[OGS Results 2018-2019]

I'm loath to make that call, Btt112169, but I do know that the deadline for graduate units to notify SGS of their nominations was June 1st. What does your application status say?

[OGS Results 2018-2019]

I think it's completely safe to get your hopes up, but I totally get wanting to be cautious ☺️. That's odd re your SGS application status – mine changed to "Recommended" the day I got the email from my graduate unit. When you go to the application website, does the button that used to say "Apply for OGS" now say "View OGS result"? Either way, sounds like it's just a technical oversight if you got the email from the SGS requesting eligibility info.

Back in May, when I received the nomination email, I was wondering the same thing as you – how excited can I be right now? I posted about it over on the Canadian MSW Applicants 2018 Waiting Game topic and a forum user who was going into her second year and who had received OGS in her first year confirmed that she had received an email from the social work department in May, request for eligibility info from SGS in June, and then official confirmation mid-July. 

4 hours ago, Elmora said:

Thanks a lot @cat_not_kitty. That's the impression I got from the email I received since they mentioned that I have been recommended by my graduate unit "pending final confirmation of eligibility by the School of Graduate Studies". However, I won't get my hopes up till I receive an official letter since my application status on SGS is just "received" not recommended. My understanding is that it's announced around mid-July at UofT, is that an exact date tho?

[OGS Results 2018-2019]

Hi Btt,

See above ?.

19 hours ago, Btt112169 said:

Anyone hear back from U of T yet? My department has not even told me whether they nominated me or not ?

 

[OGS Results 2018-2019]

Hi Elmora,

Generally speaking, I would treat confirmation from the SGS as just a formality if you’ve been nominated by your department. The process at UofT (for Social Work) was slightly different than what you’re describing. I received an email from the department saying I had been recommended in May, and in early June, I received an email from the SGS asking me to complete the eligibility step, which was just a simple form that asked for only the most basic of information (it was so general and brief, I can’t even remember any specific details). After filling out the form, I received an automated email saying that official confirmation of awards would be mid-July, after confirmation of the eligibility info I had provided. All to say, my understanding would be that you’ve been awarded OGS and are just awaiting official confirmation!!

20 hours ago, Elmora said:

Hello  guys,

I applied for OGS 2018-2019 and I received an email from my university's school of graduate studies  last month saying that I was nominated by my department, and they needed some additional information to confirm my eligibility and I am wondering what does this mean in terms of being awarded or not? Maybe someone can give me a clue whether he/she received such an email and whether they were awarded the scholarship or not?

 

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

13 hours ago, Sooyeah said:

Is there a facebook group for Uoft MSW 2020?  I am only seeing for 2019

There is indeed: https://www.facebook.com/groups/209577219803864/?source=create_flow

The group is named University of Toronto MSW at FIFSW | Class of 2020, in case the link doesn’t work for you!

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Hi lovelife905! Just to clarify, do you mean taking the summer practicum (along with Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families) allows one to collect the third OGS payment?

On 5/19/2018 at 6:32 PM, kiki14 said:

This is what I got  about the OGS summer. It could be difficult to reach 12 consecutive weeks with only 2 summer courses which is the max courseload

You need to be registered for 12 consecutive weeks.  Typically, you take a directed reading course SWk4801H Special Studies that meets over the 12 weeks.

 

 

16 hours ago, lovelife905 said:

if your in the two year program your practicum counts as a summer course. 

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Oh, I see.  You have to organise a Special Studies course that runs for the minimum required consecutive weeks. I was thinking that this was just another term for the Special Topics courses that run in the Summer session. Hmm...that’s a bit of an added wrinkle. Ah, well — one step at a time ☺️.

1 hour ago, kiki14 said:

This is what I got  about the OGS summer. It could be difficult to reach 12 consecutive weeks with only 2 summer courses which is the max courseload

You need to be registered for 12 consecutive weeks.  Typically, you take a directed reading course SWk4801H Special Studies that meets over the 12 weeks.

