2011 MSW Hopeful

I interviewed with Hunter this past weekend and they said that our interview group should hear within 2-3 weeks, at least by mid-May. It sounds like they're pretty backed up on reviewing applications, though.

Just received an email about a group interview for Hunter College, but unfortunately it's for the weekend that I will be visiting UChicago. Hoping they will be able to reschedule...I'm a bit surprised to get an interview, but it sounds like after the interview stage it's competitive.

I don't mind a long commute, I just wanted to make sure that not having a car isn't really difficult or quality-of-life reducing. Thanks for the input!

I decided that it wasn't, and have talkled to a few others who felt the same way. I'm not sure how much luck others have had with their financial aid department, but I was only offered $2,000 in grants and some work-study funding for field placement (part of which comes out of the grant, from my understanding). I think the program looks amazing, but I couldn't think of anything that would put you that far ahead of a less expensive route, especially for clinical. Research opportunities as an MSW student seem limited if that's what you're interested in (and having a strong MSW school for prospective Ph.D. applications was the only thing I could think of that would make the debt worthwhile -- marginally). That, and foundation year students are in field placement three days a week, which I'm sure is a great learning opportunity, but wouldn't allow time for part-time jobs for extra money or additonal research experience. All that said, it was hard for me to send in my form declining. It's a school I've been pining over since undergrad applications, and I really do love the area and their department. I think you just have to weigh whether it's worth it for you. The idea of graduating $100,000 in debt for an MSW was sort of paralyzing to me. There are some options that make it theoreticaly doable, such as income-based repayment, public service loan forgiveness, and NHSC, but it was ultimately too uncertain for me.

Just got an acceptance via email! Excited. I don't know that it's a top choice for me, but definitely the most economical.... lots to think about!

I'm going out to visit the school at the end of the month. Looking forward to it! I've never been to Chicago before. I'm not going to have a car while I'm there, and I read on the field education website that that might narrow your placement opportunities significantly, but asks whether you'd be willing to carpool with another student, etc. Does anyone from the Chicago area have insight about this? I know Hyde Park is a little isolated, but I've always heard great things about Chicago's transit system. I'd love to hear some perspectives, especially from those of you who know the city well.

Congratulations! When did you apply? I'm waiting anxiously.

Still nothing for anyone from Bryn Mawr?

Nope, it was a pretty standard "Thanks for applying" letter. I did notice that their website lists a "3.0 for the last 60 credit hours" requirement, which I didn't meet, but I had compelling reasons, tons of professional and volunteer experience, and great recommendations... so I guess I thought that would offset. A similar thing happened at Temple. GMU was probably my last choice (more interested in urban issues, no Ph.D. program), but I'm hoping that VCU comes through so I'll have at least one in-state option when I'm considering the financial side of things.

Admitted to NYU and rejected from George Mason on the same day. $10,500 scholarship from NYU seems like a pretty solid offer coming from them, but I'm interested in how that compares with what others are seeing. I know Masters programs are thought of as cash cows for larger universities, but I'm feeling a little confused by my admittances/rejections -- and definitely glad I didn't count on any "safety schools," since it seems I'm not being admitted to schools I felt were sure bets. I don't think I slacked off on my applications to Temple and GMU, so maybe it had something to do with their decision-making processes/GPA cutoffs/etc.

Nope, and I'm running up against decision deadlines for other schools, eek. I really want to know! I emailed earlier this week to ask about the status of my application and got a form letter that thanked me for applying and said that the week of the deadline, they had gotten over 500 applicatioins and were still going through them. It didn't sound to me like I'd be hearing anytime soon. I haven't heard a thing from Hunter, either.

Depending on your undergrad stats, evilpupil's idea might not be a bad one. There are direct service and case management positions you can usually get with a Bachelors, and I think having paid, full-time experience both looks great and lets you know whether social work is really what you want to do. AmeriCorps is also something worth looking into. You can get into an MSW program out of undergrad with just volunteer experience, though. As for organizations, I agree with finding out what you're passionate about and volunteering in that area. If you're interested in child welfare and have a fair amount of time to devote, Court-Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) is an organization worth checking into.

