KatieJaiYen

@ediblestranger I am not moving to the region until the weekend of August 27th so I had to do the last new student session on the 29th. I am moving with my partner so he'll be managing the moving, I guess - oh well! It does seem worth it to get yourself settled in a bit early. Did you already do the new student session? I am in the Global Scholars special program, but we don't have a formal orientation. Just some required meetings after Labor Day. I think all of them are really unique so maybe there aren't full day sessions for integrated health?

Hey @ediblestranger, I was able to negotiate an early move-in with my lease. Unfortunately it's the first day of orientation so I guess I will have to make it a very late night afterwards. Have you been able to find a solution for this yet? It seemed like airbnb was rather expensive.

Hi There, In the process of securing housing for the fall. I am considering some of the larger apartment or townhome communities as it's easier to arrange out of state. Anyone here have positive reviews of particular places or recommendations to stay away from certain ones? I am looking for something relatively quiet, dog and family friendly. Woodbury, Surrey, Shoreview, Brookside, Mill Creek, Spruce Knob...so many! Any advice would be awesome - thanks in advance!

Hi All, received word yesterday that I did not receive a fellowship. If you haven't heard yet - perhaps you're still in the running! I think I had already mentally prepared myself for that decision so feeling fine and good about how things have played out. rooting for all of you!!

I watched the recorded webinar, but perhaps I missed it. Does anyone have clarity on the amount of money for stipends to support certain field placements? I see that some placements have stipends listed without amounts. I assume it is meant to, in some cases, support longer round-trip travel? I have reached out to the school and awaiting a response. Understood if this is not the best thread for this and happy to start another re: admitted chat about field placements if it's of interest. Thanks all for your continued support

That's great news! Has anyone received any communication regarding financial aid, scholarships or fellowships?

@morningjunky haven't heard anything :-/ No new likely bad news! I heard there were 50 applicants - awesome that are getting an interview. Best of luck with the process!

Hi All, just confirmed U-M for the fall. Still playing the field at a bit with UW because their enrollment isn't due until June, but 95% sure it's settled on Michigan. I look forward to meeting all of you come August. I am sure I will be in touch here or on Ann Arbor forum for housing. I plan to head there in June to secure housing.Late I know...can't get their earlier.

How is everyone else securing housing for the fall? It seems like you have to physically be on the ground. What you are guys doing and how long are you going to ensure you get a lease signed? I am currently living abroad and will not be able to go to Ann Arbor until early June. Is this too late?

@paigesparky It really depends on you. Are you studying social work in undergrad? I had different experience in that, I studied natural sciences and I knew coming out of undergrad that I didn't want to to continue and had NO idea what I wanted to be doing. I launched into work and it felt necessary for me to explore many different things before I knew that social work was for me. This might not be the case for you so follow your intuition! I think in general it is never a bad idea to enter the workforce for a bit. It could set you up to even establish residency in a new place outside of Michigan. In short, there is no right answer! You shouldn't feel intimidated by other people though as you bring your own unique, background to programs. It's just a matter of communicating your readiness and vision for how your background connects to the social work profession.

@paigesparky my understanding of PSU is that they put more weight on the amount of experience. I actually have a natural sciences background and a relatively low GPA (3.1). Not below the 3.0 mark, but obviously nothing that communicates I rocked undergrad. I am 30 now and in the last 8 years have gained diverse experience in more macro level community outreach and program management. I have been living and working in Thailand and China for the last 5 years as well which (might?) be a unique addition to my application. It's easy for me to answer those, "tell us about a time you've worked in a multi-cultural setting?" questions. At the same time, I don't have traditional socialwork/human services experience in the US. I thought this was going to set me back from the pool, but I have gotten into PSU, UW-Seattle, Michigan and Denver so I can only assume my experience got me there. I played that up a lot in my application.

@ediblestranger how did you figure out it was the wrong email address? I am a little nervous I might've done the same

Hi All, did anyone else apply for the Student Information Specialist assistantship? When I followed up awhile back it sounded like they received 40+ applications for two positions. A long shot, but wondering if anyone had received any requests to interview or other updates. I am feeling a bit challenged by UW's timeline as I have to accept/decline another school's scholarship by April 15. Is what it is with admissions!

It definitely depends on the school! I graduated with a 3.15 about 8 years ago and since then have a lot of applicable (but not traditional!) experience. I spent a lot of my efforts on the statement of purpose to really focus in on what I had been doing and how I believe it would make me impactful in the profession.

@ljo377 The reality is that I can't get an extension long enough on the scholarship/special program. Just wondering if anyone else had gone this route.

Hi All, I have a broad question so I thought to post here. Is it common to deposit/confirm enrollment at multiple schools if the timing of financial assistance doesn't match decision dates? Basically, I have received scholarship information from Michigan that makes it feasible to attend, but my top choice is still UW-Seattle. I will not know any news on fellowships or assistantships at UW until well after the final decision date for Michigan. I have talked to a few in the forum community about this, but wanted to ask more broadly...is anyone else committing to multiple in the hopes of receiving more financial assistance? I think there is a small part of me that is irked by it, but perhaps it's normal practice I am not doing a great job of advocating for myself. Would love any advice or thoughts!

Nice, Brendon! Congrats on making the final call. I am definitely still in the decision making stages but leaning towards U-M! Hope to meet some of you come August.

Received as well...a combo of stafford and plus loans which I assume is pretty standard. Really need to get the award up though if I have any chance beating out other schools financially. UW my top choice though...long way to go.

Hi All, anyone out there still waiting for decisions from special programs? I am interviewing for Global Activities this week and was a bit surprised to be considered for an interview this late. I figured the spots were full. Any insight on global activities or other special programs?

A friend that was pushed from early application pool to the general one just received her admissions decision from UW. Maybe a good sign for more decisions coming soon!

I am in the same boat for sure in terms of feasibility of attending. I just received an email to interview for the Global Activities Scholar program. Did other people receive interview requests for this and other special programs?

Hi All, when you were discussing finances, was it May for fellowships and scholarships or potential need-based loans/funding from submitted FAFSAs? Perhaps these are all the same timing. Has anyone received any information on financial packages? I just sent an email to Office of Financial Aid. I will post if I hear anything specific.

Congrats on all of the acceptances @BrendonSW you are certainly doing something right! I am regretting not being proactive about the GSSA positions at U-M. Honestly, I was so certain I wouldn't get in - such is life! Any insight into the interview or level of competitiveness? I am in the running for a similar position at another school and have no idea what to expect. What do you think they are most focused on when weighing grad assistant candidates? I also was accepted to DU and it's definitely a really viable option and solid back-up plan. Actually Denver was just named the best city in america - http://www.cbsnews.com/news/best-cities-to-live-u-s-news-world-report-denver-first-place/. Not too shabby.

@umichMSW it was a skype audio interview as I currently living outside the United States. I think requesting the interview is worth a try. I gave the Student Services Office a call and they scheduled it immediately. I am an MSW Day application, not advanced standing, but I assume the process is similar. I think it's a great opportunity to make a strong personal connection and communicate your commitment to the program and profession. Best of luck!

Hi All, I have been sort of passive on the forums, but really appreciated everyone's posts. I was waitlisted with U Mich on Jan 20. I called the school and requested an interview and was accepted 5 days after the interview. Maybe there are other waitlisted candidates out there that could benefit from an interview? I feel as though I have a bit of a non-traditional road to social work and I felt like my interview helped bring what was on paper to life. All that considered, I have some other options on the table and also have some big decisions to make. I am happy to chat here or through messages about the interview. Thanks to all for sharing, celebrating, supporting here!