ladybug3

Hey Guys. I know there's a lot of debate on here about how many people are accepted into each program. I went to info sessions for all the 2-year programs in Ontario. I know that UofT gets about 600-700 applications for about 125 spots. That means less than 20% of applicants will go to the program. I know last year they put 75 more on the waitlist. I was one of them last year. I am not sure how many people get in off the waitlist, but there were a few into May and June. Wilfrid Laurier accepts 90 out of 400-500 applicants. Again, that's pretty close to 20%. They have a small waitlist as well but I do not believe it exceeds 20 or 25. I was rejected today from Laurier. Good luck to anyone who was accepted I know less about York, Windsor, and Carleton because I never planned on going to any of them. I believe they each accept a class of about 25. I am pretty sure they each typically have between 125 and 250 applicants, but again, not entirely sure. In any case, regardless of the school you applied to, just about 80% of applicants are ultimately rejected and/or reject an offer. So, for those accepted, congratulations on such a wonderful feat. For those who find another fate, keep your chin up. You can always reapply and with such a high rejection rate, it is the program, not you.

I have yet to hear from any of the 3 programs I applied to for my Masters. However, these programs accept less than 20% of all applicants. If Masters programs accept so few applicants and PhD programs typically accept far less, then having a 20% acceptance rate is pretty good.. I did not get in anywhere last year, yet I reapplied. You're in a far better position right now than many people. You have to make a decision; some of us dream of having a choice of where to go..

If you're in a one year MA, you'll apply in Fall 2012 for funding in the 2013/2014 year. If you're applying for a two year MA, you can apply for both (2012 for the 2013/2014 year and 2013 for the 2014/2015 year). In either case, you can apply while finishing your BA next year.

Hello It looks like your ancillary fees are about 718 per term. This would mean about 2154 if you go three terms a year or 1436 if your program is two terms. You have 15000 for now (tuition is covered before that) and at least 12000 regardless of how much tuition may increase. That would leave you with about 1070 per month if you are in a full year program (three terms). If your program is two terms, you will have more. If you do not work in the summer, you'd have about 1130 a month. On the other hand, if you decided to work during the summers, you could have up to 1695 per month (your stipend is then only needed for 8 months of the year, with the last four months being available for you to work and earn other money).

It really depends on the program you are applying to and your educational background, beyond your major. For example, two of the programs I am applying to require a variety of undergrad psychology courses and at least 75%+ in both a Statistics course and a Research Methods course. Being, say, an English major could put you at a disadvantage for these requirements. But say you had a Psychology minor.. then it really wouldn't matter because you would probably have the prerequisites. I am not saying you will not get in, but I am saying some programs may not consider you on the same realm as social science or BSW applicants. Furthermore, it is possible that you may have a harder time adjusting than some people with an educational background that is more similar to the MSW content. However, if you're doing macro social work and have, say, a political science major, it probably won't matter as much..

I HAD to buy a Mac for my program, however right afterwards I changed programs and now have a Mac for a pointless reason. My boyfriend's computer is twice as good as mine and was the same price, which says a lot because I got one of the best deals around on my Mac since I bought it through a rather large school discount. I recommend PC. They are more compatible, they allow you to get far more software, accessories are cheaper, and if you had one already, you'll have an easier time learning the features. Also, I got a Macbook (the white one) and the casing and cords are poorly made. I have cracks in the USB ports without ever having dropped my laptop and my charger doesn't work half the time; when it does, it gets far too hot.. the only reason I would ever recommend a Mac is if you need Mac specific software (for some odd reason) or you want long lasting battery power - I do enjoy that my Mac (on low settings) still gets just under 10 hours of battery power after nearly 2 years of use.

This is more about your first post, but just the same.. Once you have the minimum requirements, it really is a game of chance. It is never an issue of being qualified at that point, but of competition and arbitrary decisions. Even then, not possessing all the minimum requirements in no way means you couldn't be successful in the program, however when you reject 80+ percent of applicants, you can't possibly have room for those who don't meet the minimum. Demand is too high, supply is too low.. unfortunately most people are rejected. I applied to UofT last year and was waitlisted but ultimately I was rejected. I added to my application and applied again, to UofT, Laurier, and a Master of Education program in my hometown. On paper, I should get in. But time will only tell.. paper means absolutely nothing in this competition.. But.. Carleton and York are both really competitive (at least for the 2 year).. If you got into Carleton, you more than have the merit to get into the others.. however, Carleton may have seen something in you (French language skills perhaps) that the other two schools deem irrelevant.. who knows.. it's in the hands of chance now..

