[Canada MSW 2019]

44 minutes ago, N_D said:

Bleh, I have to say I'm holding a bit of a heavy heart after not hearing anything from UofT and there being no change on Acorn. Witnessing how gruelling this process can be for all of us, and definitely interested to hear how folks are managing self-care strategies through this time? I'm trying to distract myself and take breaks from this Forum/compulsively checking online portals - anybody else have any suggestions or things that y'all have been doing to move through this time? Also trying to remind myself that Masters programs and academia offer so much upward class mobility and how much of a privilege that is itself, and that this isn't the end of the world if it things don't come to fruition. 

Congrats to folks who have heard, and will continue to receive offers of admission! And also naming how it can be complicated to witness others getting in when some of us haven't (it's so gross that academia/capitalism pin us against one another when we're all just trying to do some good work). For folks still waiting to hear back or haven't gained admission, feel free to slide into my DMs if you want some witnessing or an anonymous human to debrief with! ?

I’m sorry to hear about the anguish  I hope you don’t lose faith! It is still early on in the acceptance process (like really early). So there are still people who may have not heard back and people who will decline their offers down the road!

I was in your position for the last few years. This was the third time around I applied for my MSW and only till this time around was I successful. It’s great your thinking of strategies to help with this stress though! I wish I did that in the past.

I hope if there’s anything to take away from this post, I hope you don’t lose faith in your passion and abilities! Regardless of what the outcome is, keep striving for this dream. It sounds like you are passionate and care about this career, so I hope that drives helps you achieve your goals in the end.

Best of luck with everything!

[Canada MSW 2019]

My status has changed as well for UofT and I’ve also been invited to the program! ?

Best of luck to everyone else, you’re almost there! And congrats to those who’ve been accepted as well!

 

 

[Canada MSW 2019]

From my experience applying in the past for both BSW and MSW programs and from my friends who got in after we just graduated from our BSW (I.e we finished in June and they started in September), you don’t have to have post-social work experience as in working as a “social worker”, counsellor, etc. They want you to have experience in social service/human service related work and have skills that can be applicable to social work (I.e analytical skills, program facilitation, case management, active listening skills, assessment experience, advocacy, etc.). 

So if you can validate your work or volunteer experience being related to that field and the skills you have acquired related to social work, you should have a good shot.

Hope this helps!

[Canada MSW 2019]

21 hours ago, Bellis-Perennis said:

For anyone asking about how UofT communicates their decision: they will not email to say a decision has been made, you will need to continually check back on SGS and ACORN, then wait for the official documentation to come through the physical mail. SGS will show "Decision Made", it won't actually tell you what the decision is, unfortunately (hurray for the ACORN loophole!).

For my Advanced-Standing friends, may our distress only continue for another week! I applied last year and I heard back around Feb 20th so I'm hopeful that they'll stick to this general timeline again

Thank you for the info! Best of luck!

[Canada MSW 2019]

On 12/8/2018 at 3:09 AM, Deanna11 said:

Hello! Would you be able to share your experience with Lakehead's HBSW program?? I was really interested in it but was wondering how long it typically takes to complete! I know it says 1 year but their website says I can take 2 as well, so just a little confused... How was your practicum experience??

Thank you in advance!! 

Hi @Deanna11!

Sorry for the late reply (I haven't been on the forum in a while :$)

I was able to complete the program in just under a year. I started July 4, 2017 and completed my final placement and classes June 16, 2018. Some classmates took a bit longer, just depending on how quick they were completing their placement hours and when they were placed. I just managed to get a placement in December 2017 so I could start January 2018 and just pump as many hours as I could in at once. Started doing placement 4 days a week. I also worked through my reading week, and anytime I got sick or had to miss a placement day, I would make it up on my day off. Once I completed most of my courses and just had my placement, I did placement 5 days a week since my course load was a lot lighter. My placement provided me with that flexibility which was nice.

As for my practicum, I worked at a shelter, so I was exposed to so many different populations and situations which was really good. One drawback though was that there was no counselling services on sight or RSW (I did work with people who graduated with a BSW, SSW and MPsychotherapy). So I didn't get experience with  counselling and how that works. However, I did get to assist in facilitating assessments, phone screenings, housing applications, and workshops, among other things.

If you get into the program, I recommend being really on top of your placements and giving your coordinator feedback (or lack of feedback) from placement opportunities. A few of us were placed very last minute (either in December or later), so we had to take whatever placement was given. If you have contacts at agencies, give that information to your coordinator so they can talk to the agency as soon as they can.

I hope this helps and if you have any other questions, please let me know! I promise I will be on more frequently haha

 

[Canada MSW 2019]

On 9/19/2018 at 8:43 PM, Meg_gray11 said:

Hi everyone, I followed the 2018 forum for a while and I am super anxious to start applying this year! I am currently in my fourth year at Western  doing an Honours Specialization in Anthropology with a minor in Thanatology (the study of grief and bereavement). I'm applying to Lakehead's HBSW (both campuses), Western/King's 2 year MSW, and Laurier's 2 year MSW. 

My marks aren't anything spectacular, and I only decided in my third year that this was the path for me so I have been trying to build up relevant experience in a short period of time. I have been working in residence life for three years so I have a lot of experience with students with thoughts of suicide, sexual assault survivors, and a variety of mental illnesses. This year I am staring a new volunteer position at a sexual assault centre as a crisis line responder. I feel like I am not doing enough, so if I am able to balance my job, volunteer position, and course load, I may also volunteer at Kids Help Phone!

I am really learning towards Lakehead Thunder Bay campus, because I feel like I can really bring myself up with the personal statement exam. Does anyone know anyone who was accepted into this program? I'm just really scared because I see that some of you have a really high gpa with 6000 hours of experience! 

Hi there! I was accepted and completed Lakehead's One-Year HBSW program, so if you have any specific questions i'd be glad to help

[Canada MSW 2019]

I think depending on what stream, you should be fine without a lot of research experience. Most of the friends and classmates I know who got into U. of T. did not have a lot of (if any) research experience. I think their more looking into GPA and overall education and experience related to the stream you are applying to.

Hope this helps and best of luck on your application!