Neep
-
Posts
55 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Everything posted by Neep
-
When did you get your first financial aid after your offer and commitment was made? I knew I wanted to go to WVU, so I did not hesitate to accept their offer. They told me I would be hearing back shortly from financial aid, but it was been about a month now. When did you get your package?
-
Honestly, i think that for the vast majority, it wont make a difference. What really matters is that your program leads to licensing in your state. At the end of the day, i think the college matters very little. And i say this with first hand experience from the college I went to as undergrad, making the mistake of buying into this lie that it somehow made a difference because it was such an awesome school. And sure I think it was much more rigorous than many schools and compared to a lot of people I think the school really prepared me much better. However, the employers really didn't seem to care about the school. They just wanted to know that I did well and got the degree and had the experience. I think the MSW is similar. It may be different in an entirely different program, like becoming a doctor or something but in Social Work, it just really needs to be CSWE accredited.
- 1 reply
-
- 2
-
-
I just wanted to update, I only ended up applying WVU. Thankfully I got in. I didn't bother applying elsewhere because of the cost. I just knew it was a no for me. Had i not gotten in to WVU I would have applied to Edinboro for next year, also because of cost. So it looks like I will be starting this fall and i cant wait!
-
The schools i Applied to were the least expensive that I could attend. (About $13K per year). Most of the others ones were far more expensive than that.
-
How much debt will you have after you get your Masters degree, including undergrad? I am $50K in debt from my undergrad at Penn State. I am guessing I will be about $90k-$100K in debt after obtaining my masters. I have confirmed my attendance at WVU (I havn't receieved a financial aid package yet). I am getting nervous if I am going to owe too much given our financial abilities in the Social Work profession. Is $100,000 a normal amount? Is it really super high? (I really wish I would have been more financially savy when I was in my undergrad! but I cant change the past. I did go with a less expensive grad school option so I did learn my mistake) But I am curious what everyone is looking at, total debt wise. Should I reconsider not going to to grad school at all? I really want to go but having a $950 monthly payment is scary and I am not so sure I'll be making tons and tons of money to support that payment. But Im sure my household income will mean I dont qualify to have a small payment either. cant win lol
-
OP, I can't speak to all of those programs, or really what its like applying to any of them. (I was going to apply to Portland, especially because i loved their healthcare concentration), but cost was a deciding factor for me, so I didn't bother. Anyways, I was highly interested in their program. It was my first pick. Everything I had read was that their program is highly competetive because it is the only CSWE accredited program in the state. I would apply as early as possible, and if you are able get that resume beefed up (if you havnt, even volunteering can help). The only real way to know is to apply. Hopefully you get in and you wont have to worry about it, but if you dont you can ask why you were denied. You could also take a class or two at your local college/university to try and pull your GPA up. Several of the schools I looked into wanted 3.0 or higher (some even higher than that). If it was under a 3.0 they wanted GRE scores. If you feel confident in taking the GRE, maybe do that so that you can show, despite your GPA, that you have more merit than meets the eye.
-
I havn't seen a thread started for those applying and/or attending West Virginia University so I figured I would start one. It would be great to interact with those planning on or applying to the Social Work program there. I will be attending the online PT program starting this Fall, but whether you are on campus or in person, please join in on the conversation. It would be nice to have a place to speak of all things WVU and beyond.
-
Go with the cost factor as your biggest influence. As long as it is CSWE accredited, it sucks to owe a massive amount in student loan debt. And lets be real, as long as you are licensed does anyone really care where you went?
-
I used this website as my guide, that way it takes at all the guess work as far as accreditation goes. https://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Directory-of-Accredited-Programs/Online-and-Distance-Education Secondly, a lot of the online programs I looked into at least have classes on the geriatric side of things. Some even offer concentrations in them. But even if they do not offer that, you have the bulk of your grad school in field work, so you could use that time to concentrate more specifically in that and use the internship period as way to gain insightful knowledge. Personally I am attending WVU's online program. They have the concentration of geriatric on-campus but I am not sure they offer it online. I do know they have several Geriatric classes you can take online as it pertains to social work though. As for oncology, I have not found any with that specific interest (but that doesnt mean they dont exist!) My end goal (currently) is to become a hospital SWer. So I plan on taking some social worker classes that have to deal with the medical setting. That could be where you get more of that oncology feel
- 6 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- social work
- msw
- (and 3 more)
-
I suppose this answer could vary depending on who you ask, so just know this is only my personal opinion. When it comes to an MSW program, I seriously think employers only care that you got Licensed. If your program doesn't lead to that (or qualify for you to sit for the exam), then maybe you would run into issues. At the end of the day, they just want to know that you are a legitimate, LSW (or LCSW). Most of the accredited programs are from major universities anyways and your certificate typically isn't going to mention being online (although it could, I dont think it is as likely). Even if it does mention online or you explain you did your online, in this day and age a ton of people have online degrees and have some awesome careers. I dont see it being a setback as long as its CSWE accredited. Your field placement and everything else you have to offer on your resume and in interviews is what I think they will care about, but i could be wrong.
-
Mental Health Counseling Master's School Decisions..
