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MSW-hopeful-2016

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    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    25 minutes ago, MSW_2016 said:

    Here's my experience. I've been accepted to the Advanced Standing MSW at U of T.

    1) BSc in Psych, 3.83 CGPA (84%)

    2) HBSW (in progress), 4.00 CGPA (85%)

    3) About 3,000 hours as a Research Assistant at CAMH

    4)100 hours at a distress line

    5) Multiple poster/ conference presentations (not reallly soc work related, more like biological psychiatry) + 1 publication in a peer-reviewed journal 

    6) Lots of research experience at different labs, all psych related 

    EDIT. For those in the GTA, If you don't get accepted to the  2 year MSW, I highly recommend doing the 1 year HBSW at Lakehead. The program is not that strenuous (although you do that to move to Orillia for 6 months) + at the orientation session Angela mentioned that U of T looks favourably at Lakehead applicants (worked for me anyway). 

    Sounds like you have a lot of research experience!! not surprised you got in after doing your HBSW. I will have a lot to think about if I don't get in. I think what's really hindering me is my lack of research experience aside from my honours thesis. 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Ronee93 said:

    Hey! 

    For those of you applying to University of Toronto MSW, has anyone spoke with Angela Umbrello the past few weeks? I've submitted an updated field practicum form because I was late in finding a placement for January. Has anyone been speaking with her the past 2-3 weeks? 

    I sent an updated transcript to her 2 weeks ago and she replied with a "thank you" email. That is about it. 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Does anyone want to share their stats/where they applied and all that, now that we've all finished submitting our app's, so we can get a sense of what we all bring to the table :)

    I have only applied to U of T's 2 year MSW, since the program really meshes perfectly with my goals and interests. It's my first time applying. 
    I applied to collaborate in addiction studies as I really am aiming to eventually practice psychotherapy and addiction counselling, especially with minority populations. 

    I have a 3.9/4 GPA in my last year of study. 
    I've accumulated roughly about 1000 hours of volunteer experience, at 5 different organizations. 
    I have 3800 paid hours of working in a retirement home, although that doesn't necessarily fit under the scope of social services, I believe it has taught me a lot of critical things about the field of social work. 
    0 hours of research (unfortunately), but I am midway through my honours thesis right now. 

    I'd love to hear what others have completed or done. 
     

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    7 hours ago, Squishy said:

    When I was at the info session, they said that they only look at hours that you have completed so far regardless of how many hours you will have by the end of next year. So, you don't need to include the projected hours.

    For my resume I added my completed hours thus far for all my volunteer placements. I also added the duration of time I was there (month & year). So for positions I am still currently affiliated with they see that I am still presently there. 

    Just out of curiosity, am I the only one here applying to U of T with no research experience besides your thesis (as well as an A in research methodology)? 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Hi!! 

    My understanding of this is that they look at your application as a whole and assign you a score for your whole application. They value both grades AND experience. If you're seriously lacking in either then that might be a weakness in your application, but if you're really strong in one and weak in another you might still get an okay score overall. 

    The guidelines for U of T is a recommended 3500 hours of experience and an A- average in the final year of study to be competitive. So try and keep both of those factors in mind!

    Good luck everyone!!

    when you say a recommended 3500 hours of experience for U of T, does that include paid and unpaid? As i have 3800 hours of paid experience in my job alone...but close to 1000 of unpaid volunteer experience in social services. Mind you my job is in a retirement home so that can be social service work in itself...

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

     In 2015 no-one with a B- or lower in research methods was admitted into the program (regardless of otherwise spectacular grades and experience), the vast majority of those admitted were in the A-range, so if you're sitting at or below a mid-B average you should seriously consider boosting it for this year's application as chances of acceptance with it may actually be close to if not zero. Angela (U of T's admissions coordinator) said that many students have successfully upgraded their research methods mark via online courses through Athabasca University!  This is a great option for those who have been out of school or who can't fit another research methods course into their timetable. 

    2) This year, U of T says that they are likely going to be following the same admissions timetable that they did this past year, and this means that acceptances for Advanced Standing will begin going out in February-ish and the 2-year will start in March-ish...so a lot less waiting than previous years!

