ellie811
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Everything posted by ellie811
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I don't know that I can speak to how to make your application stand out, but I wanted to share that my GPA was just barely over a 3.0, and I had no student leadership experience in college. (well, I had some, but it didn't make it on my resume). I did have 4 years of social work experience, and that got me admitted with a respectable scholarship. Personally, I recommend taking a few years and working in the field. It will give you good experience to put on your resume, as well as confirm to you that Social Work is what you want to do. A lot of people burn out in a few years, and it would be a shame to commit the time and money to an MSW and then change your mind later.
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I'm making a slightly different transition than many of you...I've been working for the past 5 years so it's not undergrad to grad, it's working back to school. I've gotten so accustomed to having my regular schedule, my office, my clients! I've been making an effort to read my journal articles, and do more writing to get my mind back in the swing of those things. My husband just graduated top of his class in law school, and he spent 70 hours a week studying. I know MSW won't be like that, but he's learned a lot about studying and time management that will be very useful for me! And I'm very grateful I'll have him to keep me sane, to do the housework and cooking so I can focus my time on studying, field placement, and working!
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I remember seeing a chart somewhere of what days of the week field placement was for each semester. I don't have time to go digging for it right now, but it was on the website, tucked away somewhere. You could also probably just call the Field Instruction office and get an answer quickly that way
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That's a great area - love the old warehouse apartments! Very convenient to downtown and campus. Unfortunately, I don't have a vet recommendation for a dog. I can recommend you for a good horse vet though, haha.
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I finished undergrad 5 years ago and have been working full-time in the social work field since then. I must admit, I am a little bit nervous about transitioning back to being a student. I'm excited about field placement because I know how to do that...but...I'm used to writing clinical notes and psychosocial assessments, not papers with citations! I have good work ethic, I can stay focused and work a 10 hour day. But it's still going to be a big transition stepping back into a student role...I'm going to miss having my own office and control over my schedule and fulfillment from my work. Any other "non-traditional" students out there? What ar you doing to prepare to return to the classroom?
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The area enclosed by the river, Angela and Michigan ("northshore triangle") is lovely - big old houses, mature trees, lots of families. With Portage, I would try to stay south of Angela. Portage east to the river is ok - going west of it is a little more dicey. And again, stay south of Angela. If you go north of Angela stay close to the river. If you have a specific property you're looking at, feel free to private message me the address and I'll let you know my impression of that area. I live a few miles away from there, but I run in that area a lot so I'm very familiar with it.
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I picked the 16 month track for several reasons: 1. My husband has a 12 month job in Ann Arbor (the reason I applied in the first place!) 2. I've already worked in 2 different social work jobs, so I'm not concerned about only having 1 field placement 3. I've worked 40 hours a week for the past 5 years, so going straight through the summers and the field placements will be normal for me. 4. I want to get in, get out, and get back in the real world!
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You can see weather info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Bend,_Indiana Notre Dame does a fantastic job of clearing their roads/sidewalks, so even in the dead of winter they are bikable and certainly walkable.
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Have you actually looked at these places in person, or just on their websites?
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Michigan
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Thanks for the insight. I went to undergrad at Miami University, and we would sign leases a year in advance...so August 2004 I signed my lease for August 2005...I lived 1.5 miles from campus in a house with 5 girls and we paid $600/month/per person, plus all utilities. Anyways, I've been contacting landlords now, but haven't had much luck. If I had the ability to go visit places right now I would, but my husband is in law school and won't have time to take a trip for another few weeks. I hate not being able to work out these details already!
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My current lease is up Aug 13, so sometime around then. It doesn't make sense for me to leave my job (with benefits) any sooner when my husband's job doesn't start till Aug 20. I'm hoping that as more time goes by landlords will get a little desperate to fill their units and lower their prices, or being willing to negotiate. I probably won't be able to make a trip to Ann Arbor to look at places until at least mid April. (luckily I'm just 3 hours away so can make day trip)
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Man, I've having trouble finding some place to live that isn't going to cost an harm and a leg or have a 45 minute bus ride! I found an apartment complex about 2.5 miles away, but they want to charge me $40/month for my 7 pound cat which is just ridiculous. Anyone have any suggestions of a good place to live? I don't like complexes, but I haven't found any apartments in houses that allow the flexibility I need for the 16 month program.
