phd2msw

Hey! I also applied there in the 2 year program and (also) haven't heard back. From what I gather they take all kinds of people with different backgrounds, marks (within range of their cut-off) and experience, paid or voluntary. From what I learned, they are really holistic in their assessment of applicants. So you could have a B in you research course, with killer references and an awesome resume. You just never know. When I applied in Dec., I wasn't finished my research methods course so they won't see my mark for it. I think this makes my chances a little weaker. Hang in there and don't give up hope yet. I'm trying not to, despite occasionally feeling negative about my chances.

Thanks. I am super worried, but we're in this together. I'm going to try and not check until Friday I think.

Thanks for replying and helping calm my anxiety lol. So basically, for the next few weeks, no news is good news? Unless, I receive a rejection letter?

Guys, my ROSI says nothing so far Does that mean I'm not in?

Things were kinda like this for me when I was waiting to hear about my MA a few years ago. It sucked. I feel like I'm reliving that again and the anxiety is back, like you said, you think about it constantly and just ruminate about whether or not you'll get in. Waiting another year is almost not an option for me. I kind of feel like I need to get in this year; it was so stressful to just change careers like this, it was a big move, and waiting another year might make me question why I did this in the first place. I feel like everyone is rooting for me (former PhD supervisors, family, friends) but if I don't get in I have to answer to so many people, the worst of all is myself Trying to stay positive but it's hard. I'm not sure how old most of you are, but I'm almost 30 and I want to start a family eventually, this is putting things off even longer now (another 2 years for an MSW and then find a permanent job) and I feel like my future goals are just out of my hands.

Anyone else obsessively checking ROSI? I feel like if the admissions committee saw how many times a day I log in to check, they would think twice about considering me Someone else here said March 11 is the earliest 2yr applicants could hear back. Time is crawling for me. This is so stressful. I dropped out of a PhD program in order to pursue social work and I'm trying to be cautiously optimistic, but if I don't get in this round (which is a huge possibility given the statistics) I will be completely lost and out of a job (I was an RA at in my department and now that I quit, I have to find work elsewhere). Right now I have a short contract, but if I'm not going to UofT in september, I have to find long term work in the meantime and figure out my living situation. I guess at the end of the day, I am doing what is best for me in the long run. It just sucks for your life to be in limbo like this. But, the overall message on this thread seems to be to keep trying each year and to not lose sight of our goals. Just needed to vent to people who understand.

Thanks for calling! I am getting pretty anxious and stressed out about this. I only applied to this program and knowing that I shouldn't expect anything for at least another 2 weeks is a relief. Although Mid-March to Mid-April is a pretty big timeframe. It could be two weeks or over a month from now! Oh well

Oh wow, that's soon! Good luck with your move!

Do you know if this is strictly for the Advanced Standing program? The 2 yr program applicants should hear back next month? People on here say that they always send out 2yr acceptances after the Advance Standing people. Thanks.

Congrats on getting accepted to Windsor! I didn't apply to Laurier, but from what I understand, they turn away a lot of qualified people and it's a highly competitive program. I read on this thread, and the ones from last year, that most people have to apply multiple times. My bf's mom has her MSW from Laurier and she tried three times before getting off the wait list for Laurier. But I hear you on it being your first choice. Take some time today to do something special for yourself and don't let this take away from your accomplishment of getting accepted at Windsor.

Sorry to hear that andwewait. I know that can be crushing. Did you apply anywhere else?

Yup congrats to all of you guys who heard back! The wait continues for some. Sending positive vibes out there.

I'm not sure how I did it, I forget but you don't have to be a UofT student. I think I just went into ROSI (googled it) and then put in my student # (which you should have been assigned from your application, I think?) and then I followed the instructions for setting it up. I think your password is automatically your birthday YYMMDD

Omg, yeah this is getting a little stressful now. Trying not to think about this. My SGS file still says "under review" so I don't know if "decision made" appears the same time as "invited" does on rosi? Either way, I guess we're finding out sooner than expected.

Mine is like that too. I also applied to the 2 yr. Under account status it says "Active", weird. Does your say that too? Haha maybe I'm overthinking it...

So I just checked my UofT application online and the status now reads "Under Review". I know there are several of us applying on this thread. Good luck to everyone! Does anyone who applied in previous years know exactly when they send out results? It said March, but I was wondering if it was end, middle, or beginning? Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday break so far.

Thanks, I hope so. My grades fluctuated the last two years of my undergrad, but averaged around A-. I'm just hoping they put more weight on the last two years of graduate studies because I performed better. My guess is they will look at everything. They seem to have a more holistic approach in weighing candidates.

Do you know what they do to calculate your GPA if you have an MA? Would they still only be looking at my undergrad? Technically, the last two years of study for me are graduate studies.

phd2msw here: OMG this is frustrating. Sorry guys. I have no idea what I did and I can't re-format this or delete it. It won't let me type below the quotation box. I was going to reply to Applicant1000 about the thesis option. Should I indicate on my statement that I would be interested in completing a thesis?

