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So I’m not certain, but from what I’ve read on the forums if you don’t hear from York right away it means you’re waitlisted. Instead of notifying people they are waitlisted,  they keep the applications in a sort of limbo, and if a position becomes available you’ll be offered admission. If not, eventually you‘ll get a rejection. 
 
It’s a pretty shitty way of doing it in my opinion, and I may be wrong - but that’s what it seems like from here. 

Yup echoing off of this I had a field instructor who did her post degree BSW at Mac like me and then went onto do her MSW at UofT and said had she not had the critical lens from Mac's program, she would be a very different social worker. That the program's biggest drawback is that it lacks completely in the critical analysis department. However if you have a BSW that was entrenched in AOP and critical thinking, it may be a different experience. 

Ryerson and York are very critical. Ryerson is extremely AOP. 
From what I’ve read, U of T is pretty clinical across the board. AOP isn’t remotely mentioned.

Hi everyone! I'm doing my MSW right now (first year) and thought I'd pop in to provide my experience, which I hope can be of some help to others! For those who applied to the two-year programs at UofT and York, I was accepted to UofT on March 25 and accepted to York about two weeks later, in early April. 
UofT is VERY clinical-based. It definitely is the "least" critical of the three in Toronto, York being the most. The Social Justice/Diversity stream is as critical as the program gets, though I still don't quite know if it would be to the same level as Ryerson or York. For that stream, too, many of the placement opportunities are in community-based organizations, but it is true that UofT has a lot of clinical placements. I've heard very good things about the Social Justice/Diversity stream. 
Of course this is just my opinion, but I go to UofT now and have also researched lots about the York MSW program when I was deciding between the two. My take is: go to UofT if you want 1) to develop clinical skills, 2) to increase your chance of employment through networking opportunities (within the faculty and with practicum since UofT is connected with so many big-name agencies in Toronto), and 3) want the reputation ("prestige") of being a UofT alum. If you're not interested in that or are more interested in theory (especially critical theories), you might want to consider another school. You will not get a critical foundation of social work theory nor practice at UofT, unless you actively seek it out. So it just depends on what your priorities and interests are. I think the Social Justice/Diversity stream is a good in-between and changes are being made, but UofT, as a school itself, is quite traditional in their base curriculum. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!!
For those of you that got accepted to UofT advance standing program,  there is an option for you to start early (summer semester April-July/August) if you can , please take advantage of this opportunity, as it will give you a head start and lessen your course load comes September. 
You can take a max of 3 courses. SWK4510- research is offered as an intensive 5 day course in June (9-5) likewise some elective. you can find these couses on the MSW website under timetable  : https://socialwork.utoronto.ca/programs/all-timetables/summer-2020/
You can also take 2 electives (mandatory requirement to graduate )
To do this you would have to email Sharon and let her know so she can change your offer letter to May. 
There is a condition, you must pay 50% of the school fee by may.
 
FYI- from past experience, many advanced standing student didn't know this option was available. For them, taking 4-5 classes plus practicum was a lot.
DM me if more information is needed.
Happy to help!

I have heard York is the most critical of the three! I know of someone who taught there who has a very critical lens

I have a dilemma!!!
I have until March 13 to respond to Ryerson, and until March 30 to respond to U of T - and I'm still waiting on York's response. I truly have no idea where I want to go!! I honestly did not think I'd get accepted to more than one school so I didn't prepare for this LOL. I'm doing my BSW at York right now, and loving the critical & anti-oppressive focus. I know that's something I'm very interested in. I know that Ryerson is known for being quite critical, similar to York, and U of T has a more clinical reputation, but I did apply to the Social Justice stream at U of T. U of T's tuition is also about $2500 more expensive than Ryerson's! I also hear most of U of T's placement partners are in clinical settings & hospitals. Also, I believe that while both programs have placements, only Ryerson has a major research paper component (correct me if I'm wrong)
Does anyone know anyone who is in the MSW program at Ryerson or U of T, and what their thoughts on it are? Particularly ppl in the Social Justice stream at U of T - all of the feedback I've heard has been ppl in Mental Health or Children & Families. Any help would be much appreciated!