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Thanks for all this info, kiki14! The email was from April in FIFSW Student Services. The subject line is "2018-2019 OGS Application Result" – she confirms the nomination by the FIFSW selection committee and says that we'll receive an official offer letter from the SGS in July, after final review and confirmation of eligibility. The language is quite definitive e.g., "the value of your scholarship will be...", "should you anticipate declining...", "I would like to extend my congratulations" etc., so was thinking that the SGS stuff was just a formality...sounds like that's a good bet. I'm going to allow myself to be supremely excited ?.

Oh, I was going to ask about 2 versus 3 session awards! So you have to take at least one summer course to be awarded the full amount...good to know. Good incentive to take one or two and lighten the workload slightly for other semesters anyway.

Yeah, I wouldn't think there'd be any chance of getting one of the internal awards other than the merit-based entrance awards, as it's important to distribute what little funding there is equitably.

 

49 minutes ago, kiki14 said:

Was the email from Sharon or OGS? I looked back in my emails and Sharon informed me of the nomination in late, late May then I got an email from OGS about  final confirmation of eligibility mid-June with a link for that elgibility form.

From what I recall, the form was fairly basic just confirming your basic information, the program, and the number of sessions.

After the eligibility check, results were sent mid-July. Something to keep in mind is if you want the full amount with UofT, Sharon recommends doing the Special Studies course over the summer.

Fingers crossed & congratulations to you both!!

 

 

45 minutes ago, kiki14 said:

Oh I forgot to mention that yes it’s possible to receive both the OGS and an entrance scholarship.

At the advanced standing welcome session, Sharon said OGS would not affect internal awards.

Personally, I’m not sure how accurate that was since the internal awards are really needs based and designed to maximize the number of recipients so that as many students receive some sort of funding. I myself did not get anything from the internal awards and I think the other funding had an impact, which is understandable.

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Yaaaaaaaaaaay!!!! So excited to hear that you've been nominated too!! I'll pop over to FB and let @kiki14 know that we've got a discussion going on over here that we were hoping she could weigh in on ?. 

As for eligibility for the FIFSW entrance awards, the OGS is an external award (though 1/3 funded by U of T) and the entrance awards are internal, so I don't think they preclude one another. I've seen folks receive both an OGS and an entrance award in the past (including kiki14 last year, I believe).

Huge congrats again!!

3 hours ago, ciders_only said:

From one nominee to another, congrats @cat_not_kitty !!!!!!!! I made peace with the unlikelihood of getting OGS a while back and was just hoping for some form of an entrance scholarship, and I actually screamed at work when I got the e-mail from April. I too hope that the forwarding of nominations to SGS is a formality matter, and I'm trying to remain calm until I get a letter in my hand (much like waiting for my acceptance letter ). T'was wondering if either you, @kiki14 were aware of OGS students being ineligible for the Factor-Inwentash scholarship?

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

I received an email from FIFSW Student Services this evening (after business hours) letting me know that I've been nominated by the selection committee for an OGS! My application on the SGS site has also changed from "Received" to "Recommended". So, first of all, WAY earlier than I was expecting, based both on previous years and on available (though conflicting) info on different areas of the application site...I was thinking by end-of-June for nomination.  And second of all, @kiki14 (or other past winners out there), I was hoping you could shed some light on the process for OGS at U of T: should I treat the faculty nomination as an offer that just needs to go through the formality of being confirmed by SGS, or is there a secondary selection process at that level? The email made it seem like the former, but I don't want to get my hopes up only to have them dashed.

(Thought I'd continue this conversation here rather than start it again in the closed group on FB, just so future applicants have the full story...I found there to be a distinct paucity of info available re the OGS for MSW applicants/students.)

On 3/18/2018 at 1:49 AM, kiki14 said:

I was just going through my emails and I'm surprised others heard back earlier. Based on this link, people will hear back mid-July this year as well (http://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/currentstudents/Pages/Ontario-Graduate-Scholarship.aspx ). Nomination was confirmed mid-June, then eligibility had to be verified and offer was given mid-July. 

