'm about to graduate from a medium-sized state school in MA majoring in Psychology, I have a 3.8 GPA (no GREs yet), and I work in the social work field now doing outreach with teens and families (I've been in direct care for 2 years). I think I would be an ideal candidate for MSW programs rather than the others. So many questions! Help if you can, please!

Congrats! What specialization did you apply for? Do you mind sharing your stats? It's my first choice when I apply in the fall and I'm nervous!

I found it to be incredibly informative. I spoke with a current student in the Policy track and she really helped me gain insight on the program and the opportunities in it. I also spoke with some professors and students involved in the Center for International Social Work Studies, which I was also impressed by. I have heard mixed reactions to the school being selective or not; when I said my GPA (3.7) the Policy student I spoke with said I should have no problem getting in. Still unsure though! I'll be applying next fall, but best of luck! Michigan is an excellent program as well!

So, I went to the open house for UConn in November and was very impressed with their program. The fact that they have specializations in macro level work and international social work are huge for me. However... I haven't seen anyone on here applying there, and I'm wondering why? It seemed like an incredible program, but maybe you all know something I don't... any insight would be helpful!

Hmm, I thought about this one for awhile and narrowed down my list: 1. Director of a non-profit (pre-existing or self-started) that serves trafficked individuals, refugees, and immigrants (going to get my MSW or MPP, so yes, I think I will be qualified eventually!) 2. Adjunct professor in international social work/human rights (eventually, after more education and experience, yes) 3. Travel blogger (if I had the money, hell yeah!) 4. Kitty shelter owner (not sure what the qualifications for this are...)

Not on topic, but I'm curious about your 6 week internship- it sounds like something I might want to do! Can you tell me about what organization you did this through? Feel free to let me know in this thread or by PM! Thanks

I'm interested in some of the same things as well! Really want to work with immigrant/refugee/human trafficking populations, as well as do macro-level work in policy, advocacy, etc. for gender equality.

Hi! I won't be applying until next year, as I'm still an undergrad and want to take a year off after graduating, but I figure I'd chime in just to see! No GRE yet, taking them in the spring Current GPA: 3.71, but would like to see it go up to a 3.8 by graduation in May. Currently working as a bachelor's level outreach worker with mentally ill teens and their families, have previous experience working in a therapeutic after school program, as well as in residential homes as a direct care staff (~2 years of experience). I'm going to start volunteering at a local language institute to tutor in ESL. Great potential letters of recommendation from bosses, but I can't think of any professors to ask as I don't have a relationship with any :/ I'll be applying to UT Austin (CAL program), UPitt (dual degree in SW/International Development), BC (macro in global practice), and Monmouth University in NJ (concentration in international and community development). My main concern is the lack of academic references, as well as my major in psychology as it doesn't exactly "fit" with any kind of international social work :/