socialwerqer

You will be getting the same education as a post-degree BSW program in year 1 of a 2 year MSW program. So when you finish the first year of your MSW, you will be as prepared as a student with a BSW entering the advanced standing program. Ultimately, that is up to you if you want to do a BSW first. I would say if you are already admitted into the 2 year MSW, then personally I would move forward with that if you are 100% sure you need it for the career you want in mental health.

I would say you are on the right track and that you do need more experience in social work, especially with marginalized populations. Your previous experience is good but probably not what MSW programs are looking for sadly. I am going to be honest and I hope it's okay. I went through the same thing but obviously am not an expert. Being a nanny or working as the aquatic coordinator are good opportunities to learn how to work with people, but you are technically not working with clients who are more vulnerable, or in systems that social workers usually end up in. Here's my advice as someone who went through the application to the 2 year program several times, before I gave up and got a BSW. I was admitted this year to the 1 year program this year: 1. start looking for places to volunteer ASAP. Good places are shelters, crisis centres, hospices, clinics, hospitals...etc. Get experience on the front line. These places also typically offer additional training. You can also get an idea of that field or agency, and if you like working in that field, or possibly not. It helps you narrow down what kind of social work you want to do. Volunteering is probably your best chance of getting real social work experience. 2. look into post-degree BSW programs. You will for sure get social work experience at a placement. It's also easier to get into an a one year MSW program with a BSW, than it is to get into a two year program. You do not lose any time completing a one year BSW then a one year MSW. Either way, you're still working towards your goal. 3. A lot of applicants will have good grades and strong references but what makes you stand out? They get hundreds and hundreds of applicants who most probably meet the grade and reference criteria. Why should the admissions committee pick you? Everyone applying wants to be a social worker and most likely everyone has a story to tell. Not trying to diminish anything you've experienced, I think it's important that we all get in touch with the reasons why we want to end up in the helping profession. You said you worked hard on your personal statement and that you were vulnerable. I know it can almost feel like a personal rejection because you put yourself out there. But revisit your statement and rework it. Is everything you wrote justifying why you belong in THAT specific program? Research the faculty and read their publications. Look at they syllabi if you can find them. Look for courses that interest you. I'm assuming you've thought about this but just in case: do your values and career goals align with the program? talk about it. talk about the faculty that you are looking forward to learning from. talk about specific placement options or partner agencies that you would like to do your placement at. Talk about why you belong in that program and what you plan on doing with the education that they offer. Also reflect on your social location and write about it in your personal statement. What community are you from? Write about experiences where you were uncomfortable or where your values/biases were challenged. What did you learn? What experience do you have in working with people from oppressed communities? Or are you member of an oppressed community? 4. References: who were they? Do you have people writing for you that can assess how you perform in a social work setting? if not, volunteer in a setting where someone can speak to your skills as a future social worker. Or if you do a BSW and your profs or placement supervisor, who are social workers, can write for you. It's totally possible to get into the program you like. Really study what they are looking for in an applicant and you can take steps to improve your resume and application for next year. It might take a few tries and some tears, sweat, and heartbreak but this doesn't mean you are never going to become a social worker. You will learn from this round and will try something else next time. I remember I was in your shoes and I know we're not the same, but from someone who has been there before, don't lose hope! Hope this helps.

Me too! If you make one, I'll join

Congrats!! You must be relieved now haha And so annoying you had to worry about that for a day!

I think you got in? Or at the very very least wait listed, but even that I doubt. I feel like it is a positive overall letter and rejection letters don't usually start with "we are pleased to inform you". It's SO weird how vague it is though! That's so annoying that you have to wait for them to upload the official letter. They could have thought this out way more.

I was accepted to UofT's advanced standing MSW program (health and mental health stream). I saw my ACORN status changed to "invited" on Feb 20th and my acceptance package came in the mail that week. edit: when I was waitlisted to the 2 year program last year heard back last week of march (waitlist letter in mail).

For U of T's 2 year program they typically send results out late March/early April. One year I received my waitlist letter the last week of March, and the one before was the first week of April. Good luck!

I've heard the same thing, that U of T's wait list sits around 70 people. It's pretty huge. I remember in a thread from around 2 years ago commenters were laughing because almost everyone who had applied to U of T had been waitlisted (you need to skim the thread from 2016, I think). Like others have mentioned, it is totally possible to move off the wait list but it is rare and I would remain hopeful but cautious. I was on the wait list for the 2 year program twice and I was never offered admission, despite sending in updated grades (A+ average) and updated work/volunteer experience over the summer. It really depends on their cohorts and what kind of applicant they might need to balance out diversity/experience/stream placement..etc for that cohort year is my guess. They say they don't rank their waitlists but evaluate everyone holistically when a spot becomes available. Good luck to those waiting! Don't lose hope just yet. It might take a few tries and more experience in the field but it still possible to make it

hey there. I can only speak for U of T because I didn't apply to the other schools. I found out my acceptance for U of T online (through ACORN) and I received an admission package in the mail. Good luck!

Hey! So my acceptance letter arrived today from U of T. I have four weeks to accept or decline and if I accept, I need to pay a $500 deposit by June 1st. So the deadline to accept is four weeks, which is March 20th (my letter is dated Feb 20).

Hey! That's good point and I'm not sure when the deadline to accept is. Those who were offered admission through ACORN should be receiving their letters soon. But I agree, June would be too late for the second wave of admission. The good thing is that there should be a second wave as reported by alumni and current students. Congrats to everyone who has heard back! Sending positive vibes to those who are still waiting.

U of T is pretty non-transparent with their admissions policies but based on what some current and previous students have posted on this thread in the past, it seems like they do offer admission in at least two big waves. There are initial offers sent out for Advanced Standing mid-Feb and it is expected that some people will decline. There is a deadline for these people to accept. My assumption is that they do a second round of offers of admission, based on the spaces that are left from the initial round after some people turn down their offers. I remember someone who was currently attending U of T posted in the forum either last year or the year before, and she said that just because you don't receive an offer of admission initially, that it doesn't mean you are rejected. She said many of her colleagues were admitted during the second wave, some even being offered admission from the wait-list. UofT receives a huge number of applicants, about 800+ every year for about 140 spaces for both 2 year and advanced standing programs. My assumption is they try to keep their process a bit secret to mitigate people contacting them for more info or feedback.

Hey! So based on threads from previous years, "invited" pretty much means you are accepted. ACORN will say nothing if you are waitlisted or rejected. Even if your ACORN says nothing right now, you could still be accepted in the coming weeks. This does not mean you are not in, yet. U of T sends out acceptances in waves, like make programs. Keep checking and don't lose hope yet. I kept checking ACORN neurotically every day this application season and under Academics it was always blank. Now, mine is showing MSW 2018-2019 Invited (see below). Prior to this year, I was waitlisted for two years in a row and it never said "Invited". Trust me, I need to receive the acceptance letter in order to be 100% sure I am accepted. I will keep you all posted on when/if a letter arrives. I hope this helps and good luck <3

It's on the homepage when I first log in. Not sure if this means anything, but my last name is at the beginning of the alphabet. That sucks their system crashed! Hopefully people begin to hear back soon! Here's a bigger picture of what mine looks like:

Yay!! Congratulations! Maybe we will be classmates!