a.s.

I never figured out the issue but I accepted another offer so I didn't look into it further.

I hope they can increase your funds! I was concerned they wouldn't increase mine in time so I accepted my original offer. I'm going to move as few things as possible because most things are just easier to repurchase. I think most of us should receive fws based on the cost of tuition alone. Best of luck to you as well!

I was denied actually. The letter stated it was due to no faculty member with available space for my research interests. I'm unsure if that's a generic part of the letter but with very specific interests I wouldn't be surprised if that had a significant impact on the denial.

I heard back from them two weeks ago, received an email to check the portal.

This is a really good point. It sounds like it would be worth spending the money on travel and a hotel to check it out rather than hoping something I find online works out. Easier than having to move a few months later because of any of those issues. Thanks!

I've found a group where people sublease and they said they usually Skype/FaceTime to see the apartment. This is cheaper because I don't have to travel to view and again to move in but I'm a bit nervous about getting a place that seems ok over FaceTime/photos but isn't so great in person. Anyone pick a place without seeing it in person first? @historygeek I was given a list of areas to check out if you're interested. Most are a bit out of my price range but it's still helpful.

Hello! Apologies if this has been asked before, I didn't see a thread with this specific question. I was wondering how people go about looking for an apartment and roommate while living out of state? I am assuming it is best to go a month or to ahead and look in person, but I've only ever lived in on-campus housing so I have no idea. I will be moving to Philadelphia if that helps. Any tips are appreciated.

My portal no longer has the option to check decision documents. Anyone else with this issue?

Some programs allow you to use federal work study funds by logging the hours from your placement. It's a max of $2,000 (I believe) but that's better than nothing. May be worth a shot to ask if they would approve that. Otherwise very few placements pay from their own funds.

It sounds like you prefer A apart from the cost of living. If this is something you are willing to compromise for then I would go for A. If you cannot financially make this work or do not want to have a roommate to make cost of living more reasonable, I would go with B. If I was in your position I would go for A and take a roommate or live farther from campus to better afford the cost of living.

Some schools do give grace periods if there was any issues with documents. Them giving notification is a good sign that they will forgive the mishap and not have it completely disqualify you from consideration.

It sounds like you are in the two-year program then? If so, I received an equivalent amount for one-year advanced standing. I went through old forums on here and I only saw offers of $2,000 and $4,000 in the past so I don't think there is any wiggle room. However, I know if you get an offer from another school you can send them a copy of the award and they can see about bumping it up.

You have to sign up for wolverine access. The information should be in your confirmation email on how to do it.

I'm wondering if anyone has received financial aid offers for UPenn yet! Does anyone feel comfortable discussing generally how much they received?

I think the best way to see that is looking at the licensure website for each state and seeing what is detailed there. I doubt there is one central place to compare both so you may just have to look at each individual licensure website to view responsibilities, requirements, expectations, etc. To my knowledge, each state will have their own website detailing this information. I found the one for NY, for example, http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/sw/lcsw.htm and they provide a lot of information. I only know social work so I am assuming LPC is a licensed professional counselor? My experience is that LCSWs typically have "more power" and are preferred in places of employment but I'm sure that may vary by region.

I haven't experienced or seen any stigma against social workers going into private practice. I'm sure this could greatly vary by region but most of the people in my program now are interested in going into private practice. It could perhaps occur because social work originated as group work and then case management so it isn't stereotypical to go into private practice. I think it is a lot more popular than it used to be but there are so many people with their LCSW that I assume it is less stigmatized than it used to be. Eh most social workers aren't verbally judgmental enough (or shouldn't be...) to say stuff like that anyways.

