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MSW/MEd

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    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    50 minutes ago, Sarah Erwin said:

    Surely, it's not unreasonable to expect York to have decisions made by tonight, right?

    Is anyone else super frustrated with them??? Haha. I JUST CANT DO THIS ANYMORE :-p.

    Waitlisted for Laurier, and no official news from Lakehead, although when I emailed about admission decisions the other day the person who replied said 'she can't give me news but my future with lakehead looks positive." ???? I don't trust anything until I have that letter lol. 

    People on Lauriers waitlist, let's keep each other updated? I'll let all of you know as soon as / if I hear from them about a place. As for right now, it would just be nice to know that I for sure have gotten in somewhere :-P

    I wouldn't anticipate hearing anything from Laurier until May as their list doesn't close until the end of the April. But keep us posted if you hear anything! 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    10 hours ago, JHC said:

    Hey all, 

    I too have been stalking this thread for a long time now, but this is my first post. 

    My girlfriend and I are both Psych students now, but we applied together to the 2 year MSW programs at U of T, Laurier, and Windsor. 

    She was rejected from Laurier, but I was placed on their waitlist yesterday. We both haven't heard anything from U of T or Windsor. (Does anyone know how to check Windsor's online system? Like the equivalent of LORIS?)

    Love the support going on for everyone, and we've both been going nuts over here as well waiting to hear from schools, we are both really passionate about the field of Social Work and really, really want to get in and start working toward our dreams. Best of luck to everyone, and don't give up!!!! 

    uwindsor has 2 ways to view - i am a previous student so not sure how an applicant can log in but you can try! www.uwindsor.ca/sis or myuwindsor.ca - you just need to find the spot where you can view your applications

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    On 4/2/2016 at 2:18 PM, CalendarGirl said:

    Hey I don't have any advice on this! But I am a lauier rejectee but it is my dream school and really want to know how I could improve. You must be doing something right to get accepted to all of those schools! What is your experience like? and do you have any advice?

    Hey! I still haven't heard from Laurier, how did you receive a rejection? was it via e-mail? The last school I had so much hope cause i hadn't heard and then was rejected, so I'm thinking the same thing is going to happen. 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    8 hours ago, rabschaud said:

    Congrats to everyone who got in! Must be such an amazing feeling.

    I only applied to UofT's 2 year MSW program (not in yet). I only want to do clinical social work, and I know UofT and UBC offer the 2 year programs for it. Anyone know of any other universities that have this program without requiring a BSW?

    Also, I think I might not get in to UofT this year because I have about 3 years of relevant experience, and I feel as though everyone else had a lot more. Anyone have any pointers on paid work in social services I can do in my gap year (with a B.A.) to gain experience? Thanks!

    I'm not sure if UofT is actually super clinical (they do have the mental health stream), some other clinical schools are Calgary and Laurier. 

    Good Luck!

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    5 hours ago, patience_is_a_virtue said:

    For those of you who are waiting for the 2 year Laurier MSW acceptances, we can expect to have them by the 2nd week of April. I emailed Meghan Horton today from the graduate studies department. We can expect an email from Laurier and our online viewing will also be updated if we're accepted. Looks like we're going to have to wait a little bit longer. Fingers crossed!! Good luck everyone!  

    Thanks for the info! The second week of April is so late! I just want to get all my crap together and figure out where I have to move and if I can afford it lol.

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    2 hours ago, kjackson said:

    Hello fellow waitlisters! 
    For those of you who know how long the waitlist is, did the University tell you? Or did you ask?
    I was waitlisted for the University of Calgary 2-year clinical stream, and I would love to know how many people are on that list but they didn't offer up that information. 
    I am wondering if they sent out the acceptances, waistlist and rejections all at once or if they did it in waves - if it was all at once I feel like it ups my chances of getting in! 

    I have not heard anything from them, and it is torture. I can't tell if it's a good thing or a bad thing. Did you receive an e-mail?

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    53 minutes ago, CalendarGirl said:

    Hey,

    Thank you for your kindness. Unfortunately since the art classes I have taught are not very long (1-2 hours) I have only accumulated a limited amount of hours in this, I hope that doesn't look bad on me.  There is so much to consider!! Your experience sounds great!! WOW, what is your undergrad in? I have had a really hard time getting jobs in the field because my degree is in Studio Art. I think they are really looking for people with Northern perspectives ! Amazing that you are moving toward art therapy, I have really never seen a therapy that works better with the people I work with. Even the most severe cases of schizophrenia that I have seen have responded amazingly well to art therapy. Maybe ( fingers crossed) we can work together at Laurier developing alternative therapies haha!!

