michigan girl

If you have complex taxes, I highly recommend TaxAct. You have to pay a fee ($13-14) to efile a state return, but it is totally worth it. TaxAct can complete most federal forms and automatically calculates everything (both federal and state returns).

I chose to live off-campus (~two miles) from my university. The rent is cheaper, and the unit is much nicer than what I could have found within walking distance of the university. My neighbors are graduate students and families. Very safe and quiet neighborhood. I couldn't have asked for a better neighborhood. The downside is I must take the bus to campus but I have a car to get around for other errands.

I am most productive (doing homework) between noon and midnight. Outside those hours, I am sleeping, reading the news, watching TV, exercising (although lately I can only find time to exercise between 3pm and 8pm), and/or cooking food. I sleep at least seven hours so that I don't feel so tired when I wake up. By 11:00pm, I start to wind down and get ready for bed. I found that drinking decaffeinated hot tea (green tea, tension relaxer, chamomile, etc.) relaxes the mind so that you can a good night's rest. Since I love reading fiction (grad school can easily make you feel out-of-touch with the real world), I read a novel at bedtime too.

As everyone has stated, it varies by region. I would start looking for housing in May and June. I found my current apartment in May, and was able to snag a great deal (low rent, unit of my choice, etc.). If you wait until July, you will have fewer options.

I know that UC-Berkeley and Michigan have strong international social work programs. You can do a joint PhD in Social Work and Sociology at Michigan.

Apply to your local MSW programs within your state (or the Midwest). Most MSW scholarships are merit-based (the criteria is either a 3.0 or 3.5 and higher). Try to avoid going into excessive debt.

If you don't want to travel very far, then here is a good rule of thumb: apply to schools within a 600-mile radius. If extenuating circumstances occur unpredictably, you can return home within 12 hours. Consider social work programs in metropolitan areas since they will offer more fieldwork placements (e.g., Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, DC.) If your desired plan is social work, then finish your human services concentration, transfer to a four-year institution where you can obtain your BSW, and enroll in an advanced-standing MSW program following college graduation. The MSW is becoming the entry-level administrative degree. The MSW also offers a higher salary (over $35,000 for entry-level jobs). Get it soon rather than delay it.

I think it is important to remember that the current Republican party is nothing like the party of Lincoln in the nineteenth century. The party of Lincoln would resemble the modern Democratic party. The current Republican party is both neoliberal and neoconservative. Their agenda is twofold: make the big corporations richer and expand the American empire overseas through military force. Although I consider myself a moderate (I oppose abortion and gay marriage), I would never support the current Republican party because the top leaders are anti-poor, anti-middle class, anti-civil rights, and thus anti-American. No gubernatorial or presidential candidate is perfect on every issue. I believe historically marginalized groups, such as African-Americans (who can be conservative on some social issues), realized a long time ago that it is more important to vote for the candidate who supports an anti-discrimination and pro-social welfare platform. In the 2012 election, the Republican leaders revealed their true colors by doing everything they could to pass voter disenfranchisement laws. Their goal was to retake the White House with a new president who would represent corporate and military interests. A president (and governor) should care for the welfare of its citizens, not the (greedy) interests of the top 1%. I think many "conservatives" who were disappointed with Obama's re-election need to wake up and realize that they need to vote with their economic needs in mind. The Great Recession, which was started by private financial institutions who deliberated engaged in risky lending, affected everyone regardless of race, geography, and so forth. I voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012 because he represents hope, change, and a bright future for America. I truly believe that this country can return to a liberal democratic model of social progress and equal opportunity.

The only way your admission can be deferred for two years is if you're participating in another education-related fellowship/service opportunity, such as Teach for America, Peace Corps, or AmeriCorps. If your reason for a deferment does not involve that, the school will not reserve your acceptance.

I hope everyone knows that starting Fall 2014, Harvard GSE is switching to a PhD program in Education. Fall 2013 is the last year that the school will enroll an EdD cohort.

Can you also request a new advisor? I'm in the process of switching advisors because I found a better professor who matches my academic interests than my current advisor.

Yes, Ypsilanti is home of Eastern Michigan University. I only recommend Ypsilanti if you are bringing a car with you. Otherwise, the public bus system is most effective in the Ann Arbor area.

I don't attend HGSE but the way I apply to programs is like this....do you want to take a majority of your classes in IEP or HEP? IEP will focus primarily on K-12 international education whereas HEP will focus primarily on higher education. It's easier to take IEP electives if your passion is higher education policy.

msafiri, thanks for the Chronicle thread. I see the faculty perspective, but I want to hear what other graduate students think. No, I'm not the person using that username since I don't attend SIU.

Does it matter to have a concentration listed on your official transcript? I post an example below that can be applicable in any context. Let's say I'm interested in Basketweaving. In order for your transcript to say "Master of Arts in Craftmaking with a concentration in Basketweaving", you must take all the pre-approved classes in Basketweaving. If you only take some of the classes in Basketweaving, your transcript will simply say "Master of Arts in Craftmaking." Do hiring managers or admissions committees care about this level of detail? If not, how do you state your interest in basketweaving on the resume or cover letter?

Have you thought about switching into another graduate program? For instance, if your interest is education policy, why not switch into an education policy master's program at a school of education? I avoided generalist programs like the MPP because they were too quantitative-focused. If you're interested in a specific type of policy (i.e., education policy), other schools tend to require fewer quantitative courses.

The Crow, your internship experiences with the US Department of Education, AmeriCorps, etc. will count as social work experience. Macro social work IS policy, management, and community organization. It is not only human services.

Internships with advocacy/lobbying groups, human rights organizations, public officials' offices (mayors, legislators, etc.), community chest nonprofits (United Way), neighborhood revitalization groups, and think tanks are another way to get that macro social work experience.

Your general education requirements should help you prepare for or fulfill the foundation requirements for the MSW. If you want to concentrate in macro practice (working with communities, organizations, and social policy/advocacy), then I highly recommend electives in (American) history, ethnic/gender studies, sociology, political science, and/or public policy. Courses about race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, community development, etc. usually suffice.

Ann Arbor is a small city with a decent public transportation system. Whenever I had to drop my car off at the auto repair shop, I could get around the city via the public bus system. There's a bus stop near my apartment complex with various routes that can take me to my workplace, the mall, library, and post office. I like that aspect about Ann Arbor -- you can study and work and get around the city without a car most of the time. I still recommend bringing a car to Ann Arbor.

I know that Michigan's Advanced Standing MSW program starts in September and concludes in August.

Have you considered public universities with social work programs? I know that Simmons is a private institution. I attended a public university for my social work degree and was able to take advantage of in-state tuition. GradPLUS loans can be used to pay your tuition and living expenses (up tot the total cost of attendance).

I also want to add that the cost of living is cheaper in Ann Arbor. In my opinion, Michigan is a safer and more conducive academic environment.

laurenchai, what are your professional interests? I know Michigan allows you to pursue a minor in case you have broad or interdisciplinary interests.

Taking a break from school is another good option. Your grades become less important if you have significant post-bachelor's work experience in your area of interest (in this case, higher education).