Val006

After 2 years of assertively applying for grants, I finally was awarded and now next semester don't have to teach and pay my own salary to do my dissertation research.  Its very cool!

I am in my 3rd year PhD in a Social Work Program at a top 10 R1 institute. I applied for 5 psychology PhD programs and 2 Social Work programs, I got into none of the PhD programs (however i have an undergrad and master's degree in social work).  I think a big critique depending on the program you apply for is having a minimum of two years in the field prior to application.  I had low GRE scores however because I had 5 years of experience and varied experience in the field,  I think it helped round out my application.  I would suggest really making a strong argument about why you do not need 2 years (for example you have a strong focus and know you want to pursue research etc.) As I mentioned our school wont even look at applications unless they have 2 years post MSW experience so i would encourage you to check out the schools you are interested in and prepare to have a strong justification.  Speaking to our school again, we typically get 35-50 applicants and accept 4-6 so its not overly competitive.  It sounds like you are well positioned.  If you have any questions, feel free to message me.  Good luck!

Happy Soul, I just wanted to share my experience to perhaps provide you with some optimism and hope.  I am an international student from Canada, was involved in the application process last year for a PhD program in psychology and social work.  Unfortunately I wrote my GREs at the last minute and did horribly... I decided to still proceed and submit my applications (despite they were top Universities in America).  Social Work is more holistic in their perspective and low and behold my strengths and experiences behind my GREs were acknowledged and I am now in my first year in a PhD Program in Social Work at a top 10 ranking school.  Don't give up hope... it sounds like you have amazing perseverance and the intelligence to go along, good luck!

Happy Soul, I just wanted to share my experience to perhaps provide you with some optimism and hope.  I am an international student from Canada, was involved in the application process last year for a PhD program in psychology and social work.  Unfortunately I wrote my GREs at the last minute and did horribly... I decided to still proceed and submit my applications (despite they were top Universities in America).  Social Work is more holistic in their perspective and low and behold my strengths and experiences behind my GREs were acknowledged and I am now in my first year in a PhD Program in Social Work at a top 10 ranking school.  Don't give up hope... it sounds like you have amazing perseverance and the intelligence to go along, good luck!

Hello! 
@Happysoul, I think you're amazing for making steps towards moving overseas, with family, to pursue academia/research. I don't know what the admission committees are looking for, but from an outsider's perspective, your record looks impressive!!  
I'm also super anxious about the whole process. I'm prepared for rejection, but prepared to reapply! I keep telling myself: Good things take time and patience (and the "good" is a flexible construct!)

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has heard back from UBCO MSW admissions? I would love to know how difficult and competitive it is to get in. I noticed that there aren't many discussions on UBCO applications for Social Work on this website.

Thanks again everyone for the encouragement, apparently good things do come to those who wait... I am in!

Congratulations!  I found out today that I was also accepted with full funding... it seems like the pattern emerging from this theme is hopefully a positive one for those in similar circumstances.  Best of luck to everyone.

I think it really depends on how your experience and career goals align with the goals of the program; at least that's what I was told in interviews. A lot of schools are really research-focused and looking for students with either research experience or research "aptitude." I won't have any post-MSW experience, so when I reached out to the programs I was interested in, I made sure it was clear that I have independent research experience, and I'm looking to do research, not to teach practice courses. I also realize this will limit me when I go on the market. Program directors seem to view this as a strength, whereas some professors discourage it. Again, it all comes down to fit rather than numbers, I think. Obviously numbers help build your case, but it's really the whole package.
 
I have also had better success with programs I did have a POI at, in terms of research fit. I was a bit lazy at a couple schools, sent in an app late at one and never really did much liaising at the other to build a relationship with a POI. Got rejected from the first and haven't heard from the second. Oops. Ha.
 
For what it's worth, a program director told me that MSW GPA is irrelevant for PhD apps, because pretty much everyone who graduates from an MSW program has a 4.0. I know that's true of my program.

Hang in there Val006, being wait listed is no fun but I doubt they wait list many people and the people Pitt does accept off the bat aren't all going to take it. Pittsburgh is a great school and city, i hope you get in. 
Good luck to everyone...

I agree with everyone, the waiting is brutal... I was feeling hopeful that this week I would hear back from one of my final schools (Pittsburgh), and I did however the news was now I am on the wait list.... so more waiting!!  Anyone else waiting on a wait list, and any experience or words of wisdom or perhaps even optimism for those of us who are in this predicament?
 
Thank-you all!

From what I have heard, no interviews and we should hear by March 1st. Getting so close now!

Hi Everyone,
 
We have been commenting that this forum seems to be more quiet so I thought I would start a new topic.  How many of you have applied for the Joint PhD Program?  Which Social Science did you apply for and why are you particularly interested in the joint program?  Areas of research?
 
Reviewing former result search, it appears that in previous years the applications went from social work admissions to the social science admission at the end of January and then offers seem to have been made around mid February to early March- so time is slowly starting to come around.
 
I did see one interview posted for the PhD Social Work Program for University of Michigan.  Has anyone else heard anything?