heneyka

I feel like a creeper but I just saw that someone got a response via Myfile for York U 2-year MSW. IT'S COMING! I can't check mine from work, but when I do I'll of course let this forum know. Kinda a scary feeling... On another note, if anybody else is waiting for Calgary, I got impatient today and called them, and they said they were literally sending the acceptances, rejections, and waitlists out right now via e-mail. I haven't gotten anything yet, but it does mean the wait should be over soon. Man, I wish I didn't have CPR training tonight so I could check my messages/not be there crying into a dummy if I do get notification that I am rejected from U of C! It's all out of our hands now...

In fact, I applied to Calgary on DECEMBER 1st and still haven't heard back (I don't think anybody has - nothing in results survey or on MSW board). Some schools take a full 4 months. If you applied in January, I wouldn't be surprised if they don't usually get back to folks until April. Just around the corner!

I definitely feel that way! I bet you are particularly frustrated since you haven't heard a peep from all 3! Ugh, I just wish they would do a better job of telling us when we'll hear so we're not all rocking back and forth in restless anticipation! Stephanie, do you have a top choice from your list there?

Determorgan, you're not alone. I feel like I'm constantly apologizing to my friends about being a complete BITCH! I am usually so easygoing, but I can't seem to control the feelings of anxiety and frustration, so they come out like you mentioned - being cranky, testy, 'belligerent' as one friend called me. It's just around the corner...and today is Monday. I have only checked the Calgary website once today! Phew! I'll try to keep it under 5. Anybody have news so we can stop focussing on our own impatient experiences?

Ouch. I am not excited about the possibility of getting wait-listed I could see it feeling very close to a rejection, but with the tiniest bit of hope, which is almost worse! That being said, It says a lot about you that you were so close last year, so I'll bet your chances are that much stronger this year! FYI I have yet to hear from York - just keeping everyone posted! I have a more general question for everyone - can folks give a little insight into the quality and nature of MSW programs at different schools that you've heard? I am struggling right now since my top choice is Calgary, but that's predonminantly because I want to live there (have family and friends, and love the city), and only a little because they have a really interesting International specialization. Problem is, I keep hearing about how strong Carleton's program is because it is focussed on structural elements (socioeconomic barriers, cultural barriers, etc.), and I know that one of the main profs there literally WROTE THE BOOK on Social Work in Canada (Steven Hick). I also keep hearing that York has a great radical bent, and it's so exclusive that the instruction must be very interactive...And I worry because the last numbers I saw from Calgary's 'book' is that there are over 150 students in their MSW program. HOWEVER, I know they have about 5 streams if you include their off-campus streams, so that may explain it. I know, I know...I haven't even gotten notification from 2/3 schools there, but I know that the decision will have to be made quickly and I just wanted to see what others have heard about the quality of instruction and focus of any of these schools...and maybe other schools YOU have applied at that I haven't

I probably shouldn't have said "adversiting" - more like, friends on facebook are coming out with acceptances every day! It's tough to watch lol.

Grumplestiltskin FTW! Yeah, I have a ft job (and another pt gig), volunteering, excessively warm weather that is conducive to running, and some friends I am spending ample time with in anticipation of possibly leaving the city...and I am STILL checking my e-mail 10 times a day! But you're right, being busy does stop you from checking 50 times a day! Facebook is advertising more and more Masters acceptances...so I think we should hear soon!

Hey! Welcome - don't worry, you are not the only one checking the site incessantly! Thank you for the tip about York - I didn't even know that's when they were sending acceptances out, so that is great to know. As a Torontonian, which would be your first choice? It's my third choice of 3 - still a choice though!!- and I also didn't know how competitive it is. 20 people! Wow! That is highly competitive, although it's also hard to say how many applicants they get. Carleton accepts 25 out of a usual 150-200, so I felt really excited and kind of SHOCKED that they accepted me. But like an earlier poster says, it can have a lot to do with fit, so it's so hard to predict! I may only get accepted there...who knows! But yeah, the wait is killing us all. Good for you for applying again! It's so close Do you have a preferred specialization?

