Waiting4AdmissionDecisions

Hey! That would likely be Angela.

I'm at UofT right now. Honestly, I think a good bit of it is that it is (afaik) the biggest school, so it makes sense that more spots -> more applications -> more people talking about their applications on forums. Similarly, Toronto is a big city, so it might make sense that a lot of students who are from the area/did their undergrad their might want to stay rather than deal with moving costs. The only other 2y program in the city (York) has much fewer spots. It wasn't the case for me, but it seems like a lot of people also choose it for its clinical/micro reputation. Most of the other ON schools that offer a 2y program have a reputation for being more structural or having more of a macro focus/reputation (thinking like York, Laurier & Carleton). I'm not sure to what extent the reputations are "true" because I have nothing to compare my school/program with, but I think it might in part determine what schools people apply for. There are definitely lots of people in my classes with psych backgrounds and/or those who specifically come into the program wanting to be therapists.

Oh yes, definitely. I'm not sure what exactly tuition is for international students, but it's much more than this.

Last year was around 900 applications for 140 spots (according to last year's forum/rejection letters), which was unusually high! So true that so many qualified people don't make it - lots of folks in my cohort applied multiple times, or came in off the waitlist. It's hard to say what it's going to be like this year, but they typically get around 700-something, if that makes you feel better about hearing back this year.

Hey! I'm in my first year at UofT. My tuition (including all fees) was $11,189.99. Incidental fees were slightly higher this year than last - the actual program fee was the exact same as the one you found for 2020/21 (9,420). If you're applying to the two year program you have the option to take courses in the summer following your first year at no additional cost if you want. I'm not exactly sure if what you mean by first two semesters is fall/winter? Fees for next year wouldn't be out yet.

This thread is from last year, you'll have better luck looking on the 2022 thread

For UofT last year, from what I can remember, international applicants found out in mid Feb, and domestic in early-mid April. You can check last year's forum to be sure though.

Maybe people are just exhausted from being so perpetually online over the last couple of years? I think it will also ramp up in Feb-April before decisions start coming out. I also wouldn't be surprised if there're more re-applicants this year - I know UofT at least had way more applicants last year than usual, so maybe those folks don't feel they need as much support/have as many questions, since they've gone through the process before.

Hey! It sounds like your experience is strong, and I think some schools do let you submit a letter of explanation if your grades are a bit lower. I will just note that you may want to check out the minimum grade requirements before you apply, and contact admissions people to see if they are firm? Often they're set by the school of graduate studies at a given university, and not the faculty/school of social work itself, and so the program might not have a choice on waiving that requirement. Applications are expensive, so I would just check before you apply! If you're planning to continue taking courses to boost your grades if you don't get in next year, it might make sense to check out second degree entry BSWs (in ON, Lakehead, Carleton, McMaster, Windsor, Waterloo? and York all have programs). I think they tend to more often let you submit a letter of explanation with your application (Carleton does for sure). There are some advantages to doing a BSW first and then an MSW - more practicum hours overall, and the potential to work more directly in the social work field after you finish if you choose to, or if you don't get into an MSW straight away after. You also have more options for schools if you end up doing an advanced standing MSW. Not saying it's the right path for everyone, but an option!

Hey! Can't really speak as much to other schools but I'm a current UofT 2-year MSW student. For calculating your hours of experience, UofT (and I believe also Laurier) would absolutely include something like teaching, and then you can speak more to how that fits with social work in your essays. I think in terms of experience you'd actually be a step ahead of many other applicants!

Hey folks, just letting y'all know that FIFSW (UofT) just announced that classes will be online in the fall semester

Hey! Congrats! I didn't go to either, but I do have some insight that you're obviously welcome to take or leave. McMaster was my first choice for BSW if I didn't get into an MSW. It really appealed to me because class & cohort sizes were small, and I had heard really good things about the faculty and the student support they provide. There were also profs there doing research I was interested in, and who I thought could have made for good connections/references later on (or maybe future research opportunities). I was also living in Toronto before, and really wanted the (albeit nearby) change of scenery and access to nature that Hamilton/McMaster campus has. If you thought the syllabi at Mac looked more interesting to you, then that might be the better option? Even if the courses are a little more challenging (which I have no idea if they actually are), I tend find it easier to do well when I'm more interested. The second degree entry at Mac is very competitive - they wouldn't have let you in if you weren't an excellent candidate for their courses! Another consideration might be placement opportunities - I liked that Hamilton was big enough that there was a wide variety of placement partners, and some that were very specific to my interests. But, a BSW is supposed to be more generalist, so getting a super specific placement may not be as important. To be honest, I really didn't look into Trent much, so definitely take what I say with a grain of salt. There are always a tonne of other considerations, so at the end of the day you're going to be the only one who can decide which is the best fit for you! Congrats and good luck with your decision!

