semimicro

No. Before they recommend you for committee review, they have to go through all applicants' transcripts.

At U of T grades is what matters most. However, not all students who get in have excellent grades. Grades do not make a great social worker, and the admissions committee for sure also acknowledges that. So having a lower than A- or even a flat B, or lower than B does not mean you're already excluded. It is a false assumption that people make because admission may be also based on your experiences. Some people in the program have extensive volunteer or work experience in health and social services organization with direct client components while others have been involved in many social justice, community development, and activism locally and internationally. In the application package, it is important that the CV, Written Statement, and Letters of Reference should serve as evidence to each other. Each application is rated 1-5, at least that's what I've heard, and written statement is appraised based on evidence. Meaning what is in the CV must appear in the written statement as objectively as possible with substantiated subjective critical reflection as well as expression of motivation for the decision to pursue MSW. If details on CV are not articulated well in all submitted documents there is a possibility of automatic rejection. Best of Luck!

Yes. I remember one of my referees telling me that the schools I applied to have very different templates. The schools usually send the referees a link where they have to answer questions about you and your qualifications relevant to the program. So make sure you have set up an appointment with all your potential referees ahead of time so that you can sit down and talk to them about your CV and your experiences and why you deserve a reference letter. Also ask them politely but straight-forward if they can write you an "excellent" recommendation letter. Good just shouldn't cut it. Make sure you tell them you need that excellent recommendation letter. Most of them would say yes, especially if you have build a certain reputation with the professor in class and outside of class. Hope this helps. I think that you should take your chances at applying to U of T again. I know a couple of people who got into the program after 3 application cycles. So keep trying! The admissions, i think at U of T really depends on the calibre of students applying during the year. The higher your grades are and the more experience you have of course will make your applications more successful. The students that get in have varying experiences but everyone have experiences working with different populations in various setting. There's a good mix between new university graduates and more experienced professionals, some have a masters degree, but all are quite accomplished in some way (which people would try to be modest about). You have the experience and the education to have been placed in the waiting list. Being in it means that they saw something in you and you are qualified! There is a higher chance to get into U of T as there are almost 150 spots to fill in. I do think that personal statements play a huge factor on the admission decision. Make sure that the personal statements are verifiable and coincide with the CV and other documents you will be providing (i.e. reference letters). The main problem is the disconnect between the documents. In the personal statement your educational, professional, personal background must tell a story. A story that provide an idea of how you understand social work and its importance to you. I really think a critical reflection approach helps in this regard, especially in making sense of the questions. Hope this helps, if you ever consider applying again. Best of luck to you and other who will be applying this year. May the odds be in your favour!

Congratulations!!! I also am in the same boat as you. I confirmed both schools offer of admission (in my case UOfT and York) and paid the deposits to save my spot in the programs. If you plan to officially withdraw from either program it has to be done before you enrol in any classes. I haven't sent my withdrawal letter as I haven't decided on which one actually suits my professional and academic interests. BUt I guess in your case you can write the program admission coordinator to inform theme hat you are withdrawing your spot from the program. Good luck. And if ever I choose U of T, I hope to see you there. All the best.

Congratulations!

Thank you so much for giving your inputs. I really appreciate all of them. I bumped into one of my referees in the bus the other day and she wants me to choose York and even my friend who went to U of T wants me to go to York. My parents, on the other hand, want me to go to U of T. Personally, I consider both institutions as excellent schools for graduate studies having attended numerous symposiums and conferences at both schools. For the mean time, I am considering to accept both offers and will attend the orientation at both schools. I will officially withdraw from one of the 2 schools after I have the feel for what it would be like. I do not know if this is possible, but there's just so many things to consider. Again thanks everyone for your inputs. They will help a lot in considering which school I will be attending in September.

Hi everyone, I hope everyone is well and I hope most of you have gotten into the school of your choice. I want to ask everyone their opinion regarding U of T and York's MSW program. I had been admitted to both and trying to decide which school to choose. York was originally my first choice, because of the research framework in the MSW program is what I want to use in my research. Plus, given the fact that they offer such a generous funding for the 2 years, they're making it so attractive to go there. However, since I have been exposed to U of T and its academic environment and location, it seems like the ideal school. U of T has the area of research I am interested as a specialized stream--gerontology. U of T also offered me a slot earlier than York did. So basically... Should I choose the framework or the specialized stream? Should I choose the name or the funding? Should I choose clinical vs. critical? I want to do a collaborative/diploma in health services and policy research and both schools have this program as well. I am trying to decide which school would offer me the best research experience, best practicum training, and the best education all in all. What do you guys think are the pros and cons of the MSW programs at York and UofT? Your inputs would be greatly appreciated.

Just saw my status in my file and i have been admitted to York MSW 2 year program... Now this is really making me really think about which program would suit me best. I have to really think this through, as my my research interest is offered as a specialization at U of T and York has the professors with the framework i want to work with.. but then social work is a professional program; hence, clinical practicum is essential too. Ugh! I have decisions to make! Congrats to everyone who've gotten in and those who are waiting still i hope the odds are in your favor and i hope when i decline one of the slots given to me, i'd brighten someone's day...

Hi Erin123, I did outreaching and social justice education to youth, women, and workers in my community. My experience is mostly in the collective setting, where discussions and education on social issues are huge parts of realizing the different kinds of oppression and marginalization experienced by many immigrant communities.

Hi Erin123, Thank you! My experiences include paid academic research assistantship, paid community research assistantship, community involvement, organizing, and advocacy, university volunteerism, field placement experiences in healthcare, plus some qualifying certifications to a healthcare profession. Good luck on your applications...

Hello admdon, My status in the application portal changed last monday from 'Under Review' to 'Decision Made'. I just checked the ROSI website and my status states 'Invited'. So if you haven't received your package, and you have been invited, it is more than likely that you have been offered admission to to the program. All the best.

I just received my package from U of T... got accepted... whew! thank goodness... congratulations to everyone who got accepted... those who were waitlisted, good luck and i hope that the odds are in your favour. this forum has been very therapeutic for me...

Let's both keep a positive outlook. I really hope that this does not mean bad news for me... coz people who have been admitted in the advanced standing did not have a change in status until they have forwarded confirmation to their acceptances... well it's all done now anyways, all we can do now is just wait... good luck @jenste... and congratulations to everyone who got in...

So no mail has come in my mailbox yet.. this is killing me... i am really getting very anxious and it doesn't help that i have a take home final exam right now... i looked at the u of t online portal and it says 'decision made'... i wonder if everyone have the same status... wow... this is just so stressful...:'( good luck everyone...

It's been a while since I last posted here. But I just want to extend my congratulations to those people who've all been admitted to an MSW program. I am getting really nervous about my application since all of you have amazing experiences and gpa to back up your applications. hopefully mine was good enough. SO i guess later today, U of T will be mailing out the admission decisions. Hoping that we all make it through. But just a question: Have your Application status changed in the U of T online application portal? mine still says under review, which makes me really really worried... :/ all the best to us!