I'm only applying to UofT, but I know that UofT doesn't require statistics. They ask for a research methodologies course in the social sciences. But as I have learned from looking at different courses to meet that requirement, most of these courses have some statistics component. But you don't need a pure statistics course. I can't speak for other programs. Hope this helps.

Yeah, it seems to be mostly online with some intensive weeks. That also made it seem a little less spectacular, but I think I would have considered it anyway. It seems pretty innovative. I know Laurier has an Indigenous specialization, but the one at UofT looks like it's more trauma focused.

I saw that specialization a few weeks ago and was very excited. I would be interested in applying to it (my work focuses on Indigenous issues and I've done work on Indigenous history and historical trauma) but I sadly missed the deadline. I don't know why it is much earlier than the main program. So I am applying to their regular MSW stream - Mental Health and Health. I'm hoping to be able to take my elective courses from this field though.

Hi everyone, Also wanted to introduce myself and say good luck to you all! It's great that we can support each other on this thread. I'm applying to UofT's 2 year MSW program. I posted before in last year's admissions thread, but basically I am leaving my PhD program in the Humanities for a career in social work. Academia isn't my scene. I've been feeling increasingly unhappy about my career choice and after a health scare this year, I realized that I should be doing something that I am truly passionate about, not something I feel I 'should' be doing because of other people's expectations. But that is a whole other can of worms. I'm not too sure of my chances for this year (not much volunteer experience in the human services) but I'm giving it a shot. I just started volunteering at a hospital in their mental health ward. My hope is to specialize in the health and mental health field at UofT. I have other volunteer experience but more in policy and media. My background is in Indigenous-focused research and policy. I have a LOT of research experience; I have been an RA since my undergrad and have spent some time in the public sector as a research consultant. I think that is my strength as from what I understand, UofT is more research and clinically based. I have an MA (non social sciences field) and an honours BA in History. I'm not worried about my grades, just lack of volunteer experience The funny thing is I don't have a research methodologies course in the social sciences and I am working on that this fall! I'm taking an online course through Athabasca (anyone else taking this?). Nice to meet you all!

Hi everyone, I'm hoping to get some advice for a career transition into social work. I know this thread is mostly for those of you who have recently applied/been accepted to different MSW programs but I wasn't sure where to post to get input from fellow Canadians. This post might be a little long so I appreciate in advance if you're taking the time to read and comment. I am currently enrolled in a PhD program in the Humanities and for the past two years, have wondered about this career choice. I definitely do not see myself in academia, so if I complete my PhD, I would probably end up working in a government setting doing research and policy analysis or something like that. That could provide an opportunity to research and do some sort of social justice work on behalf of marginalized groups (in my case my area of expertise is Indigenous communities), but I don't see this as a fulfilling path. Essentially, I would like to work with people and help people, instead of simply studying people academically and theoretically (if that makes sense). This is a really scary move for me but also an exciting one because I believe it is really what I should be doing with my life. I think I already meet the course requirements for most programs (I have a research methodologies course from my MA, I have undergrad credits in women's studies, history, sociology, psychology, and a biology). Grades aren't an issue I think - I have straight As for all my PhD courses and an overall A- average for my MA and BA. I think it would look good on my application that I've already completed an MA and that I've done well academically at the PhD. I am worried about how my application might look to admissions committees who might be thrown off by me quitting one PhD to pursue another graduate degree. I'm worried about how to justify my desire to move into social work. I don't think I have enough volunteering and work experience in human services organizations and would like some some input on that. My lack of experience makes sense, given my previous career path which focused on research, but poses a problem now that I want to change careers. I am currently seeking out volunteering positions to work on that as soon as possible, but I definitely won't have a year's worth of experience by the time applications are due in Dec. I do have some experience interviewing individuals about their life stories, health histories, and occupational health conditions as part of nationally funded research project. So, I could argue that experience conducting oral history interviews often requires me to listen to personal health histories of second and third generation immigrant families in a working class community. Would this be relevant? The other experience I have is running a website with a group of people where I am an editor. The website links the work of academics to policymakers, the media, and the broader public. We publish pieces on current issues (such as missing and murdered Indigenous women for ex.). I also think my experiences working for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission shaped my desire to become a social worker. I was basically searching through archives for evidence of abuse, trauma, neglect, and missing children at the hands of Canada's Indian Residential School system. This deeply affected me, and I felt utterly helpless in those archives. I would like to do something today about the mental health issues and intergenerational trauma that a lot of Indigenous communities are facing today due to a long history of settler colonialism. My questions are: do you think I should focus on building more volunteering experience? Would it be worth it to apply for Fall 2016 admission? Any advice on what I should be doing in the meantime in order to strengthen my application? Do you think it's a crazy career decision? Thanks for reading.