BunnyMeadows

One of the schools I'm considering, U of SC, has an 18-hour certificate program for AD, Vets, and families: http://cosw.sc.edu/academic-program/certificate-programs/military-and-families

Nicoleraychelle, have you looked into the licensing requirements for CA? I posted about it yesterday. If you are in a position to do it, that's great. And it's great that you have support here in CA. TLC, interesting that you want to pursue a DSW - to teach, do research, or both?

I'm not sure if this has been covered already, but do you all know what path you are going to pursue? Does anyone know if it's normal to change your mind after Foundation year? I am very excited about a policy/community development focus, because I have an appropriate skill set, am a big, creative thinker, problem solver, and want to make a difference. My therapist is a Psy.D and opined that having an LCSW might be more marketable. I would love to hear what you are passionate about if you feel like sharing. Thanks :-)

I totally feel your pain on this one, Read_books! I need to give notice on my apartment very soon, have been accepted to four programs, and I could be very happy at any of them, but I'm paralyzed by the lack of info on financial aid. Almost wish I had a bookie who could give me the "odds" on which one is most likely to pull through

I had an interesting conversation last week with a program director at a reputable university. We started talking about licensing requirements in different states, etc. I live in California, and she said, "Oh! A license from CA is like the holy grail of licenses!" She explained that NY, TX and CA have the most rigorous licensing processes, and that licenses from those states will easily be accepted in any other state - but licenses from other states are NOT readily accepted in CA (she wasn't sure about TX and NY). CA requires LCSWs from other states to jump through several hoops to obtain licensure in CA. The woman I spoke with said it was THE reason she left CA and moved to her current state. This is a list of requirements from the CA BBS: http://www.bbs.ca.gov/app-reg/outofstate_lcs.shtml I want to leave CA, so it's not a big deal. And I don't see myself returning here to work/practice. I have no idea if this is helpful to anyone, but just thought I'd share what I learned.

Once you are accepted at a school, when do schools notify regarding financial aid? Do you have to formally accept before receiving a Financial Aid offer? That doesn't seem to make sense, because in my case finances will impact my decision. Thanks in advance!

I've been accepted to several MSW programs, and am unclear about financial aid. Do I have to accept admission, send in the deposit, etc. before the school notifies me of a Fin Aid award, if any? Or does the offer come after admission? I submitted the FAFSA back in February, and updated it with 2014 tax info on 3/30/15. I have received a scholarship from one program - but it would only cover about 1/3 of very expensive tuition (and Im not wiling to go into debt for $50K+). Another school has in-state tuition reciprocity with my state, and I'm hoping I'll be approved for that. Two other schools - major research universities - have been a little "skittish" when I mention assistantships or in-state tuition (I would be a nonresident). I love the programs, but the idea of paying $30K/year for tuition at a public university is tough. Can someone clarify when/if universities make award offers? Thank you!

It is a shame that notifications take so long. I have been accepted at Case Western in Cleveland, U of KY, Arizona State, and U of SC. I was denied at CSU Chico - even though my GPA is decent (3.75), it was the first SOP that I wrote, and as someone without a social work background I can now see that my essay was very weak - thankfully, they got better after Chico! I've learned some interesting things this week. I spoke with one of the schools that accepted me, and the program coordinator told me that a CA license (LCSW) is like the "holy grail" of licenses in the US (along with NY and TX). She said that a CA license is accepted in almost any other state, but if a LCSW from another state wants to get licensed in CA, it is really challenging, because there are a ton of requirements for out of state applicants. I also learned that CSU Bakersfield has got some very serious issues. My applicant experience there was a nightmare. I finally wrote to the department to ask them to withdraw my application, and cited specific reasons why. The admissions committee chair responded to me with this message: "I am very sorry that you have had such a horrible experience with CSUB. There is no excuse for the confusion and inconsistency that has pervaded your experience. I regret to acknowledge that your experience is not unique. I appreciate your willingness to tell us about it because your message will help those of us who are trying to address significant systemic problems." We will hear from CSU Stanislaus soon. I was told by the 15th...so hang in there! And best of luck.

Admissions decisions are rarely made only on GPA. Are you applying to the 2-year program, or 1-year advanced track? Do you have lots of social work-related experience? Good letters of recommendation? I was told that notifications will go out on 4/15.....