I know in Canada some programs require that a thesis is completed, especially since a thesis is often how you gain an Honours Degree here (a basic requirement of most Master programs). I would at least check out each school's website to ensure that a thesis isn't a requirement previous to dropping it. On a side note, I wrote my honours thesis for my Psychology degree last year. There were more than a few days where I felt hopeless while writing it and as if it would simply never end. The task is daunting and I know the vast majority of my classmates felt overwhelmed at one point or another. I know it is really difficult, but if I were you, I would keep at it. Maybe you'll be working most of the day for the next few weeks, but the feeling of accomplishment it gives at the end is amazing and I am willing to bet you'll meet similarly daunting challenges if you're applying to Masters programs in Psychology.

I wouldn't read too much into the "decision made" status. Last year I was waitlisted for the 2 year MSW program. I recieved waitlist status April 14. I recieved my official rejection letter on September 16 (about 10 days after the program started). My status did not change to "decision made" until October. I have heard of other people being accepted and not getting the "decision made" status for a month or two later (in different degrees as well). I just don't think it is very reliable.. Also, to those applying to the 2 year MSW program, don't be discouraged by the admits/rejections to the 1 year program. The 1 year always comes out first. HOWEVER, this year the 1 year came out about 2 weeks before it did last year.. so maybe we might know in early April instead of mid/late April. YAY!!

I have never heard of anyone doing this. The websites for the programs I am applying to all have a footnote at the bottom saying they are competitive programs with many more qualified applicants than spots. It usually goes on to say possessing minimum or even above average requirements does not guarantee you entrance into their program. I am assuming your programs probably have a similar notice, basically saying you cannot call them out for rejecting you even though you're qualified to be in their program.

I don't know about the schools you are applying to, but the schools I am require a four year honours degree. I am not sure if Honours is different in the USA than it is in Canada, but I know here most Masters programs will not accept a General BA. I would look into this at each of the schools you applied to. I also know of some schools here that require the completion of a thesis for admissions. If you no longer meet acceptance criteria, I would assume you would have to tell those schools. If you still meet acceptance criteria, I imagine the change won't make a big difference. (I also applied to MSW programs, however in Canada).

By the way, the waitlist curtesy does not happen here. I was informed April 14th of being on the waitlist with an option to either remain there or to refuse this offer. I accepted and was told I could find out any time between then and September 16th, 3 days after the program started.

The schools you applied to, you will find out mid-April. York might be a bit sooner, although the results here usually says a bit later. UofT sent me my waitlist letter last year on April 14th. All letters - waitlist, acceptance, and rejection - were sent at the same time. Laurier sent out letters slightly earlier last year, but say not to expect them this year until April. I applied to the exact same program as you at UofT last year and at UofT and Laurier this year. I went to both schools' open houses this year. Unfortunately, we have to wait until at LEAST late March, but most likely April.

It depends on the school. One school I am applying to accepts the best people, regardless of stream, and makes courses based on interest after acceptances. That being said, another school accepts so many people per stream (with less popular streams accepting less people per year). I also noted that sometimes your stream is malleable while other times it is set in stone. Make sure you know whether your stream is for sure before you commit to it. Not only this, but it might not even matter what stream you choose. I have streams selected at my schools, however they are generalist MSW degrees. This means at the end of the day, I graduate with the exact same degree, despite applying to a Macro stream at one school and a Mental Health stream at another. My placement experience and courses will be different, but my degree itself will not prevent me from any specific jobs due to my specialization.. There are so many variables.. but, as the person before me said, I would not apply to an area you don't want to study in simply to get in "easier".. do you really want to be accepted on a technicality? I don't know about you, but I want to be accepted on my own merit, not because my field had no applicants...

Thanks I have decided to apply and I have already written my research interests letter and got my application ready. I am just waiting on two of my three references. Fasted application I have put together; must be getting good at this.. haha

Yes, in high school or university. I would absolutely love to work with older teens/young adults. I was in a program to get my Psych major and primary/junior qualifications, however I left the teaching part because I learned (during my first 7 weeks of placement) that I did not want to teach young children. I would fully enjoy working in a high school/college/university as support staff, such as in Disabilities Services or a Residence Supervidor. I could do these with Social Work as well, but I believe a M.Ed would make me just as qualified.

I am Canadian. I don't know if this changes much.. The program I would apply to is a generalist M.Ed. I would specialize in Special Education/Mental Health but it is still just a General M.Ed. I am quite interested in Guidance/Academic counselling, which I know the M.Ed here would allow me to do in either high schools or universities. I am particularly interested in how teenagers with mental health issues transition to adulthood and this is actually what I wrote my thesis on. Any advice on getting a generalist M.Ed? Will that be a disservice compared to other types of Master of Education degrees?