There are a dozen different ways someone can become a therapist and social work (as an LCSW or LICSW, whatever the state chooses to call it) is only one option. I think it is up to personal preference towards methods of practice and ideologies or acceptances into programs that determine which is best for someone to do. A LMFT or LMHC are definitely alternative options but so is a medical degree where you can specialize in psychiatry. There is no one correct or true path. Does social work have stigma? Yeah, it is assumed all social workers steal children from their parents but it is an incredibly broad field. It is up to you to determine which is the best option for you. I prefer social work because there is an emphasis on social justice, the big picture of someone's life, and strengths perspective is huge as well. It is easy to have doubts about if you are following the right path but try to not let people on the internet steer your life one direction or the other. I think it would be helpful for you to speak to people with different titles as therapists (LCSW, LMFT, and LMHC being three common licensure titles/options) or just researching how they compare. I think LCSWs do make the most out of the three that I mentioned but each also seems to have a different sector that they fit in best. A lot of places do seem to prefer LCSWs because of the rigor of training required by the CSWE for a degree and licensure. My understanding is that you do not come from a social work background and I think all of these things I have said are more known once being part of the academic setting or profession. My bad if I rambled but I tried to cover a lot. Anyways, my career goals are to work in academia both teaching and conducting research. I am getting my MSW because it is required by the CSWE to teach within an accredited program in the manner I wish to do. I know I could have gone into say sociology or law (I argue well, apparently) but I love the perspectives that are unique to social work. There may be a stigma around it but I would go insane if I tried to please everyone so I focus on what will make me happiest when choosing where my career will go. Clinical vs macro can have such huge meanings because of how broad social work can be but at the end of the day, I have the kind of brain for macro work so the research side is best for me. I have done case management and I have enjoyed that as well but I do not see that as a long-term commitment beyond my current year of studies. My placement next year for an internship will likely be policy because this is an area I do not have experience in yet but I could never do therapy.

Have you contacted Jessalynn Oliver? She's very helpful. Either way though I don't think they care how you take stats as long as it's passed before fall semester

You can try using the search tool for last year's threads and the results page if nobody from last year sees this post. Not many universities (that I've seen) post estimated result periods.

I think you have to determine how the anxiety over the cost will impact you during the program. If you think it will cause guilt/anxiety and that it will not ease then perhaps consider an online program. I know UCFs online program is excellent and I'm sure they work with you on placement as best as an in person program would. At the end of the day if you have a huge focus on the cost then you cannot focus on academics, internship, work, and self care. If I was in your position I would begin applying to online programs in case you cannot ease the anxiety of cost. Social work professors put a huge emphasis on self care and that is difficult to do if there is a constant anxiety (money) being held above your head. You want to be in the best position to learn, grow, and get as much out of the program as possible.

I wouldn't worry about it too much if you plan to move before starting hours towards your license. If you know you will move to a state with more complex requirements than PA after you start hours then instead of paying to transfer the license you pay have to retake exams or gain more hours under an LCSW. Its always a good idea to network at any event, conference, etc so you have connections in your field across multiple states and you can start that at any time. But as I said I don't think it should be a major concern. A lot of people move after receiving their degree or even after receiving their license. If it's comforting then look into the license requirements in PA and the state you are considering moving to so you understand if there are any requirements to be aware of or prepare for.

I've seen on past threads that they usually give out of state students enough to cancel out the additional out of state fees but usually not more than that.

I just heard back from the MSW program and I'm in!! Wooo!

Thank you! I think my nerves would calm if I could actually hear back before mid-March :~(

I highly recommend finding programs where their faculty or program interests align with yours. This can help with admission and will make the program far more enjoyable and applicable to your future. Most programs do not require the GRE and do not have a minimum GPA requirement because social work has a huge emphasis on the big picture that you can provide. I would say that even if a program does not state they require a stats course in undergrad, I would highly suggest still taking it. Many I applied to required it but some MSW programs do have stats or research courses that would be a lot easier if you have a basic knowledge of stats beforehand. It's great that you already have experience at a hotline and non-profit! These are the things they like to see because it shows that you have experience and dedication if it is for more than say a few months or so. I also suggest taking advantage of the gap year, as it sounds you plan to do. I think that if programs see you took time between degrees, they want to see how you have grown in that time. Of course, this doesn't have to be some huge commitment but just something that shows you didn't spend the whole year sleeping. I don't think MSW programs are necessarily incredibly competitive but if you are applying to "big name" schools then they want their cohorts to represent that big name. Standard two year programs are far less competitive than advanced standing at least. I think you definitely stand a chance and you should focus on the aspects of your application that can be changed. Your GPA is still good and you have a year to improve your experiences. One of the most important parts of the application is the essay because it's your chance to represent yourself in ways that data (GPA, test scores, etc.) cannot. I think if you apply to schools that represent your interests, spend time on the essays, and have a good gap year, there is nothing to worry about. I do agree with doctormelody that you should apply to some with either lower tuition or higher financial aid packages, though. That isn't always on the website but these forms have a ton of info on financial aid people receive. I hope I didn't say too much but uhhhhhhhh I spent a long time looking through places to apply so I'm still pretty psyched about it all. What is your area or population of interest? I may be able to recommend a few places to look at.