ghklig

Real talk - I think y’all are reading way too much into the word “need” in your scholarship offers. This doesn’t mean they would have given you a ton more free money had your EFC been lower.

What was your FAFSA-generated EFC? That’s ultimately what matters in the end and usually is the basis for supplemental aid in the form of loans, at least for graduate school. Though that shouldn’t deter you from asking for additional grant support!

Hi, DU tells you in their admit letter exactly how much in free money (scholarships) they’re offering you over two years. The remainder (minus your expected family contribution) will be mostly in the form of loans and, to a lesser extent, work-study if you are a US citizen (max work study is about $5,000 per year). If USC tells you they’re not offering scholarships/grants, then it’s a sure bet they expect you to finance your cost of attendance (minus EFC) with a combination of subsidized/unsubsidized loans plus work-study. Let me just share this: I finished undergrad in 2005. Many of my fellow social justice-oriented friends from college went on to get their MSWs. Two went to USC and another two went to Columbia. They have been absolutely miserable over the last 10+ years repaying their student loans because they had counted on the federal public service loan forgiveness only to be conned out of the program by the Dept of Education. Their income-based repayment schedules consume almost all of their monthly discretionary income. i am not at all trying to be discouraging; I think your concerns about debt are valid, especially if you know your earning potential as a social worker will not be as much in early stages of your career. That being said, some of the big-name schools with hefty price tags have the kind of name recognition that may matter if you ever decide to move into the private sector or the federal government (i have friends with MSWs who are now GS-12s and GS-13s — that’s a good thing). If you have family wealth or are prepared for the debt burden, don’t think twice. But boy oh boy, I would not take out a mortgage-sized student loan for an MSW. I could never afford to work in the communities that need help the most. Good luck making your decision! You got into some great schools and already on a path towards success.

I know the focus here tends to be on the more well-known schools, but anyone apply to the standard two-year program at Colorado State?

Nice, congrats! That’s 10k more than me!

Accepted! What are your scholarship packages like??

something is off with my DU portal — it’s not showing any info other than the program/track I applied to. ?‍♂️

This is emotionally exhausting!

We have a snow storm making its way thru Denver today and staff at some schools in the area are getting an early dismissal. Here’s hoping DU can get decisions out today!

AHHHHHH

Admissions staff — at least undergraduate admissions staff at highly selective schools — work 12-hour days, 6-7 days a week during “reading season”. I wasn’t surprised about a Saturday release, but given the time (3:12 pm in Denver), I won’t be surprised if emails go out on Monday. Oh well.

Oh gosh this is anxiety inducing!

They’re really dragging out the suspense!

Well, don’t hold your breath! The admissions office told me that everyone will get their decisions tomorrow, Saturday, including those that applied by the Jan 15 deadline.

Well, I’m going to stop refreshing the application portal every 60 seconds to try and maintain my sanity. I guess I’ll just have to wait for that decision email!

I’m curious, does everyone’s application status portal still look the same, ie just says “complete” without any other changes?

I feel like Jennifer Love Hewitt at the end of “I Know What You Did Last Summer” (a dated reference, I know - most of you were probably babies when the movie came out!).

?

a lot of variables can affect when schools release decisions - staffing levels, # of applications received, and quality of applicants in the early and regular decision rounds. Don’t stress out if the decision comes after Feb 1! Personally, I’m crossing my fingers for good news on Friday morning.

I have a feeling we are all going to wake up to emails from DU on Saturday morning.

4:22 pm MST and nothing yet from DU!

Nope

I am! I love it here - the quality of life is great. I also lived in DC for four years (in the Logan Circle area then moved to Falls Church). Can’t say I miss the DMV.

Their international development program is outstanding. I’ve met several sharp Korbel grads throughout my years in the UN system in many countries.

Thanks and likewise! Are you in the Denver/Colorado area? I just moved to Denver after spending the last 8 years mostly overseas with a UN agency. Turns out having a career abroad is not compatible with being married and having a spouse who had to remain in the US. I paid a visit to DU’s school and had an extremely positive meeting with one of their student ambassadors. It seems like the social work school has a lot of great resources—they even have a classroom set up with one-way windows so you can practice your interpersonal and clinical skills while the rest of the class watches. I’ve never seen a classroom like that before!