msw.helper

You are correct. It usually picks up after Christmas after applications are submitted For anyone who is looking for support with the application process in the meantime we have a very active group on FB with many people who are applying or who have recently went through the MSW application process - Check out the group: MSW Master of Social Work Applications - MSW Helper

Thank you for starting this topic! Every year this is such a helpful resource for those who are applying to MSW programs in Canada. When I applied to my MSW there were no resources to guide me on the competitive MSW application process, and GradCafe was basically the only place I could connect with fellow applicants. If you have concerns or worries about your application let us know - this is a solid space to get your questions and worries addressed. Wishing you all the best this application season! 😊

I'm not going to lie, it just made my day to stumble across this thread and see this. Thank you so much for the kind words! ☺️ I'll definitely be around to answer any questions you have about your MSW application - anyone who is reading this feel free to tag me or send a DM if you need anything. The MSW Helper website also has a TON of free resources to help your write your MSW personal statement. I highly recommend checking out our webinars, templates, blog, and Facebook group. Good luck to everyone this application season!

It is a little more quiet than usual for sure! I find that it tends to pick up in the new year as admission decisions start coming out.

Hey Olivia! Every year profs write references for applicants that they barely know (and they're usually happy to do so because they know it's just something all applicants need to apply). I would reach out to past profs via email and basically introduce yourself, tell them what class you took/what grade you got, maybe something about what you liked about the class or a notable project you did. Then make the ask. If they say yes I would also give them a copy of your resume so that they have something to go off of. You definitely won't be the first or last person to reach out to a prof that you didn't know that well! When it comes to the personal statement my biggest advice is to: 1. Focus on your why: Talk about your insights and how you can contribute to the field in a meaningful way. Avoid regurgitating your resume and instead focus on the key experiences that motivated you or where you learned the most. 2. Create cohesion between your experiences, social justice issues, and goals. If you say you want to work in a certain area post-grad, your personal statement and social justice issue should reflect that because it shows the reader/admissions committee that there is a need for social workers in your area of interest. Hope this helps!

Hey jmcinn97, thank you SO much for starting this thread! Every year this forum is such a valuable resource for anyone applying to their MSW. I'm a Canadian MSW grad - and these forums were a valuable resource even years ago when I applied back in 2017. I thought it would be helpful to share some resources early on in this forum. Here is a guide to applying to MSW programs in Canada - it's a solid starting place when looking at MSW programs. There is also a MSW Application Facebook group which has a few hundred people, many of whom have already been through the process of applying to grad school and give great advice about their experiences. I know how stressful it can be to apply to competitive programs. I strongly believe that it's possible to get accepted to the MSW Program EVEN if you don't have the best grades or the most experience. MSW Programs are holistic, and they recognize that social workers come from various backgrounds which can impact their grades and experiences. Because of that, they ask for a personal statement where applicants can account for their nuanced experiences, and show admissions committees why they would be a valuable asset to the program despite any areas of weakness in their application. I know how anxiety provoking the application process is, so every year I try to be a resource to everyone here. You'll see me pop in and answer questions, and you are also welcome to send me a DM or tag me any time. Thanks again @jmcinn97 - can't wait to connect with the 2024 group!

Hey! Sorry to hear, however, both of those are very competitive schools so the fact that you got on the waitlist says something! Hopefully an extra year of work/life experience under your belt will help you for the next application cycle. I don't think you have to worry too much about not repeating yourself in your personal statement in terms of tech or plagiarism - Honestly you could probably submit the exact same personal statement and there wouldn't be anything technically wrong about doing that. However, because the personal statement is such an important part of your application I would definitely so whatever you can to beef it up next year. If you have any questions about your personal statement feel free to send me a DM or check out my profile for my other comments as I have a post a lot of tips here. Good luck! - Michelle

This is amazing advice!! To anyone on this forum give this post another read, I completely agree with everything here! Getting rejected says NOTHING about your potential to be an amazing social worker- at the end of the day there are only so many spaces available, and you have to focus on what's in your control. If you're planning to apply next year I highly recommend checking out the personal statement template and the buzzword checklist to help you get started with your personal statement/application. Thanks Cookiecrumble for these golden nuggets

Congrats to everyone who has heard back and gotten accepted! If anyone is new here or planning to apply soon I recommend the FB group for MSW applicants, there's a few hundred people in the group who have all recently applied. It's a great place to connect and there's a lot of resources/toolkits to help with your personal statement and the application process.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. If you have a BSW you can ONLY apply to advanced standing. You will also get more experience through the internship which will give you more to talk about when it comes time to apply for your MSW. Feel free to DM me if you have any questions!!

1000% yes!! This is very helpful advice for future applicants. It's not about having the most experience or the best grades, it's about your insights and how you'll contribute to the field in a unique way. Saf has hit the nail on the head here. If you're planning to apply soon I invite you to join the MSW Application Facebook Group - it's a place for MSW applicants to connect and get support. Congrats on your acceptances btw Saf!!

Hey! Welcome I actually work with MSW applicants to help them write their personal statements and many of them come from unique backgrounds. I actually find that having a unique background can stand out. It's all about how you market yourself! Here's some examples of how past applicants talked about their backgrounds. Good luck with your application, and If you have any questions feel free to send me a DM!

It's soo hard when they ask a lot but only give you a little room. In my opinion the way Laurier's personal statement is set up, they're not necessarily looking for you to answer everything directly, but rather take more of a "birds eye view" in discussing your experience and the social justice issue, and the sub-questions are there for inspiration. You can watch a webinar that might give you some direction on what's most important in the personal statement. You can also send me a message and I'd be happy to chat!