futurelcsw
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Posts posted by futurelcsw
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If your social work program doesn't require summer reading, then I don't think you will fall behind in your courses.
All incoming MSW students take foundation courses in human behavior and the social environment, research methods, social work practice (micro vs. macro), social welfare policy and services, and field instruction. By the end of your first year, you will be prepared for advanced-level training in your concentration.
Oh, ok. That is good news. I know that the MSW program is nowhere near as rigorous as law school, I was just curious about what to expect. Most of my professors have not made the syllabi available yet so I think I am good.
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A friend of mine recently graduated law school and she told me that if you haven't started reading before the semester begins, then you are already way behind. Is this true? Has anyone started reading? Is the MSW academic workload that much more than undergrad?
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I feel you, roxyshoe. I wanted to take a year off, but with the rapidly increasing tuition in California, I just couldn't put off grad school. I wanted to take a year off and get more work experience, make some money, and get off the school routine for awhile, but no such luck.
I'm really excited about starting, but also really, really nervous. I'm moving to a new city, which I did for undergrad too, but I'm worried about making friends (which sounds so silly). I'll be living with my boyfriend, but I'm afraid of feeling really isolated in my program, but I think those feelings are natural. I'm sure everyone will have a great first semester and get into the swing of things quickly.
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Hi all,
I'm sure it's probably pretty quiet on here now that admissions are over, but I'm curious if any of you that were accepted into a full time program plan on working. I really want to work to cover food/gas/other expenses so I do not have to take out a loan and pay interest on that in the future. I would like to work around 15-20 hours a week. I am in a situation where I will not be paying for rent and utilities, so I do not need to make a lot of money. Is this possible? I don't want to burnout the first semester, but I don't want to take out more loans either.
Thoughts?
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I'm going to California State University Northridge! Woohoo!
I'm just hoping grad school isn't a huge leap from undergrad. I want to be challenged but I also want my schedule to be manageable. I didn't want to take out loans for living expenses so I'm hoping that I can work enough to pay my bills!
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Hi MSW Bound!
I feel the same, I'm excited and nervous at the same time! I'm in a full time program taking 15 units and doing 16 hours of field placement a week. I breezed through undergrad, I just graduated in May magna cum laude, but I'm terrified that grad school will be far more rigorous. I worked nearly full time all throughout undergrad, but I feel like grad school will be far more demanding, I'm not do sure I'm prepared for the challenge!
I have been researching forums similar to thegradcafe to get an idea of what being an msw program is like, but everyone seems to have a completely unique experience!
I can't wait to start!
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Thanks to both of you guys. Im going to call the FA office today. I really hope interest doesn't go up, it's already outrageous. I don't want to pay any more than I have to.
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I have never used FAFSA/ federal loans until this year so forgive my ignorance...
I know that pretty much everyone is eligible to receive up to $20,500 in Federal Stafford unsubsidized loans each year for grad school. I am attending a Masters program at a public school in California so tuition is relatively inexpensive but it will obviously continue to go up.
So say I need around $20,000 for both years of tuition and books, (I plan on paying living expenses out of pocket because my boyfriend works and I will try to work part time) should I take out the $20,000 the first year, or should I only take out what I need this year? Is there an advantage to taking out only what I need now for accruing interest reasons? Can I take out more if I only take out $10,000 initially?
Thanks in advance for the help.
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Ok good. I called the Financial Aid office and she said they received it. Because I was accepted recently, (second week of May), they hadn't put my financial aid package together yet. She said it doesn't look like there are any problems with it but I should calle at the end of next week in case they need anything else from me.
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I filled out FAFSA and submitted it Feb. 15th and it was processed Feb. 17th. I hadn't filed my taxes yet so I planned on making corections later. Well I totally forgot all about the form until today and I made the corrections for my tax information. Will I not receive a Stafford loan now? If I do, will I get the money really late and be dropped from my classes? i have never had to use FAFSA/loans and I'm freaking out because I think I royally screwed myself.
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Oh, ok. That makes sense. Taking on $22,000 in debt is daunting to say the least. I don't want to be in debt forever.
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What do you mean by "expensive"? Was that at the CSUN orientation? I remember her saying something about that. Isn't it free money? If you "work-back" for 1 to 2 years paid, isn't it free? The program should cost around $22,000 total so that would be better than loans
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If you apply for CALSWEC or the Mental Health stipends offered at some CSUs, (I think they are both around $18,500) can you use that money to pay for tuition? I really want to keep loans to a minimum.
