HopefullyMSW

Hey Tess! I see you posted this a few weeks back, so I am not sure if you have heard anything yet, but if you haven't I would suggest contacting the school of social work and seeing if coming in for an interview would help your chances of being accepted. I was in a similar situation, I applied 2 years ago (late March) and was waitlisted and I just accepted this as my fate. I reapplied this year and was accepted after they asked me to come in for an interview. I think the reason for my interview was that I have attended like 4 schools because I moved between two states and while waiting for in-state tuition to kick in, I took classes at a community college before transferring to a university (to avoid the sky-high out of state tuition), and they wanted to hear more about this "unusual" part of my application. The priority deadline was like December 1st or something I think, I was interviewed like December 20th-ish, and then accepted January 4th so I think it really helped cement my spot in the program to explain my application weakness. I was also awarded $25,000 in scholarships so I really think the interview helped me! All that being said though, the year I applied after the priority deadline I was initially waitlisted and had to re-apply the following year! I did also hear of some people who were initially waitlisted, went in for an interview, and then were subsequently admitted off the waitlist so really anything can happen! Good luck! I hope you either have already heard something or hear something soon!!

Hey everybody, I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I figured I would share in case it helps anybody out. I was accepted to University of Michigan last year for fall 2017, but due to financial issues (read: graduate school is crazy expensive and I was offer nominal funding) I decided to defer my admission for one year. I had to resubmit paperwork this fall that I intended to enroll for fall 2018, and resubmit my financial aid application and any special programs applications (which I chose not to apply for since none really fit where I am hoping to end up). The school of social work sent out my financial award package notification via email Thursday 1/17. I was awarded a School of Social Work Dean's Scholarship for $20,000 and a grant for $2,000 - a HUGE increase from what I was offered from last year! So those of you who have already been admitted should start getting your financial package awards soon I would imagine. Also, it goes to show that there is no "set" criteria for what makes a strong candidate for either admission or financial assistance, I was considered for two separate years and was awarded two very different award packages, as the EXACT same student, literally nothing changed about my financial aid application! Also, (sorry this post is getting really long) my U of M SSW timeline starts sooner, I applied late in March 2016 meaning I missed the priority deadline so I was initially waitlisted. I didn't know any different so I just accepted my fate and figured I would wait another year and apply early decision 2017. Well come to find out, if you get placed on the waitlist, you can request an interview with the admissions team, which can make a huge difference! I had a non-traditional application. I had a struggling, to put it nicely, GPA for my first year and a half of undergrad until I buckled down and finished with a 3.8 GPA even though I only had like a 2.8 cumulative GPA. I had a long list of extra curricular activities and experiences that helped make up for that shortcoming. Long story short, if you worked hard and put forth effort to make up for one "less than stellar" aspect of your application and end up waitlisted, request an interview! My interview is what I am pretty sure got me into the program and ultimately got me a pretty well funded position! Good luck everybody! At this point, everybody has put in their hard work, it's time to just sit back and wait for it to pay off!!

Yeah, I emailed them as well and saw that application. I about died when I read "5 page statement"! I wish I knew how realistic it is that they will give me more aid, if it's even worth all that effort! I didn't get any scholarships, GSSA positions or anything, so I am feeling a little defeated and shaken! I need to hear some good news, and then maybe I will be ready to write a 5-page statements begging for some more money

I received a letter/email today letting me know I didn't get into the Integrated Health special program. Good luck to everybody else who applied, you should be hearing soon!

How did you know where to send your financial aid appeal letter? I have heard you can do this, but do you send it to the School of Social Work or financial aid department? Thanks for any help! And congrats on your scholarships!!!

I think the way that the stipend works is that you get a "paycheck" so like every week, every other week, once a month, something like that, over the 8 month period. I am not sure if you just don't work during the summer then, or if they pay you separately for that, that I am unsure of. I was accepted for the 16-month program so extending to the 20-month would be a bummer because it would extend graduation, but definitely worth it if I can get a free (or close to free) education!! I don't know how feasible attending U of M would be for me without the position. While I recognize it's a great school/program, and I know in the clinical field (I am doing Interpersonal Practice) having a degree from U of M is held in high regard, $80k in debt still shocks me!

Has anybody heard back about the GSSA positions? I haven't heard anything yet, and today marks "mid-February" so my anxiety kicked up a couple extra notches

I submitted my special program application with my actual application, and I emailed them to ask when decisions would be made and they said "there is no timeline" so that's a bummer! I submitted my GSSA apps late last week, I am hoping they are quicker with their response! Apparently they will request interviews mid-February, which seems like forever away!! This whole process if forcing me to work on my patience!!

I just realized, you can request an interview with them, if you think that would help you. It allows you clarify any "less than stellar" parts of your application package. That might be helpful to do?

I was waitlisted last year, and ultimately rejected. I submitted my application around mid-April, put on the wait list a few weeks later, and received my rejection letter in late August. I have read of other people being accepted off the wait list, maybe you just need to wait a bit. Good luck!!!!

I got this same letter, and I am wondering the same thing. I have an interview this week, and I am wondering what will be asked and what I should prepare. I wish I had more insight into why they requested this interview, it would help calm my nerves! If I find out anything more, I will let you know.