riseNshine
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I've gotten the same advice too about choosing a program that makes the most financial sense. It's good, practical advice for sure. I hear BU is a great program! So you really can't go wrong there My deadline to Penn is tonight and unless something drastic changes my mind, I will be declining it. I wish you the best of luck!
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I've heard a lot of mixed reviews too along with the positive ones, enough to give me pause. It does make one wonder what the ranking process entails since Penn is ranked #10. I actually just got off the phone with a current Penn student who is finishing up her 1st year. Overall, she's enjoying her experience there (classes, professors, and field) but also said the cost/loans is something she continually thinks about as she's completing her degree. However, her other school choices were around the same ballpark in terms of cost so she doesn't regret her choice. She did mention that she may not have chosen Penn if she was offered a different program that allowed her to take 0 or significantly less loans. Basically, it sounded like she thought Penn is a great program but suggested that if you were offered a significantly better fin aid package from an equally strong program, that there wasn't anything at Penn that was really worth taking out approx. $70-100k in loans.
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This is a good point to consider. I also have an interest in both micro and macro and even though I would choose the clinical track, I would like to have an opportunity to take some macro electives/classes. It looks like the program allows 5 electives (and one of those electives is a pre-determined clinical class if you choose the clinical track). But the website also mentions that if you want your licensure (which I do), just taking the required clinical courses may not be enough to qualify you for licensure, which would mean I would have to use my electives for more clinical classes. I'm not quite sure how that exactly compares to other programs as it's a little confusing trying to get class info/schedule on each program's website, but it does seem like there may be other programs, including Smith, that allow more flexibility with taking more electives in both tracks. Again, it's hard to gauge. Thanks for your input and good luck to you too!
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Thank you for your input and response! It's really helpful for me to hear other people's thoughts when mine can feel so cloudy at times especially when making a decision that feels so big. I'm glad to hear you got good vibes from Smith - that's validating for me to hear. I also had similar thoughts about Penn - it's a really great program, but I'm having a hard time identifying what specifically they offer that would justify the amount of tuition/loans I would have to take out compared to another strong program with a great reputation, like Smith, which I also really like, and that's offering better fin aid. I think I'm finding myself getting caught up in rankings and the ivy league status, which I'm also reading in previous posts and forums that may or may not have the same value/impact in the MSW working world compared to other fields like an MBA. Again, thank you for sharing your two cents with me! Congrats to you on your acceptance to NYU and good luck to you!
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
MSW Applications Fall 2021
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Does anyone have any opinions about Penn? I've already accepted and put down a deposit for another school, Smith, that I'm happy about and who has given me a really generous fin aid package. However, there's just always a part of me that wonders if I'm making the 'right' decision - I'm having a hard time not second guessing myself. Penn sounds like it has a strong program (I would go the clinical route but have interest in eventually going into macro later down the line) and has a really high name recognition (it's an ivy and ranked #10 - but how important is this in the field of MSW?) but it's astronomically expensive. I would be taking out a massive amount of loans. My deadline for Penn is tomorrow and I'm just giving it one more final thought before officially declining the offer. Does anyone have strong opinions about Penn who would care to share whether they think the cost of Penn is worth it?
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
MSW Applications Fall 2021
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
MSW Applications Fall 2021
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
MSW Applications Fall 2021
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
MSW Applications Fall 2021
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
MSW Applications Fall 2021
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Congratulations!!! That is fantastic news
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
Bay Area MSW!
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
Bay Area MSW!
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sonalikm reacted to a post in a topic:
MSW Applications Fall 2021
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OMG!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is so HUGE! I hope you find a way to celebrate
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OMG!!! I am waiting for a response!!! I didn't know they would send out decisions so late in the evening. Can I ask what time they sent it and was it via email or that portal? *EDIT* I just edited this message bc I had realized I made the assumption that you had gotten in without actually asking you ><
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
MSW Applications Fall 2021
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Thanks! And what you’re saying makes a lot of sense. I definitely feel like I’m overthinking about my decision and am also trying to remain grateful for the choices I do have and that what ultimately matters is getting the degree at the end. I agree that SFSU seems very supportive and inviting. I didn’t get a chance to attend the info session but I got really good vibes from those in my title ive interview, especially Jerry. I thought UCB was supportive too during my application process (I didn’t reach out to SFSU) but the vibe from my SFSU interview definitely left a good feeling. I don’t know anyone who went to the SFSU msw program but I do know a couple from Berkeley who also enjoyed it there. I’m sure both are wonderful programs, so I know we can’t go wrong either way. Although I’m still waiting for UCB, my other big contender is Smith College in MA (with my internship placement here in the Bay). I’ve also heard good things about them as well. The financial aid package offered to me covers my tuition, so it’s definitely something I can’t ignore. Although I recognize that SFSU’s stipend would cover tuition and also have left over for living expenses. How do you feel about the 2 year commitment after grad? Is your SFSU decision deadline also this Thursday, March 4?
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n_avocado reacted to a post in a topic:
Bay Area MSW!
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Congrats on your acceptance! I also was admitted to SFSU Title IVE program and am waiting for UC Berkeley's decision to be released as well (hopefully this week). Have you already sent in your response to SFSU or are you waiting to hear back from Berkeley? Can I ask what factors are leading you to lean towards SFSU (over Berkeley)? Again, congrats!
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riseNshine reacted to a post in a topic:
Bay Area MSW!
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Thank you! I am counting my blessings and feeling grateful for sure. That sounds like a great plan! Anything that helps to lessen debt and costs sounds really smart I was really excited to be moving to campus this summer and learn in person and so was feeling a little disappointed to learn that we'll be going virtual this summer (though I understand why). I'm actually a little worried that not many people (especially in our cohort) will opt into on-campus housing and that it'll feel lonely and isolating while operating under the quarantine/social distancing modes. That on top of the usual COVID concerns ? I think I may have to let this decision sink in a little. I live in the Bay Area so I've requested to return back to Nor Cal for my internship placement. It sounds like you'll be in MA? Also, may I ask what lead you to chose Smith over your other schools? I'm new to this platform and not sure if I'm taking up too much space on this thread, so feel free to DM me instead (is that an option?)
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That's so exciting! I've also submitted my deposit. I'm not likely to change my decision (this was definitely the best fin aid I received so far and I can't imagine another program being able to beat it, except for perhaps SFSU). I haven't heard back from all my schools yet (still waiting on Berkeley, UPenn; accepted into UMich, Columbia, SFSU), so am just wanting to be absolutely sure about my decision >< lol Did you decide if you'll live on campus for the summer? It didn't feel like we got a whole lot of time to process the options before we were asked to submit the housing form, but I currently put down that I'd like to live on campus.
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Congrats on your acceptance! I was accepted too. Just trying to connect with others to see how people feel about the program. It's one of my top choices. Have you decided? What other programs are you considering?
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Hi! Congrats on your acceptances! I was also accepted into smith and am trying to do some more research and see what other folx might be thinking about it who also got in. I've already paid my deposit and will most likely stick with it, but I also got into UMich, Columbia, SFSU (title ive stipend program). Still waiting on Berkeley and UPenn (interview is coming up). Did you decide between Hunter or Smith yet?