[Bay Area MSW!]

3 hours ago, catmama89 said:

Cross posting this from the larger MSW 2021 Applications thread, forgive me for my laziness ?

 

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting  It's been so helpful to tap into this community (even shyly as a lurker from the sidelines lol). I really appreciate all the camaraderie, support, celebration, and compassion on this forum. To all those who've been accepted to programs, sending y'all the hugest congratulations! To all those facing rejections, my heart goes out to you!! And I feel your pain - I was just rejected from my top choice (Berkeley) but trying to stay positive as I await to hear back from SFSU. The feeling really sucks, there's no denying it... BUT trying to remind myself that no university can determine my worthiness or my aptitude for greatness - something I hope we can all hold true in our hearts. We will all be amazing social workers some day, if we choose to continue on this path! I believe with every fiber of my being that this year was a BANANAS year to apply to MSW programs, I believe the applicant pools were more competitive than ever before given the pandemic and everyone being flipped on their bottoms, making big life moves, and entering into school and going deeper into helping professions as a response to the crisis. 

I'm wondering if anyone who's applied to SFSU has heard back yet? And if so, were you title IV? My understanding is that Title IV applicants probably hear back sooner, as they also have an interview involved (I did not apply for Title IV). I've found less info floating around from SFSU applicants. Thanks in advance for any insight! Crossing my fingers for everyone still waiting on decisions, and sending y'all lots of love! ❤️ 

Hoping you hear back from SFSU soon!! They are an amazing program and the couple of folks that I talked to that are currently in the program said amazing things I am going to be attending Berkeley but SFSU was another great option. Sending you all the good vibes and good luck!!

[Bay Area MSW!]

2 hours ago, riseNshine said:

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?

Wow those are both amazing options!!! So many fun things to come this month haha. My deadline is also March 4!

to be quite honest I’m not sure how I feel about the 2 year commitment. I currently work for a non profit in child welfare and deal with local counties and CPS agencies and it doesn’t seem like the focus I want to do long term (mental health). However, I’m a big believer in understand how systems work in order to best serve the folx navigating those systems, so overall I would say I think that would be an invaluable experience that I wouldn’t seek otherwise. 2 years is a long time, but also it’s not a long time, which has me conflicted since my ultimate goal is to get licensed and move on to many other things. I’m not sure if that answers your question, but it sounds like we both have a big decision to make but no matter what we’ll make the right one :)

[Bay Area MSW!]

43 minutes ago, riseNshine said:

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!  

Congrats on your acceptance as well!! I haven't sent a response to SFSU yet but I am very much leaning to SF anyways over Berkeley. Having that stipend is really important to me, and I would love to avoid student loans if possible so that's a very big influential factor. The other being the community that SF has in terms of social justice/DEI that the school seems to really embody through its actions. I have friends that have done various Master's programs at SFSU and all have said it was a great experience. My experiences in the Zoom info sessions for the program were also a lot more positive for SFSU over Berkeley (and Jerry from SFSU seemed very knowledgeable and kind). I would be thrilled to go to either school, and I know at the end of the day it's more important to have the degree/get the experience over picking the most prestigious school. 

Trying to practice more gratitude for this experience rather than beating myself up over which school to choose/which one to wait for  a lot easier said than done haha. Good luck to you and please let me know when you hear back from Berkeley! Maybe we'll end up being classmates!

[Bay Area MSW!]

26 minutes ago, fiofarrell17 said:

Congrats on the SFSU acceptance and stipend, that's so exciting!! Would you feel comfortable sharing your stats and when you heard back from them? 

Thank you! I had a 3.0 in my last two years of undergrad, and I've worked in mental health/non-public school counseling for the past 5 years. I heard back from them on Friday 2/18 and they gave me a couple of weeks to decide. When I talked to the admissions folks about being admitted in to the IFG concentration they were saying early-mid march is when folx will hear back. Hope you hear back soon!!!

Still waiting to hear back from UC Berkeley and according to @bananamuffin Berkeley should be notifying students by end of week but I've also seen March 15th on another section of the UCB msw site.

[Bay Area MSW!]

Hey y'all, just made an account to post on here lol. I was checking at the UCB MSW page and they are saying applicants should be notified by March 15th. I did receive my acceptance for SFSU under the Title IV-E program and will more than likely be going there! Good luck y'all!