We should be finding out about course delivery mode in early-mid July. It's tough to tell right now - even though things are looking good vaccine-wise, both OISE and DLSPH announced that they'd be online. The full course schedule is on the website though.

Beyond OGS, UofT doesn't typically offer funding up front. It seems like York treats the program more like a research-based program in terms of funding offered. That being said, there're smaller internal scholarships at UofT that you apply for in September, ranging from $1000ish-$4000ish - not enough for every student, but I was surprised there were that many.

Can confirm that it was 3 weeks from the date of the letter. Deadline for the deposit was June 1st.

I totally agree with KnitFlamingo and just wanted to add/emphasize - if you're worried about work experience being an issue, I'd look broadly at other schools too and not just York BSW/MSW. I actually didn't bother applying to York because I didn't have the minimum work experience, but I did get into UofT. Different programs weight the components of the application differently! Also, most programs tend to look at your last couple of years, but I don't think it matters if you were PT or FT (I was part-time for most of my last 2y). If you have the opportunity, it might make sense for you to take a couple of non-degree courses over the summer or fall to boost your final years gpa. Just keep in mind that some programs require you to have the courses done in time for the application (like Laurier) and some will let you send an updated transcript after fall grades are out.

Definitely not a stupid question! I want to second what ashleyym said, in that I really don't think any program is necessarily easy. I think some programs are easier to get into for some people, depending on how much the particular program values/weights grades vs work experience vs research experience. For example I felt much better about my UofT app than Laurier app, because I knew quite a few people who had gotten in directly from undergrad without a tonne of direct experience, but with some research experience. Since I knew that Laurier was pretty upfront about putting a lot of emphasis on work experience (which I didn't have much of), I knew my application there wasn't as strong. Lots of people get into UofT and don't get into other schools and lots of people get into other schools and not UofT - it doesn't mean that some schools are necessarily easier to get into than others, but it does mean that some schools are a better fit for some people. My advice would be to research the programs and see which ones are a better fit for you in terms of where your application will be strongest. I'm not sure if you're looking at 1y programs (and so already have a BSW), but my backup plan was applying to second-degree entry BSW programs. If you're really worried about getting into MSWs, a BSW is usually only one extra year of school altogether, and if you do the Waterloo one it ends up being almost the same amount. I don't know that it's necessarily easier to get in with a BSW, but the ratio is a little more in your favour.

Probably best to email the school and ask them. Did you pay a deposit? If not, I'm thinking you should be okay if you just let them know - that's what waitlists are for, after all.

Just received my rejection from Laurier 2y in-person. Honestly I'm not surprised and am just glad the wait is over and I can accept my offer to UofT. I was leaning that way anyways, and this just makes my decision easy. Congrats to those who got in, and crossing my fingers that everyone else who applied hears back soon!

Oh cool! I was wondering where you found rankings? I was looking for that when I first started thinking about applying but couldn't really find anything. Congrats on getting accepted to your first choice!

Looks like last year decisions came out from Apr.9th-Apr.16/17th, so this could be a long week. That being said, as we've seen with other schools, things can change drastically year-to-year in how they do things. Last year Laurier started with rejections and then started acceptances on the 13th and those came out over the course of a few days.

Okay, thanks! I know they mentioned internal funding in the info session I went to but you're right, they didn't talk about the process - maybe it's awarded at a later date. Congrats on your acceptance!

Does anyone know if there's a Facebook group yet for the 2y?

Question for anyone accepted - did your decision letter talk about (internal) funding? I know Laurier doesn't give a lot like York or anything, but ik they said they give some (unlike UofT)

4 weeks from the date of the letter!