I looked into this and it seems like a fantastic option, but consider that (from what I can gather, anyway) you have to be an LCSW to qualify, so you'd need at least a few years after school to get the supervision and apply for licensure before you could look at one of the NHSC-qualifying jobs. In terms of other options, there's income-based loan repayment if you're making less than $50,000 per year, and public service loan forgiveness. Unfortunately, non-loan financial aid for MSWs seems really difficult to come by.

Congratulations! Did you apply for the RAship, or was it just offered based on your application?

I did, and the info I got last week was helpful and accurate. Good luck!

Just received an acceptance letter via email! Wow, $18,000 scholarship -- I'm pretty floored! Good luck to everyone.

My application was complete by the deadline, when I emailed this week to ask about my status, they said that I would probably have a decision by the end of next week. Just to update you on that!

Would any other UPenn admits mind sharing your funding offers? Here if you're comfortable posting, or by PM? Also are there any current Penn students here?

I'm still waiting on so many schools! NYU, Hunter, UChicago, VCU, George Mason, and Bryn Mawr. Hopefully they'll get it in gear so I can respond to other offers! I had a fantastic interview experience at Bryn Mawr yesterday (I would really recommend checking out their program), so I'm hoping to hear something positive from them soon. Shaakira, I think that most MSW programs don't conduct interviews, but three of the ones I applied to do (UPenn, Bryn Mawr and Hunter). From what I've heard so far: In: Penn, Boston University Rejected: Widener

For what it's worth, I only lived in Philly for two months last year, but these are my impressions: Safety's not really a concern in most parts of the UPenn/Drexel-adjacent University City area. The several blocks surrounding both of the schools are well patrolled by campus police. I lived in the area and never once felt unsafe walking at night. Things can get dodgy the further north/west you go and the further from either of the campuses, but I wouldn't feel like you're moving into the ghetto by any means. If you're especially concerned, I'd stay south of Spring Garden around Drexel and east of, say, 46th below Market St. (conservatively). So basically, stick to Powelton Village and Spruce Hill in West Philly, or you also have the option of easily living in Center City anywhere along the Market-Frankford Line, but expect to pay more. Relatively inexpensive house shares seem super easy to find, not as sure about apartments, though. You may find you'll have a better quality of life for cost than you do now in Boston. Anyone more familiar with the city can feel free to correct me - it would actually be helpful as I'm considering Penn for next year.

Definitely get you with the impatience! UChicago is the only place I applied off of the east coast. I applied to several schools in Philly, NYC, Boston, and in my home state of Virginia.

Thank you! I don't see any reason why you wouldn't have a chance! I'm not sure about your financial situation, since the only source of aid they would offer you would be scholarships, which are (in my impression, at least) pretty limited, so that might be something to check into. I'm not entirely sure how the admissions process works in terms of whether you'd have a better chance earlier on, but it doesn't seem like it would hurt.

I did! The website says that people who use the January 15 deadline should expect a decision by March 15. I'd say that's probably a good expectation, since if I recall correctly, the early decision people on this board heard just after the stated Feb. 15 date.

I found out I got in this week, and could not be more thrilled! Such good vibes from the program, I love Philadelphia, and it's really appealing to me for some personal reasons. I'm kind of on pins and needles waiting to hear back about scholarships/grants. I'm really hoping for the best, since it's an expensive program...does anyone have any wisdom to share about what I might expect? I would love to hear from current students or other acceptees. It SEEMS worth it, but I would really like to hear how people feel about cost vs. experience/value. chriskyk, the program doesn't require the GRE. I just happened to have taken it a few years ago, and submitted my scores as part of the application on the basis of the fairly high verbal and subject test scores.

Thank you, you too! I got the email that my application was complete January 27th, though I had submitted my materials a couple of weeks before that.