rjose

Has anyone else noticed that the link to your application has changed? It no longer says "apply," instead it says "login to view application status," and that you'll be receiving an email with a link? Guess decisions are on their way! Good luck everyone!!!

I remember having to pick two concentrations as well. If I remember correctly there were two drop down menus - one for your first choice and then another for your second choice. I, however, applied for the MSW/PhD program. I say congrats on hearing from Berkeley, it's a great, selective program, so congrats, congrats, congrats! Again, congratulations! Have you decided which school you're going to?

For those of you who got into Cal State LA and are applying for the CalSWEC or IUC stipend, do you know if your chances of getting the stipend decreases if you turn in your application a little after the March 5th date? I know to hold your spot you must sign the letter of intent by March 5th, and the lady from Cal State LA I spoke to even said I could send in my stipend application later, but was wondering if anyone knows if this would hinder my chances?

This morning and early this afternoon I tried logging into my account and there were server issues so I thought maybe decisions were made, but I was wrong I want to find out already!

Yes. I submitted on 12/31, and they said it was officially complete on 1/19 because THEY finally found my official transcript that I sent to them back in October.

I hope that's the case because I would only attend Columbia if they give me tons of money since cost of living in New York is no joke! Thanks for seeing the glass half full

For those who have heard from Columbia, when do you have to inform them of a decision? I don't want to sound like a pain, but I STILL have not heard from Columbia and I'm beginning to worry. I don't want to contact admissions because I don't want to come across as overbearing, and I understand that they have rolling admissions, but I turned in my application way back in December, and it seems like almost everyone has heard a response. Any advice?

I heard from CSULB a couple of weeks ago. Got an email then official letter in the mail.

Ugh! Yeah, so frustrating. It seems like everyone has heard from Columbia except me. I sign into my account at least 2x a day! I submitted it back in December and have a feeling the transcript mishap has brought my application to the bottom of the list I emailed Columbia simply asking for any updates on my application and they gave me the usual answer of "you should hear from them soon. We have rolling admissions." Ugh, ugh, ugh!

Well, what are your stats?

Oh wow, that was fast - it's not even March. Congrats, congrats, congrats!!!

Yikes! Cal State LA needs to get it together! My USC status says this: Thank you for applying to graduate study at USC. Your file is currently in the first stage of our evaluation process. We will notify you if additional information or materials are required. Please contact your intended academic department directly to make sure all supplemental application materials have been received. I applied to USC's three- year program so I can still work at my current job, so let's see what happens...

I had such a difficult time writing my personal history statement for Berkeley because they basically asked you for very specific questions - how you’re a minority and the hardships you went through (for lack of better words) and asked you to answer these questions in one page – ONE PAGE DOUBLE SPACED! I mean, really!? You’re asking me to talk about my personal history and what I went through in one page!? Talk about being succinct. Anyway, I basically talked about growing up and thinking that the hardships I went through were “normal” and then realizing that growing up and having to work since junior year of high school to help my parents pay for rent and car insurance wasn’t actually normal and that coming from a high school that had the highest fail rate in the district really didn’t prepare me for the rigors of undergraduate studies. I remember also talking about what I want to take from UC Berkeley were I to get in. For my statement of purpose I mainly talked about my research experience. I put an emphasis on research because 1) my background is mainly in mental health policy research and 2) because I applied to the MSW/PhD program. Hope this helps and I am also interested to see what others have written!

Wow, thanks for sharing these stats! Very competitive. The wait is killing me as well. I've applied to the MSW/PhD program and now I'm just hoping to at least get a spot for their MSW. Good luck all! Anyone on this thread have Berkeley as their first choice?

Yes, I agree with what was previous stated - that experience has a significant role. Also, I think it's how you phrase your experience that's also important. For example, most of my experience has been in research. I've had only some experience working with clients, but I wasn't a case manager or anything. However, on my resume I used a lot of "social work terms," to show that I did know a lot about the field. During CSULB's informational meeting they also advised this. The woman literally said to phrase words and terms in your resume to reflect "social work words and terms." Along with the run-of-the-mill stuff like "passion/enthusiasm/eagerness for the field of social work" I personally put an emphasis on the confidence I have about the field and the ups and downs I've seen social workers go through. And, I emphasized the fact that I was in a coordinator/manager role to show leadership. My stats: GPA: 3.2 - low Undergraduate: UCLA major in Psychology graduated in 2008 Worked in research for over 5 years - Mental Health research, primarily looking at policy and its impact. As you can see my GPA is rather low, but my experience is what I believe got me accepted into CSULB. Hope this helps and I hope you get in!

I sent mine in on the day of the priority deadline - December 15, 2011, and received a packet in the mail February 16th.

When did you submit your CSULB application? I have heard that those who submit at the moment applications are accepted (October) have a higher chance of getting in. What are your stats? I wouldn't be discouraged by other people's stats because there are a variety of applicants that CSULB accepts. I think experience and an understanding of the field are the most helpful.

I'm debating between whether I should apply to the CalSWEC or IUC stipend programs. I know the differences/logistics between the two, but was wondering if anyone had any advice or already know which one they are applying to and why? Also, does anyone know the link to Cal State LA's MSW tuition costs? Thanks in advance!

I think we have to reply by March 5th to hold our spot, but we have until July 15th to pay our confirmation deposit. I'm going to ask to, but if you happen to ask before me, please let me know what they say about having an extension. What's your concentration and are you two year or in the three year program? How fun, we could potentially be colleagues!!!

Yeah I heard that also - that you can't switch, but good suggestion! Definitely worth asking. You know, I don't know what my first choice is at the moment. I was thinking Berkeley but now I'm thinking whichever will give me the most aid, so now I'm thinking Cal State LA. You?

Yay congrats! Does yours say they need a decision by March 5th? I didn't know it only cost about 15k - yay if we get the stipend!!! What concentration are you!

Yay! I just received my CSULA letter! I'm so happy because I've heard really great things about their program! They need me to let them know by March 5th, which is really early considering I haven't heard from the other schools, so don't know exactly what I'm going to do.

I just received my CSULA acceptance package in the mail today! Yay!!!! I'm a little worried because they need me to let them know of holding a spot for me by March 5th - that's like in 2/3 weeks! I Haven't even heard from other schools!

Sorry, one last question - does anyone know about switching programs once accepted? I got into the two-year program, but want to continue working so I think the three-year program would be more ideal.

That's good to know, that there is aid out there! I don't know of a CSU stipend that pays for your ENTIRE grad school education. I have heard of the CalSWEC and the IUC stipends, but they only offer about $18,500 a year, and a DCFS stipend where you have to work for DCFS for two years after graduating in order to pay off your graduate loans. Which stipend do you know of that pays for the ENTIRE cost?