pickfights

Some of these questions are more appropriate for the programs themselves, esp the one about NYU's night + weekend classes, but I think general advice, esp regarding MSWs, is always go for cheaper. Name recognition means so little in this field, and you will most likely have the same internships available to you. I would do with Adelphi! But also, you can leverage with NYU and maybe ask if they would give you more money.

I would suggest contacting the admissions office.

Ha! Thank you! My other option is to start in a super unconventional way, and I guess that's the one I will go with! The option to share essays still stands.

Do people want to share essays and provide feedback for each other? We can share google docs or something and give feedback. just a thought!

that is so much experience!! i think you're a really strong candidate. whether the experience is paid or volunteer, experience is experience.

Hi all, I was wondering just HOW cliche is it to start an essay with a quote? :x I want to stand out from the jump but I don't want to be cliche. Also, if people are interested in reading each other's essays and providing feedback, I'd be happy to do so!

Looking at SF State, UC Berkeley, Cal State East Bay Part time Program in Oakland. If anyone has feedback to share about any of these programs I would love to hear!

Hi all. I've heard a lot of people say that Los Angeles is over saturated with MSW programs. I am from LA, currently live in SF. Considering moving back to LA for school or at least applying to schools down there, but I've heard it's really over saturated. How bad is it? I might just stick with the two or three programs up here in the Bay. Feedback?

Even if they were my direct supervisor? Noted.

So I have four potential people I could ask for letters of recommendation. I'm wondering which would be most appropriate for an MSW program? Supervisor from sexual assault prevention internship during collegeI'm definitely asking her. We are very close and I was an intern there for the majority of college. Here is where I'm struggling. Trying to decide between: Supervisor at my current AmeriCorps placement (DV Agency [but I am not doing direct service])Professor from Fem Studies class.Supervisor (grad student) from research class I took in Social Psychology. We wrote blogs about psychology and politics.I'm concerned about a letter from my AmeriCorps supervisor - this position has been a struggle, and I'm not sure how she sees my performance (it's over in a couple months). Feedback from staff has been amazing, but from her position as Director of Programs, I'm not sure if I've been successful. My metrics aren't where they should be (I work with volunteers, volunteer hours and # of volunteers) and - I don't know how to say this delicately - I feel like I haven't given this position 100%. I'm concerned I won't get a glowing letter of rec. I'm torn because my position isn't direct service, so it's not that ~social worky (maybe I'm wrong about this - it's a DV agency which is my area of focus but it's working with volunteers) but I'm also afraid it would look suspicious to not have a LOR from my current supervisor. Also - maybe she would be able to write me a strong LOR. My question is - would it be better to have two academic letters? I know MSWs are not academic programs but professional programs. I know you need at least one academic letter, and my priority is my professor from my fem class because that was a more traditional class, but that second supervisor and I worked quite closely together and he saw up close my deep knowledge of psychological concepts. Sorry! Word vomit! Any feedback would be helpful. I kind of feel like I'm nitpicking but hey, I have time until apps are due (many aren't even open yet lol) and you all are always super friendly. Thanks!!

Ah that's really good advice. Thank you!

Well I would be writing about how to solve this issues on all college campuses in general. but you're right in saying it has a high chance of hurting me and even if it helps me, it won't help that much. I'll definitely stick with the topic but I dont think I'll mention UC Berkeley by name. Thanks!

But I do want to mention why I'm interested in UC Berkeley specifically and show that I am knowledgeable about the school and campus. But I will definitely mention my work as an undergrad. Any more tips/suggestions?

Hi all. This is kind of a specific question. I am planning to apply to UC Berkeley for my MSW this fall. One of the essay's is an analytical question about a current problem relevant to social welfare and how you would fix it. I want to write about sexual assault on college campuses, because this is an issue close to my heart, one I spent a lot of time working on in college. If you are not aware, UC Berkeley has come under a lot of hot water regarding this specific issue. That's part of the reason I want to go to Berkeley - I want to be part of that fight. Should I mention this controversy in my essay, ie, this is a big problem across the country, one that has affected UC Berkeley among other schools? Or more generally, if/when I reference the school directly, how should I do it? I want them to know I am familiar with Berkeley and want to attend their school and program specifically, but I don't want to...for lack of a better word 'insult' them. Feedback?

I know UC Berkeley does not focus heavily on clinical. Also as another poster said, the best way to find out is to go through each school's website and read their descriptions of their programs. They usually mention what skills or areas they tend to focus on. Do your own research!

I would recommend taking the GRE, just to keep your application strong. I'm also planning to apply to MSW programs this fall. Your experience seems strong and relevant, esp with the consistency in population. I would look at Cal States more closely though - I don't think the burden of debt and low pay of social work can be over stated, and at the end of the day the name on your diploma is completely irrelevant. I would also advise abt looking outside of the LA area, as it's really over saturated with MSW programs, making finding an internship that much more difficult. Good luck!

hey! just so you know there's a social work specific forum under 'the menu'

thanks all! the info about the diversity of SD is really helpful, as well as abt the location of SDSU. does anyone know about the MSW program specifically?

Hi all, I am planning on applying for my MSW this fall. I recently started considering San Diego State as an option, which I hadn't before. I was wondering if anyone has any insight on the culture of San Diego, info on the program etc? I know there are other threads abt San Diego State but they are mostly people talking about their admission and I want more information about the school and city and whether or not I should apply. How is the city for SWs? I'm definitely more left leaning, so I'm concerned about the culture of San Diego. Any insight is appreciated. Thanks!

https://www.reddit.com/r/socialwork/comments/3ce8o3/could_people_please_stop_asking_about_drug/

were you posting on r/socialwork earlier? lol there was a lot of controversy over this topic over there

In case you all didn't know there's a social work specific forum under "the menu." you'll find much more discussion there. good luck!

On the admissions site it should say the amount of experience they are looking for. I've found that most schools want 1-2 years. This is usually calculated looking at the actual number of hours you spent doing said work (so if you volunteered from january 2013-jan 2014 but only did 2 hrs a week that wouldnt necesarily count as a year).

Hey! There is a social work specific forum in the 'Menu' section of the grad cafe. I would recommend posting there instead. I'm also applying to MSW programs in CA this fall. It seems like a lot of your questions are for the schools/departments you are applying to. They will be able to answer questions about LOR, how applying works, etc. I would definitely recommend trying to find some kind of academic letter though - most schools require it. Poke around the websites of the schools you plan to apply to, that should answer a lot of questions! Also, many schools/programs have Informational Nights which could also answer these questions. Good luck! Where are you thinking of applying?