UMichHopeful93

I know schools like Penn usually notify you of scholarships, but I'm pretty sure this early in the game most schools wait until spring to send out financial aid info. I totally get the anticlimactic part, because the funding is how I'm going to decide if I'm even going to pursue the degree!

Anyone receive acceptances yet? I know early to mid-December is the start of notifications for early applications for some schools.

Thank you! Yeah, U-M is probably my top choice because it's in-state for me and would be the cheapest option. I applied to UMichignan, Columbia, NYU, WashU, USC, as well as a couple of programs at smaller state schools.

Best of luck to you! I've heard UT Austin has a phenomenal program, though I'm sure all of those are great. Which school is your number one? It sounds like you're a very solid applicant, and I wouldn't worry about your GRE scores at all. Like you said, almost all programs don't require it and don't really take it into account as much as they do other aspects of the application. The concentrations you're going into sound super interesting. I wish I were the type of person who could handle clinical work, because all of those areas need help, reform and good people so desperately. As for me, I hope to take the MACRO path, mainly looking at management or policy and evaluation. I either hope to create waves of change by one day being an agency director, or working with some sort of political action team in D.C. to influence policy change for mental healthcare and the LGBT community. I also wouldn't mind eventually working in a corporation to develop and implement internal social programs and external community relations and outreach.

I don't think I could agree with olayak more! Just Google "MSW is the new MBA" and you'll see why corporations are in search of MSWs rather than MBAs - because corporations need guidance on ethics, policy, organization and evaluation. Occasionally, they also need in-house counselors. Social work has a terribly strong stigma of being low-paying, when in turn, it's quite the opposite for most who get an MSW. If you look at most of the top 20 MSW programs and their websites, they list typical income for job offers after graduation, and it's typically above $50,000. Not to mention an employment rate of over 95 percent for graduates. I'd say, overall, an MSW is very sound investment regardless of the direction you want to take your career.

This thread has really seemed to have quieted down. I'm assuming everyone is busy working on their applications! Just think, in a short couple of months, some will start hearing back! Exciting, but also slightly terrifying. The waiting part is terrible. Is anyone else checking their emails, mailboxes, online portals, etc. several times a day, even thought you know it's still at least a couple months out for a decision?

Have to agree with everyone else, an MSW is probably the best way to go. Also, PhD programs are extremely competitive to get into. As far as school choice goes, I think Ohio State is probably your best bet, as it's close by, you'll have in-state tuition, and is nationally well-recognized as an institution. Good luck!

Hey there! I just submitted my application a couple weeks ago as well. I'm hoping that since we've submitted them early and admissions are rolling, we'll hear back within a couple months! I applied for Social Policy & Evaluation.

Hi all, I thought I'd start a thread for those of us who have finished our MSW applications and are nervously waiting it out. I haven't started checking the mail for anything yet, and I think I'll hold off for a few weeks. It's super early in the game, and since a lot of programs have rolling admissions, I'm hoping that I get my letter within the next month or so (too hopeful?). Anyways, here are my credentials: Graduating December 2015 with a B.A. in public relations - Honors College GPA 3.5 Graduated December 2013 with an A.A. in liberal arts - Honors Program GPA 4.0 Experience: 100+ hours of volunteer service through various organizations, and just recently became a full-time volunteer with a non-profit organization; 6 internships with PR firms, mostly working with non-profit clients. Rec. letters: Sociology professor/ volunteer coordinator, director of the PR department at my university, and the director of the non-profit I volunteer for. Extras: I have a couple of connections I was able to use as references at my top choice schools. Concerns: Not enough direct SW/ volunteering experience. Schools applied to: University of Michigan, Columbia, Washington University in St. Louis. University of Southern California and NYU. Share your stats, your updates and your concerns here!

First off, it sounds like you're on a solid track. Some points I would make in your essay: Explain how your past experiences have influenced your choices to pursue social work, volunteer, and take this course at a community college.Explain the situation with your grades at the beginning of your undergrad degree. If anyone is going to understand, it's a school of social work. However, you may not have a ton of room for this in your essays (most are under 4 pages). In this case, most applications have a space for you to explain extenuating circumstances - do it here. Your nontraditional background shouldn't worry you. So many people with MSWs didn't study anything related in their undergrad. I'd say you have a least a fairly good chance of getting into those programs. I think it mainly depends on the acceptance rates of the schools you're looking at, as well as the applicant pool you're up against. Best of luck to you!

You have plenty of human service experience. More than enough, I'd say. In your application, they aren't solely looking for volunteer experience; rather, any human service interactions you've had. From the looks of it, you are a very strong applicant. Just judging from your stats, it wouldn't surprise me if you not only got into all your programs, but also received some scholarships and grants. Best of luck to you.

For all of my essays, not just my ones for grad schools, I like to open with a statistic that's relevant to the topic. It's sounds a bit more scholarly and analytic, and less poetic, if that makes sense?

Oh, yeah definitely. I wouldn't have a shred of confidence if I were applying to a PhD program with my current credentials, especially without a GRE.

Fair enough! Well, I'm fairly new to deciding I want to take the MSW track, but I'm certain it's where I want to take my career path. From what I've observed in talking to several people in the programs, and a handful of admissions counselors, you have a strong application if: Your undergrad GPA is at 3.5 or aboveA supplementary statement that depicts the qualities of a future SW, along with excellent written communication skillsLetters of recommendation in academia and service that attest to your ability to handle a rigorous masters programSome type of volunteering/ human service within the last few years - the more, the betterThese are just general guidelines, and I'm sure most of you have seen similar criteria on admissions sites. From my very general knowledge, a rough acceptance rate of around 50% is the norm for many programs. There's several small schools, particularly out west, that have acceptance rates that are much lower than this. From my research, I've discovered two extreme conclusions: 1.) MSW programs are as difficult to get into as any program or 2.) MSW programs border on open admissions, so long as you have a decent GPA, you're in. My guess is that the reality falls somewhere in the middle, but again, this is such speculative info...take it with a large dose of salt!

Hello, I thought I'd introduce myself, as this seems to be where I fit. I'm graduating in December with my BA in public relations, with honors - GPA: 3.5. I graduated two years ago from a community college, with honors - GPA: 4.0. I'm applying for the MSW programs at a handful of top 20 schools. My letters of reference are coming from a sociology professor, department chair at my state school, and the director of the non-profit I volunteer for. I had the privilege of reading over two of them, and they are phenomenal. I worked incredibly hard on my supplementary statement, had over a dozen people read it over, so I'm fairly confident in this area. One wildcard I do have is a connection in the department at my top school. I used her as a reference and I'm hoping this helps my application somewhat. My experience is where I lack a bit. I've had six internships in PR, some working with non-profit clients. I have around 100 hours of volunteer service with various community organizations, and I volunteer regularly with a non-profit. I know many who are applying have worked, or currently do work, in social work specifically - I'm a bit nervous about this. I didn't take the GRE, as it's not required by many programs. I've applied to the University of Michigan, WashU, USC, NYU, Columbia and a handful of others. My applications were all completed this week, so now we wait! Any input anyone has would be wonderful. Thanks!