ss_swhoping

I didn't apply this cycle to any PhD social work programs. I did apply to a dev. psych program and received an interview. Historically, I have applied to UA. They do not interview and they typically decide (later) into the cycle for those who applied. They accept 4-6 students each cycle. They are responsive to emails and updates.

I just heard from their Developmental Psych program over the weekend for interviews this week. I have never heard this late in the cycle so I had assumed an invitation wouldn't be extended. It was on 2/4/23 at like 4 pm

I am located in Alabama so it might be different. However, we are not allowed to do this. We also can not be hired as a contract employee but rather must be FT or PT but on a W2.

I won't reapply. I believe that I won't be accepted. I have a 4.0, Master's scholar, worked on a IRB study in psych lab, two major presentations, etc. I believe they view me as incompatible with the program broadly. I am limited in terms of where I can apply, but I believe changing disciplines might help to either developmental psych or sociology.

I received an email Saturday as an official rejection. The most challenging part, for myself, is that as of now, this school is the most accessible. I am unable to move. In addition, I have been teaching at this institution so I feel the rejection more personally rather than distancing myself from it slightly. I hope each of you had more success!!!

Good luck to you! I am still waiting to hear from UA

Washington. Yes I think rankings are extremely subjective. I do believe that it creates interest. Many candidates look/consider based on rankings rather than goodness of fit. For myself, the only consideration has been location, as I cannot move my family.

Congrats!!! So happy for you! What are you interested in/area of focus? This is awesome!!

It is great for the program, rankings add a lot of value. I mentor a student at UW and their program is always highly ranked, but I feel the programs are very comparable.

Social work jobs are notorious for labor exploitation and underpaying. They will get as much for as little comparatively to other industries. If they won't let the conversation go unanswered I would give a 10k range. Quickly looking at a few jobs, it appears to be anywhere from 63,000-78,000 for Chicago in medical social work. If during the interview I couldn't avoid I would say my range is 68-80k and see where they take it. Sometimes they will respond with they are within the range, outside the range, or cannot make it happen. Things to consider: paid supervision, raise after 90 days, PTO (hospital settings this is hard, the newest salaried person normally has to work holidays), training, work from home/hybrid work, flex schedule...

Anyone hear from UA DSW program?

Curious where everyone is going for those that have heard. I applied to one school and haven't heard. (Applications closed 2/2). I am certain an offer will not be extended but I am interested in celebrating others! Who has good news?!

Did anyone apply to the University of Alabama and/or has heard back re:application? I hope everyone is doing well!

Absolutely, and I agree. Admitting to discrimination is one thing, but being able to prove discrimination is another. I had another conversation with someone else in the program that I have a more personal relationship with and they indicated multiple practices of discrimination in various areas etc.

I was also told by a program administrative that a specific program had "issues" with a few within a cohort with mental illness and that it had been "disruptive" to the program as a whole. Since those admissions the program has responded differently to self-disclosure and have not accepted students who do so. This is for one specific program so I do not know how it translates to other programs.

Perhaps a both/and. I believe that the DSW being a new program helps to absorb people who want additional education but who do not desire a PhD. I do believe that the pandemic influences people's choices, however, unlike a Phd, the DSW has an employment requirements. While PhD applicants increase as people consider alternatives to current employment, the DSW is so different. They are on track to do more this year than last in terms of applications submitted.

I teach at Bama but not within the DSW program. They had 135 applicants last year for 20 spots and are graduating their first cohort this spring. They really are building a great/solid program

First, thank you for creating this thread. I cannot speak to UCBerkeley specifically, but in the past my experience was even for documentation not required it will say "awaiting". It doesn't mean that your application won't be viewed. However, if you are concerned reach out to admin. I wasn't applying this cycle but I ended up applying to the University of Alabama. It is the only school I applied to this cycle.

Hi: I have had a similar issue. In applying to various PhD Programs I have lacked research experience. I have a 4.0 from my MSW program but have never been on a study or published. I found programs that intersected with my interests and asked if I could volunteer to gain more experience. So far I have gotten added to a study and am working with another professor to publish before applying again (Fall 2021). It is challenging. In social work programs the research opportunities are not as known comparatively to psychology/sociology etc.

The very first year I applied I utilized someone with a Master's degree who knew me well. A mentor was the program director at the time and went over the reviewer's comments. I received negative feedback from utilizing a professor that didn't have their PhD. The feedback from this one institution was that every recommendation needs to be from someone with a PhD that can speak directly to my ability to earn and perform at that level

I would also recommend finding some of your favorite publications and back searching where the professors are currently. Additionally, if you are applying in a specific geographical area start on google scholar and enter in the professors that are researching SUD etc. You can also search active grants that your professors have applied to because that often shows the trajectory. Remember, your interests only need to align, but they do not have to be an exact match.

What I was told: if your undergrad GPA is low and grad is high; you need to explain the incongruence in the two. Did you experience hardship? How did you overcome it? Was the lower GPA not typical?

Thank you for this thread! I applied to three programs, interviewed at one, and was told I was extremely close at another. (the last one I have a mtg with the program director this summer). I was not prepared for the school I interviewed with at all. I had identified one PI who had historically not taken a student. The other PI identified did not meet with me. I met with three others that I was not versed in their work. I really enjoyed one of the three but was not a fit for them. I say all of that to say, I was unprepared and the fit was not there. One thing I plan to do differently is volunteer to research over the next few months. This is sort of a privilege opportunity as I am not responsible for the majority of my family's income. Additionally, I intend to continue to teach adjunctly at a University local to my current residence. In preparing for the next cycle I intend to find schools that fit a little better with my interests and consider not just location. ( I have a family--which limits me geographically speaking). I believe I am a good candidate, that can be a better candidate. I did get feedback that my expertise in one area was intimidating by a PI (I am not a subject matter expert) Point of reference: 4.0 master's gpa, two scholarships, one major conference proposal/presentation, some grant experience, and in depth community analysis.

Can you ask someone in the program to read the reviewer's remarks regarding your application? That can give you an idea of what they are desiring for admissions. Last year, I wasn't accepted, and the reviewer did not like the format of my resume and thought the author of one of my recommendations sounded as if he wanted to date me. Those were my two criticisms, but I wouldn't have known that they were issues without being told. The professor who wrote the letter has a PhD from Dartmouth.

Sorry I meant to post this not as a question but as a reply. For the Phd in social work program.