I applied to Case Western in Cleveland. It's an excellent program. They offered me a $30K scholarship - for the two years - but the entire program costs $80K. I don't want to take on that kind of debt so I doubt I'm going there. I was also admitted at AZ State (they have a small program in Tucson). I am over the moon about their program and, as of now, plan to go there. I called CSU Stanislaus last week. They said notifications don't go out until 15 April. That is just too late.... How about you?

One can only hope that "artsy16" is re-reading the NASW Code of Ethics. I am still very puzzled as to how a future social worker can damn/judge an entire community of 633 people championing equality, based on one sentence that does not even mention racism - in a part of the country that has been fighting so hard for LGBT rights: "Um, because it makes the claim that people who are racist, etc are "living in the past". Aka discrimination is something that is old and can be "left behind" in a friggin time period." I contacted Y'all Means Y'all on FB yesterday, and shared this thread. This was the response: "Thank you. We were not aware of the debate while it was happening and we do appreciate the reasoned response/defence. Living in Mississippi we are quite aware of the strategy of racism to complain about "people bringing up the past" in order to avoid facing guilt. This was quite far from our intention but we will look at this phrasing again."

I am all for critical thinking, but I think there is some rather serious jumping to conclusions going on here. The statement on the Facebook page is simply: The “Y’all Means ALL” campaign is a grassroots movement of people living in the South who choose not to live in the past. It says absolutely nothing about putting racism in the past, or imposing time limits on discrimination. Have ANY of you ever been to Mississippi? The YMY group seems to be promoting equality for all, emphasizing that "Y'all" means people who are brown, undocumented, gay, lesbian, straight, imprisoned, etc. and that "Y'all" is not limited to straight, Christian, white people of privilege. It says, "Look at these different populations - they are all equal." How anyone can analyze the Facebook Community (632 people) - and conclude that they're being discriminatory, or disingenuous - on the basis of one sentence is mind boggling. And for the poster who is "concerned that a future social worker would approve of this" - it's you I'm worried about, dude. Anyone who makes a summary judgement about another person - SOLELY based on the fact that they like a t-shirt that promotes equality - is frighteningly judgmental and may be unsuitable for a profession that calls for empathy, respect, and understanding.

I did well in biology in undergrad, but have been out of school for over 10 years. My school wants me to retake biology. My first thought was, "Oh, no! Fruit fly labs again!" But this online course was recommended, and I registered for it. It was $200 (text book was about $65). It seems to be more of a humans-across-the-lifespan course. Covers everything from anatomy, physiology, and circumcision to nursing home care - issues that could present with clients. http://​http://www.txstate.edu/continuinged/CE-correspondence/Human-Biology-for-Social-Workers.html Text book arrived yesterday and, thankfully, no fruit flies were included :-) It even looks like it will be fun. It's a 14 week "correspondence" course and involves submitting responses to essay questions about the reading.

I see this as a message of inclusivity - i.e. "when we say 'y'all' - everyone is included and equal - not just privileged white, straight, Christian people. I sincerely did not intend to offend anyone, and I'm sorry if it has.

I'm not sure how state universities work. I've heard that financial aid for MSW programs at state universities is spotty - apart from graduate assistantships. I could be wrong, but I think the assumption is that in-state tuition is "affordable" already. I suggest you call the OSU Financial Aid office tomorrow morning to find out what your options are ASAP.

Thanks!

Second "yes"!

Thanks, everyone! I was also admitted to ASU-Tucson today.

No, not yet. We'll see about that.

Hmmm...I didnt realise that was "this late in the game"? I've had schools tell me that I won't hear until April 1, April 15th or even May 1st

Yes, it is. :-) And thank you, btw :-)

I was accepted at Case Western this morning. It feels good :-)

Have you checked your "MyCSUSTAN"? It says my app is "pending" and I mailed it on 2/28. My guess is that it means it's in review?

Were you accepted into the regular FT program, or Advanced Standing? Thanks.

I applied there, too. I submitted my CSU app in late January and express mailed the dept application on the 2/28. I have no social work experience, but am an older student, have started two nonprofit organizations, worked in the corporate world in PR and as a professional writer, my last GPA was 3.75 (for last 60 credit hours), good LORs, and I recently returned from living in Guatemala for 18 mos. I speak Spanish at the intermediate level. I don't know if lack of SW experience will hurt my application... End of April. Wow. That's very late.