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Welcome to the thread!! If you want to compare yourself to the acceptance rate statistics at UT - Austin, the information is here: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/admissions/where-to-begin/admissions-and-enrollment-statistics I have found the average acceptance rate fluctuates between 56-62%. With an average GPA of 3.6. However they measure your last 60 credits, so if you calculate your GPA for that, it may be higher than a 3.4. I also think a 3.4 isn't bad at all. I do not think GPA matters as much as your SOP, LOR's and Experience. However I also have been out of school for a few years, so I may be measured differently than a straight out of undergrad candidate. I believe on your GPA, Volunteer hours and involvement, plus that 5 letters you have a great chance of getting in. I've learned with MSW programs, they mostly want to see your clear plans and reasons for graduate education. I recently was chatting with an adviser at a top school and she mentioned, she doesn't care if the student comes from Yale or a small school, the admissions committee really uses the SOP as their focus point when choosing to admit candidates. Also UT- Austin was the longest SOP I had out of all the schools I applied to! I believe I submitted almost 9 pages. Their application was very rigorous! According to the contact there " Decisions will begin being sent after the January 15th final deadline."

I want to do direct services at first, so counseling, and then eventually move into nonprofit management/policy. So I am a bit all over. I do want a school that is clinically focused for sure but that is strongly policy based. Honestly U-Chicago is my dream school and seems to have the perfect program as far as a combination of both, after doing more research. No worries - you don't have to get into the details :). Sometimes I forget who could be scoping the net.

If it makes you feel any better - it has nothing to do with the admissions decision :). UT will be announcing decisions in Jan, so just a few more weeks!

Yes, same here! Totally disappointed, however I knew I was not in the requirements of scope. lol

Hey there! Did you get a scholarship with your award letter? or did it come separately?

Boston College just posted decisions for Fall 2020.

Oh man. They already got back to me and asked for an interview. I am really nervous, can I PM you for details about yours?

Awesome, you actually encouraged me to submit my app to UPenn. I started and finished everything alonggggg time ago and never hit SUBMIT! A friend in passing mentioned some negative comments about the school and it being extremely difficult to get in, so I never sent it. Now I am taking a shot!

Congrats!! WSU's MSW program is very well ranked and have great things from individuals that have went there. Goodluck with MSU - I am sure you'll get in this time if you put alot of effort in! Let us know when you hear back and welcome to the thread!!

Can I ask what your stats are?

CONGRATS! That is awesome!

Awesome let’s of Columbia applicants on this thread! Let’s all keep eachother posted on updates. Im so eager to hear back from UC and Columbia

I’ve done job interviews via video but never for a scholarship! Good luck though!

Yay! Congrats, that was your first option right?? I think I’m giving up my spot at UMD, I’m really torn about what city to live In. Good luck on hearing for their program!

Oh gotcha! Yeah - so I called UIC and UMD nad Rutgers, and they said the school of social work does not award ANY scholarships until a student confirms their enrollment.. Which means a huge deposit at every school, and I can't justify that. I have heard UC and other schools make their scholarship offers before acceptance, which makes sense as those are typically more expensive.

Nope, however when I called the programs it looks like FASFA does not package or send out letters until Feb/March..

Gotcha, well you should definitely apply then!

What Mae you originally rule out chicago? And I would only apply if it’s a serious option to move for you. Yes I’m currently weighing my options and feel the same exact way. There’s a lot to consider. I think overall tuition fees will be my main concern as I do not not want to take debt out.

Hmm It may just be where they post your decision after they review your app! Good LUCK! I can imagine the feeling of passing out. And yes I have read that is where everyone typically receives their decision.

Goodluck, lots of Columbia applicants on this forum -lets keep each other posted with decisions!

Thanks for sharing all that insight, I have on going pro/cons list about all the schools I’ve applied to that I’m highly considering and jotted some of your points that. Sigh, if I get into UC - I think I’ll be set on staying in chicago, I just am worried about picking UIC because it’s the “responsible” thing to do. Tuition would be so cheap ($31k) for the entire program, and they do have a great one! It’s just sadly not clinically focused, which worries me. Are you only set on UC Berkeley? Also you may have already mentioned but is your previous experience in social work or a related field?

feel free to PM me if you ever have more or specific questions.

Yeah, so what the commute being twice I week, I don't think it would be horrible based on what you described, but would definitely be tough. And then field placement would be a whole other thing to consider. I used to commute prior and would take the train for 60 minutes everyday. It was tiresome after months of doing that 5 days a week I'll say. But I don't mind it much if it meant trading off to live in the city. So definitely not moving into a random house, because my husband and I are a little more settled in and need our own privacy haha. So we were thinking of renting a one bedroom. The prices for a one bedroom in Manhattan are a little more reasonable for NY (which we expected). Because I only plan to live in the area for the two years of my program, we thought it would be fun to experience living in NY if we are going to be in that area anyway. I can't believe you pay almost $5k for a 2 bedroom, NY is CRAZY expensive but that is spacious compared to what I have heard others live in. Does your partner commute from Manhattan as well to New Brunswick? Or are they living on campus? What makes you want to move from NYC to Berkeley? Which looks like a dream - Hope you get in!!!!!

Good luck! That's awesome you already got into one program.

YIKES on part 1.... Haha I like the honesty in this post. It almost seems unattractive based on some of the points you mention. However, do you think living in NY city and commuting to school twice a week is doable or would bring a better living experience? My husband and I are even considering live there as well for school. I am planning a visit in Feb/Mar to check out campus. Overall thank you for the very honest feedback. I hate comparing other cities to Chicago, because It makes it tough to consider them as I love Chicago. It just sucks when other schools have better programs in different areas ? gah.