Rassky

Np. This was for adv standing. If I can help with any info pls do let me know and I'll do my best!

I received my invite to uoft for adv standing last year on March 2nd though they did say April, so I hope you all hear a lot sooner. They seem to give the longer timeline so as to avoid being contacted. In dealing with the faculty right now, they seem to have been adapting to the pandemic rather well and I don't see why they would delay responses.

I'll be at UofT for the advanced standing in September and I can tell you that there are tons of students deferring their acceptance for next fall due to the pandemic/ unable to move to the city/ remote placements. It's going to be a weird year to study so a lot of students are opting out for now. They have until August to decide to defer. So definitely stay hopeful and expect some movement on that waitlist. I can imagine more students will defer when placement selection opens up mid-july. Goodluck!

Best to everyone beginning their MSW this year. And best to those re-applying for next. Take care everyone!

Got a response from York today. Myfile just says "reviewed-unsuccessful".

I have a friend who was admitted to the program and the orientation was actually last week. People had reported here that York would be finalizing their decisions by end of May/early June, but that information keeps changing. If you have no decision as of yet, this is York's strange ass way of waitlisting you until they fill up all their spots, and once that's done, they'll be sending out rejections.

I feel like it boils down to where you want to get experience. I finished my BSW at York and I personally wouldn't want to do an MSW there, as it continues to focus on critical aspects and doesn't differ all too much from the bachelors course work. I finished my BSW wanting to get clinical experience so I applied to UofT. Also, York's practicum mainly deals with non-profits if that is something that interests you. I'm not all that familiar with Ryerson, but perhaps looking into where they specialize would help you come to a decision based on what sort of work you want to apply yourself in.

https://www.sgs.utoronto.ca/awards-funding/ You can use the award explorer and browse around for scholarships you might be eligible for

I'm about to ask York for a refund tbh lol

YorkU really is a strange place. My myfile status is still under consideration, but I've been receiving emails that are clearly intended to be sent to a list of grad students about career/writing centres and stuff. York really sets out to be the most unique among the Ontario schools lol.

Does anyone have a contact # or email to reach admissions for the MSW at York? Still no info from them. As a current York student, I gotta say, I'm quite used to the nonsense, but the winter semester has now ended and like come on?

Thank you! I also didn't mean to downplay the community service diploma is great and opens a lot of doors, but I meant what I said regarding what the best chances of increasing your chances for an MSW in the immediate are. But you're definitely right, getting into education and having practicum experience will go a long way and will also add to your statement of intent and your interests very much. I don't think there are any ideal routes as admissions looks to admit various people from various backgrounds. But whether its volunteer or more education, it all helps.

yupp

Tons of students are accepted with an unrelated degree and with some social services experience. I personally wouldn't recommend getting the diploma just for the sake of your time and money, but the practicum part is particularly helpful. Another option is completing your BSW, which may take two years if you already have a degree. Ryerson for example, gives two practicums over two years in their BSW program and this gives their students an edge as they come out with a lot more experience. If you can get paid experience as well as some volunteer, I think this would a good option as well. I was accepted this year to UofT in the advanced standing program, and I don't have any relevant social work experience besides my practicum and a few volunteer roles over the years. I think what changed my application was my statement of intent as I put a lot of effort into it to make it stand out, and wanted to explore areas of social work which were not common. At the end of the day, these schools want students who can provide new sort of research topics rather than having a lot of students with the same interests. Also, it takes a ton of luck to have the right person review your application and say I want to admit this person to the program. A lot of people boast about getting in and how they deserve it and whatever, but there are a lot of variables outside of our control. This is just my opinion in any case, I'm sure someone else can speak to whether if the diploma increases your chances or not. Good luck with whatever route you take.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/428390607917482/ Message Susanna, she's an admin

She got back to me the same day but this was pre-pandemic. I've noticed responses in general are taking super long right now, but rest assured, she does confirm receipt of these things.

A few people have asked, so just want to mention. I got accepted to the advanced standing program at UofT. I'm finishing my BSW at York right now. Have around a 3.7 GPA, and not much experience in the field. I've volunteered as a mentor at a middle school, and previously as a case worker for a charity that works with newcomers. In terms of professional experience, I've only done my practicum with youth which included informal counselling and program facilitation. I didn't have a tenured professor for my references either. Two contract profs (cause majority of York profs are contracted), and my field supervisor from the agency I'm doing my practicum with. I put all the effort in the world into my written statement. I didn't think it would be enough truthfully, but thought it might be the best area to explain myself, my unrepresented demographic, and my passion for the field and the type of research I'd like to do. I think my written statement is the main reason I was granted acceptance. The right person must have read it and had it resonate with them in some way. I got declined from Ryerson, and nothing yet from York. The written statements for both are very short, so I think they must have looked into my experience much more, and this is where I lack. If you don't have the experience, I just want to say that it is possible. I've heard and read that schools look for different types of students at different levels and who want to do different things. If your passion is there, you have every right to get admitted into the program. If it's not now, or next year, or in a few, you'll get there. Goodluck to everyone this year and those who will be applying again. If I've learned anything throughout this, it's that any denial is not personal. A lot of it has to do with having your application fall into the right hands. I think I'm fortunate in that regard. Goodluck again.

You should have received instructions on how to login to your ACORN account shortly after you initially applied to the program

Congrats all! You'll get an email in a day or two from SGS saying that they've come to a decision. You log into SGS, and where it used to say under review, theres an information package if you've been accepted. All the info is in there about accepting the offer and what the next steps are. Good luck!

In general, grad schools don't like pass/fail credits and I've read it can negatively effect their decision making. But in light of what's going on I'm sure it will be different this year. If you're able to avoid pass/fail credits and opt for an assessed grade if possible, I think that would be better.

Got my rejection from Ryerson yesterday. Not waitlisted, just declined. Even though I was going to decline admission if it were offered, it still hurt my feelings lol.

Sounds good, thanks!

I haven't heard anything from Ryerson as of yet. Assuming I'm waitlisted or declined. Anyone hear anything from Ryerson besides an acceptance?

I believe after looking at last years forum, that they did continue to roll out.

According to last year's forum, the SGS status doesn't change for a while. Just Acorn. And I believe an acceptance is sent in the mail shortly after.