    Sounds like a plan! :) 

    I don't know how long you have been teaching the art classes but I don't think its about hours (or it shouldn't be)- I think it shows compassion and empathy and the ability to transform your degree into something that helps people and contributes something positive. Art therapy is such a wonderful way to express yourself without having to use your words! I have so many clients with developmental delays that their ability to articulate verbally can be a struggle. Have been doing different projects about counteracting negative self-talk etc. It's a great way to escape, and also to start and finish something, it really is a great tool! Have you considered completing any of the art therapy certificate programs? I hear Toronto has an amazing one. I majored in psychology. 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by MSW/MEd

    33 minutes ago, CalendarGirl said:

    Hey yay! You have made me feel allot better, thank you! I have heard they are REALLY hours focused... last year I read all of this stuff about them not accepting less than 4000. But, as you said that seems kinda short sighted... considering some people applying are coming straight from undergrad. I am a support worker at a residential home, I provide emotional support and distribute medication to individuals who suffer from schizophrenia, I also teach therapeutic art classes to  individuals who suffer from severe mental illness and have shadowed an art therapist who worked with women who have endured sexual abuse. I am not sure if that counts as being "in the field" haha. What is your experience like?

    Well if I could update my application I would be at 3500 haha. 

    Your experience sounds amazing, interesting and diverse. I actually do think the 3500 hours is to dissuade people coming right out of undergrad I think they want people with experience that they can apply to the curriculum. 

    I have been living and working in Northwestern ON as a caseworker for at risk youth who are in the youth justice system. I work with youth who come from northern reserves, many have spent time in care, lots of mental health, FASD, substance abuse, developmental disorders. I work to have them take accountability, responsibility for their actions, do a lot of counselling (have actually been moving towards art therapy!), reintegrating into the community and connecting/transitioning them throughout services. I love it but would really like to develop my clinical skills to create a more well-rounded therapeutic approach. 

    I hope it's enough! 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by MSW/MEd

    3 hours ago, CalendarGirl said:

    Hey people who applied to Laurier what is your experience like? I feel my experience is REALLY unique and highly focused on mental health, but I am feeling soo down because I have 100 hours short of what they want. I am beginning to feel as if I shouldn't have even bothered getting my hopes up by applying.

    Hey! I ended my hours at like 2820 or something since then it's now well over the 3000 (did they ask for for 3000 or 3500?). But I'm also in the same boat where I think I have really good/unique/interesting experience and I'm really hoping they will ignore this. I mean if you are really in the field doing mental health/social work I can't see being a 100 hours short making or breaking it for you. I hope.

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    4 hours ago, kjackson said:

    I'm sorry to hear that, I was really rooting for you! Thank you so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it :) 

     

    4 hours ago, emilym123 said:

    Keep your chin up kjackson, I just received my rejection email for the 2-year clinical stream at Calgary.

    I wish you the best of luck and am hoping for the best for you!! :)

    I am really sorry to hear that you guys :( 

    I have not heard anything...does ANYONE know what this could mean?? 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, serendipitous22 said:

    Hi everyone. I'm currently in the MSW program at York University. I remember very well what it was like to repeatedly check my email and the various online application systems, and my mailbox... for those of you who are still waiting, hang in there! I wanted to share some information about my program that I wish I had known when I was applying, and when I was making my decision.

    To be completely fair, here is a brief overview of the type of person that I think would be a good fit for the York MSW program:
    - You are very interested in critical social work theories, including Marxism, critical race theory, feminism, queer theory, critical disability studies, etc. (*York does not yet have a strong Indigenous component to the program. UVic is excellent at this if that's what you're looking for. Arguably we should all be looking for this, but I digress.)
    - You did a BSW that heavily focussed on clinical skills OR somehow have clinical skills already. In this instance, I actually think York would be a really good complement to your existing skills.
    - You want to do macro or meso level social work practice, such as: community work, grassroots activism/organizing, research, group work, programming. York is a good choice for this as it focuses on critical social work practice, which translates well into macro/meso social work practice.
    - You want to do a PhD and are very interested in theory and want to write a major research paper. U of T limits the number of students who can do a thesis, so York would be a good choice for you as every student needs to write a practice-based research paper (same as a major research paper; note that a PRP is shorter than a Master's thesis) and this is a requirement for many PhD programs.

