Paisley123

Hi! @Alinic
 
Would you mind telling me how long between your application and when you were accepted?  I applied for the online January 2021 start and the wait is killing me.

I’m hoping you gain some real insight because I’m interested in the same focus and looking at the same schools. Do tell!

Hi! @Alinic
 
Would you mind telling me how long between your application and when you were accepted?  I applied for the online January 2021 start and the wait is killing me.

Hey,
The waiting is killing me.  UGH! I reached out to Fordham yesterday and my admissions counselor said applications usually take at least 6 weeks to be reviewed and that I'm in line for review.  I felt like she was putting me off.  She did say my application went in early for a January admission so that I shouldn't be worried.  Still....  I spoke to my friend who graduated from there 8 years ago and she thinks my overall application is very strong compared to what hers was like and what her classmates submissions looked like.
Recently, I ended up talking to the Asst Dean of Social work at Monmouth and they are still accepting people for Fall 2020 in the Global and Community Practice concentration so I applied.  Its the smaller of their two programs in a small school.  They are about the same price as Fordham and do work with the U.N. as well and are really active in Central NJ which is where I plan to work.   Admissions said they might accept me part time because of how late it is to get the right field placement.  I figured at my age it may be better to start part time than put off the whole thing for a year.
I hope I get in to one of these. just thought I'd give you an update.
 

@mydogismyoverlordBy the way,  I talked to another person I hadn't even known had gone to Columbia.  He had the best time there 12 years ago and has a fantastic career now that he credits to his connections.  He's still paying crazy loans and will be for quite a while, despite the good income he is making.  He says it was worth it (he works in penalization reform) but the bills bug him. His wife went to a much cheaper school and he envies the fact that her choices in life aren't based on the money so much. 
 
did you decide on a school?  did you hear back from all your choices?

So I completed my application to Fordham this morning.  The essay was submitted.  My second recommender submitted her letter. She showed it to me and I was floored.  She's an excellent writer and really nailed what needed to be conveyed.  All to do there now is wait......tick....tock.
You sound like your fully aware of your needs and will make an informed, emotionally competent decision.  Its so good to talk to someone who is a recent CUNY student to gauge my observations against. Rutgers is the state school here - big as SUNY (in terms of all that they do for majors and they do churn out the research).  Tons of high profile alumni in and out of state.  Fantastic school. New Brunswick is cute.  My husband works at St. Peter's hospital in town; he went to Rutgers years ago and is always happy to return. No one can really go wrong there. 
My friend who graduated from Columbia about 12 years ago has an excellent career.  He runs the Florida program of a nonprofit that leverages victim testimony and advocacy in favor of giving juvenile defenders a second chance.  These kids are looking at life in prison,  or worse, and he works with the victims' families to get them services to get them leniency.  Amazing work.  He made excellent connections with his professors that got him where he is now. It wasn't a straight line, he has had a couple jobs.  But he was always this magnanimous person who was going to do great things.  He runs a podcast and organized marches, etc and so on and what have you.  His wife (one of my best and oldest friends) went to Hunter at the same time.  She has no loans and he is still paying off his.  His regret is that he didn't go to law school as he is constantly schooling lawyers on what is happening and yet they get more "respect" if that is the right word. He gets plenty of respect from judges, the press, etc because as soon as he says Columbia people listen.  
So to answer your question he is of two minds.  For the money he spent he should have gone all the way or done a dual degree. Yes Columbia is worth the $ especially for forensic and policy work.  You seem like you have a good portfolio and that you may get plenty of financial aid. And being advanced standing certainly helps. 
I have a neighbor ( a parent I know casually) who works for the Columbia Youth Justice Lab.  She has an MPP.  That is where I started but ended up coming back to MSW after talking to my two MSW married friends.  For what I want to do - community organizing and government engagement- MSW will offer the management experience, client experience and connections via fieldwork I need.  Have you looked into Master's in Public Policy?  Not sure what your goals are but I'm just throwing it out there.  Its less credits and since you will already have the BSW it may work for you. 
Let me know how your journey goes!

hi,
For Fordham in state and out of state don't matter- its private.  So you are all good there. 
I did a Rutgers info session.  Here residency will count. And they have a complicated formula for tuition if you end up doing their blended program (online and in seat). Rutgers was my first choice before exploring Fordham.  I had planned on a Fall 2021 start date and if I get rejected from Fordham for Spring 2021 I will apply to Rutgers for next Fall.  I have already applied to take one of their non-matriculated courses which are all online by default this Fall. For me it would be cheaper to aim for Rutgers as the total cost for two years would be less than $40k.  I'm just not that impressed with their student relations vibe.  They have bigger classes at 25-30 and the director let it slip that they will probably max out on that with people afraid to attend (so they'll offer fewer sections to save $). Don't get me wrong - they are a great school and as good as gold here in NJ.  I just want the special attention a private institution offers. 
I have spoken to a graduate of the macro program who now works in the admissions office.  He was pushing for me to stay local as my long term goal is to work in NJ government and field placement may be arranged with the legislature in the advanced year. 
At my age I kind of don't want to wait any longer so the idea of starting in spring is enticing but objectively Rutgers may be my best move.

This video excellent, exactly what I need to hear.
I'm jealous of you.  I graduated long ago and not with a great GPA.  I'm hoping they take me.

my info session is on weds the 15th.  let me know what you think. Some insight:  you have to take what session they think you can handle.  so if i say i want the 16.5 month cohort they may deem me only able to do the 24 month one cause its a slightly lighter work load.  16.5 months sounds intense! 
Anyway,  updates!  please let me know what you find that is promising or otherwise. I too like the guidance through everything.  So unlike CUNY's sink or swim environment.

I started my application to Fordham last night. They called me this morning to have me hurry up and finish it.  I called my friend who went to Hunter years ago. Her husband went to Columbia.  I wanted to see what they thought of a degree from Fordham and they both had positive things to say - both policy people.
I can't find any online info sessions posted to their website.  What time is yours?  I'll see if I can get into it.
 
 

update on my search:
I know a Fordham MSW grad and she has me now leaning toward them.  I could start in January with their online program rather than wait for Rutgers in the fall.  They are pricey but they have the policy focus and seem to do a good job of helping the online students feel engaged.
I'm not really thinking about the Staten Island program any longer.  I reached out to their program director and didn't get the warm and fuzzies talking to her.  There isn't much room for electives and as an out of state student I'll pay the same as I would for Fordham.  Why not go online and get the private college experience?
 

I'm leaning toward Rutgers. They have a big macro program with many options for certificates.  They also have a 100% online option if you want to check it out.  its way, way cheaper than Columbia.  There is also Ramapo College in northern NJ.  I think they have a few new yorkers there.  And then the College of Staten Island has a macro focus but the whole school is bent on the disability population. 
Finally,  i am considering Seton Hall because although they don't have a particular focus macro/direct they do have a forensics focus with a generalist approach.  I am considering them because they are a small school and I don't know if I want to do a huge university again.  I am a Hunter graduate.

I’m hoping you gain some real insight because I’m interested in the same focus and looking at the same schools. Do tell!