dubi

Did you check out Boston College's Global Practice concentration? I haven't heard anything for BU...

If you take classes at a community college and get straight As, you can show the admission committee recent grades to go by. More importantly, it might show them your past grades are not a true measure of your academic capabilities. Also, USC comes with an extremely high price tag. Are you prepared to spend $85K for a MSW? That cost doesn't include books, gas, loss of wage due to working at an internship and going to school full-time, etc. They offer scholarships, but they are limited, and honestly they're weren't as high as what other schools offered. When I applied, I was told by the Admission Office their aid packages would significantly help cut the cost to attend, but that was not the case when I was admitted.

Hi CM76msw! I'll be heading off to Boston too! Are you from MA?

Try going finding a research internship outside your school. I'm currently doing research for a doctor at the VA Medical Center. Try to find a doctor whose research is in line with what you want to do and email if they're hiring or willing to undertake an intern. Once you get your foot in the door, it's much easier to talk about doing your own research.

I don't think you should base your decision or second guess your decision based on (or lack there of) forum discussions. Just reflect on what made you decide to apply there in the first place. Did you get a chance to research the program? If not, contact or visit the school graduate office. They're very helpful. I personally think it's a great program because of the class size, majority of classes are taught by full-time faculty vs. adjunct professors, and internship variety is impressive. Also, many of the professors are actively involved in the community, so they practice what they preach.

I've lived in both and I would definitely live in Davis over Mid-town Sacramento. First, the commute over the causeway is killer, and second, I LOVE DAVIS. It's a great laid-back environment. My husband was got his doctorate there and we lived in the Atrium. It's one of the most bike friendly city in the country. I miss the farmer's market on Wednesday and Friday. The night life is better in Sacramento, but I would choose Davis, hands down. Have you visited Davis yet?

Devyn, I wish I was accepted. I haven't heard anything yet. I check my status on the same link where we submitted our applications (below), but I'm not even sure if they're planning to update decisions on that site (just anxious habit). I wish I already knew! I'm originally from so. cal and would love to move back home. https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=USC-GRAD

They are not good at updating. I think my status on their website will remain "We are reviewing..." even after I receive a decision.

The one for the Supplemental Fin Aid was pretty specific, so there was no confusion there. I have never received an email stating my application was complete. I actually had to resend my transcripts because they never reached the Graduate Office, even though I sent them in late November. I haven't really received any correspondence, other than the financial aid, but I did stop getting emails that my application was incomplete, that's a good sign, right? I would call and ask Amber Payne, she is super helpful and friendly.

Usually, expensive schools with high tuition give more money (scholarships, tuition remission) to students, bringing the cost down. I believe it's their way of competing with other schools lower tuition.

Amazing feeling, isn't it? I did a little dance when I got into my top choice

My scholarship offer was in the packet with my admission letter. Also, I noticed that in the letter it states that Financial Aid data will not be available until April 5, 2010. I assume it was a typo and they meant 2011.

One school offered me a generous scholarship in my acceptance letter, while another school said I might be considered if the students they did offer money to would decline their admission offer (on the phone). Who knows how each school determines who to give money to. I think how they distribute scholarship varies among schools.

My last recommend-er to Boston College sent in my letter late and my application was complete near the end of January. They said it should take 2-3 weeks, but I still haven't heard anything yet.

Your chances are a lot better than you might think. Given the one year of poor performance in Community College, you have a trend of consistently improving, and doing quite well, which is what schools look for in applicants. They want to see that you are capable of excelling and that you can handle the academic rigor of graduate school. If there was a reason why you didn't do well your first year, you should explain, briefly, the reason why in your personal statement. Basically, just tell you poor past performance is not a reflection of your ability to excel in academia, as reflected by your most current grades. Good luck and don't worry too much.