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stheart

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Posts posted by stheart

    Chicago SSA April 1st Deadline

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    I did, and I was accepted in February. My friend applied by the 1/15 deadline and she still hasn't heard back. The assistant director of admissions wants to get coffee with her in May. My friend thinks it means she's a low priority applicant. If you haven't gotten a decision by now, it probably means you're not a target candidate.

    UChicago SSA Fall 2018 AM Applicants

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    48 minutes ago, doctormelody said:

    Truthfully, I don’t think any MSW program, even a particularly well-regarded one, is worth going 100k into debt for (I know they call it something different but I’m trusting what I’ve read which is that it’s equivalent to an MSW). You have to think about the debt versus what you’d be making, especially starting out. I know there are loan forgiveness programs and whatnot, but I also feel like that doesn’t give you much flexibility in terms of your career. As someone who went into a lot of debt to go to a fancy private school for undergrad, I have to be especially frugal. But honestly it blows my mind when people say that they’re seriously considering taking out that much in loans. That’s like a mortgage. It’s wild.

    Amen to all of this. The year of attending your dream school is really just play time, because you learn the same material at any other school. Really, really, expensive play time.

    Columbia Social Work Program Fall 2018

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    I'm going to paste my connection's entire email because I think it's pretty insightful!

    ------------------

    To answer your questions:

    1) Keep in mind that your area of interest and track of study impact your experience, choice of courses and practicum a lot. 

    2) I can only share with you my experiences, so what I share may not be the common experience people experience. It was not easy to get my first choice practicum site, but that may be because my student status (visa as a international student), track (its harder for international students to do clinical because of security and safety reasons....), and focus (my issue of interest was human trafficking). I applied for CSSW Advanced Standing, which was a 10-month program (summer + 1 year). The program gives priority to 2-year students for their second year. I think whether you get your first choice depends on your track and focus. If you study at their 2 year program, it's very likely you'll get your first option your second year. If you're applying for advanced standing, you'll have to see if someone already filled the spot or if you can talk to a counselor to advocate for you to get the practicum or similar practicum that you want.  

    I'm sure there are many options available for you to pick and choose from, especially since its NYC.

    2)  There was a time I regretted my decision and that was when I was put into a practicum placement I did not sign up for and when I asked to leave I was not feeling supported. However, I was able to change to an organization I wanted given the limitations and time constraints given to me, after I advocated for myself. I did end up with the practicum experience I wanted and did learn a lot from the process. Take note though that my case wasnt the typical. 

    3) My favorite thing about CSSW was the ability to see NYC from a social working lens. NYC is the 'city of dreams' for many people worldwide, so if you are interested in migration-related issues, I highly recommend CSSW. Observing people on a day to day basis and applying my knowledge inside and outside the classroom to the work at my practicum, I think I was really able to humanize and understand the issues my clients at the mental health clinic experienced and this impacted the way I provided psychotherapy and counselling for them. 

    4) People were clicky. Although everyone was doing social work, many people have sub-conscious presumptions that are clearly shown in the way they talk and interact with others. This was something that bothered me, however, I was able to find classmates and friends that were not judgmental. Majority of the students were also very experienced and older (mid-30+). 

    Overall, I think my experience at CSSW was so so, but I truly value and loved my experience in being in NYC. I felt everything I learned in the classroom was applicable to things I saw on a daily basis outside work, given the diversity and vibrancy of NYC daily life. 

    As advice, I think you should base your school choice of where you want to be after grad school. If you want to live and work in a big city, pick a school that is located in a big city. If you want to live and work in the sub-urbs then pick a school that is located in a suburb area. The nature of the location impact the scope of the people and issues you work with. 

    I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

    Columbia Social Work Program Fall 2018

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by stheart

    3 hours ago, TooExcited&Nervous said:

    I can't remember if I posted it in this one or another Columbia thread but she said the support isn't really there vs NYU students have more support and opportunities for their students. She also said Columbia sold her on diversity but in all actuality, the diversity is truly lacking, especially as a minority. She said NYU has more of the diversity and inclusion aspect vs Columbia. But, she said the work is easy at Columbia and you are really just paying for the Ivy League name. She personally told me not to attend Columbia because it isn't really worth it to her. 

     
    •  

    That's among what I heard from someone I know who graduated from Columbia Social Work. She was an international student and she said people were clique-y. The exact words from her email:

    "Although everyone was doing social work, many people have sub-conscious presumptions that are clearly shown in the way they talk and interact with others. This was something that bothered me, however, I was able to find classmates and friends that were not judgmental."

    Columbia Social Work Program Fall 2018

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    18 hours ago, JonoDuncan said:

    Yeah. Part of it is that extra $9000 they charge you for the four week summer session. RIP. 

    Also, did you find out about your acceptance yet? I know you decided to attend Chicago - just curious! 

    Nope! I didn't find out yet. I kind of jumped the gun by committing before waiting to hear back from all schools, but Columbia just doesn't make sense to attend for me!

    Columbia Social Work Program Fall 2018

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by stheart

    58 minutes ago, JonoDuncan said:

    You can find a tuition and fee chart on the website. I haven't looked at the 2 year program costs but the advanced standing total program cost is about $62,000.

    Oh, yikes! Is that price after books and fees, or strictly tuition?

    Edit: never mind, looked it up. That's after all estimated fees, assuming you'd be buying books and whatnot full price.

    Columbia Social Work Program Fall 2018

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by stheart

    This process is reflective of some of the main criticisms I've heard about Columbia. That the SSW is very disorganized, that the classes are huge and you're just a number, and a lot of people don't end up where they want to be in practicum. If you're frustrated now, imagine how frustrated you'll feel when you get placed somewhere random for practicum because the school is so disorganized. One of my current professors has a colleague who teaches at Columbia SSW and she says the emphasis for professors isn't on teaching - it's on research output because they're under a lot of pressure from the big name institution. I consider all this a very accurate and representative microcosm of how Columbia is and will be once you're actually there. I don't regret my decision to commit to UChicago. I'm still here because I want to see how this all plays out - to this point, it's just what I expected from Columbia.

    Edit: @Kat_MSW2018 that's really saying something - UC Berkeley, a huge public well-ranked institution in the most populous state, getting back to you before Columbia. Just lol

    Columbia Social Work Program Fall 2018

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted

    17 minutes ago, lost686girl said:

    Then I have no clue how they are going out sending decisions! Maybe it’s all random ? either way I’m sure you’ll find out the good news soon :) 

    I really think the "Application Complete" email just means they clicked on your application. It doesn't mean they started reading it, just that they opened it.

    Columbia Social Work Program Fall 2018

    in Social Workers Forum

    Posted · Edited by stheart

    20 hours ago, lanabeni said:

    To be fair, looking at your sig, you've heard back from every school minus Columbia right?

     

    It looks like most people have too. Will be interesting to see when/how it happens :)

    Yup! I decided Columbia wasn't worth waiting for anymore since I was never COLUMBIA OR DIE anyway. I do want to know if I got in though and what could've been lol. When I spoke to the rep from UW, they said they sent out decisions early like most other schools to stay competitive with other schools. Columbia is a big enough name that most people would drag out making a decision until they've heard from them. But in my case, and @TooExcited&Nervous's, they've lost us as students

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