Jax_Nise

I'm glad that you found my comments helpful. While I cannot speak on UCLA, I will say this about CSULB provision: my best friend received provisional admission as well. If I can remember correctly she applied to the 2- year program and once they offered her provisional admission she said they offered her admission into the 3-year cohort (she accepted immediately). Also, she did not find out that she was officially accepted into the program until May or June. That is likely because a lot of the students who were accepted did not decline until May or June. When a student receives admissions but declines that's good news for prospective students who received provisional admissions. I recommend that you call the department to verify your provisional admission.

Hello! APPLY!!!!! Here is a bit about my stats when I applied for fall 2015: 2014 CSUDH graduate with a major in Africana Studies, GPA was probably 3.8, letters of recommendation from professors in my department, I was community organizer starting at age 16, I was a volunteer crisis counselor for only 1 year, oh and I failed 1 class in undergrad. I shared that to show you that you have a solid application. My tip is to use your personal statement to tell them why you would be a good fit for the social work program. Talk honestly about any bad grades; I did. I told them about the circumstances surrounding my bad grade and what happened next. When writing your personal statement, be yourself and be honest. Also, don't be discouraged. My best friend applied to CSULB the same year she graduated from undergrad and didn't get in. I told her to apply again the next year and tell them through her personal statement why she would be a great fit for the program. She will be graduating in the spring of 2018.

Hello BackNSchool83, I love the program! On average the professors are amazing. In this program, students are required to select 3 electives. Specifically, I took SW 677, which is the mental health services class. It is a great class as you will learn the history of mental health (you will be required to read Mad in America by Robert Whitaker), you will have the experience of doing Hearing Voices simulation, as well as numerous topics as it relates to mental health. Although I did not take the psychopathology class, I have heard it is an intensive course but very worthwhile. Other electives to choose from are: Death and Dying (I took this class and I loved it! You will visit a mortuary), Spirituality (Again, a wonderful class.), Conflict Negotiation, and Homelessness (this class is very new). Throughout the program many classes will have case analysis assignments where you will be given a vignette and you will be required to conduct a bio-psycho-social-spiritual assessment. In terms of concentrations, the child, youth, and family services and integrated health concentrations are highly impacted. Since you mentioned interest in selected integrated health you will be encouraged to selected adulthood and aging, but ultimately if you stick with your selection they will place you in integrated health. I submitted my application several days before Thanksgiving. I received notification that I was selected into the 3 year program the last week in January. Here is what I know of the 2-year program: - it is intense because you will have 5 classes plus internship - it is possible that you will NOT be able to work - expect to take classes on Monday and Friday and 16 hours of internship on Tuesday-Thursday - Foundation year internship will NOT be your choice - Advance year internship will be your choice, meaning whatever is your interest (i.e., outpatient, medical social work, a particular population) - You will have the option to do a thesis (quantitative or qualitative studies, grant proposal, curriculum development, policy analysis) or a macro project (working with 4 other students in your cohort) - there is a Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health stipend available for the advance year internship (apply!) If there is anything else that I didn't mention and you have questions, ask away!

Hi everyone! Good luck this application season! I am a 3-year student at California State University, Long Beach. If any of you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me!

Congratulations on graduation (Go Toros)! I hope that you get in. A strong application is based on multiple factors (personal statement, GPA, social work related experience, and overall experience). I felt the same way when I applied. I thought I did not have enough experience. So far, I love the program. Some of the professors are amazing. They can be challenging but it is for the benefit of your education. My number one suggestion for the program is to create a community within your cohort of people you can work with and bond with (Example: In my cohort there were 100 students enrolled. There are about 15 of us that stick together and constantly check in on one another. Of course we communicate with all members of the cohort). It is this group of people that will support you through the 3 years.