Overall, I'm really enjoying it. It depends on what you're looking for as Toronto is primarily clinical and less critical than other SW schools. My biggest tip would be to get involved. The first semester can be overwhelming with so many courses, but it's actually the best time to be involved with school activities. They're a great way to meet other students, faculty, and alumni. I'm completely type A and I've been trying to work on that as the grading can be inconsistent based on the instructor. Honestly, it's so cliche and yet totally accurate to focus on your learning instead of the marks.  

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Congratulations, lindaMSW!! I remember you from when I was reading last year's forum – so happy that you'll be joining us at U of T!

54 minutes ago, lindaMSW said:

I just got off  the  U of T waitlist today!!!  Feel super excited and I literally cried for a hour ! I had been rejected by the university THREE TIMES and I finally made it into this year!!

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Yaaaaaaaay! Congratulations, smntoronto – I know how much you originally wanted to get in to U of T!!!! Now, to make some big decisions ☺️. York is FAR more geared to macro practice from a critical perspective (as I posted lots about earlier in the season). U of T's Social Justice and Diversity stream in the second year teaches macro theory/practice, but the first year will focus on micro, clinical skills.

Can't wait to see what you decide. Congrats again – I was really pulling for you!

9 hours ago, smntoronto said:

I got off the waitlist at U of T yesterday afternoon, too! It's a miracle. Is anyone also deciding between York and U of T? I'm having a lot of trouble deciding, especially with York's funding. If I'm interested in doing macro type social work - does anyone have any opinions on which program would be best?

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Aww, how absolutely incredible that you're fulfilling such a dream goal – will miss getting to know you, but so happy for you!! To us crossing paths in the future ??!

20 hours ago, nicoleMSW said:

Thank you so much!! It will be Laurier for me (I accepted their offer already), although I was looking forward to getting to know you! However, Laurier has been my top choice from my first application cycle, so I was absolutely stunned by the news that I got off the waitlist! In fact, I'm completely stunned that I even had a choice between two incredible schools... I am so grateful!

Best of luck to you and I wish you nothing but success throughout this program! Hopefully we will cross paths in the future as Social Workers!

I withdrew from U of T today... so one more spot has opened for the 2 year MSW there! Congrats to everyone hearing from the waitlist  

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Congratulations!! So, what does this mean for you?! Will it be U of T or Laurier? Don't forget to weigh in my incredible sense of humour when making your final decision ?.

On 5/4/2018 at 4:54 PM, nicoleMSW said:

 

Me too!! I’m currently out of the country and woke up around 3:30am... briefly checked my phone for the time and saw the acceptance... it’s now 5am and I haven’t gotten a wink of sleep! So excited! 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Happy that you've settled on a path that makes more sense for you, but you definitely should have received official notice of your status via mail – whether you were accepted, waitlisted, or rejected. If you were waitlisted, you would have had to confirm your desire to remain on the list.  Even if just for curiosity's sake, I think it's worth contacting Angela to find out what your status is, letting her know that you never received anything in the mail.

Good luck – looking forward to working with you too ☺️!!

 

On 4/30/2018 at 3:17 PM, tabbipotato3000 said:

Long time lurker, first time poster

I'm honestly just waiting on U of T's response for the pride aspect, as I'm excited to follow a different path with my helping career (I've decided to jump into teaching). My SGS has said "decision made" for a month but I've yet to receive any response (and nothing on ACORN either). From what people have said prior, I would have heard if I got in, and I would have heard if I was rejected...

Good luck to everyone!! Those who got in, I have faith in all of you. To those of you who are waiting, I hope you hear back soon, either way. I look forward to working with all of you (even if it's from another angle of care)! The work all of you are going to do will be so worthwhile ?

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Congratulations, ciders_only!!! Don’t know how I missed that you had also gotten accepted to U of T. Excited to be classmates — come join the FB group, if you haven’t already!: https://www.facebook.com/groups/209577219803864/?source=create_flow

The group is named University of Toronto MSW at FIFSW | Class of 2020, in case the link doesn’t work for you.

