SOCIALWERK2020

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted already into U of T's advanced standing... Still waiting.. ?

Canada and the US have an agreement so you can practice social work in the states with a Canadian degree and vice versa. Other countries often require an extra process (application or extra education) to prove the degree's equivalency.. at least in Canada. I was considering doing my MSW abroad and practice in Canada after. Hope this helps!

Hi Anniemsw! I applied to the advanced standing at U of T for fall 2019! I have a friend who got in off the waitlist for U of T for fall of 2017 (ended up going elsewhere), but she said there were two rounds of acceptances/rejections, in February and March. She found out in March that she was waitlisted, and then was notified in the end of August (I know, super late-notice) that she was accepted off the list. I don't have any info about York or Ryerson, unfortunately. So, at least for U of T, we still have about 2-3 months left to wait....... haha.

I thought the suggested deadline was nov 10, so I definitely have not submitted mine yet......... uh oh

It's not just based on classes, but also how many credit hours your classes are worth. Some are often worth more than others. For advanced standing programs, they often consider your BSW marks much more than and older, unrelated degree, in my understanding. Was your BSW a two-year, full time program? If so, it was likely 20 credits (equivalent of 5 classes per term). I'm in the same boat, with a GPA in my BSW that is much higher than my initial BA degree. As long as your research methods course has a high mark, and you have solid references, experience, and personal statement, I wouldn't stress too much about your old degree.

Yes! I did a two year post-degree BSW at Dalhousie after a BA in psych (they have an online version, I did it on campus though). Also, I believe UVic and University of Manitoba have online BSWs as well. I know though, that at Dal you need to do a week or two on-campus at the beginning (summer)...

@veecee I should've clarified that I'll be applying to the Advanced Standing (1 year) programs that require a BSW and social work experience! I'm assuming you'll be applying to two year degrees? Your education and experience sounds really interesting! The fact that you got accepted into that MSW program in Berlin says something, so give yourself the credit you deserve I think your experience in Asia is quite relevant to social work, especially in terms of access to services in rural or possibly lower income areas. I'd recommend you do some reading on environmental racism if you haven't already!

Thanks! I think getting your BSW is a great idea, but you're right, it could get a bit stressful applying to grad school while starting. Try to be kind and take care of yourself, and hopefully it won't be too overwhelming Hopefully this forum will be supportive for all of us this year! I actually just started a new part time job this week, in addition to my current part time job and volunteering (social work/mental health related)...... really hoping I'm not overdoing it, but I'm so ready to apply finally this year! Do you (/anyone else here) mind sharing your work/volunteer/educational experience with the group? Like I mentioned in my previous post, I have a BA in psych and soc, an SSW diploma, and BSW. I got a 3.6 GPA in my BSW, and got to do a research project in my second year with an on-campus food justice organization. As far as work, placement, and volunteer experience, I have almost 3000 hours in :community mental health case management, CRFs (halfway houses for people leaving prison), developmental disability day program, emergency shelter, a student-run health clinic, crisis phone lines, and with women re-entering the workforce. I am hoping to do my MSW with a mental health focus so I can hopefully work in a more clinical setting. I would eventually like to do mental health counseling. I'm terrified, but also kinda excited for this application journey!

Hi everyone! Ive been following these forums for years, so it's exciting to finally get to say I'll be applying for my MSW for fall 2019! I'm planning on applying to UofT's advanced standing MSW (mental health/health stream), as well as Waterloo's online MSW, and possibly Laurier's online MSW as well! I have my BA in psych and sociology, an SSW diploma, and BSW from Dalhousie. Both of the last two were very social justice oriented (which I believe is so important), but I'm now interested in a more clinical focus! I'm starting to get nervous, but excited, as I just confirmed one of my references yesterday (aahhh ?)!!

Haha we have the same education (except different schools)! Yeah, the tip about taking time on the application is great, thanks! I looked over the forms and stuff yesterday so I know exactly what I'll have to get done. I don't have 10+ years of experience, but I'm hoping the variety of work, volunteer, and placements I've done will make my application strong.. ??

Congrats!! That's so exciting! I'm hoping I'll be in the same place this time next year! Would you mind sharing your work/volunteer experience? I'm finishing up my BSW and will be applying to the advance standing program for fall 2018. Any info/advice would be very appreciated!

this thread has been eerily quiet recently, I'm assuming that means people are still waiting or deciding? I'm hoping this at least means no recent rejections?! *fingers crossed for you all*

Thanks:) I'm thinking I'll try to get some research experience in the fall if possible, and try to get a direct social work job as a case worker or something.. but we'll see. Thank you for your advice and input, i really appreciate it!

Hi Rabschaud, Congrats on your acceptance to both programs! That's a tough decision, because although social work and teaching are both helping professions, they are quite different. I would make a pros and cons list of both fields/programs and compare them. I would also suggest asking yourself why you specifically only want to do hospital social work (as opposed to community or other government sectors). Maybe search on job sites and compare MSW jobs to education jobs to get a better sense of the two disciplines. Try to think of your goals and your ideal future; what does that look like to you? What do you really see yourself doing, passion and interest-wise? As well as schedule-wise. I hope some of these suggestions are useful! Good luck making your decision. I would say go with what speaks to you the most!