Hi sjimenez67, My stats are based on when I applied for the program for fall 2015 admissions. It is noteworthy that I am a traditional college student, meaning that I went to university straight out of high school. Degree: Africana Studies from CSUDH, 2014 GPA: 3.9 Experience: -Community Organizer (2 years) -Office Assistant (Campus internship, 10 months) -In home supportive services (care coordinator, 5 years) -Suicide Crisis Line Counselor (1 year) Submission information: -November 20, 2014- submitted application -November 25, 2014- Received application -January 29, 2015- Offered Admissions

Hi everyone, Congratulations on your acceptances! I am a current MSW 3 year student at CSULB. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask.

Regarding financial, the State University Grant is an option for graduate students at the Cal State. SUG is a need based grant and is available as long as individuals are eligible. SUG only pays tuition, NOT fees. Also, there are scholarships awarded by the university and stipends related to concentrations. Source: current student in CSU Long Beach MSW program

I entered the 3 year part time program so I have not been placed.

I think working within the classroom is relevant, however, expanding his role would be helpful. In general, volunteering or working with specific populations will stand out. For example, working as a mentor to at risk youth, volunteering at a home for the elderly population, or anything that is people oriented. As for myself, my experience I detailed on my application includes: community organizer for non-profit civil and human rights organization, undergraduate campus leadership and internship, suicide crisis counselor, and work as a caregiver. (It may be relevant to note that I am only 24). The generalist program is just that, a general approach to social work. Many social work programs have specializations or concentrations such as mental health/integrated health, child, youth, and family, community capacity building, geriatrics, or forensics.

I hope you get in at CSULB. I generally like everything about CSULB. The major pain is parking. One professor is not a very good teacher but she has 50 years of clinical experience so that makes up for her lack of adequate teaching skills. It seems like she may be on her way out as she is north of 70 years old. I got the sense that the professors are extremely helpful and willing to meet with students to ensure that students understand the content and expectations. Generally, the other students are willing to get together and form study groups. However, be prepared for other students who are not interested in study groups and who are interested in keeping to herself. It is quite hard to get a sense of the general vibe of the school because as a social work student, you tend to cluster among other social work students near the Outpost or inside the social work center, which by the way is a great place to take a nap, relax, store lunch/dinner, and study. I attended CSUDH as well, go Toros! Of course it is always better to submit your application as soon as possible but as long as you have a strong application in many of the areas (grades, personal statement, extracurriculars, work experience, and recommendations) you should be confident with your chances of getting into both schools. Good Luck

I'm currently at CSULB. I can answer questions.

I recommend reaching out to alumni associations where you are looking to apply for either program for feedback should this website not provide you the information you are looking for. I am a current first year MSW student in California so I have a bias. MSW allows you to do whatever you want to do. I think you should decide on the importance of clinical one on one service. As for salary, it depends on your location, target population, sector (private-public), and of course experience. These are just some things I thought of but there is more to this discussion.

Hi there, from my experience with applying schools will have a form to be completed. Some schools do allow optional, but not in lieu of, letters. You should definitely narrow down your school choices as soon as possible then go to each school's website to locate, if available, the LOR forms.

I also agree with the others. It is important to develop your grammar and writing skills. Some ways to practice that is to write in complete sentences when texting friends, speak the way you write (for example, if you write "I want to go the store." Say it exactly like that. That forces you to hear out loud what you are writing), and spend some time in the writing center). Additionally, speak with Cheryl and Miami in SCC 300 on how to improve or develop a portfolio and to identify and locate agencies where you can gain relevant social work experience. If possible, do not limit yourself to Jumpstart. Be active in other ways on campus. As for the MSW application process, here are some of my tips: 1. Find the prompts for each school and begin working on your personal statements 2. Don't forget to complete the CSU Mentor application and submit the fee before the due date 3. Compete a resume for your application, see Cheryl in SCC 300 for help 4. Make a list of recommenders and ask them at least 3 months in advance to compete the letter of recommendation 5. Attend the information sessions 6. Make copies of your applications and all documents you submit 7. Don't forget official transcripts The social work programs can be very competitive. You must develop your own pros and cons. Furthermore, look into other programs in addition to the social work programs. (i.e., Master of Counseling at Loyola Marymount University, occupational therapy, Marriage, Family, Therapy, etc.) In essence, what are your career and educational goals?