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cat_not_kitty

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Everything posted by cat_not_kitty

  1. Sounds like she was thinking of the SGS site...
  2. What the!? I have no idea why the person who answered the phone would say something as confusing and misleading as that. I have seen many, many forum members get invited via ROSI and ACORN over the years – they've all absolutely been acceptances. Past forum members have also called Angela as well as the SGS office about this, and both have confirmed that 'Invited' means accepted. Don't fret about it! Of course you'll feel better once you have your letter in hand – but I feel completely comfortable saying that it's not a glitch...and, trust me, I'm a not one to be presumptuous about these things, for fear of having my heart ripped out of my chest.
  3. Don't worry – having read all previous years' forums (many more than once) I can assure you that it's never been alphabetical in the past!
  4. Instructions for accepting will be in your snail mail acceptance package! No administrative tasks for now – just celebrate!!
  5. Hi emmasw! No, I'm not a past U of T student.
  6. It means you're accepted!! CONGRATULATIONS, Karisma!! I knew your application would stand out ?. We're going to be classmates, as predicted!!!
  7. Massive congratulations to all who have heard so far!! Invited definitely means accepted – don't worry about that! My ACORN said nothing when I checked at around 1:00pm (and quickly delivered an expletive when I found it blank as always), so it definitely changed within the last couple of hours. My last name begins with L. SGS, of course, still says "Under Review" – and likely will for days/weeks. Quoting in part of an old post of mine, to make ACORN instructions more readily available! This is just the very first trickle of acceptances – there will ABSOLUTELY be many, many more! Acceptances have continued to roll out until mid-April in past years, with the bulk of them arriving in early April. Hang in there, all – I'm hoping with every ounce of my spirit that you all receive acceptances!
  8. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! (Eloquent.)
  9. Yaaaaaaay!! So happy for you!! (Told ya so ?.)
  10. I'm so sorry that you two didn't receive calls from York today . My fate rests entirely in U of T's hands – they're the only school I applied to. Thank you so much for being willing to call admissions, Snellbell...as heather.m said, hopefully they won't just give you the same ol' "by mid-April" run-around. Strength in solidarity! It'll all be over one way or another soon (hopefully with acceptances for all of us)!
  11. Thank you so, so much for these incredibly kind words of acknowledgement, @SW Sevante – they filled my heart to the brim ❤️. This forum has been a wonderful resource to me over the years as a reader, but I hesitated to get involved when I finally applied because I knew I would want to give my energy to it in a whole and present way...and I tend to get carried away (in case you haven't noticed ☺️). It means so much to hear that my posts have contributed something positive and collaborative to the little community of support and knowledge-exchange we've built here – as have yours! I've truly sensed your warmth and genuineness from the beginning, and so hope that Laurier recognises you for the absolute gift you'd be to their program. From one 'mature'-student-(formerly)-single-mom-with-all-her-eggs-in-one-basket to another, I wish you the very best of luck!!
  12. You mean other than the sweeeeet funding package they've offered you? York is actually my best-fit school given its focus on critical social work (though I was horrified to hear about them failing to enact these values when it comes to trans issues, as detailed by Monoo a few pages back). But, as I also said a few MORE pages back (clearly I post too much), since I have a solidly established critical theoretical and applied framework, I chose U of T in order to round out my competencies. The foundation year will give me an opportunity to actively engage with aspects of the field that I will likely spend a great deal of my career critiquing; the specialisation year in the Social Justice and Diversity Stream will allow me to further develop my critical research and practice skills – best of both worlds, hopefully. I've copied in a post from a 2016 forum member, @serendipitous22, below (can't find their original post, so had to grab the text from another poster's reply). Again, just want to emphasise that I didn't write this and it doesn't reflect my own experiences or opinions (though I do agree with the general takeaway that U of T has a clinical focus and York is an excellent critical social work school). It's a super-detailed post from a student with firsthand experience in the program, though, so I thought it was worth sharing. Obviously, read it with a grain of salt: things may have changed over the past couple of years, this particular cohort might have had fit issues with the program, etc. I've heard from other folks who LOVED the program, as I believe I probably would. Your first choice, Carleton, is a critical school, no? Perhaps @Monoo could weigh in with additional feedback? *** (Posted March 16, 2016) "Hi everyone. I'm currently in the MSW program at York University. I remember very well what it was like to repeatedly check my email and the various online application systems, and my mailbox... for those of you who are still waiting, hang in there! I wanted to share some information about my program that I wish I had known when I was applying, and when I was making my decision. To be completely fair, here is a brief overview of the type of person that I think would be a good fit for the York MSW program: - You are very interested in critical social work theories, including Marxism, critical race theory, feminism, queer theory, critical disability studies, etc. (*York does not yet have a strong Indigenous component to the program. UVic is excellent at this if that's what you're looking for. Arguably we should all be looking for this, but I digress.) - You did a BSW that heavily focussed on clinical skills OR somehow have clinical skills already. In this instance, I actually think York would be a really good complement to your existing skills. - You want to do macro or meso level social work practice, such as: community work, grassroots activism/organizing, research, group work, programming. York is a good choice for this as it focuses on critical social work practice, which translates well into macro/meso social work practice. - You want to do a PhD and are very interested in theory and want to write a major research paper. U of T limits the number of students who can do a thesis, so York would be a good choice for you as every student needs to write a practice-based research paper (same as a major research paper; note that a PRP is shorter than a Master's