Thumper86

Hi everyone,
 
I'm a recent graduate of the two-year MSW program at Laurier and I often check the MSW admission threads to provide support to applicants/current students. If any of you have any questions about the program I'd be happy to answer them
 
Good luck everyone!

I thought I'd contribute to the discussion on experience. When I applied, I had some volunteer experience in mental health (an hour a week at a hospital for 2 years) but the majority of my experience (paid and volunteer) was actually in human research. After I had been accepted to Laurier I found out that their program was trying to become more research oriented which led me to conclude that I had been accepted because of my research experience. Of course there is no way for me to prove that this was the reason but my guess is that it helped me stand out from other applicants.

So if you have research experience like being a research assistant or lab manager in a psychology lab for example than I think these experiences can be valued by the admissions committee

I've been having a lot of anxiety about having to move an hour or so away from my boyfriend. We've been together 4.5 years and even though we don't live together, we're pretty used to seeing eachother almost every single day (we live three streets away from one another right now). He works in the trades and we met while I was completing my undergrad. I took a couple of years off to work before applying for M.S.W's so I haven't been too busy and we've been on similar schedules.

I know that 1 hour isn't far at all and I will probably be coming back to Toronto on weekends or he will come up to see me but I can't help but feel really sad and anxious about the move I'm trying to convince myself that if I keep up with my coursework during the week that I will have time to spend with him on the weekends...

Awwww thank you!!! Good luck to everyone!!!

Some courses have a lot of textbooks and others use journal articles. Textbooks can get very expensive so I've bought some new, rented some from the library, and bought some used off of Amazon. Yes, you're in the same placement during the winter and spring semesters (semester 2 and 3 respectively). There's only 2 placements in the 2 year program.
 
 
I don't think there's any disadvantage to choosing the integrated stream EXCEPT that you cannot pursue a thesis if you're in an integrated stream. I don't think employers would view you as less specialized. In my opinion you'd be getting a well-rounded education. I don't even think employers would ask what stream you were in but I could be wrong.

In terms of the readings there are usually a few mandatory ones per week and the others are supplemental so you can pick and choose what to read based on interest/time. It can be difficult to stay on top of all the readings, especially when taking 5 courses so you have to use your best judgment. Assignments (especially final ones) can be quite lengthy and all will be due during the same week so to avoid mental breakdowns its best to start early. I had 5 20+ page papers due in the same week and I started over a month before they were due and I didn't feel panicked. Yes, you can have a life outside of school! You just need to be able to work efficiently and have good time management skills
 
 
     Yes, placements and internships are the same thing.

Personally, I find it easier than undergrad. My graduate program is strictly essays and presentations which I find easier than test writing. Since I did my undergrad in the sciences the biggest difference is the shift in course material. I'm also used to large classes so seminar-style classes were a bit of an adjustment.

Male students are not excluded from the inside-out program as far as I know. There were males interviewed in the summer of 2012 for the fall class.

Last year they DID NOT send all acceptances at once. From what I heard last year, people who were offered scholarships received their acceptances first and then people who were not offered entrance scholarships received their acceptances about a week to two weeks later.
 
 

Last year they DID NOT send all acceptances at once. From what I heard last year, people who were offered scholarships received their acceptances first and then people who were not offered entrance scholarships received their acceptances about a week to two weeks later.
 
 

Last year they DID NOT send all acceptances at once. From what I heard last year, people who were offered scholarships received their acceptances first and then people who were not offered entrance scholarships received their acceptances about a week to two weeks later.
 
 

Last year they DID NOT send all acceptances at once. From what I heard last year, people who were offered scholarships received their acceptances first and then people who were not offered entrance scholarships received their acceptances about a week to two weeks later.
 
 

Two-year students (1st placement) are in placement 4 days per week from January until mid April and then for 3 days per week from mid April until the end of June. If you do a thesis your first placement is shortened by 6 weeks.

Two-year students (2nd placement) are in placement 4 days per week from September until mid December.

No problem, this site is a great break from reading and writing lol

Yes, most of my papers had a large research component. None of mine were strictly research papers though, they all had an application section (e.g. research a psychological theory and a sociological theory and present them. Then apply these theories to a case and present a formulation based on these theories).

If anyone has any questions about Laurier's 2 year MSW program, application process etc feel free to post them here and I will do my best to answer them

Nowadays I'm partial to dresses with cardigans, flowy knee-length skirts, pearl earrings, floral patterns, cozy sweaters, and a bit of lace. I guess the romantic in me is coming out.

I think you are insane. The drive is an hour and a half without traffic. Knowing full well how brutal Toronto traffic can be, that could easily double. Maybe possible if you only have to be at school once or twice a week, but anything more than that and you could be spending anywhere from 3 to 6 hours a day commuting. Not to mention the gas.

Finally an acceptance!!!!

I'm really shocked that I've been accepted to Laurier's 2-year M.S.W program. This is my second application season and it feels really great to know that they see something in me.

My stats:

CGPA = 2.7 ....yes, that's right. No typos here. My CGPA is 2.7. I've spent the last 3 years listening to registrars at my undergrad institution tell me that I will NEVER get accepted to graduate school because my GPA is too low. I even had one guidance counsellor tell me that I should consider going into the trades (which is not an option for me because I'm useless at that sort of thing).

To show my committment to social work, I enrolled in the online forensic practice program at Humber College after completing my B.Sc. I truly believe that this helped my application. I've only completed 3 courses so far but I've learned a lot about the field and since I would like to focus on working with offenders, I have found this program to be extremely useful.

I know that it's painful to watch other people get accepted while you feel that you're stuck in one place, but NEVER give up. Never let someone tell you that it won't happen for you.

Finally an acceptance!!!!

I'm really shocked that I've been accepted to Laurier's 2-year M.S.W program. This is my second application season and it feels really great to know that they see something in me.

My stats:

CGPA = 2.7 ....yes, that's right. No typos here. My CGPA is 2.7. I've spent the last 3 years listening to registrars at my undergrad institution tell me that I will NEVER get accepted to graduate school because my GPA is too low. I even had one guidance counsellor tell me that I should consider going into the trades (which is not an option for me because I'm useless at that sort of thing).

To show my committment to social work, I enrolled in the online forensic practice program at Humber College after completing my B.Sc. I truly believe that this helped my application. I've only completed 3 courses so far but I've learned a lot about the field and since I would like to focus on working with offenders, I have found this program to be extremely useful.

I know that it's painful to watch other people get accepted while you feel that you're stuck in one place, but NEVER give up. Never let someone tell you that it won't happen for you.

how did the test go and have you considered a degree in chaotic systems?

I texted my dad to tell him I got an acceptance + TAship. He asked how much they were offering & I told him 9k. To which he replied "HOLY SHIT!"

Really? I wasn't sure how to respond to that, but turns out he thinks that it's a great deal. Not sure 9k warrants a "holy shit!" even if it's just a master's, but okay dad. I appreciate the enthusiasm.