NE17

Has anyone chosen between Michigan and UNC Chapel Hill? If so, how did you decide? Both have given me a good amount of money, but I'm torn because I'm more excited about UM's program (I'm interested in community organizing work), but would rather live in NC and their program might still be cheaper.

Hi all! Is anyone going to the Erikson Institute in Chicago? My sister's considering them for an MSW focusing on Infant and Early childhood mental health. She got a total scholarship of $20,000 spread out over the duration of the 2 years and I'm wondering if this is a normal amount? She applied kind of late and is deciding whether to defer and hope for more money next year. And in general does anyone know about the program, its reputation, and how it's regarded as an institution around the country?

Hi Jen! I'm also deciding between schools at the moment, 2 of which are Columbia's 2 year and Michigan's 16-month programs. How has the decision process been for you, and what things are you considering as you're debating between the 2? I'm finding it really hard to decide based on anything other than cost of attendance/cost of living in the difference cities and would love to hear your thoughts

I'll definitely try this, thank you!! I was accepted to UNC, U Chicago, U Mich, and Columbia but thinking about cost of living and everything I think my top 2 are currently UNC and Michigan. I haven't gotten financial aid or scholarship info from UNC yet, but I'm talking to an admissions counselor from Michigan on Tuesday and will definitely bring this up to them. Congrats on advanced standing though, that one year will def save you $$. Where are you going to go?

Oh wow okay super encouraging, thank you!! I had a similar experience with undergrad, I'm first generation American-born, my tuition was covered 100% and even had a scholarship to cover living and other expenses, and worked 2 jobs including a work-study position. I'm going to try what you suggested. Did you go straight to grad school from undergrad?

Maybe emailing admissions directly to ask the questions or calling them? I applied to Chapel Hill and find their website super confusing and not very user-friendly compared to other schools, but the admissions counselors I've spoken to have been responsive. Good luck!

Has anyone been successful in asking for a scholarship reconsideration? Never thought of it as an option until reading this thread, and I'm wondering what people's experiences have been? Also would love to hear from anyone who's asked for an extension on giving the schools a final decision-- definitely feel like I need more time but not sure how to go about it.

I got the same thing and was definitely disappointed because U Mich is one of my top 2 schools. Are you going to go with another school that gave you more $$ or ask for scholarship reconsideration? Never thought about appealing a scholarship decision but it seems like folks on this forum have tried it

Just to be sure, were you meaning to ask this question to me or to anelab?

Definitely makes sense and is something I've thought about a lot. Thank you! Are you also planning to start your MSW this year?

That makes sense, I feel like I've heard this a lot. Thanks!

Hi! Applied to and got accepted to MSW programs at UNC Chapel Hill, Columbia, U Michigan, and U Chicago. Really really thankful, but also having a lot of trouble making a decision or even narrowing it down (made a very detailed Google spreadsheet, color coded and everything haha). Any help or advice from current students on how you made a decision or fellow applicants who have decided, etc. would be super helpful! A few things about me/to note: -I applied for the community change/macro/generalist area of practice for each school - Currently doing community organizing work and looking to supplement that work through an MSW-- want to be part of a program with a lot of options for me, with a real commitment to systems change and so a pretty much exclusively clinically focused school wouldn't be a good fit for me -Not a resident of any of these states (currently live in DC) -$$ is a huuuge factor (duh) I've gotten some scholarships from every school except UNC so far, but it's still expensive and daunting (my undergrad had really good financial aid and I had no $ so I've never had to take any loans) -Would love to (ideally) visit a school before I accept, but $$ is a factor and with time constraints it might not be realistic to visit all 4 in time, hence my desire to narrow down the options. Sorry for the long post! Anything is helpful, so thanks in advance!!!