thesis) and this is a requirement for many PhD programs. Unfortunately for me, I don't fall into any of these categories and I have been disappointed with the program. I'm writing this in the hopes that you will have a bit more information than I did when making an admissions decision. There are a total of 20 students in my cohort/class, and we have had many extensive discussions as a group about our shared frustration and disappointment with the curriculum, faculty, and department. I would estimate that: 3-4 students have seriously considered dropping out or transferring (including me), 10-12 actively and vocally dislike/resent/are disappointed with the program, and 5-6 aren't happy or satisfied but are committed to just getting it over with. There isn't a single person in my cohort that has expressed basic satisfaction - let alone enthusiasm - for any aspect of the program, aside from the funding package (more on that later). There were some 'rumours' that went around the forum during my application year that I can now comment on based on my own experience. York does not have established relationships with key clinical practicum agencies in the GTA. York has good relationships with a lot of agencies that would interest you if you're interested in community work, policy, research, or activism/organizing. U of T has exclusivity agreements with many clinical agencies, meaning that the agency agrees to only take on U of T students. These include many hospitals or clinical facilities such as Hincks-Dellcrest, CAMH, and the University Hospital Network. Aside from these exclusivity agreements, many clinical/counselling agencies will not accept placement applications from York students. There ARE some exceptions to this rule, but everyone at York who wants to go into clinical/counselling work then has to compete against each other (and students from other schools) to get those limited placement positions. Generally speaking it is true that U of T has a lockdown on key clinical placement sites. If you have ANY interest in doing clinical work (counselling, working in a hospital, crisis work, trauma work, individual/family/couples/group therapy), and you are seriously considering attending another program, go there instead of York. This is the bottom line. Secondly, even if you feel optimistic about securing one of the few clinical placements available, you should know that York does not teach any clinical or practical skills. I knew this when I was applying, but I didn't REALLY understand it. Examples of skills or clinical topics that you will not learn at York include: developing a therapeutic alliance (this term is never used at York), building trust and rapport, phases or stages of a counselling relationship, communication skills (open-ended questions, active listening, reframing, summarizing), assessment skills, documentation skills, treatment planning, crisis intervention, counselling theories, counselling methods, ANYTHING related to mental health conditions (signs, symptoms, therapies).... you get it. There is one class on group facilitation and one class on narrative therapy (the only counselling course); both are electives. This is because York's MSW programs draw on a wholly different knowledge base than U of T, or other clinical programs. Critical social work draws on critical social theories, like Marxism, feminism, critical race theory, queer theory, critical disability studies, etc. U of T's social work program primarily draws on psychology, the medical model, and psychotherapy as a knowledge base. This is why York's mission statement and admissions process emphasis anti-oppression and social justice, and U of T's mission statement and admissions process emphasize research, "clinical" practice, and evidence-based treatment. To illustrate this difference, U of T offers classes on Social Work Practice in Mental Health, Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families, Advanced Social Work Practice in Mental Health, and electives related to trauma, counselling theories, cyber-counselling, child and adolescent trauma.... etc. York offers classes called Critical Perspectives in Mental Health and Critical Social Work Theories and Practice Skills. In the latter, you will learn about how and why various therapies (e.g. CBT, solution-focussed, strengths approach) are inherently problematic. You will not learn how to practice any of these therapies, OR even learn how they are done. You will also not learn how to practice any alternative treatments (in fact, you would never ever say 'treatment' at York). York focuses on critical and structural social work, so their critique of CBT, for example, would be that CBT individualizes a person's symptoms (let's say anxiety) instead of looking at the structural and contextual factors (e.g. the person who feels anxious is a racialized person living in poverty and on the brink of homelessness, so York might say that instead of medication and CBT, we should advocate for affordable housing and a guaranteed annual income). This is IMPORTANT and I have valued this, but I am not better prepared to work with someone with anxiety (meaning I still have no clue what to do). (This is why I imagine that a clinical BSW + a York MSW could be a good combination). So, many of us are stuck and eager to wrap up the program. Some students are doing external training - which, by the way, is incredibly expensive (a one day workshop ranges from $300-$500 and a certificate course in CBT could be $2000). Don't bother thinking, "Oh I'll just take electives at U of T", because there is only a very, very, very miniscule chance that you will be allowed to do so. One redeeming aspect of the York MSW program is its generous funding package. If finances are an issue for you, then it's worth seriously considering attending York as the funding packages are generous. In the 2-year program everyone gets a $15,000 package ($9,000 in Year 1 through a graduate assistantship (which requires 5 hours work/week) and other money, and $6000 in Year 2 through a research assistantship which doesn't require any work). If you get a York Graduate Scholarship then you get $6000 on top of this package. You will get all of this information in your acceptance letter. York also has very low tuition at roughly $1800 per semester. By comparison, the tuition at U of T is TREMENDOUSLY higher and they don't offer any funding packages. ** This is not inconsequential and despite everything else I've said, the money makes a huge difference ** /end rant" ***
  13. There are a bunch of $4000 entrance scholarships based on GPA that they announce when acceptances go out (detailed in the package you receive in the mail). There also seems to be one $10K Scholarship, the Charles Grimaldi Award, that’s an entrance scholarship based solely on merit. Once you’re accepted, there are a bunch of other funding opportunities that you can apply for via an internal system that they open up in October.
