Catlovers141

Lifesaver: I have thought about how it would be possible a lot. I work Mon-Fri 8-4pm, and for one of the programs I'm applying to field would probably be another 16-20 or so hours per week. The place where I work now is 24 hours, and I have been able to do evenings and overnights in addition to my work during the day. There are other places in my area, such as hospitals and other programs that are similar to the one where I currently work, that have the same type of schedule. I'm hoping that I can rearrange my hours a little at my current job, and maybe do my field during the day on weekends or do a few evening shifts during the week. Additionally, I am applying to mostly online programs, so I am planning to do my classes and studying whenever I am not at work or at my placement. I'm thinking it will be very difficult but still possible. For the program that I most want to be in, there are less field hours during the first year. I am hoping that I might be able to work just for the first year and save up enough money to leave my job and just do school full-time during my second year, or at least do less hours at my job. We will see. Sweetpiepear: congrats on your acceptance! Glad that you can switch to part-time if you need to. That is a good safety net to have, just in case you do end up needing it.

I'm hoping to do Edinboro's online program! I agree that it has been difficult to find information about them, but it is CSWE accredited and is really great if you want an online program and/or want to work with families and children.

Sorry, just realized I missed the last part of your message. You already said where you were applying! Are you applying to BU's on-campus or online program?

SweetiePiePear -- I am working full time and applying for fall programs! And it looks like we are in the same state! (MA) Where are you applying? I am mostly doing online programs, not because I expect them to be easier, but because I will be more likely to be able to do my classes in the evenings and on weekends. I am applying to BU (online, part-time), Edinboro University of PA (online, full-time), and Westfield State University (in-person, part-time). Right now I am thinking Edinboro, if I get in. My only reservation is that like you, I would be doing work and school full-time. What are you thinking about doing to manage it all? I am hoping that in my second year I will have enough money to leave my current job and maybe get something part-time. Glad someone else is struggling with a similar situation!

I have a question about references: All of the schools to which I am applying require either two or three references. My GPA is between a 3.5 and a 3.9, so I did well in school; however I did not form a lot of relationships with professors. I stand out in my work and volunteer opportunities, and can think of three references from those, one from each place. I'm just wondering if it will look odd if I don't have a reference from a professor? I just graduated this past May. I know of a professor I might be able to ask if needed, but her letter probably couldn't be as strong as one from someone else would be because she doesn't know me as well. I don't want to forfeit a strong reference in favor of a less strong one, but I also don't want to just not have one from an academic source if it is important. The grad schools don't specify, but I'm not sure what to do.

I am thinking about online programs, such as Fordham and BU, and am wondering if anyone else was considering that route and could tell me pros and cons? Are acceptance rates any different? Are there any disadvantages I may be overlooking?

I am trying to apply to schools in CT and am especially leaning toward UCONN. But does anyone know anything about either of these schools that is not on the website? Anyone applied, visited, etc. that could tell me about them? Also, are there any websites for graduate schools where students rate them? I know for undergrad there is studentsreview.com where they leave comments, but the grad school parts are really limited.

No problem! That is the site I used to find the programs I want to apply for. It is nice because you can search by state, which is helpful if you have an idea of where you want to study. Of course there is also gradschools.com. Not sure if you have been there but I personally preferred the CSWE website.

I am looking to apply for MSW programs, but I also happen to be an undergrad working part time in a SSW admissions office, so I feel like I can somewhat accurately answer this question. There are some people who do get in with little experience. The ones that have little experience are still a lot better than those who have none. In your case, it might be best to discuss your leadership experience and your volunteer work a lot in your personal statement. Even though you say that your leadership positions and other work are not directly related to social work, it is still helpful to talk about if it requires skills that would be good for a social worker to have (and leadership looks good no matter what type of program you apply to). Experience is very important, but that isn't all that counts. It is great that you have a solid GPA, and references help, especially if they again demonstrate skills that would be helpful for a social worker.

How about somewhere in Florieda? The only place I know anything about it Barry University, but I have never visited. I think it is somewhat near the ocean and that there is fairly good public transportation. Use this site to find programs: http://www.cswe.org/Accreditation/Accredited-Programs.aspx I have not come across an MSW program that requires GREs. The GREs don't test the skills that are needed for a social worker. UCLA seems to be the exception, so before you take the GREs look at the options for schools that you really want to go to. Most likely, most of them will not require GREs so if you decide that you aren't really into the ones that require the GREs, don't bother taking them. The defenestration, are you applying to an MSW program? As I said, I have not come across a lot of places that want your GRE scores. I was surprised when you had the opposite finding. Maybe it is because I am looking mainly in the northeast?