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Just to keep things in perspective about how long things are taking... - I applied 10/17/11 - I was admitted 2/6/12 - I heard about SSW scholarships on 3/8/12 (a month later) - I heard unofficially I got the Child Welfare Scholarship on 3/15/12, and officially on 3/22/12 Things took a long time for me, but it worked out. Obviously I don't know if it'll work out for you because we're all different, but this process sure taught me a lot about patience. And I'm very glad it worked out, because Michigan is the only school I applied to because I'm already moving to Ann Arbor for my husband's job, and if it didn't work out I'd have to wait 2-3 years to try again. But sooo happy it did work out!
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I will be attending Michigan. 16 month program. Practice method - social policy & evaluation, practice area - children and youth in families and society and I'm in the Child Welfare Scholarship Program
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I'm moving to Ann Arbor in mid August and am looking for a place to live. I'll be getting my masters in social work and my husband will be a law clerk. We have one car and mainly bike/walk now, and would like to continue that. I've heard Kerrytown is the place to be, and the distance to my building and his work look pretty good from there, but rent is expensive. I'm looking for a quiet 2 bedroom (or BIG one bedroom) that allows a cat. Anyone know of anything like that? My program is 16 months, and I'm not sure if we'll be moving after that, but most likely.
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Well, I paid my enrollment deposit today! If you're 100% for sure attending and want to be facebook friends, send me a private message.
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I think the books are fun. They're obviously not a challenging or intellectual read as they're written for young adults, but they're entertaining --- a quick read.
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I initially was only offered $6,000/year in scholarship + $24,000 in loans/work study. Three weeks later I was offered the Child Welfare Scholarship though. Those are separate processes, to review the special programs, so if I hadn't gotten the CWS I would have been stuck with a lot unpaid. By the way, I'm jealous of all of you going to see Hunger Games...I'm waiting to go with my husband who is drowning in his final semester of law school right now, so it's gonna be a few weeks. Guess I'll just re-read the books
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I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts on a Mac vs. PC. When I was an undergrad I had a PC, but I never took it to class because that wasn't common back then. Now, everyone has their laptop in class (or so says my husband who is in law school). I don't need anything fancy out of a computer, just basic word processing for taking notes and writing papers, and the internet for research. Also of great importance is a long battery and lightweight for biking. I couldn't care less about the Apple "image" or "cool factor". Thoughts? Comments?
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I found out this afternoon I have been selected for the Child Welfare Scholarship! I am soooooo excited and honored! With this scholarship I will be able to afford to go!!
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Also, my only experience with a complex is Riverside North. It's along the river west of campus, less than 2 miles from campus. I have a friend who lives here and says he likes it. The apartments are big and inexpensive. The neighborhood around the complex can get a little rough, but the apartments themselves are fine...it's a a good half mile to where I wouldn't walk alone at night.
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Depending on what kind of apartment you're looking for, I suggest craigslist. I personally don't like complexes, I prefer apartments in houses. Some good neighborhoods to look in: - Northshore Triangle - big, old houses. About a mile from campus - Harter Heights - super close to campus - Make a square using Mishawaka Ave as the southern border, the river as the west side, Ironwood as the eastern, LaSalle as the northern. Generally this area has older houses and is safe and close-ish to campus. (I live in this area) I'm not sure about finding other grads to live with, maybe check with someone in your program.
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I was just told by the Office of Student Services that decisions on the Child Welfare Scholarship will not be made for another 2 - 4 weeks.
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I've lived in South Bend since Aug 2009 while my husband is in law school. We're not crazy about South Bend, but Notre Dame has been great. We live off campus, about a mile south and it's been great. Close to downtown and campus, but quiet. Easy biking distance to campus. We love our apartment (a HUGE 2 bedroom in a 3 unit building) and we love our landlord. We're moving in mid August, and our unit will be up for rent at that time. I'm not sure what rent will be (landlord hasn't raised it since we moved in, despite improvements to the building/property), but I imagine it'll be less than $700 (includes heat, water, trash, washer/dryer in basement). It's a steal. If anyone might be interested send me a message. Within the month we'll be confirming our move-out date and I can put you in touch with our landlord. Any other questions about South Bend, ask away. (However, I'm not up on any nightlife or anything, my husband and I are pretty laid back with a tight budget)