MSW2022MM

I would echo what other posters say about the cut-off for Step 1 sometimes happening much sooner. When I applied for September start, the applications opened October 1 and it said cut-off for Step 1 was December 1 but after two weeks into October it was full and cut off (they started capping applications at 200 because they were getting so many). I also definitely suggest people attend info sessions for programs you are applying for or if you missed them, ask if there are recordings. It helped so much to hear from the directors and admissions people what they are actually looking for in appliacations. In terms of asking references for multiple letters, I also felt bad but found that my references all understood the process and that I would need to do more than one application. Most of them said they re-use the same letter and just tailor it for the program, or I would ask them to highlight specific things depending on the program's focus. Some people will also ask you to draft a reference letter they can work from or make out a list of highlights that you want them to cover, which helps make the process easier for them. Good luck with your applications!

Hey there - I made a group on Signal (for non-FB users like me!) for the UBC-Vancouver Advanced Standing Program. I'm new to running a group so private message me here if you want to join and I will send you the link/add you.

Wow! Congratulations on all that hard work and your many acceptances! I'm so happy for you that it paid off. My advice in making a decision would be to see if you can get a look at the course outlines for the program and the specific courses you want to take. When I was trying to decide between two schools, I downloaded the course outlines for both and went week by week, reading by reading, assignment by assignment to compare them and see which ones I got most excited about and which ones best fit my learning goals. It can also be helpful to contact the practicum coordinator and ask about what practicums they offer (for example, UBC specifically says in the practicum instructions that counselling practicums are very hard to get and require additional education). I also found it helpful to consider where I wanted to work/live in the long-term. For me, I know I want to live and work in my home community so taking a program locally, where I could meet people I would likely work with and make connections with programs who might hire me was important. I am also interested in working in healthcare which is very regional and provincial so I wanted to do a program that would focus on my local context in terms of programs and policy. I hope that helps! Talking to current students is also a good way to get an inside look at a program. It was a stressful decision to make (I actually accepted at one and paid the deposit and then ended up switching to a different program later) but in the end, I feel more confident. I had to remind myself that there was no wrong decision, just different options that would give me different experiences. Congrats again and good luck on your decision-making process!

Hi Everyone - Has there been a group chat started for UBC-Vancouver students? I'm not on FB but would love to know if there is a group started on another platform or if anyone would like to connect, please message me! Looking forward to meeting you all in September!

Congratulations! I also just received an email offering admissions (first and last name starts with an M). I don’t know that I can attend as I have already put so much work into planning courses for another program and I’m leaning more towards an in-person program but it feels good to be accepted, especially since I was declined last year. All the best to everyone still waiting to hear and those on the waitlist - good luck!

I am in the same situation and had a minor panic yesterday that maybe I didn't even submit the application! I find LORIS so confusing because your documents just sit there saying "no further application required" but nothing showing it was submitted or even a status section. I agree, it is very frustrating that Laurier waits so long and I imagine other schools must get upset as well if a bunch of people start declining offers they had accepted once Laurier releases their decision. I, too, have put a lot of work into accepting and arranging courses for UBC so don't think I will be accepting Laurier even if I do get in. I am still curious why it is seen as such a highly regarded school and so popular with applicants. The draw for me was initially an online program and there aren't too many options out there. Good luck to everyone waiting for an initial decision or a decision about the waitlist!

Hi There, I also (re)applied to the part-time online MSW program at Laurier and have not heard back yet. I saw online that they aim to send out results by May so there might be a few more weeks to wait although some school issue before when they say they will. I applied last year for January 2022 start and did not get in. I received an email a few weeks before when they said they would send results and my denial was actually in the email itself (I didn't need to log into LORIS, although I did, hoping it was a mistake :P). Good luck to you and I hope you get an acceptance soon!