Ksalsera, I'm from Ottawa and studied InDev in my undergrad. I'm mixed and can't say anything too specific about the grad program, but what I feel comfortable saying is: - it is still relatively new, although I know many bumps have been ironed out since it got started ~5 years ago - The professors at Ottawa U are very well connected to the NGO and government world, but I suspect Carleton wouldn't be that different - NPSIA is more prestigious, locally-speaking (this is my interpretation based on knowing folks who did both programs) - Ottawa U is downtown which is pretty convenient, but Carleton's campus is much prettier and has more greenspace. I feel like it's a bit more of a community as well. That may not be helpful but feel free to ask any other questions if you just want some insight from an Ottawa native

Patience is a virtue but BOY it is much easier to indulge in the vice of 20xPERDAYE-MAILCHECKING sometimes! I would definitely be optimistic about the BSW at Calgary - you seem to have infinitely more research experience than most students applying. The BSW was also a plan I had, plus there are definitely benefits to starting your studies at a more foundational level. I sometimes worry about the pace of jumping into an MSW - I feel like I'll be wanting to do a lot of supplementary reading and research in order to get a handle on all of the new concepts. The other nice thing is that you'll be able to do your Masters in 1 year! My fingers are crossed for you! As a side note, I just nearly had a heart attack! I was at work when my Blackberry showed a message from U of C admissions. I scrolled for ages (It's quite a broken blackberry - no comment) and when I finally reached the e-mail and felt prepared to read it...it turns out that it was in relation to the BSW application I started online and never finished. GAH!!! I was so psyched up! It's probably better to not be at work for the news, though...

I agree! It's frustrating how general they are. I have called University of Calgary twice to ask about this - once in January because the web and materials gave literally NO indication of when they let people know about admission status, and then again about 2 weeks ago to confirm that the info I got in January was actually right on. "The end of March, latest" is what they tell us. So in my mind, this is the end of March! I wish some schools would even just say "We will be in contact on or before April 7" or whatever date they so choose, just so you're not killing yourself with stress when you haven't heard in February like some others! ...has anybody heard?

Hey Thumper, we are all in this together! The wait is the worst at this point, right? In January and February it was a lot more bearable, but now that life decisions have to be made, it's tough. I can see how you're in an extremely difficult spot. What options have you considered? For example, could you accept the position and later resign if you do get accepted? That may be easier said than done, and I suspect there is more at play here - maybe you feel you'd be burning a bridge, and that fear is completely understandable. However, even if you do start in the 1-year contract, could you work for the rest of the summer (I'm guessing May-August) and let them know far ahead of time that you will be going to grad school in the fall so they can start looking or interviewing later on? That gives the org/institution plenty of time to hire someone else, and they will have to go through that process if you don't accept the job regardless. Just some food for thought. I recently decided to resign from my job at the end of April once I got into 1 program, although I knew that it wasn't my ideal choice and I have not yet heard from the school I really want (Calgary). I felt like I was hurting my coworkers since I am leaving at an extremely busy time for my team, but a colleage reminded me that, as long as you are respectful and reasonable, there's no reason not to do what is best for YOU in any resignation situation. She also reminded me that I don't owe the organization anything - and I don't say that in a malicious way, but it's easy to get caught up in not wanting to hurt anybody else and, in the end, wind up hurting yourself. We do want to go into social work, after all! I realize that was a bit rambly, but I just wanted to share that reflection. I hope you hear soon so you can feel more confident in making a decision about work! I question myself every day about leaving my job so early so I can have some "time off," while I'll be making zero money and living off savings, but I realize that it is exactly what I need right now.

Thanks to both of you for the feedback - It's just so hard to know, especially when you can't possibly predict the other applications in the same cohort. What is the latest news for others? This next few weeks should be the most exciting. Also, out of curiosity, what drove the people on this post to apply for MSW programs? I'm always super interested to hear about others who want to get into the field!

Hey all, I have been googling MSW admissions and came across this awesome page to vent my nervousness! I applied to the 2-year masters' programs at Calgary, Carleton, and York. I did hear back from carleton (Acceptance!) but not from the other 2. I'm in Ottawa but I want SO badly to move to calgary for school. Anybody hear from Calgary yet? Can people level with me about my chances? I have 2 years of FT work in public health (health promo and addictions) plus 2.5 years part-time work in the same general area, particularly with youth. I also have thousands of hours of volunteer experience (leader of an international development org at a university chapter, food bank, tutoring with low-income and criminalized women) and had an A- average... I'm worried about competing against people who have more social work experience or maybe started their own orgs, etc... Best of luck to everyone!