    Unfortunately for me, I don't fall into any of these categories and I have been disappointed with the program. I'm writing this in the hopes that you will have a bit more information than I did when making an admissions decision. There are a total of 20 students in my cohort/class, and we have had many extensive discussions as a group about our shared frustration and disappointment with the curriculum, faculty, and department. I would estimate that: 3-4 students have seriously considered dropping out or transferring (including me), 10-12 actively and vocally dislike/resent/are disappointed with the program, and 5-6 aren't happy or satisfied but are committed to just getting it over with. There isn't a single person in my cohort that has expressed basic satisfaction - let alone enthusiasm - for any aspect of the program, aside from the funding package (more on that later).

    There were some 'rumours' that went around the forum during my application year that I can now comment on based on my own experience. York does not have established relationships with key clinical practicum agencies in the GTA. York has good relationships with a lot of agencies that would interest you if you're interested in community work, policy, research, or activism/organizing. U of T has exclusivity agreements with many clinical agencies, meaning that the agency agrees to only take on U of T students. These include many hospitals or clinical facilities such as Hincks-Dellcrest, CAMH, and the University Hospital Network. Aside from these exclusivity agreements, many clinical/counselling agencies will not accept placement applications from York students. There ARE some exceptions to this rule, but everyone at York who wants to go into clinical/counselling work then has to compete against each other (and students from other schools) to get those limited placement positions. Generally speaking it is true that U of T has a lockdown on key clinical placement sites.

    If you have ANY interest in doing clinical work (counselling, working in a hospital, crisis work, trauma work, individual/family/couples/group therapy), and you are seriously considering attending another program, go there instead of York. This is the bottom line.

    Secondly, even if you feel optimistic about securing one of the few clinical placements available, you should know that York does not teach any clinical or practical skills. I knew this when I was applying, but I didn't REALLY understand it. Examples of skills or clinical topics that you will not learn at York include:  developing a therapeutic alliance (this term is never used at York), building trust and rapport, phases or stages of a counselling relationship, communication skills (open-ended questions, active listening, reframing, summarizing), assessment skills, documentation skills, treatment planning, crisis intervention, counselling theories, counselling methods, ANYTHING related to mental health conditions (signs, symptoms, therapies).... you get it. There is one class on group facilitation and one class on narrative therapy (the only counselling course); both are electives.

    This is because York's MSW programs draw on a wholly different knowledge base than U of T, or other clinical programs. Critical social work draws on critical social theories, like Marxism, feminism, critical race theory, queer theory, critical disability studies, etc. U of T's social work program primarily draws on psychology, the medical model, and psychotherapy as a knowledge base. This is why York's mission statement and admissions process emphasis anti-oppression and social justice, and U of T's mission statement and admissions process emphasize research, "clinical" practice, and evidence-based treatment.

    To illustrate this difference, U of T offers classes on Social Work Practice in Mental Health, Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families, Advanced Social Work Practice in Mental Health, and electives related to trauma, counselling theories, cyber-counselling, child and adolescent trauma.... etc. York offers classes called Critical Perspectives in Mental Health and Critical Social Work Theories and Practice Skills. In the latter, you will learn about how and why various therapies (e.g. CBT, solution-focussed, strengths approach) are inherently problematic. You will not learn how to practice any of these therapies, OR even learn how they are done. You will also not learn how to practice any alternative treatments (in fact, you would never ever say 'treatment' at York). York focuses on critical and structural social work, so their critique of CBT, for example, would be that CBT individualizes a person's symptoms (let's say anxiety) instead of looking at the structural and contextual factors (e.g. the person who feels anxious is a racialized person living in poverty and on the brink of homelessness, so York might say that instead of medication and CBT, we should advocate for affordable housing and a guaranteed annual income). This is IMPORTANT and I have valued this, but I am not better prepared to work with someone with anxiety (meaning I still have no clue what to do). (This is why I imagine that a clinical BSW + a York MSW could be a good combination).

    So, many of us are stuck and eager to wrap up the program. Some students are doing external training - which, by the way, is incredibly expensive (a one day workshop ranges from $300-$500 and a certificate course in CBT could be $2000). Don't bother thinking, "Oh I'll just take electives at U of T", because there is only a very, very, very miniscule chance that you will be allowed to do so.

