msw26

I was waitlisted to U of T and got an email tonight saying OGS decision was made (wasn't offered OGS).

I It's pretty difficult to get a placement if you're not bilingual, especially if you have a particular interest, like in the hospital/ health care system - you're expected to be able to communicate with clients, coworkers, police, government, etc. who only speak French or they don't want to talk to you in English. Bilingual BSW students are allowed to do their final placement in hospital and I wouldn't even be considered. There are very limited opportunities for people who aren't bilingual - apparently this comes from the organizations and is coming down from the province. I did my BSW there and was told to either find my final placement in Cornwall and commute (2-3 days a week) or do a block placement in the spring/summer in Ontario (which would delay my graduation and affect my student loans). They don't want you finding your own placement in Montreal and wouldn't provide much help to find a placement or offer much supervision support if placement is done out of the area. Not sure how different the MSW program is, like if you can get set up to do a block placement elsewhere. I consulted with people I knew who lived in Montreal and/or studied there before I went and general consensus was that I'd be ok in Montreal (especially downtown) as someone who isn't fully bilingual. I even know a couple Anglophone doctors who went to med school at McGill and they didn't have any issues with French. When I mentioned this to the placement coordinator, I was essentially told that med students and doctors are treated differently and "they can have other people translate for them". Schools or programs tend to have a quota where they try to accept out of province students because they can charge them more for tuition. I paid for more tuition there and got little support. The majority of students were already from the Montreal area and they prioritize these people. Just some food for thought based on my own experience...

I'd only look into McGill if you're bilingual. You can't get a hospital placement in Montreal unless you're bilingual.

nvm lol I see someone else posted it was included in the decision letter. I wonder why they tell 2 yr students the number of applicants and not advanced standing

How do you know that 890 people applied?

Welcome to the Waterloo club! Have you any ideas in terms of placement? I know some schools have offered online alternatives to placements due to covid but since for Waterloo puts so much emphasis on students finding their own, I'm not too sure. I'm wondering how difficult it will be to find a placement on our own with the pandemic going on, burnout, etc. I've heard from a colleague who places paramedic students that she's having a really hard time finding placements.

I say give it a go! I did my BSW after already having a degree in Communications. I was just accepted into Waterloo's MSW program. I did my BSW at McGill and there was someone else in my cohort who had an undergrad and masters in biology, as well as their MBA. They also did a career change - was working in a pharmaceutical company (I think a rep) and had volunteer experience (a hotline pertaining to grief). So anything is possible! She was also accepted to do her MSW after her BSW. I know at one point, she wished she did a 2 year MSW (1 year foundation and 1 year MSW) vs 3 year BSW and then 1 year MSW. But you're able to get more clinical/practicum experience doing BSW. I also know of someone who graduated from a psych program at U of T, had some related volunteer experience (same help line as you I think), good grades, no work experience and was able to get into a 2 year MSW at Windsor. Doesn't hurt to try! Good luck!

I didn't apply last year but I attended one of U of T's info sessions for advanced standing in the summer and they said that a number of people deferred last year because of covid. They weren't sure if they'd let people defer like that again this upcoming year. I'm not sure if they're taking less students on this year because of all of the deferrals or how that's working out. My understanding is that Waterloo doesn't let you defer. Not sure about other schools.

I find it interesting that last year's letter included the # of applicants and # of spots available. I applied to the advanced standing program this year and there were no such figures on my wait-list letter.

When is the deadline for u of t to accept advanced standing offers?

Hi there, been following this chat for a little while now and thought I'd chime in and hopefully meet some like-minded people! Last week I was accepted into Waterloo's 1 year MSW and waitlisted to U of T's Advanced Standing MSW in Health and Mental Health. Was bummed about U of T as that was my first pick. Wondering if anyone has heard any feedback about Waterloo's program (e.g., what their experience was like, what it's reputation is like, etc.)? I completed a BSW last year and also have an Honours BA in Communications. I've always done well in school so I don't think my GPA is an issue. I've worked a number of years in public health and some time at an EFAP, as well as in an academic hospital. I have a variety of volunteer experience, although not much recently, due to work demands and covid. Thanks!