all4foofighters

@GRMichigan congrats! I’m currently out of the country so I’ve been away from email. Didn’t get anything from Alabama, so I’m guessing it’s a no for me. That being said, I did get into NYU which was my number 1 choice, so I’m overall very happy. @Off2Penn @KryzFerr @thisisnotalyssa @lalala0 congrats on Penn! So exciting!

@GRMichigan Thanks for the update; the wait has been difficult. I've been checking the application portals once a day. Fingers cross we hear back soon. Fortunately, I'm taking a vacation starting tomorrow and I'll have something to take my mind off the wait game. Sending everyone well wishes and fingers cross we get some acceptances in this thread!

@KryzFerr The application wasn't too demanding for me either; I was going to apply last year for Fall '22 but last minute didn't feel ready (I'm in private practice and a school social worker and just had finished a year long certificate program). Hence the early October submission, since a lot of the materials were already in preparation. I'm much more clinically orientated and hoping to explore psychedelic-assisted therapy and racial trauma. I so badly wanted to apply to PENN but it isn't affordable for me at this time. I heard that PENN has the video/recorded interview, which I have done before and I am not a fan. I only applied to Alabama and NYU. From last year's thread and the previous year from that, it looks like we should find out the first week of April, maybe the second! I'm wishing you luck!!

I'm still waiting; I needed to have something submitted to NYU for a scholarship, so I reached out to them under that pretense and I got this response regarding admission acceptance: Thank you for your email. Please reach out to the Mayor's Graduate Scholarship Program directly as they coordinate all of the applications before sending them to us. I also want to note that I do remember you had a question in one of our first information sessions about the timeline for admissions decisions. I want to acknowledge that it has been a while since then and thank you for your patience. Our admissions committee is currently reviewing applications and we hope to begin informing applicants of decisions soon. The wait is challenging; I applied earlier (in October) thinking that I would maybe hear back earlier. I was wrong lol. @KryzFerr and @GRMichiganHow was everyone's application process?

@GRMichigan Thanks for the update! I reached out to a couple of graduates of UofA's DSW program on LinkedIn to ask them some questions. I'll copy and paste some of their responses: 1. Class schedule: So things might have changed since I was in the program (I was in the first cohort). They are on cohort 5 or 6 now, I think. We didn’t have a set schedule for courses. Some teachers didn’t have Zoom sessions at all. Others held them once a week in the evenings. I had one instructor that held them once a month on Saturdays. It really just varies depending on the professor. 2. I heard back about 4-6 weeks after the deadline, so you’ll hear something soon! I didn’t have to interview. I know they require that if your application materials are strong but unclear. Not many people have to go through that though from what I know. 3. Overall, I enjoyed the program. The first three semesters were the most challenge because doctoral study is so much different than other levels. It’s all based in research so I had to adjust my mindset. As long as you keep up with the readings, you’ll do just fine! I worked full time, taught part time at two colleges, and was married. I was able to do it! Not a problem at all. So let me preface my answers by stating that I was in the inagural class of the DSW at UA. Several decades ago they had a DSW program like many other universities and there was a movement to transition those from DSW to PhD programs. Now there is a push to bring back those DSW programs. In my experiences in UA's program, we had syncronous classes during the week in the evening. Each prof would send out a poll to see what times were avail for everyone and that is how they were scheduled. In some classes you met weekly in others it was every couple of weeks. I think UA has a hybrid MSW program that has practice labs on the weekends. There are some on-site intensive residencies during the summer. In terms of workload, my MSW had much more work/assignments. The DSW was more targeted and applied rather than busy work. I was able to maintain a full-time job, 3-4 consulting gigs, and a few other obligations and mix in a family crisis. It was all doable. Not saying it was easy because it was challenging, but follow the prescribed plan and trust the process. Those that had difficulties often tried to deviate and do their own thing. I am not sure when you will hear back. I know the program is very competitive with 200-300 applications and only accepting 20 (10 in each track). I liked their cohort model as you have the same peers from the start of the program. I did not have to interview, but I suppose that is always possible depending on what process they are using. The DSW program coordinator changed since I was there. My experience was a positive one. It was rigorous and if you don't question your sanity and doubt yourself every few weeks, you would be in the minority. Imposter syndrome was real. But I felt supported throuhgout the program. Most of the faculty were extremely responsive and the few that weren't... I think some of the alter cohorts had a different prof for the class. Most classes are taught by experts in the specific areas. The "defense" was very much like a presentation at a national conference type feel so if you have done that, it would not be too much more pressure than that. By the time I got there, I felt prepared and ready to go. My career hasn't changed much, but that is on me not the degree. I am certainly qualified for more positions. I was already in a full time faculty position at University prior to my going into the program. I did change positions to admin during the program and received a large pay increase. But higher ed typically pays less than private industry. I have had multiple job offers from head hunters that are quite lucrative. and lastly Most definitely have! 1) Yes, classes are held during the week. However it’s not a fixed scheduled. There’s a lot of independent study that happens in UofA’s program (HEAVY on the independent). It understands the balance of school and outside obligations. It is both asynchronous and synchronous. Your class schedule tends to be weekly, bi weekly, or a set number of classes during. During my time, my classes were often either bi weekly or 8-10 sessions throughout the semester. I have had classes all different days of the week except Friday. Professors are typically opened to modifying the schedule as the class needs it as well. These classes are seen more so supplementary to the class work and are doctoral seminars most of the time. 2) I know the wait is killer. I received my acceptance in April 2020. I also applied later than October so you may hear back sooner than that. The application deadline is 3/1 so it might just be that they are holding out a little longer. 3) Overall, I had a good experience in the program. I would say 7/10. I was part of the second DSW cohort so things were still very experimental and new. A lot has shifted (in a good way!) since the first and second cohort. The courses were one of my favorite parts of the programs because most of the professors were very thought provoking and challenging especially when you get into your specialization. Prior to that, you’re learning your cohort and the “how to” of doctoral debates. Knowing your interest will help you in the long wrong as you can pull and research different things around the topic. All that you do in every class you are able to use it in your final capstone. Are you choosing clinical or organizational leadership? I can give you a more tailored response for organizational leadership as that was my path. Time management is definitely an active skill in doctoral programs. For UofA, The syllabi provides all the dates you’ll ever need to know. If things shift for whatever reason, you’ll be notified. It’s difficult, but manageable. You also have a cohort that you’ll be bonded to. My 2020 cohort has group chats that we actively communicated in to remind everyone of upcoming dates. You will have to be a master of time especially since this program runs all year around. Hope this helps. Let me know if there’s anything else you’re curious about!

@EJM HEY! Finally some action on this thread lol (j/k). Application went well; I only applied to NYU and BAMA. I work for NYC and therefore qualify for a scholarship that would cover half the tuition at NYU (and then if accepted, there's some field work/supervision DSW's can do for an additional 25% off tuition). I also went to NYU for my MSW (graduated 2016). First choice is NYU, as I have a preference for in-person learning, and I only applied to BAMA because it is affordable, I don't want to take out any loans. I hope to hear back from them soon, my guess is February. How has the DSW been on your end? How's USC treating you? While I know the degrees are different, how has your experience been at USC in comparison to NYU?

Hey Folks, I'm wondering if there is anyone out there that is considering applying to a DSW program for Fall 2023? I read the last two forms (2021 and 2022) and loved seeing all the support and information sharing. I thought I would start this year's. I've already submitted my applications for the following: NYU (went there for grad school) and of course 'Bama (honestly, it's the price point). Hope to hear from y'all soon!