    One redeeming aspect of the York MSW program is its generous funding package. If finances are an issue for you, then it's worth seriously considering attending York as the funding packages are generous. In the 2-year program everyone gets a $15,000 package ($9,000 in Year 1 through a graduate assistantship (which requires 5 hours work/week) and other money, and $6000 in Year 2 through a research assistantship which doesn't require any work). If you get a York Graduate Scholarship then you get $6000 on top of this package. You will get all of this information in your acceptance letter. York also has very low tuition at roughly $1800 per semester. By comparison, the tuition at U of T is TREMENDOUSLY higher and they don't offer any funding packages. ** This is not inconsequential and despite everything else I've said, the money makes a huge difference **

    /end rant

    BEST OF LUCK to all of you. I know this is a stressful time -- hang in there! I hope you all end up at a school that is a good fit for you personally and professionally.

    Thank you for sharing. I had suspected this and it is why I did not apply there. I am glad that you are able to give some others some insight into the realities. It's important for everyone to remember that we all have our own interests/wants/desires, etc. Do what works best for you, but also do your best to make a well informed decision.

     

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by MSW/MEd

    1 minute ago, Sarah Erwin said:

    Yeah its hard to say. I have anxiety over driving so ...blah :-P.

    Must say, though, rent is so much cheaper than Toronto there! I can get a one bedroom for the price I pay in Toronto for my den-sized bedroom in a two bdrm apartment. Hurray for that! (if i get in!)

    I drive so much, so thank goodness I have one thing to not be anxious about haha...it's probably just a matter of driving more and you would get used to it. 

    I knowwww...my fingers are crossed! 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by MSW/MEd

    23 minutes ago, Sarah Erwin said:

    In anticipation, I am currently researching apartments in Kitchener in case I get into Laurier :-P I've been trying to work out some logistics, and was wondering how familiar people are with Kitchener?

    I'm a Torontonian who isn't really a driver since it's not really necessary here. I was wondering how necessary you think a car is for the program/placement? They say to try your best to have access to one, but I'm wondering if that might be something that the program just says because they can't fully guarantee a placement in the city.

    This would be quiet the added expense for me so its something I'll need to factor in at decision time, should i be accepted to more than one program.

    I'm not super familiar with Kitchener but I think this just depends! I'm not from Toronto and all the cities I have lived in public transportation is not the greatest. I know a lot of places recommend having a car because you may have to drive a client around or something similar. It most likely depends on where you are located in regards to the school, and where your placement is. 

    p.s. I am also looking at apartments on the off chance I get in haha

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, AnnInTO said:

    Hi Everyone,

    Congrats to all those who have already been accepted!  For those who are still anxiously awaiting decisions, I am with you in the same boat!  U of Windsor doesn't get mentioned too often on here, but I was wondering if anyone knows whether they also have a website for applicants to check the status of their applications online, similar to U of T and Ryerson.  I couldn't find it and when I emailed the admissions coordinator for more information, all that she told me was that my transcript and online application have been received.  Thanks!

    Either of this should work if you have a uwindsor ID. https://my.uwindsor.ca/ or uwindsor.ca/sis - You just have to go to view your applications. But I am a former student there so I don't know if you would also have access to these.

    Hope this helps!

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    5 hours ago, Phogan said:

    Hey there,

    I recommend responding the e-mail offer and inquire about an extension to the acceptance deadline. I think most schools are flexible and recognize that students are waiting to hear from other schools.. One school allowed me 6 weeks extension after some back and forth discussion and another school has allowed me 4 weeks more time to decide.

    Good luck!

    Thanks so much for the info! I will try that! 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Applicant#1000 said:

    Congratulations on the other offer! Out of curiosity, was it OISE you hear back from?

    As for your question, you can email the schools you haven't yet heard back from, let them know the last date you can accept the other offer by, and see if they can email you a response earlier. Sometimes they are willing to accommodate the applicant

    Thanks! I wish it was OISE, I hear they are usually one of the last to send out their responses. It was UNBC for the MEd. 

    Okay, that is good to know! I wish everything came out all on the same day! 

    Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    Question: 
    When waiting to hear back does anyone know what to do with offers they have already received? I have received an offer from a school (yay!), however, it isn't my first choice and I am concerned about letting it expire and then not getting accepted anywhere else. Does anyone else have this concern? Is it possible to accept an offer and then withdraw if you get accepted elsewhere?

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