ljo377

I think it makes a lot of sense to request an interview - at the very least it shows you're very interested in actually attending! I'm sure their yield rates are pretty low since it's so expensive out of state. Good luck @BrendonSW! I was emailing with one of the GSSAs to coordinate my visit; she was so helpful and made me wish I had applied for one of the positions!

Yes, was wondering about admissions decisions when I read that. Should really be that way across the board so we can all make informed decisions... Who is leaning toward attending Michigan right now? I'm going to visit in a couple weekends!

I didn't know that they were required to extend your deadlines until April 15, @BrendonSW. Do you know who requires them to do this? I requested an extension for UMich until April 1 instead of March 15 but they responded telling me I was extended until March 21. I didn't counter back at the time, thinking I would cross that bridge closer to the deadline. I still don't think I'll be ready to decide by then -- April 15 would be ideal because I'm pretty sure I'll have a better picture of what my other top choice is offering by that time! It is such a BIG decision to move away and take on significant loans, even with the aid I was offered; want to be sure it's the right move financially and professionally before taking the plunge. I'll be so grateful to finally have a picture within a month or so of what my summer/fall will be like!

Yeah, I thought it was strange that they sent the Welcome Weekend email that sounded like some people receiving it hadn't actually been officially accepted yet! I also applied to the public administration program and am waiting to hear back (probably not until mid-March as they have another interview weekend this weekend). Right now I'm leaning more toward the MPA than the MSW if I attend UNC (and if I get into the School of Government) because I have heard mixed feedback on UNC SSW's macro program. Let me know if you have thoughts on this! Hope all who are still waiting hear the good news soon!

Hope your interview went well, @BrendonSW! And congrats on the great news about funding, @ediblestranger!

@ghanada Thank you so much for taking the time to share all of your wonderful recs - just what I was hoping for! We will definitely check some of those places out on our visit in a couple weeks. I have one more housing question; will PM you. Thanks again!

Hi @jc2404 - I lived in Chapel Hill for undergrad and for a few years afterward, though I moved to Durham two years ago (although I still work in CH). This is a really wonderful area with a lot to offer - progressive community with great food, beer and culture, coupled with a laid-back Southern lifestyle. I always recommend that grad students live in downtown Durham rather than in Chapel Hill/Carrboro - though you won't be able to drive to the UNC campus due to very competitive/expensive parking options. There are buses that run directly between CH and Durham regularly throughout the day. I'm spoiled because my office has a parking lot, but I do know grad students who go to UNC but live in Durham, so it is doable. Of course, most UNC grad students do live in Chapel Hill or Carrboro (Carrboro is more hippie, so it depends on the vibe you're interested in). Most young professionals tend to gravitate to Durham because it is getting very hip these days, and CH/Carrboro is pretty overrun with undergrad students. There are also a lot of apartment complexes on the main road that runs between the two towns, though none of those would be walkable to good areas for restaurants or shopping. I prefer to live downtown where I can walk to fun places rather than live 10-15 minutes closer to CH. Feel free to PM me if you want recommendations for a Durham housing search - it is getting pretty competitive, though rents are relatively low compared to most bigger cities.

Hi all! Just booked a flight to visit Ann Arbor for a few days with my partner while I consider where to ultimately enroll for grad school. I've skimmed most of this thread and have a decent sense of what to check out, but please let me know if you have any specific "can't miss" recommendations for what to do, eat or drink while we're there. Seems like walking through an arboretum, etc. might not be ideal for this time of year (though we're southerners)! Also, what's the best coffee shop in Ann Arbor? Best brewery? Finally, we've done some cursory housing searches and it seems like most places only come with one parking spot. Is that common in Ann Arbor? Are there housing options where we could park two cars? Or other solutions that come to mind? I'm sure I would be walking or taking public transit to go to class during the day, but with crazy work and school schedules it might be tough to coordinate during other times (especially if I ended up interning in Detroit); plus it would be a pain to sell one of our cars!

Congrats @anothercoffeeplease! Such great news According to the email the SSW sent along after my application was submitted, the scholarship application is due April 1 with decisions made in mid-April (I haven't submitted it yet). Too bad that timeline is so late because I think I'm going to have to make decisions without knowing those results based on deadlines for my other top school. Though I'm in state, so the cost is reasonable without scholarships. In general I don't get the impression that UNC SSW distributes a ton of aid in comparison to other schools anyway.

I'll PM you!

I mentioned in my email that I had been accepted to another school; might help to put the pressure on a little bit

Hi everyone - wanted to send an update for those who are wondering about financial aid. Yesterday I emailed the director of the special program I interviewed with a few weeks ago to check in on the admissions process. She didn't respond, but this morning I received an email from the financial aid office notifying me that I was accepted to the program and also was granted another scholarship totaling $15,000 over the two years. So they are at least rolling on the financial aid decisions - I would recommend checking in! My financial aid information is not yet updated on Wolverine Access. That said, I'm thrilled to have received this funding, which makes Michigan a potentially realistic option now. Cost is a HUGE consideration for me - doesn't make sense to go into ridiculous debt for a social work degree. The ROI just isn't there. Medical school, maybe, but not social work I will probably try to visit Ann Arbor in the next few weeks. Please let me know if you have any recommendations!

I don't know; I think "self care" is a term folks throw around so much it almost doesn't mean anything any more. It could maybe work as long as you have something new to say about it and aren't disclosing personal mental health details (which of course *shouldn't* be taboo, but that's the current reality of the world we're living in, especially not knowing the admissions officers). But I'd think focusing more on the actual work you've done, rather than your strategies to manage your commitments, could make a stronger essay.

Thank you!

For those who applied to Michigan - maybe I'm missing something, but I don't think I have access to a Wolverine Access page that some people have mentioned. It looks like I can only create the account once I officially accept admission and pay the deposit. I seems I only have access to the application submission portal, which doesn't have any information about financial aid or even my admissions decision (though I received my acceptance via email). Is that right?

Hey @kayaker7235 - congrats on being admitted to the SSW! I assume you might be in town to interview for the MPA program as well? I have an interview next Friday and am potentially interested in the dual degree program (though not sure if the cost of an additional year is worthwhile). Supposedly there will be some social events during the interview weekend; PM me if you want to try to meet up. I've studied, worked, lived in Chapel Hill/Durham for the past 9 years.

@TeaTime23 yep; I got an email that my admissions decision was ready and to check the portal. (of course I was driving to work so I was anxious to check the whole drive until I got there!)

@TeaTime23 - submitted my application on 12/15, the early deadline. I wasn't really expecting to hear until March!

Thanks! I was a 2-year, full-time applicant.

Hey there - I was just admitted today! Very relieved. FWIW, my quantitative GRE score was below the average, though my verbal was much higher than the average.

Hi all - I was admitted on January 12, having submitted my application December 1. I had an interview for a special program last week, so that is probably why I received the admission decision early. Haven't heard yet about the special program or other potential scholarships/aid. I was also just admitted to UNC-Chapel Hill, where I'm in state, so unless I receive some kind of merit aid it likely won't be worthwhile to head to Ann Arbor (not to mention all the cold weather gear I'd need to invest in)