EmiSW

Don't be surprised if your group includes people applying to different methods. Hunter probably wants to maximize the number of people per group interview -- otherwise the interview process would never end. I agree with what others have written -- prepare good answers for why social work (as opposed to other helping professions), why Hunter specifically (what sets it apart from other MSW programs), a concise summary of your relevant background, and clinical vignette asked of entire group (questions vary). Finally, 20 minute writing response to article (demonstrate understanding/critical thinking skills/good writing capacity re: social welfare implications of a problem).

@LoveSW I agree with what others have said, especially that you can't reliably draw conclusions about the admissions process based on what a handful of people have posted to this forum, when there are literally hundreds of applicants. To think about it from a statistics standpoint, you're drawing conclusions form a very small sample size. Also, the duration of time that passes between interview and notice of decision is not indicative of whether someone is rejected or accepted. Finally, it's possible that whoever facilitated your group was, for some reason, slow in submitting their interview feedback. Maybe they had an emergency, something or other came up--you just never know. If you're feeling really anxious, contact admissions. Say you interviewed on such and such date and were told decisions would be received in X number of days (if that's the case). And you're wondering whether they can give you any sense of when you should expect news. Asking for an update won't negatively affect your application. Good luck!

Thanks so much, mswgal--extremely helpful! and good luck to you!

You provide very little information other than to say you were arrested while protesting. That said, I bet a lot of people in social work have been arrested while protesting. So you'll be in good company. Also, this happened to you at a young age. If you're really worried, speak with an attorney. Find out how long a charge like this stays on your record and whether there's any process available for you to have it expunged. And is what you did actually considered "criminal"? If so, that's ridiculous but besides the point. Basically, don't worry about it, you'll be fine, and there are plenty of people who have come before you with more serious charges on their record, and they were still able to successfully obtain licensure in similar fields. If you absolutely must disclose it on an application, be sure to explain it. Don't assume the reader will understand these kinds of things are part and parcel of the current police state we now live in. And depending on how you want to spin it, you can always pass it off as a youthful mistake from which you learned X, Y, and Z. Good luck to you.

Hi everyone. My brief application-relationship timeline with Hunter is... March 31 -- My completed application is submitted to Hunter's 2-year program. Did this after receiving their announced deadline extension in early March. According to the announcement, the extension was only available for the 2-year program. April 14 -- I noticed my online application status changed to "pending interview". Not sure exactly when the status changed because I hadn't been checking every day. Later that same day the group interview email invitation arrived (for an on campus interview, not for Skype). MY QUESTIONS: What's the process has been like for anyone who's interviewed in April 2015? Maybe it's too early to ask, but how much time elapsed between your interview and your notice of acceptance / rejection? What were the questions like at your group interview? MY CONTRIBUTION: Here are a few comments about the Hunter group interview questions posted by *other* people. I edited some a bit. Thought this might be convenient for people, instead of having to troll around searching a bunch of posts (not that this won't stop you from doing that anyway... you know who you are ): 1. The question my group got: "What would you do if you worked at a nursing home with a no-gifts policy and were offered a gift by a resident?" I'd expected this type of question and was able to talk about similar experiences at work. The interviewer was especially intent on finding out whether we had good boundaries, and asked each of us tough follow-up questions each time we answered her. Social work vets seem to have an uncanny ability to weed out people with transference issues. It's definitely not a good idea to hint that you have any type of "savior" personality or a too-personal attitude toward your work. 2. Why Hunter? What populations would you dislike working with? 3. What experience do you have in the field and how does it relate to SW? Why did you choose Hunter? How would you define your social identity and how will it impact your work with clients? The facilitator read a short vignette about a returning veteran who is having attachment issues and wants to continue texting you after your therapy sessions end. What are your thoughts on this and what would you do in the situation? The writing sample was about a city with a high minority population, where the LGBTQ population is often harrassed by both neighbors and the police. Many stores have become "safe spaces" for the LGBTQ population, and a Pride Parade is held. What implications for social welfare does this article have? 4. what do you think of when you hear "at risk population"? Homeless intoxicated man comes to a "dry" shelter in a winter storm, what do you do? A frail woman wants to cook for you every week you come to check up on her, what do you do? 5. what is your work experience and how does it relate to social work, why did you choose hunter How do you define your social identity? What are the implications that your social identity can have on your work? A short vignette that the moderator reads and group discusses how they would address it 20 minute writing sample.