Oh wow, that all seems like amazing experience! As far as research goes, I did a scoping review with a group under my university's school of social work for a campus-run food justice organization, but not much else really. I'm currently volunteering as a grant/fundraising assistant for a non-profit for youth with autism, and I have more practical experience: - hospital volunteer (navigator/guide) - 6 months, 100ish hours? - crisis line counselor (150 hours over 1.5 years) - stylist at dress for success (biweekly for 1.5 years) - 470-hour social services placement working with youth and adults w/developmental disabilities (day program, pre-employment classes, group homes) - after school child care (not super relevant, I know... once weekly for 4-5 hours) - volunteer support staff at an emergency winter shelter (Jan-April, once a week ish) - social work volunteer at a student run health clinic (15 hours) - administrative volunteer at a local fund to help low-income families send their kids to summer camp (10ish hours/week, now for a month or so) I'm also completing a 700-hour social work placement at a community clinic, providing case management, system navigation, and advocacy to (mostly low-income) community members. And I'm starting a casual job as a support assistant at a transition home for women leaving prison. my gpa is a high B+, almost A- (so close, sad), and I got an A- in my first term of research and B+ in my second (it was two separate courses). I'm planning on working (and possibly volunteering more) next year and applying for fall 2018, to the advanced standing MSW at UofT...... Wondering if anyone has advice on how I can improve my chances? Thanks:)

Hi @ariel1, I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing the kinds of volunteer/paid work you've done?/time length?

I know I didn't apply this season, but it's making me so happy seeing so many of you all getting offers! To everyone still waiting, I'm sure it's tough, but the waitlist will move eventually. Anyone else a longtime creeper of this forum/planning on applying for fall of 2018? Sorry if I'm hijacking your thread, 2017ers

Hey Jaylynn, I'm wondering, how did you know you were waitlisted at UofT? Did your status on SGS change?

Jaylynn, My friend called U of T because her SGS portal is still saying "under review", and they said all decisions for the Advanced Standing applicants will be mailed out by today (so this is the only round). So hopefully everyone whose online account hasn't changed will hear back very soon! Check your mailbox every day!

Ahh okay thanks!

I was responding to the assumption/suggestion made about the selection process being alphabetical by last name. (I do not think this is the case as my friend's last name starts with a letter very early in the alphabet). My friend has not heard back yet about her application status, it still says "under review" on ROSI, yet it seems as though many people have heard one way or the other... so she's getting a bit stressed out due to having to accept her other offer (which is her second choice). I was just posting on here for her to find out how many others from the advanced standing mental health stream are in this position.

I would like to know this about the waitlist too. My friend's last name is near the beginning of the alphabet as well, so I doubt it's alphabetical. Hopefully the rest of you hear back soon! I'll be in this boat when I apply next year, so good luck to everyone! ??

Hi! I'm asking this for a BSW classmate of mine who doesn't have an account (I won't be applying until next year).... ....but for any UofT advanced standing applicants in the mental health and health stream, has your status on ROSI changed? My friend's still says "under review", but it sounds like a lot of people on here have had theirs say "decision made" already... are there different rounds of decisions? Or is it based on your specialization choice? Thanks!

I have been following this forum for 4 years, and although I am not applying to MSW programs until 2018, I want to add my perspective. I have 3 years of very anti-oppressive social work education (SSW and BSW) after completing a psych degree. Personally, I am interested in working in mental health, so I will be applying to UofT's health and mental health program. I am doing this not because I am uninterested in continuing to use my AOP/critical SW thinking, but because I feel a clinical perspective would give me the practical skills and would balance my critical education. I think it is quite unfair to assume that people choosing a clinical program don't care about AOP, because it's very hard to know their background on a relatively anonymous forum. There are many reasons why someone may choose one over another. However, I think as future SWs it is also very dangerous to advise those who don't want their privilege questioned to stick to a clinical school. In this profession it is crucial that we reflect upon our own social location, and learn different ways of thinking in order to expand our minds and support as many future clients as we can. I believe the ability to think somewhat anti-oppressively/critically/social justice-oriented is what really makes SW stand out from other health professions. And many SW programs are beginning to become more critical in their teaching. Anyway, I really have appreciated all the experiences everyone has shared on here, and I hope everyone gets into their school of choice! I hope we can continue to accept each other's different opinions, ideas, and experiences, and support each other the way we hope to support our future clients! Many of my classmates are currently waiting to hear back also, so best of luck to you all!

I'm considering applying for this program (as well as some MSW programs), but not for another year (for fall 2018). Just interested to know what sort of experience/marks/degrees other applicants have. (I'm also in the MSW waiting game 2017 group for the same reason hehe) Good luck to everyone waiting to hear back this year!