SW Sevante

Happy Birthday! Don’t lose hope. Fingers crossed for you.

CONGRATS to all those who received acceptance today. An extra special shout out to cat_not_kitty for getting in, not that I had any doubt!!!

@skd05I think you are mistaken about the numbers in the 2 year program, unless the friend is graduating in 2018. There is a Facebook group called "Laurier 2 year MSW 2017-2019" that has 87 members. It is a closed group so I doubt that anyone who is not currently in the program can join. This also would align with the information that was provided at the info night where they said the approximate numbers for acceptance was around 80 people. I used to work in Corrections so my investigative work is still pretty good.

When I attended the Laurier Info Night they indicated that they get upwards of 800 applicants for the 2 year program and they accept an average of 80 students. This fluctuates year to year but this is probably a good average. With that being said, they also stated that they often weed out quite a few applications right off the top because people failed to follow the instructions and/or did not submit a complete application. I would say it's a 10-15% acceptance rate for the 2 year program but don't quote me on this.

Your guess is as good as mine. I am pretty sure that I read on here somewhere that Laurier's 2 year acceptances didn't go out until April 3rd last year which means we likely have at least another week of waiting ahead of us. I keep hoping the 'Easter Bunny' will bring us an early treat but the odds are definitely not in our favour, especially when the on-line folks still have not received results. From what I have gathered on here Laurier is usually the last university to send out results. Bright side: No news, is good news for now, yes?

Good morning everyone! CHEERS to another day of constantly refreshing my email, checking LORIS and reading this forum. Thank goodness I have a workshop to run this afternoon. That will at least offer me 3 hours of distraction.

@cat_not_kitty, I want to personally thank you from the bottom of my heart for providing me with wit, intellect and humor throughout this process. You have truly been a life saver who has a genuine ability to relate to everyone on here in some capacity. I hope you get accepted to U of T. I enjoy your insightful and well researched posts. Thank you for consistently occupying some space in my head while we all await final outcomes. You have tremendous insight which I am certain will serve you well professionally. Good luck and much thanks.

Thanks so much for your support and words of encouragement. It really means a lot to me to hear positive affirmations from someone other than friends and family. I am hoping that Laurier sees my experience as an asset to the program. I only applied to do my Masters at Laurier for a number of reasons. One, being location as I have 2 children so commuting any more than an hour each way every day was just not realistic. I also only really had the qualifications and met the required criteria to apply to Laurier's program. Ironically, my original plan was to do my BSW but a Social Worker told me about Laurier's program and encouraged me to apply. I didn't even think that an MSW was a realistic option for me at the time. I did apply to a post-degree BSW program at McMaster as a back-up plan. I just wrote the Social Work Admissions Test for that 2 weeks ago and it was HARD. I'm not feeling very confident about that test which is also contributing to my anxiety. I am happy to hear that you have a back-up plan this time around. I have one as well but I'm hoping that I won't have to utilize it because I truly feel that the MSW program at Laurier is what I need to do and where my passion is. I wish you all the best and hopefully we can meet in person in the fall.

Wow, you definitely have some incredible experience and your marks are great. I am very worried about my undergrad marks. I only have a B/B+ average. I did my undergrad at U of Windsor and also went to Conestoga and completed a diploma afterward (3.98 GPA). I feel like my academics are going to be the deciding factor for me. I'm hoping that my 10 000 hours of experience are seen as an advantage and outweigh my marks. It's so hard to know exactly what they are looking for...although I have heard from other professionals in the field that Laurier really likes well-rounded candidates that have related experience, unlike some universities that focus mainly on academics. I worked in Corrections with federally incarcerated men and women across Canada in a number of roles for 5 years. I also have done work with at-risk youth, within a addictions recovery house and I currently facilitate a peer support group for working professionals who have experienced an occupational stress injury or have been diagnosed with PTSD. I currently work in Mental Health as a Peer Supporter and run a Mood Disorders Support group but sadly, this experience is not on my application as I started the job after the application due date. I don't know about you but I have been obsessing over my personal statement lately. I have lived experience but I chose not to touch on it in my personal statement. I don't want to be selected based on that, as I do feel that there is a fine line between lived experience that is beneficial to the field of social work and that which can be detrimental to clients and can lead to early burnout. It took me a long time to be ready to apply to this program and I finally feel like I am ready, hopefully Laurier thinks I am as well. I guess I have to "let it be" and hope that I conveyed my ability and strengths effectively enough in the personal statement that it will overshadow my ho-hum academic average. A few years ago I applied to the on-line BSW programs at U of Victoria and Dalhousie and was accepted to both but I was not ready mentally to pursue this line of work at the time so I declined both offers. This whole process is so anxiety provoking and every day that goes by I question my application more and more. Like, in my personal statement I should have said "this" instead of "that"... UGH. I wish you all the best, although I am fairly certain that you have been accepted. Which program have you decided to pursue? Full-time or on-line? Also, you mentioned that you have applied twice before, did you only apply to Laurier or elsewhere? Did they provide you with feedback in order to strengthen your application in the future? I'm trying to remain positive so that I don't send the karma gods bad vibes but I am also preparing for what not getting accepted might look like for me mentally. It's such a difficult process. I once again wish all of you who are still awaiting a response nothing but the best of luck!!!!! Always remember, you are not alone!