5 hours ago, ciders_only said:

Almost 2 days after getting my acceptance package for UofT's 2 Year MSW, and my ACORN status has not changed. I'm thinking its because my previous registration status is "financially cancelled" while being listed as a non-degree student - I graduated 2 years ago, so I don't know why it says that  . Although my SGS portal does day "Decision Made".

I went during my lunch break at work and dropped off all of my signature papers, i was pretty giddy walking into the building yesterday.

I'm declining my offer to the 2 year MSW program at Laurier, hopefully it will be good news for you  .

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Hi EndlesslyWaiting! I was accepted via ACORN on March 27th and saw no change on SGS for days afterwards. I received my snail mail package yesterday evening – my SGS now says "Decision Made". Would have been changed Tuesday at the earliest as it wasn't updated before the long weekend. In the past, all results (acceptance, waitlist, rejection) eventually saw "Decision Made" on SGS, but there seemed to be little rhyme or reason to how/when the site was updated. This year even ACORN was less reliable, as some people got acceptances in the mail, with no "Invited" on the site. Hang in there!

56 minutes ago, EndlesslyWaiting said:

Hi everyone!

like the most of you, I have been eying this forum and I have a question!

(BTW, I have applied to the 2 year MSW program at UofT)***

so today around 12pm my status on MyFile changed from Under Review to Decision Made. I called and they said that they are currently mailing out ALL decisions...

therefore, for all of you that have been accepted, did it say decision made for you as well? Is decision made a change in status that everyone experienced, regardless of acceptance or rejection? 

I’ve been a BUNDLE of nerves all day so it would really really help me out if you guys had any comments/answers to my question! 

I also have checked my mail - nothing.

Thank you guys!!! 

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

17 minutes ago, skd05 said:

Omg omg omg I just got accepted !!! Laurier online!!!

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Love everything you've said here and totally understand why you're preparing your heart for the worst...but I'm still not giving up on you getting in, damn it!! They've clearly got some major administrative issues going on over there.

 

59 minutes ago, SW Sevante said:

I have not heard anything and my LORIS remains unchanged.  I am preparing for rejection and recognize that there are areas in my application that could definitely use improvement (specifically academics).  I just have to decide if I'm willing to do that or perhaps doing the post-degree BSW is the better route.  I do believe that applying for the MSW was a great learning experience for me and I have definitely had some time to do some additional reflection while waiting for a decision.  I know that I am capable of working in this field and I am also capable of acceptance into a BSW program as I was accepted to Dalhousie and UVic in 2016 but it wasn't the right time.  Perhaps this isn't the right time for my MSW either...

Being on this forum helps me to see all of the equally qualified applicants and makes the competitiveness of this process a stark reality.  I am thrilled for everyone who has been accepted thus far. Congrats!  It makes me feel better knowing that for many of you who were accepted this year that it wasn't your 'first rodeo', so to speak. This was my first application and I have already identified areas that could use improvement. It is hard to convey everything you want in 1000 words and now I am not so sure that I did the best job that I could have done in that respect.  I am already thinking of what I can do  better the next time around if need be.

To those who are still awaiting their fate like myself, this isn't the end of the road for us.  Although it may not be the outcome that we had hoped for we have to realize that some people have to climb the mountain more than once in order to reach the summit. 

 

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Hi, Terrens123! Congratulations on your acceptance!! 

Thank you so much for creating the group! Happy to co-administrate of you'd like to add me – I'll send you a PM with my name and then request join via FB. Yay!

So looking forward to taking on this journey all together!

32 minutes ago, Terrens123 said:

Hey everyone! Long time lurker, but I just received my offer of admission in the mail. I see that some of you are discussing about starting up a Facebook page for the class of 2020 @MSW2018applicant @nicoleMSW @cat_not_kitty. I'm quite active on Facebook (more than I should be) and can create one!

 

EDIT: I've gone ahead and created one. The group's name is: University of Toronto MSW at FIFSW | Class of 2020.

The following is a link to the page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/209577219803864/?source=create_flow

 

Looking forward to meeting and working with all of you! 