  14. I literally just got chills. Like seriously. I’m so, so happy for you!!! Congratuf@*kinglations!!!!!!
  15. Corrected to yaaaaaaay!!! Got so excited for you that I lost all sense of logic.
  16. I feel you, lop36. When we didn’t hear by the 23rd, I planned to just give up until April...but my efforts to “act cool” about it aren’t even convincing me.
  17. Wow — just ONE. MORE. HOUR. until answers finally start coming in for you Yorkies!! So excited for you and SO hope all of you get the acceptances you deserve! (Yes, my butt cheeks are vicariously clenched .)
  18. I hear you, Erin32796! I'm in the exact same boat: was desperately hoping/willing that we'd see at least some acceptances roll out by the end of this week; only applied to the one school; feel like I'm qualified but also conscious of how many absolutely incredible candidates apply; and need to figure out sooner than later whether I need to find a new job, as my contract ends this month. Let's hope next week is the week!
  19. Wow...I'm absolutely appalled to hear this. Refusing to use preferred gender pronouns and failing to teach and model the very fundamentals of critical gender and sexuality theory?! I'd say if they're failing in that respect, they're failing in their so-called political and pedagogical commitment to social justice and critical praxis. I appreciate your caveat that many professors were excellent and that the department in general seemed to espouse solid political values otherwise (this reflects what I've heard about the program), but if they're practicing this type of overt trans exclusion/oppression, their version of justice is fundamentally deficient and corrupt. It's just totally, utterly inexcusable from where I'm standing and I'm heartbroken to hear this about a school that brands itself as specifically aligned with critical social work values and practice. I'm so sorry you had to deal with this, and I'm happy that you managed to come out of the program feeling positive enough about it that you wanted to continue your studies there. Those other professors must have been truly fantastic to make up for what you've described. Wonderful to hear that you got into U of T and will still be able to move forward with your MSW, even if not at your first choice institution. Am I right in assuming that you'll be in the Social Justice and Diversity stream?
  20. Take heart, heather.m...they literally give that answer to anyone who calls/emails ever, every year, even AFTER some results have been released or when results start getting released mere days later (if you click on my name and scroll back through my posts to February 23rd, you'll see some detailed [read: obsessive] reconnaissance I did about this practice, in response to this coming up earlier this season). It's very frustrating and often causes needless panic/anxiety. This, of course, could be the first year that this stock answer ends up actually being true (especially since they're now off-schedule from last year's timeline), but in the past it has meant that all results will be out by mid-April, with the first round of acceptances going out mid-to-late-March. As for your intended stream (mine too, btw ), I'm sure they clarified this when you called but just in case anyone reading this now or in later years becomes concerned, us 2-year applicants don't select our streams on our applications. Generally speaking, your intended second year stream shouldn't have any bearing on whether you're accepted for the 2-year program, though it definitely can indirectly, if you emphasise this in your Statement of Interest (as I did).
  21. Past 5:00pm now, so I guess that means nothing from U of T this week. BLERGH. Blerghity-blerghity-BLERGH. (Oh, did I mention Blergh?)
  22. I'm so sorry you're feeling disillusioned, Monoo . And really saddened and – quite frankly – shocked to hear that you felt some York SW faculty members were trans exclusionary...do you feel comfortable sharing a bit more detail about some of these experiences? Absolutely no worries, if not. It seriously sounds like you were the perfect applicant. I, too, would be at a complete loss as to how to make my application stronger. I posted a while back about the unwritten rule that many graduate programs have of specifically NOT accepting students who completed their undergrad degrees at that institution (see quoted posts, below). Wondering if that had something to do with your rejection/waitlisting... I know some schools are willing to provide feedback about applications after the smoke of results season has cleared – do you think this would be possible at York?
  23. So glad you potential Yorkies have a firm answer about when to expect to hear back! Lovely of you to take the fall and be "annoying" on everyone's behalf, smntoronto . York has really stepped up their administrative game from prior years (they've been quite shockingly disorganised and unresponsive in the past). They're proving to be a benchmark for transparency throughout their admissions process – I'm super impressed.
  24. Haha! I decided to save the Veuve for that special day...but I AM having sparking wine as we speak .
  25. And it was a long day with no news after all that... Ah, well – another one down...and what's another few more, I guess, after 3 long months of waiting. At least if nothing comes tomorrow, we'll have the weekend to unplug from the notion of imminent results. My partner bought a (presumptuous) bottle of champagne on his way home today...I might just drink it anyway.
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