Hello I am a BA in Psychology graduate and I have applied to Master of Social Work programs in my province. I am also a research assistant for a M.Ed professor. I was recently meeting with my professor when he recommended (again) that I apply for the M.Ed program he teaches. He claims I can end up with similar jobs as I will have a Masters degree, regardless of the field. Now, I am and always have been interested in special education and adult education. I wrote my BA thesis on Asperger's Disorder and I have completed 7 weeks of in school placements before I decided to transfer to social work instead of remaining on the concurrent education program I was in. I have taken a variety of education courses in the past and much of my experience relates to teaching and education. The deadline for this program is in February. I would have to quickly get an application ready, but it is do-able. It is at my home-town university, where I currently live and I attended for my undergrad. I guess this application would be an alternative option, as I would accept a MSW offer before the education offer.. This really just got my thoughts out.. but I am wondering, how applicable is a M.Ed to Social Work? I think I would really enjoy being an academic counsellor or a school counsellor of some sort, namely in secondary or post secondary education... would this be a valid option or am I only considering it due to my prof?

I am a Canadian applicant, to Canadian grad schools.. I applied to The University of Toronto and Wilfrid Laurier University. I am a Psychology major, 3.9 gpa although one of my schools only looks at the last year, so I'm 4.0 there. I have experience working with children with learning disabilities at a residential summer camp, research experience, one publication (first author) with a second pending (second author), and volunteer experience at our local AIDS Committee, Poverty Awareness Week, Notetaker for the Disability Office, Nightwalk Outreach team, mentoring, student council, a tutoring program I started, and 7 weeks of classroom placements.. and more volunteer I think, but that's probably the most relevant. I applied to The University of Toronto last year and was waitlisted. I am hoping this year has better results!

I am also a second year applicant. I only applied to one school last year and made the waitlist, but there wasn't room for me in the end. Oh well. This year I applied there and to a second school, besides greatly improving my resume and gpa. I am hoping for better results this year

Most schools offer some amount of entrance scholarships. You do not apply to these; they are offered to students based on admission and the admission application. However, if you are really worried about money, I recommend applying to outside scholarships. Some may be found on your undergrad website, the websites of the schools you are applying to, or by searching various scholarship websites. I am Canadian, so the resources I have probably do not apply to you. The scholarship board on this website might, though.

I think in Canada it really depends on the school. For the non-Advanced Standing streams, I know that Laurier values the two fairly equally, UofT values grades more, and Carleton values experience more. I believe York is more experience oriented and I am not really sure about Windsor or Ryerson.. If nothing else, most schools will accept upgrading. You can go back to undergrad courses and take a few to raise your GPA. They'll be calculated into your final year/two years (depending how each school calculates it).

@MSW12 hopeful I won't quote you, as it is taking up a ton of room, haha.. Anyways, the 600+ applications and 125 spots was just for the two year program. They are treated completely separately (ie, we are not competing against each other, hah). From what I got, they examined more than 600 applications. They don't even look at incomplete ones.. I know they accept less advanced standing students, but there are also significantly less applicants.. The GPA they evaluate is only your last 5 (full year) courses in third or fourth year courses (at UofT). This might increase your calculated GPA. Every school does it a bit different, though. I do not know how Ryerson/York do it. Anyways, I am not interested in a specific age, but I am very interested in addictions (I want to do the addictions collaborative program) and I am a Psychology undergrad major. I like working with anyone beyond the kid age haha

It might depend on the school, but I have a friend who had an interview last year but was not accepted to that school. She was, however, accepted to two schools without interviews and waitlisted at another. I imagine that most schools narrow down their candidates by offering interviews, but most likely interview more people than available positions. I would not recommend going into an interview acting as if you're already accepted. At least in Canada, Psychology/Neuroscience is pretty competitive... I imagine it is excellent that you made it to interviews, but this is only the next hurdle on the path to acceptance...

It sounds like they review all applications that meet the minimum requirements. The program is competitive; there isn't enough room to let in people who do not meet the minimum. I think the minimum is a B, so as long as you have the minimum you will be examined for everything. The two year program doesn't choose a stream until half way through the first year, however I wrote my application applying for mental health. It is quite competitive though. More than 600 applicants for 125 spots at UofT last year.. but I am thinking I have improved enough in the last year that I /should/ get in with a similar applicant pool as last year. However, like all people, I am trying not to get too optimistic. Competition is tough and you never know who else is applying.. competition, not ability, seems to be the main obstacle in getting in.. What stream did you pick? And are you from TO?