Hope you don't mind my chiming in! I was also wait-listed last year for UofT, and spent the year actually looking for employment and utterly failing. I did my post-degree BSW at Mac and wanted to stay in Toronto because it's where I'm from, but the BSW job market here is terrible and it took an incredible toll on my mental health (which was already reeling from the York and Laurier rejections). So I ended up volunteering - I have been a hospital volunteer since 14 so I kept that going. I also took up a research position purely volunteer basis which then took a part time role, and is now full time. I changed gears with my application as well. Last year I had applied to the mental health and health stream, but I realized my true passion is very much so directed towards social justice, of which mental health is an integral part. I rewrote my application to really make this choice shine, and emphasized why I made the change as well. I think I really had to take a step back and evaluate why I wanted to pursue the MSW (monetary value aside). In doing so I was able to rewrite my statements and add to them with volunteering experiences I was actually passionate about! I hope this helps! (Also I applied to the advanced standing MSW). 

I’m at York rn for my BSW. Graduate coordinator said mid March 

I was waitlisted last year and unfortunately did not get in off the list. However, the year before, my friend got accepted off the waitlist in late August... so there is hope! I understand the frustration, but please try not to get discouraged ?  

Having been waitlisted last year - the short answer is no. The way Angela has said this in the past is - there are no positions on the waitlist - they match incoming students by how best the admissions committee feels they would fit into the program. I think a lot of it comes down to matching students to ones they've previously accepted, hence why it's not a numbered waitlist situation. I know this doesn't help ease any anxiety, but I just wanted to share what's been previously known. I'm fingers crossed for you though friend, I am hoping the tide turns in your favour. 

Someone in the forum heard from Ryerson yday via phone call.

Hey all! I love seeing all these acceptances roll in! Congrats to those who have heard back, and to those who have not yet please don't hold a heavy heart. This is my second year applying to the advanced standing MSW, so I can understand the sting of rejection all too well. That being said I have also seen acorn's Invited message - I applied to the social justice and diversity stream! 

I just got invited to U of T’s MSW as well!! I’m actually shocked! Congrats to everyone who was accepted so far! 
 
To those still waiting, if you get in this year, that’s incredible! If not, a waitlist or rejection does not reflect your ability to be a great social worker, or your worth as a person. Last year I was waitlisted by U of T, you can still get your MSW, it may just take some time. ❤️ 
 
I’m here if anyone needs to talk?

Hey all! I love seeing all these acceptances roll in! Congrats to those who have heard back, and to those who have not yet please don't hold a heavy heart. This is my second year applying to the advanced standing MSW, so I can understand the sting of rejection all too well. That being said I have also seen acorn's Invited message - I applied to the social justice and diversity stream! 

Hey all! I love seeing all these acceptances roll in! Congrats to those who have heard back, and to those who have not yet please don't hold a heavy heart. This is my second year applying to the advanced standing MSW, so I can understand the sting of rejection all too well. That being said I have also seen acorn's Invited message - I applied to the social justice and diversity stream! 

Hey all! I love seeing all these acceptances roll in! Congrats to those who have heard back, and to those who have not yet please don't hold a heavy heart. This is my second year applying to the advanced standing MSW, so I can understand the sting of rejection all too well. That being said I have also seen acorn's Invited message - I applied to the social justice and diversity stream! 

Big congrats! I was scrolling through last year's forum and recall your name and how you were patient with the whole process. Glad for the good news for you!

Just got a phone call for an offer of admission to Ryerson! Heads up in case any folks are waiting to hear back

Hey all,
Don't want to speak to soon but I'm seeing the 'invited' message in Acorn today. Seems like they are beginning today. Praying for the best outcome for everyone.
 

Congratulation to you!!!!?
May i ask anyone got accepted to McMaster MSW  ?

I attended a U of T info session, and they said that all the streams were equally competitive. They know that certain streams are more popular (like health and mental health, and children and their families) so they have more slots available in those streams than in the less popular ones. So applying for a less popular stream does not increase your chances of getting in unfortunately.