    Also, at the info session they said that there were almost 900 applicants in 2015 for the 2 year program, and 140 were accepted which is about 15% acceptance, so chances are SIGNIFICANTLY less bleak than 1 in 11, (more like 1 in 6!), and that is department confirmed :)

    Wishing everyone tremendous luck this year, we're all in this together!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

     

     

    IN response: yikes. I have a 70 (B-) IN MY RESEARCH METHODS COURSE. seriously depressed about my application to u of t .. im considering switching that option for lakehead's HBSW . Any thoughts ? 

    ps. my experience is being an executive member (education director) of an organization at my school, over 700 hours of volunteer experience with out of the cold, co-op experiene in highschool (320 hours) 

    what do you think my chances are 

    pps. im applying also to windsor and york.

    I think you have great experience, but If you're really passionate about U of T and the structure of the program then I would perhaps consider doing the HBSW then applying for the advanced standing program at U of T. I would say re-take methods but it may be a little later for that since its over a month into the semester :( 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    I went to U of T's info session in the summer and what I understood was for us York students, they look at your last 24 upper level credits. You should have at least a B in research methods (but usually people get accepted with an A or higher). The average GPA of the accepted class last year was high B+/low A-. Having completed an undergraduate thesis looks very good for your application as U of T is quite heavily research based. Be careful on who you select as your referees as Angela said that quite a few referees send the forms back with Not Applicable as answers to some of the questions. To be safe we should start the online application of SGS by November 2nd to give your references a fair amount of time, but I started mine this week so I could have that out of the way! So contact your references as soon as possible to let them know they will be receiving the forms. 

    Hope that helps :) and feel free to ask me anything else that comes to mind! 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Hi all!

    I am in the process of applying for Fall 2016 2 year programs. I am completing the last year of my BA in psych. My stats are as follows:

    1) one year experience volunteering on crisis line with sexual assault centre (about 10 hours per week)
    2) 8 months volunteer research assistance in adolescent development lab (10 hours per week)
    3) recently (September) began a placement at a housing help centre (6 hours a week)
    4) Working on research methods credit ( and trying not to cry a lot in my efforts for an A in this one)
    5) 3.7-3.8 GPA in last two years of study.

     I am planning to apply to UofT, UWindsor, and Lakehead's HBSW.
    Any suggestions on how I can improve my chances between now and when applications are due?

    Good luck to everyone applying!

    sounds like you have a good mix of clinical and research experience which is really helpful :) i'd aim for that A in research methods (or an A+ if you can!!!). I got the A in methods and really made sure my thesis is tied to my goals and interests because Im lacking research experience outside the classroom and it's really worrying me. I hope my social service experiences are enough 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by rachberks

    Hi Everyone,



    I am applying to UofT's 2 year MSW program; with a collaboration in Addiction Studies. My passions are in addiction and mental health and what really drew me to UofT was their clinical emphasis and my ability to collaborate directly in my area of interest.
    May I add that I am a little worried about the strength of my application because I do not have much hands on research experience outside the classroom (and I know Factor-Inwentash is really heavily research oriented). 

    Just some info about my application and my experiences...

    - GPA currently is 3.86 on a 4 scale
    - I received an A in research methodology
    - I currently volunteer at a drug & alcohol rehabilitation center, leading various workshops and programs with admission week clients
    - My undergraduate thesis is underway, and I am looking at the Co-morbidity between adult ADHD and increased nicotine use
    - I have been employed as a concierge at a retirement home for the last 4 years (currently work here)
    - I have 200 hours of volunteer experience with the Canadian Mental Health Association
    - 200 hours with Hamilton Health Sciences Elder Program as a volunteer
    -  I completed a summer placement at Toronto General Hospitals Eating Disorder Clinic
    - I completed 300 hours of volunteering at a summer camp
    -  I have a year's worth of practicum experience in a classroom setting with a child who suffers from a DSM-5 diagnosis. 

    I'm excited to meet everyone and share this nerve-wracking and exciting process with all of you :) 
     

    University of Toronto Factor-Inwentash MSW Class of 2016/17

    in Meet and Greet

    Posted

    Hi all, 

    First off, Congratulations on your acceptances! That is wonderful news. I am going to be applying for the two year MSW program for 2016 fall start. I was wondering if any of you would be comfortable sharing your GPA's in the last year, and experience within the field (volunteer/practicum). Just trying to get some insight into what they are looking for!!
     

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