KristinMSW

UW was my first choice between DU and PSU, so at this point PSU isnt really on my radar. Plus I am just annoyed that we havent heard a peep from them, and that we find out so late. Since all of the stuff to confirm enrollment is due April 15th at UW, are you just going to say yes to them and still wait on PSU? And you are right, the out of state tuition isn't cheap at either, but it also doesnt seem to be terrible compared to a lot of schools! I don't have a good in-state option in CO (the only one is like a commuter-type program), so I kind of knew i would be paying out of state or private tuition...

I feel the exact same way about DU! I didnt go to the welcome day, but im from the area and have visited a couple times in the process to get a feel for the program. Parts of it do seem great, and i agree they make it very flexible which is really nice. But i have not been the most impressed with it overall. It just seems like a big, pricey program that they accept a bunch of students into. I feel like they really try to sell you on it and make it seem like they really want you, but as a private shcool they can afford to do that! In the end I think I'm going with university of washington... it just seems like a better overall program and in a city with more diversity and more to offer. And even with a $16,000/year scholarship from du, UW will still win financially too! Good luck with your decision!!

I may end up having to do this as well while I look at some factors between DU and UW-Seattle. I am visiting UW but not until after the deposit is due, and I wont find out about some other scholarships until around JUNE, which is crazy. It could mean loosing around $200, but i wonder if in the grand scheme of grad school costs it isn't such a big deal so that we can make a better and more confident decision....

Whitty- that is great! When will you be there? I think I will be around the 20th maybe? But we are road tripping, so who knows. Wonder if I can get an extension to pay the deposit since I'll be visiting just a tad after....

They haven't sent out any financial aid stuff, so I'm unsure of that. I know because it's a state school there aren't too many school scholarships. I'm applying to the Title IV-E child welfare program, which does provide funding in exchange for working for washington state cps for a year or 2.

I was soo excited to get in too!!! My decision is between UW and Denver, and boy is it gonna be a rough one. my whole family is in CO, and I like some of the certificate/internship options at DU a lot. lots of friends in boulder/denver, etc. BUT I have alwaayys loved seattle, my boyfriend is from there and would love to return, and the program seems pretty amazing. Love the opportunities in a bigger city, too since I would love to work with refugees/immigrants at some point. Haha, probably no need for my rant on this thread. Just agonizing over where to pay deposits, etc! Im visiting Seattle next month, though and very excited to check out the campus!!!

They said they sent admissions out to everyone yesterday! I would call and ask if you havent heard anything by today... Good luck!

Eeeeee just got into UW!!!!!!! Anybody else??? Next steps??? Exciting stuff... this is the one I was waiting for!!

Just called about a different question and they said admissions should be sent out in 2-3 weeks. Hopefully before april!

From what I've heard from friends that I have who an MSW, the school you go to does not matter much. This is based on their experience getting jobs- a potential employer will not necessarily look at the school you went to for your MSW, moreso just on the fact that you are licensed and what your experience is. That said, it is important to find a school that is right for you and that opens up the doors for your career. If you are interested in clinical, its important to find a school that emphasizes that and has lots of field work placements relevant to what you want to do. So in some cases going to a better school could matter, but only in the sense of how much it prepares you for your career and alligns with your interests. Many schools dont even require the GRE anymore, and those that do dont out too much weight on your scores. I didnt even have to take it for the 3 prog's I applied to. I cant answer your other questions as I'll be starting my MSW next fall, but I can speak to the Title IV programs (I only applied to schools that offered this and a specific child welfare track)> It is designed for people in child welfare who want tot obtain a masters OR for those looking to go into the field with more specific training geared towards child welfare. It is through federal money, so is offered around the country. Typically the programs are very competitive, both because of limited funding but also because the field is one of the hardest to go into. They really try to screen applicants who are committed to the field long-term, which is why in return for the stipend you work for child protection. (The idea behind it is to help get more qualified social workers in child welfare and to help the horrible retention rate for child welfare caseworkers, which is typically only 1 year). I would say definitely look into it if its specifically what you want to do, but dont necessarily do it just because a scholarship is offered, because it is a ROUGH job. Hope that helps!

Whenever I've talked to them I think they've said late March-early April is pretty normal! They also said this will come in an email, and not in the mail or on our online app. Looking at the results survey from last year, looks like that was about right. I am very eager to hear from UW to be able to make a decision! Pretty sure its my first choice...

I do believe there is a Spanish requirement, if my memory serves you must have the equivalent of 2 years of college-level spanish. Not sure how flexible that is, but I do know the south/central america slots are competitive. Not necessarily competitive in a very selective application process way, but in a mere numbers way, since so many people do have spanish skills. If you are only looking to serve in those areas, I would maybe reconsider PC, just because you really don't have a ton of say in the matter! Usually when you apply, there are a certain number of open slots a recruiter is able to nominate for, which may or may not be in your field or geographic area of interest.. all about being flexible!! But since you are considering an MI program, it could work out differently. They work with you more to get you in a sector that fits with your MA (i think michigan they only place you in youth development), so that will take priority over geography i bet. good luck and let me know if you end up doing that program! i think it would be an amaaaazing combo...

Are you considering the peace corps masters international program at michigan? I dont know anything about michigan or that school, but I am an RPCV (South africa 09-11) and would highly recommend doing the MI program if your interested in doing PC! I think it would be an amazing opportunity to combine the 2 if its something youre really interested in. Let me know if you have any pc related questions!

My online app finally changed with the accept/decline admission buttons! Did you get an email or a letter in the mail with the details? I totally agree- the waiting SUCKS! It will be nice to hear from at least one school, but it wont really mean anything until I hear from all of them and can make a decision. ughhh oh well... so it goes~ The finance side of it all is so hard. My personal opinion is that because youre already making an investment, you don't want to settle for a school that doesnt really fit your needs. For instance- I want to do the Child Welfare track (at any school I go to), but i would also like to get my School Social Work certificate (which usualy requires 1-2 courses, an internship in a school, and a test). DU is the ONLY place I can do both, which is a big factor for me. That's something that will give me a lot more flexibility in my career in the long-term, and is worth extra tuition money for (I think, haha well see when push comes to shove). So in that sense, DU seems to have a lot more career opportunities and wonderful internships that help you get your foot in the door. Its just soo hard to say what thats worth! Perhaps youll get a lot more with the financial aid package. If it's worth anything, I visited the campus this weekend and was very impressed.. the students were nice, the area seems like a really cool place to live, the admissions rep i talked to was very helpful, etc. Hoping to get this letter SO SOON!

This happened to someone else I know who applied too! I am jealous.. I don't have anything like that yet. I am applying to the Peace Corps Fellowship program, though, so I'm wondering if that will make it take a little longer. That is exciting, though! I think it does mean you are in... I don't think they intend for that to happen (with the buttons that pop up), I think they expect the letter/email to come first. At least its something though