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How long did SDSU give you to decide? They called me on Friday but I can't get a hold of the lady that called and I'm afraid they gave my spot away!
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She said that they would be talking about it with the committee within the next week or two, so I'm assuming we should expect to hear back from them within that time. I chose the two year CYF program as my number 1, but I let them know that I wouldn't mind the 3-year if it came down to it. (I made it clear the the 2 year was my preference though, but I guess I'd settle for the 3 year if it came down to it.)
I chose the OAF concetration, but either would be fine, really. I REALLY want the full time program, but I said I would like to be considered for the three year too. I might as well, I would have to wait a year to reapply anyway so I might as well being working toward that goal! Ugh I want to hear really soon. They have kept us waiting FOREVER!
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I just had my interview and thought it went well, in my opinion. Like you said, it was pretty laid-back and more of a conversation than an interview. She picked at my brain a bit, but I'm hoping my answers were enough to be able to be granted admission to their program. I got scared too when she brought up all the "just in case" scenarios such as doing the 3-year program or the possibility of not getting in. But of course, they have to warn everyone about that, right? Good luck to all of us though and hopefully we'll be future classmates soon. =)
Yeah I feel like it went well but when she brought up the alternatives I freaked out! Did your interviewer mention when we would hear? Mine didn't. I know there are more interviews Thursday so I imagine it won't be until at least next week. By the way, which concentration did you choose?
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The interview went really well. I scored really well on all areas of my application. It lasted over 30 minutes. They asked about weaknesses in my application. They didn't tell me if I was accepted or not. But she said she was impressed by my application. It was laidback, not high pressure. I felt really goo about it when until she started talking about the waitlist and being considered for the three year program. I hope I hear soon and I hope that I get into the the two year!
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Thanks! My interview is at 10:30! The admissions coordinator just called and added me on Skype. She will be calling me at time of the interview. I'll post an update once it is done!
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Oh ok! Post it if you hear from them. LOL
I called and the woman that answered didn't know. She took down my Skyper username and said they would call me back with that information. I'm so nervous!
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Right?!?!? I was just wondering that! I am going to call in the morning since they didn't ask for my username.
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For those who've interviewed with CSUN, what're some good questions to ask them if they ask for questions? I've been trying to think of some, but can't really figure anything out for some reason. I know it'd be good to ask questions, rather than say you don't have any. Can anyone suggest anything? Just thought I'd ask.
I'm wondering the same thing! My interview is on Monday via Skype, Eeek!! I have never done one of those before. I'm thinking we should just ask about what kind of student they look for, how they want to improve the program, what makes a candidate grad student material in their eyes, etc.
I'm not too sure! Good luck! When is your interview?
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Got a call today from a representative at Cal State Northridge. They were able to set me up with an appointment for this Tuesday via Skype. (That's pretty awesome considering I live 7 hours away from the LA area.) Can anyone who has interviewed with CSUN give any tips for the interview, or perhaps let me know what kind of questions they asked you? Also, do they let you know if you get accepted if they like you after the interview? Any kind of help would be awesome! =)
What?!?!?
They contacted me through email on April 5th saying that they wanted my availability to set up a phone interview and I still haven't heard from them!
Congrats though!
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I received an acceptance email from CSUN for their 2 yr online MSW program. It said "contingent on meeting all of the California State University admission requirements". So I am accepted into the program but not into the college itself yet...is this normal? I hope it goes through quickly as I am really excited to be going to CSUN.
Erica, did you have an interview with them? They contacted to me to setup and interview two weeks ago and they never set one up!! I called the office several times. Anyway, congrats!! I am DYING to get in there!!
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This is very true! Well, what ever you decide, I'm sure you'll be happy and do well.
Should I have started reading?
in Social Workers Forum
Posted
I wouldn't worry about catching up social work.psychology-wise. I don't think they would admit non-BSW or Psych majors if they didn't think they could be up-to-speed quickly.
As far as recommended texts, I didn't buy any of them. I'm kind of rethinking that, but how can I be held accountable for texts that were not required? I'm thinking it is simply supplemental material to aid in understanding. (I hope. I really don't want to spend anymore on textbooks this semester.)