Neep replied to QAQQAQ's topic in Decisions, Decisions
I would highly recommend looking into and MSW program instead. It isn't that you cant get work with the program you are looking into, but with the ability to become licensed and become an LSW or a LCSW, you broaden your job prospects drastically. An MSW can get you the same job as having a counseling degree, but the difference is that your LSW is going to get you even more jobs. Jobs that you won't ever qualify for with an MHC because an MHC cant lead you to become licensed as a SWer in almost every state. IT isn't that you can't get work with your chosen degree, but you are heavily reducing your job prospects and arguably your financial situation also. -
Online Advice for Grad Students
Neep replied to Teaching Faculty Wannabe's topic in Officially Grads
Following. I agree this could be wonderful. -
I am enrolled into West Virginia University's online M.S.W. program There are several field placements and obviously many classes. What supplies will I need for the online academic setting? Any tips, tricks, or advice? Any experiences would be helpful. This could be a great thread for anyone enrolled in an online program.
-
I just wanted to update the forum. I ended up submitting my application prior to any of my recommendations submitting their required items. Eventually they did submit. It took about a month before all three were in. Then once those were in, the committee needed about two more weeks. (I was told they only review during certain times and the most recent review day had passed since they wouldn't start reviewing until all of the recommendations were in). I did get accepted, for anyone wondering I am glad I took the advice here and submitted anyways.
-
Another option could be an online program that offers in state tuition for everyone (WVU does this but I am not sure how many other programs do)
-
First, Congratulations on your offers! Second, what about another option? I was recently accepted into West Virgina University for their program. When letting them know if I will attend or not, I have the option to enroll this fall, enroll the following fall, or decline altogether. They said I can defer the acceptance for one year.without reapplying. So is it possible for you to defer for one year, move to Ohio now, and then start next year with in state tuition?
-
I got my acceptance letter for West Virginia University's online MSW program! Anyone else? I am debating on starting this fall or next fall. I can defer for one year. I have four children. My youngest will start school right after I graduate, if i put it off another year. But if I dont put it off and start this Fall (2019), then he will have a year of full time daycare while I work and Im just not sure what decision to make. Anyone with insight>?
-
Not a chance. I have $50k in debt from my undergrad at Penn State. I'm trying to keep it under $30K for grad school. Not so easy! My student loan payments are like a second mortgage. If j could have cut cost, you bet I would of. But I was foolish in my undergrad. The most important thing is that your program is CSWE accredited. Obviously, it is ultimately your call, but for me, I would never pay more than I absolutely had to. I learned that the hard way and regret it. Social work isnt often exactly a lucrative career either.
- 447 replies
-
- 1
-
-
- social work
- msw
- (and 6 more)
-
I am a PSU alum and live nearby. There are tennis courts near East Halls. They are free and usable on a first come first serve basis. The soccer fields are up towards the stadium. I dont particularly know how that works (i never played there before) but it also looks like it is free on a first come first serve basis. They can get busy though. A lot of people play pickup ball on the hub and old main lawns
-
Ohhh that is true! Never thought of that. Thank you. I am going to go ahead and submit then ?
-
My application for WVU is complete, but I have not submitted it yet. There is a section for the references/letter of recommendations. I have given the info for three references. It is all on file with the app. An email is sent to my references and they have 180 to write up the recommendation with the link provided in the email. None of my recommendations have started their letter. They are aware I have referenced them though. The application is permitting me to submit the application. Does anyone know if I should wait until my references give their response? Or can I go ahead and submit? I am already past the priority deadline so I'm hoping to submit it sooner rather than later, however, I dont want to submit it prematurely either...thoughts?
-
I am applying to West Virginia University MSW program. The application is electronic. You are prompted to enter references/letter of recommendations into the electronic Fields but they are small, so you can't type a bunch of stuff out. For one of my references, I worked as a CPS worker for a local county agency. During my time, I interacted with many other social service agencies. This particular reference was a professional from a different Agency that I interacted with often, she was a referral to my clients. On the application it asks to provide their relationship to you. Her position was known as a Family Preservation Specialist at her agency. How do I describe her relationship to me? Is she a colleague or something else? I dont want the references to sound like they are just friends that I work with because we all had to interact significantly for our clients benefit and to provide proper services.
-
Widener University has a great program that is clinical focus with a trauma therapy certificate. You can also get a dual degree. One MSW and one along the lines of sexual health (I'm sorry, I cant rememver the proper name). But maybe that would be a good fit? I believe Temples program has a womens violence program in their MSW too.
-
I have made a huge step, I have decided to apply to WVUs online MSW program. Is anyone else attending this program or applying or waiting to hear back (doesn't just have to be the online one). Is their online program competitive? I see this is the first year they are CSWE approved for it. I really hope i can get in. I live within 3 hours and so i think they will have the connections i need more locally. I also like the cost. I would love to chitchat with anyone interested in WVU or that plans to attend.
-
Worst case scenario, I'll apply to Edinboro. I am not a huge fan but really at the end of the day I just need a degree that allows me to sit for the LSW and LCSW exams. Debt is such a big deal thing to me. I made the mistake in my undergrad going for the big school that costed tons of money and i always talk about how i regret that I didn't go somehwere less expensive. Im not making that mistake again. My finances cant handle it lol