MSW-hopeful-2016
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to c.dizzle in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
I just received a call from Angela at UofT and I got off the MSW waitlist! See you folks in September.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to nicoleMSW in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
That's what I was thinking. I have a backup plan that starts in May which could help me find opportunities to strengthen my application, and if I get in off the waitlist I'm definitely going to quit (because it won't affect me adversely to do so) and start at U of T in the fall. Definitely hoping to see you there!
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from nicoleMSW in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
My advice, as someone who was waitlisted last year, is to not focus on the waitlist at all. Apply for jobs (if that's your plan of action) and focus on moving forward. Try to get the best opportunities you can to strengthen your app, and remember that you're beginning to re-apply in a few short months.
That being said, accept your spot on the waitlist and whatever happens, happens. If you do find an amazing job opportunity and happen to find out in August that you've been accepted off the waitlist, you quit your job. Until then - do not focus on getting off. That's just my two cents.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to KarebearSW in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
Hi MSW-hopeful-2016!! I received my offer back in February (advanced standing). Once I sent in my deposit and acceptance of offer, I received an email of confirmation from Angela Umbrello (no further info packages). Also, you will have to register to attend an orientation. Mine is later this month (I am assuming yours will be the same date or shortly thereafter?) and I am thinking and hoping that they will fill us in on all the other stuff (student card, etc.) then. If you need to know before the orientation date, maybe just email or phone Angela? Good luck.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
http://tcard.utoronto.ca/ for how to register for a t-card, and there is also a link on the side that explains how to set up a UTorID. Once you have your UTorID you will use that to log into your email at www.mail.utoronto.ca -- your email will automatically be your full name: firstname.lastname@mail.utoronto.ca
I think you can create your UTorID now, but sometimes there are weird dates for when you can get your T-Card (last year some people had to wait till July, I already have a t-card because I did my undergrad there, but I think I could only get it some time in the summer months as well). Here is the contact info for the T-Card office:
Downtown Toronto (St. George) Campus
Koffler Student Service Centre214 College Street, First floor
416-946-8047
tcard.office@utoronto.ca
Monday…………. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Tuesday………… 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Wednesday……. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Thursday……….. 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday…………… 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
@lindaMSW Please don't feel discouraged that you did not get on the wait list and were rejected in February. I am sure that there are many people who were rejected in February. The thing about this forum is that we're maybe ~50 out of a possible 800 or so who apply to the program. If they rejected you from the 2 year MSW in February, you must not have met some minimum criteria and you should inquire as to what that may have been to improve your chances for next time.
I think it is really important to look at what UofT's program is looking for. Look at their mandate for the MSW program and see if you can get experience in line with that. Try to upgrade courses because they do heavily weigh research experience/grades, but do not forget they also equally care as much about your experience and how you articulate it (I have minimal research experience but had high grades in my research class, and had a ton of experience that were out of the box).
Put yourself in a position where UofT (or any grad school you are trying to get into) would be a FOOL to turn you down. Hit every mark they're looking for and excel in it. And make sure they are aware of how lucky they would be to have you and your experience. It's not what they can do for you or what you hope to gain from them -- because they know they are a top tier school -- it's about what you can bring to them. Whether that is your experience, grades, lived realities, USE IT in your SOP. Make your SOP as true to you as you can, and get it proof read. I had a friend in law school read over my SOP and ripped it to shreds, but it forced me to be intentional and think deeply about not only why this is important to me but why I am important for them. The finished product brought my professor to tears and she said it was the most heartfelt SOP she had read -- not for sympathy reasons, but for the risks I've taken and experiences I had that makes me an ideal candidate for them. For anyone struggling with the decision that UofT made, think of it as a second chance to take some risks and become a candidate they cannot turn down.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from AmaMSW in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
I can also add on to this explanation and say that the difference maker to me getting accepted this year was most definitely my addition of research experience, as well as finishing my thesis. In my personal statement, I wrote about my thesis as my greatest accomplishment, stressing the importance of evidence-based practice in the field of social work. So for those of you wait-listed (or rejected) who are struggling to find out how you can improve, in you are set on UofT as I was, really try to find experience in the research sector. Just my two cents
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to daniellekl in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
For those of you who have been rejected/waitlisted, and you feel it's because of a low GPA, don't be discouraged!! Contrary to popular belief, UofT does actually look beyond the GPA, and my acceptance this year is proof of that. I was rejected to the program in 2014 and I thought for sure it was because of my grades (last 2 years were in the B/B+ range). That being said, I also didn't have much experience in the field, given that I was just coming out of undergrad. So, for those of you wondering what you can do to improve your application, here is what I did (it might work for you too!):
As soon as I got the rejection from UofT, I enrolled in George Brown's fast-track Social Service Worker program (it's a summer, plus one year ... similar to Lakehead's HBSW). I did a placement through that program, and was soon hired on as casual staff, and later on, part-time staff. Through a connection at the SSW program, I got involved with a volunteer project at the City of Toronto This next piece I will hugely emphasize, as UofT is highly research focused: I spent over a year volunteering in a research lab, getting authorship on publications, presentations, etc. *Tip for UofT personal statements: mention wanting to do a thesis - even though only 3 students get to do one, UofT loves the idea of having social workers become researchers/academics, as it's quite rare. This was a tip I received from one of the faculty there, and it was very useful. I continued to work on my professional development, getting certifications in UMAB, harm reduction, etc. I then received a full-time job in the field It's all a process, and like previous posters have mentioned, if social work is what you're meant to do, you'll get there Just remember, GPA isn't everything, and I can't emphasize that enough, especially since when I was applying, people repeatedly told me that the school was "too elite" for what my grades were. *not amused*.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to wishingonuoft in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