Editing to tag everyone else I could think of: @karisma @hannahdaviidson  @MEGSMSW2018 @Hopeful4 @tr11 @Rectitude @Corrina_22 @meerkitty@Casper13 @jage24

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Haha – sounds like we're a social-media-light group, the lot of us. I'll wait for one of the other 2-years to respond – hopefully, one of them is super active on FB and administrating won't be a bother. If it turns out we're all a bunch of luddites, happy to take it on .

17 minutes ago, MSW2018applicant said:

I'll also create a facebook account to just join the group, so I'll also have a "weird looking account with zero activity"

 

25 minutes ago, nicoleMSW said:

Thanks for the information!  it was the diversity workshop. That’s good to know, I couldn’t find much information on it besides the description. 

I may cave and join Facebook just for the group... so U of T students, if the weird looking account with zero activity named “Nicole” requests... it’s just me!  

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Out of reactions (again! :/). Thanks so much for the info, kiki14!

27 minutes ago, kiki14 said:

I looked through my papers and I was admitted in late March and the entrance scholarship was dated May 9th. I'm sure it varies year to year, but there was a pretty big gap in time between the admissions decisions and the scholarship. 

Was the workshop about diversity or orientation? If it's the diversity workshop, they'll eventually let you sign up on Eventbrite. 

The facebook group for the class has definitely been useful so I would recommend joining. 

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

They certainly seem to be making some adjustments in enrolment based on internal issues/requirements. Just surprising to see a reduction of 10-15 students in both programs this year!

35 minutes ago, whatdidigetinto said:

I'm assuming they have to consider maximum class sizes, as they likely only have a certain number of qualified teachers and want to maintain a certain teacher/student ratio.  Then there's also the consideration of finding everyone a placement ... I would have a worse opinion of being accepted, but told there's no placement spots for me so I would really meet the degree requirements in the expected timeframe.

(The disclaimer is that I'm still waiting to hear from both programs I've applied to.)

 

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

Got my official acceptance package from U of T yesterday evening! Super exciting to have it in hand and be able to officially announce everything to friends/family/referees, etc. Apart from that, there wasn't all that much information in it.

Very exciting to hear that some folks received acceptances WITHOUT their ACORN updating! Fingers crossed for all those who are still waiting to receive their packages!!

Thought I would share that I called Angela to ask whether one should assume that one didn't receive an entrance scholarship if there was no information about that in the package and she said that that was a completely different process that would take place later. I tried to make it clear that I was asking about the entrance scholarships based on GPA specifically (the $4000 ones, which HAVE been included in packages in past years), as opposed to the internal awards process that takes place after classes start...she seemed to understand what I was referring to, but she was quite distracted sounding. It seems odd to me that information about entrance scholarships wouldn't be provided as part of an offer...

Tagging in a few people who I know off the top of my head are accepted to U of T's 2-year program (so sorry for anyone I missed), so they have this info, and to ask whether anyone received information on/confirmation of an entrance scholarship with their packages. Do any 1-years have any feedback on this?

And finally (rather all over the place this post – sorry!), should we go ahead and start our official UofT MSW at FIFSW class of 2020 Facebook group ? I'd be happy to do it, but it might actually make more sense for someone who's more active on FB to take the administrator reigns, so that requests to join the group are dealt with in a timely fashion. Anyone up for taking that on?  I'll send you a PM with my name, as I believe you need to add at least one other member when creating a group (and happy to take on secondary admin role).

@karisma @MSW2018applicant @nicoleMSW  @hannahdaviidson @MEGSMSW2018 @Hopeful4 @tr11 @Rectitude

[Canadian MSW Applicants 2018]

So excited for everyone who has received acceptances from Laurier!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

They're reaaaaaaaaaally drawing the process out, eh? I cannot believe how slowly they've been rolling in and that the online applicants STILL haven't heard yet! That's just nuts.

Butt cheeks firmly clenched for all those who are still waiting to hear, with a special shout out to @SW Sevante – there with you in spirit ❤️.