[MSW Applications Fall 2020]

On 2/4/2020 at 9:58 AM, Shuklaklakla said:

Hi Everyone!

I got accepted into USC Suzanne-Dowark and University of Denver (still waiting on Columbia). A lot of my decision is based on Financial Aid-- However both USC and Denver are saying that I wont get my package until after I enroll in their program. Are you guys hearing the same things? USC also said that they do not give grants. 

I am starting to freak out over the cost! I don't understand how you figure out what school you want to choose when you dont know how much the cost will be- It definitely is a factor! 

Hi! I just got an email from USC with a scholarship this morning but I haven't enrolled yet. Maybe they meant you won't get your financial package that is based on FAFSA until you enroll?

[MSW Applications Fall 2020]

On 2/3/2020 at 8:29 PM, sw2020 said:

Anyone who got accepted to USC receive a financial aid letter?

I didn't receive anything about financial aid :c

[SDSU MSW 2020 start]

Hello I'm also applying, just took the GRE last week.

[Am I a Competitive Grad School Candidate?]

Hello, I'm applying to graduate schools this Fall and am very stressed because, while I am competitive academically and have good recommendations, I don't feel like I have the necessary experience for some programs.

I am planning to apply to Masters in Social Welfare programs at UC Berkeley, UCLA, and USC and Sociology PhD programs at Stanford and UCSB.

About me:

• graduated in 2019 from UCSB with a double major in Communication and Sociology
• graduated with distinction and Summa Cum Laude in Sociology
• member of Phi Beta Kappa
• I conducted a sociology research study and completed a Senior Honors Thesis - also presented this research at a conference
• 3 Recommendations: 2 professors who were my thesis advisors, 1 professor I took a graduate seminar with - all three know me relatively well and I believe will write me great recommendations
• GPA: 3.93 
• GRE: 159 Verbal, 155 Quant, 5 Writing

My issue here is I would really like to do an MSW program, but most of the programs prefer/require 1-2 years of experience in social work. While I currently work at an Education Non-Profit, I have only been working there for a few months and will be quitting this month. I also worked with donors in the university development office for 2 and a half years, but I'm assuming this doesn't count as social work experience despite the fact that the university is a nonprofit. I have been searching for social work employment and volunteer opportunities but have not been successful yet. However, I am planning to volunteer counseling sexual assault victims starting in September, but obviously won't have a year of experience completed by the application deadlines in December. 

So, my main concern is, given my academic accomplishments and the little experience I do/will have, am I a competitive candidate for either the MSW programs of PhD programs? Should I consider applying to schools that are less competitive? I am planning to continue searching for and pursuing social work opportunities, but I don't know if it will be enough given the time frame. plz help.

Also, I've heard about people reaching out to professors in the programs they wish to attend, is this normal? Can it help at all in the admissions process?

Sorry if this is annoying but I don't have anyone I know or in my family who knows anything about grad school, so I feel uncertain.