For those waitlisted at U of T, a lot of my close friends in the program got off the wait list my year. I would say proceed with cautious optimism, it might not happen but it might, and if it does let it be a pleasant surprise. I'm so sorry for those of you that feel discouraged, as I mentioned in a post a while ago I firmly believe that if it's your dream--it'll happen, one way or the other--be proud of your accomplishments in the mean time. The program is *stupid* competitive, not getting in is not a reflection of your abilities or your potential in any way shape or form. I'm positive you will ALL be tremendous Social Workers one day, even if it takes a bit more time. Hang in there and don't forget to be compassionate towards yourself <3 and if you feel you need any extra emotional support, this forum is here for you.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from Amira86 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
for everyone who has been waitlisted, do not lose hope. I was waitlisted last year and it was the best thing to ever happen to me. Go out there, continue volunteering/finding new volunteer opportunities, work, SAVE money and enjoy your time off. Grad school will happen.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
for everyone who has been waitlisted, do not lose hope. I was waitlisted last year and it was the best thing to ever happen to me. Go out there, continue volunteering/finding new volunteer opportunities, work, SAVE money and enjoy your time off. Grad school will happen.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from lovelife905 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
UofT MSW at FIFSW - Class of 2019
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from lovelife905 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
I was accepted as well. Just checked my mail and theres nothing there. So it may be another day or two to receive your letters/packages (I live in vaughan).
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
Not so! Scroll page a page or two, someone was accepted without their ACORN or ROSI saying so.
Side note: both my ACORN and ROSI say I am accepted. Just waiting on the letter now.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
to everyone accepted, we've started a Facebook group so feel free to add yourselves
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to fylucn55 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
Wooohoo received my letter of admission in the mail today for U of T!!
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to AmaMSW in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
I have! My status on Acorn says "invited" and I received the acceptance package in the mail today. Don't worry it's coming! ?
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to wishingonuoft in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
(Obviously can't speak to UofT2015's experiences but wanted to throw in my 2 cents).
I did my undergrad in psychology and minored in gender studies, the majority of people in the 2 year program do psychology or sociology undergrads but there are lots of other academic backgrounds as well. In terms of transition, it was an interesting one. I went straight from undergrad to grad school, my undergrad was all about memorizing textbooks to write exams, grad school = all papers, no memorization. The first semester of the MSW program is definitely considered to be the most challenging of the 2 years, with lots of papers/assignments due constantly. Second semester tones it down a bit but is still quite demanding given the course load (5 courses, 2 major papers due for each one, = 10 papers).
In terms of the transition from undergrad to grad school, one thing that myself and my friends found was that while the program is demanding during the first year...it's not hard. I'm queen of writing full paper's the night before the due date and have not gotten a grade lower than A- on anything (and I'm by no means a great writer). The stakes are very low. In undergrad the stress is SO REAL because every paper you write and exam you take makes you freak out about how the mark may affect your chances of getting into grad school...but in grad school, it's pretty much the end goal (unless you want to do your phd one day), and that makes it more relaxed.
Also, to be honest, a sentiment that I hear expressed over and over and over again from my peers is that you don't learn a whole lot from the courses. I will be finishing the program in a couple of weeks and I'm a completely different person from when I started it, I've learned SO MUCH and feel super confident entering the world of Social Work...but 90% of that learning and skill development came from my 2 practicums. Classes give you some foundation, but they're really not central to your learning in the MSW program, there's only so much you can learn from a book.
TL/DR: first year of the MSW program is demanding, but the stakes are low which makes it more relaxed and profs are easy markers. Get excited for practicums because that's where most of the learning happens!
Pictured below is a pic I just took from my agenda from 1st year of the last few weeks of October.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from Newfor2017 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
AHHHhh. just logged onto ACORN (I am not a former UOFT student), and it says I'm invited to the 2017/2018 2 year MSW program!!
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from Inspired2017 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
AHHHhh. just logged onto ACORN (I am not a former UOFT student), and it says I'm invited to the 2017/2018 2 year MSW program!!
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
does anyone want to start up a facebook group for uoft (or is it too early lol)
just so we can communicate through there if needed.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to moh230 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
Man, i hope they have more than one round :/. My last name starts with an H. Hopefully something will come up before the weekend.
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
I was also accepted via ACORN!! Former UofT student, and my last name starts with "C". Quoting former posters who go in for good measure (so that current and future posters do not have to keep scrolling backwards to find this information). CONGRATULATIONS FUTURE PEERS, AND GOOD LUCK THOSE STILL WAITING!!
Edit: oops I guess it won't let me tag more than two posters..
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MSW-hopeful-2016 reacted to tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
Just quoting to keep track for everyone accepted in this first round! I hope I didn't miss anyone (including my above post!)
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MSW-hopeful-2016 got a reaction from tnt92 in NEW Canadian universities M.S.W thread (2017)
AHHHhh. just logged onto ACORN (I am not a former UOFT student), and it says I'm invited to the 2017/2018 2 year MSW program!!