Hi there, I would hope that this would mean that you have been accepted to Laurier. If not, that question would be a cruel joke. What is your background if you don’t mind me asking? Experience/marks etc... Asking because I too applied to Laurier and the anticipation is wearing on me. ?

Drink that champagne! Then you will get another bottle when you get accepted! ?

Has anyone that applied to Laurier’s 2 year program contacted them to inquire about a timeline for offers? I’ve been presented with an employment opportunity but am awaiting a decision because obviously doing my MSW is my ultimate career goal . I was hoping that we would hear by the first week of April but I read on here that someone who applied to the on-line stream was told they wouldn’t have a decision until the end of April. I was thinking of sending an email inquiry but want to know if anyone on here has heard anything before I send it off.

That is cutting it close. I guess that means I can expect to be waiting until the end of April at least for the 2 year program. ?

I absolutely feel for you. This must be so difficult as before we know it, May will be here. I hope that you hear something soon. Have you contacted the admissions department to inquire about a timeline for acceptances? I guess that the waiting and short turn around before the program will begin has been a true test of your strength, resilience and character during such a stressful time. KUDOS to you for that! Wishing you the best of outcomes.

I only applied to Laurier’s 2 year program so I completely understand how you must be feeling right now. Based on what I have heard/read on this forum and previous years threads I don’t think we will hear anything until after the Easter weekend. I’m hoping that we will hear by the first week in April. From what I have read on this thread the on-line applicants for the May start program still haven’t heard anything. I have read on here that a few people received emailed acceptances for the advanced standing program recently. That’s all I’ve got but know that you definitely aren’t alone in this excruciating waiting game. ?

Ah, thanks so much for the updated info. Good luck!!!

Hi there, I only applied to the 2 year MSW program at Laurier as this was the only realistic option for me. Don't beat yourself up for only applying to 2 programs. At the end of the day, acceptance is only one factor when making this decision. The choice has to be realistic to your personal life as well as meet your professional goals, hence my rationale for only applying to one. As for the BSW programs, sadly I think that you may be too late. I had a last minute epiphany/panic attack about the possibility of not getting accepted so I applied the the post-degreee BSW at McMaster just days before the deadline. You could always call the faculty of the universities you are considering doing a BSW and inquire. Never hurts to ask, right?! There is hope. You may still be accepted to one of the programs to which you applied. Also, Laurier has launched an on-line MSW program that takes 2.5 years to complete and offers rolling admissions. Although you are too late to apply to the May start you could always apply for the September start if you are unsuccessful with your current applications. Don't give up hope. It's only the second week of March and still early. I'm rooting for you!!!!

No. I need to take research methodology if I am accepted. I will also be taking this course through Athabasca. Good luck to you!

Are you considering taking this in order to meet the research methods requirement? Have you applied to Laurier?

Congrats! I’m asssuming that you applied for the 1 year stream?

Don’t lose faith. Only a few people have heard from Laurier and that’s for the advanced track. The 2 year program acceptances for Laurier probably won’t come until late March.

Are you taking the course right now? I think you can request an extension. I need to take this course if accepted into the 2 year MSW stream but was told at Laurier's info night that I didn't have to take it until I knew if I was actually in. I am planning on starting this course on line with Athabasca in April if I am accepted. According to the course description and information on the FAQ page it takes an average 3-4 months to complete but they allow people 6 months and also allow for extensions when circumstances permit. Don't lose hope, I think you can do it! Is the course load at Athabasca that challenging? I was under the impression that courses offered there are quite reasonable as they often cater to working professionals who are completing courses on the side while working full time. Maybe I should be proactive and start now? What's the course load like? Is it manageable with working full time? I just don't want to spend $900 on a course if I am not accepted.

I only applied to Laurier’s 2 yr MSW and from what I have read on previous year’s threads is that we likely won’t hear anything until the first week of April. I think I recall reading that rejection letters go out first. I think Laurier is one of the last schools to send out acceptances/rejections/waitlists. Let me know if you hear differently.

I didn’t apply to Carleton. Only Laurier. I can’t move and Laurier’s program was the only one I met the essential criteria for so all my eggs are in that basket. Or the post-degree BSW program at Mac. Good luck with the other applications. It is my first year applying so if it isn’t a success then I guess it will be good practice.