I agree with what others have posted. I went back and forth on this so many times and did hours of research and each time came back to doing an MSW. I already have a BSW and didn't have some of the psych courses that Counselling programs wanted so it was also a quicker way to get going on my goals. I also really wanted to situate my counselling "training" within a social justice framework and I felt social work had more to offer around that. I don't expect to feel fully competent coming out of my MSW to go into private practice (although my social work college told me I could do it now with my BSW!!) but have a master's opens a lot of other doors to ongoing training in specific modalities.

Hi There, I received an offer of admission on March 2nd with an initial deadline to accept by March 24th (they have extended it by a bit when I requested more time). They told me that they finalize admissions around end of March to let people on the waitlist know. If you haven't heard anything at all by now, I would recommend checking the application portal or contacting the school. I noticed too that there is a lot more discussion about programs in Ontario and further east, I think maybe because there are just so many more programs than in BC and Alberta. In trying to make my decision between schools, I have done a deep dive of the Health and Social Care courses (outlines are available on the website) so feel I have a pretty good understanding of that side of the program. If you'd like to connect to discuss more, feel free to DM me.

Hey, not sure if you are looking for the UBC-O or UBC-Vancouver program info - I got my UBC- Vancouver advanced standing acceptance letter at the beginning of the month. The deadline to accept is March 24th.

Hi There, I'm wondering if there are folks on here who are planning to attend University of Calgary's online clinical program - or who know any current students or recent alumni? I've been accepted to that program as well as UBC and I'm waiting to hear from Laurier. Due to some health issues, I'm really feeling an online program would be best for me for more flexibility. I haven't seen many posts about University of Calgary and it makes me worried that it isn't as good a school, although I have no info to back this up. They've been really friendly and accommodating throughout the application process which I think is important and I like the idea that they do synchronous lectures online (and a few in-person residencies) rather than Laurier where it is pretty much reading and posting on your own with no synchronous or in-person opportunities. I would love to hear people's thoughts/experiences - deciding is so hard and there is so much self-doubt!

Thanks very much! My name (first and last) starts with an M – not sure if that matters at all. I’m happy to share my background but I would say I don’t know if it’s as easy as comparing grades, work experience, etc. From what people have shared on this forum, it seems there are so many diverse backgrounds (which I think is a real strength of social work) and different schools also prioritize different parts of the application so never count yourself out just because your grades aren’t as high or you don’t have as many work experience hours as someone else. You are unique and have a lot to bring from your own experiences! I have a BSW (from UVic) as well as B.A. in Human Rights (from Carleton), a certificate in Criminology, and a certificate in ASL and Deaf Studies. I get super confused trying to translate GPAs from different schools but my average across all programs was A+. I have 6 years post-BSW full-time experience in as a community outreach social worker in the mental health and addictions field and I am also the program coordinator for the program. My total work experience hours for “relevant work” (I was really broad in defining this and basically made almost all my work, pre and post-BSW) tie into social work) was 13,500 hours at the time of application. My volunteer experience (including practicums) was 1,600 hours. For volunteer experience I included all the social justice activism work I have done and was again very broad. I hope that helps and I hope you hear soon! My fingers are crossed for you!

Thanks! I was accepted for UBC Vancouver (I didn't apply to UBCO).

Hey there, I applied to UBC advanced standing and was just about to post that the website says decisions can be expected in April when I randomly checked my email and got an acceptance letter! Now accepted to U of C and UBC and waiting to hear from Laurier which is tricky because U of C starts in May so I can't line them all up and decide.

Congrats on your acceptance and scholarship! Carleton is definitely very generous with their funding. When I did my B.A. there, the graduate department offered me a $27,000 scholarship and I hadn't even applied a program! I just got an email today that I have been accepted into UBC 1 year advanced standing. The email didn't say anything about funding but I haven't been able to check the official acceptance letter in the online portal yet. They may have some external scholarships as I know U of C doesn't offer funding with their acceptance but there are quite a few scholarships that are specific to social work students that you can apply to directly or that the program can recommend you for, as well as some internal scholarships once the program starts.