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Hi, everyone! First time posting here. I'm in my last year of undergrad (BS in psychology), and I'm going to start applying to MSW programs for Fall 2019 within the next few months. I was wondering if any of you could weigh in on how my odds look for getting into the following schools: University of North Carolina, Columbia, NYU, Boston University, University of Michigan, University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, and University of Texas. Stats: major GPA 3.85, 4 volunteer positions (2 food banks, homeless coalition, and 24 hour counseling hotline), letters of rec from tenure track professors and volunteer supervisors. Are these the stats that would also be considered when applying for assistantships? Have any of you received large scholarships? All of these schools are out of my home state (Florida), so I'm hoping to be able to receive some scholarships.

I will be applying to MSW programs soon in NYC. Does anyone know if your undergrad GPA gets factored into your graduate program GPA. For example, do they take your undergrad social work classes and factor it into your new GPA in the program or your overall GPA? Thanks.

Is their MSW program worth it ? I have not heard of many students applying to thier program. I’d like to know if it’s a good program. I like that they have various concentrations to choose from such as Child and Family Welfare, Genrotology, Substance Abuse Counseling and Forensic Social Work. So why arent many students applying to their program?

I am a non-traditional student (in my 50s) looking for a part-time online MSW program that I can afford. It must be 100% online. I will be working days, so asynchronous classes are important. I have been accepted to U of Louisville for Fall 2018. I'm looking into Western New Mexico University as a very affordable option, with a more realistic time frame for completion (6 credits a semester). Does anyone have any experience with WNMU? How about Edinboro? I am looking to specialize in military social work after graduation. Thanks for sharing any insights!

Hey there, This is my first time using Grad Cafe, not sure if I'm posting in the right spot but I'm interested to hear from those of you who are applying for an MSW anywhere in Canada in 2018. What kind of work experience is most relevant? I've potentially found a job working in the registration department at the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario screening applicants from prospective therapists - would you say that looks favourable on an MSW application? Thanks for your input!

Hi everyone, Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. It is not my intention to put down any profession or discipline. I'm just confused and trying to seek advice. This may be long, so please bear with me. I'm 32 years old, and have an undergrad degree in Psychology and a master's in environmental safety. I've worked in mental health for several years, and recently decided that I want to return to school to obtain a graduate degree in the human services field. My goal is to work as a therapist and one day have my own practice working with the adult population. I keep reading and hearing that it's best to become a LCSW rather than an LPC because an MSW degree is far more marketable, profitable and recognized as opposed to a master's in Mental Health or Clinical Psychology for example. I've been accepted into an MSW program with a Micro concentration, which will begin this Fall. However, I'm having second thoughts. My main concern: Does the Social Work philosophy align well with my personal philosophy? Sometimes I get the impression that Social Work tends to, for the most part, "blame" the client's problems (like oppression or the government, etc.). I've come to understand (through my own hardships and life experiences and that of others') that looking at outside factors as the cause for our misfortunes keeps people from accessing their Higher Self, if you will. I guess you could say that I'm more into Positive Psychology. Rather than looking at how messed up the government is and perceiving ourselves as being oppressed, I believe it's important to take radical responsibility for our circumstances by looking within ourselves, and that focusing on the good in our lives will help transform the areas we are not happy about. This is all assuming a person has their basic needs met. I would never expect someone who is homeless or has nothing to eat to work on accessing their Higher Self. But basically, I'm not sure that my personal values and outlook are consistent with those of the Social Work discipline. And so I wonder if the field of Psychology would be a better fit than the field of Social Work. I'm torn because I've already been accepted into the MSW program and would have to wait about 6 months to get into a graduate psych program that's more than $10k more expensive than the MSW program. On one hand, I wonder if I'm simply mistaken about the Social Work discipline and judging it wrong. On the other, I wonder if I'd be making a mistake by getting my MSW versus a Psych degree. I know that an MSW program is more marketable and offers greater job security, but I want to make sure my values align with my field of study. My questions: Do you think that my values and beliefs are too different from the Social Work values and philosophy? Am I better off just waiting to apply to a Psychology program instead? Am I overthinking things? Should I go the MSW route and just make my practice what I want it to be (Positive Psychology approach)? Thanks again for your time!

Hi everyone, Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. It is not my intention to put down any profession or discipline. I'm just confused and trying to seek advice. This may be long, so please bear with me. I'm 32 years old, and have an undergrad degree in Psychology and a master's in environmental safety. I've worked in mental health for several years, and recently decided that I want to return to school to obtain a graduate degree in the human services field. My goal is to work as a therapist and one day have my own practice working with the adult population. I keep reading and hearing that it's best to become a LCSW rather than an LPC because an MSW degree is far more marketable, profitable and recognized as opposed to a master's in Mental Health or Clinical Psychology for example. I've been accepted into an MSW program with a Micro concentration, which will begin this Fall. However, I'm having second thoughts. My main concern: Does the Social Work philosophy align well with my personal philosophy? Sometimes I get the impression that Social Work tends to, for the most part, "blame" the client's problems (like oppression or the government, etc.). I've come to understand (through my own hardships and life experiences and that of others') that looking at outside factors as the cause for our misfortunes keeps people from accessing their Higher Self, if you will. I guess you could say that I'm more into Positive Psychology. Rather than looking at how messed up the government is and perceiving ourselves as being oppressed, I believe it's important to take radical responsibility for our circumstances by looking within ourselves, and that focusing on the good in our lives will help transform the areas we are not happy about. This is all assuming a person has their basic needs met. I would never expect someone who is homeless or has nothing to eat to work on accessing their Higher Self. But basically, I'm not sure that my personal values and outlook are consistent with those of the Social Work discipline. And so I wonder if the field of Psychology would be a better fit than the field of Social Work. I'm torn because I've already been accepted into the MSW program and would have to wait about 6 months to get into a graduate psych program that's more than $10k more expensive than the MSW program. On one hand, I wonder if I'm simply mistaken about the Social Work discipline and judging it wrong. On the other, I wonder if I'd be making a mistake by getting my MSW versus a Psych degree. I know that an MSW program is more marketable and offers greater job security, but I want to make sure my values align with my field of study. My questions: Do you think that my values and beliefs are too different from the Social Work values and philosophy? Am I better off just waiting to apply to a Psychology program instead? Am I overthinking things? Should I go the MSW route and just make my practice what I want it to be (Positive Psychology approach)? Thanks again for your time!

I'm posting about this literally just an hour before I'm supposed to be having a phone interview for the Hunter College msw application. It was scheduled only just yesterday, I got the email asking to pick a time and I let them know I would be needing a skype interview because I currently live in Chicago. They emailed back saying I would have to just have a phone interview and picked this time for today. I was really shocked because I thought they only did in-person and Skype group interviews and hadn't ever read anything here or anywhere else about phone interviews. I'm unsure if it's a solo or group interview, I also am unsure of how long it will last. Don't really know what to expect and just wanted to ask if anyone has ever had or heard of phone interviews from Hunter?

Hello Everyone, I wanted to create a place for people to collectively panic about admissions. Compare stats and say if you were admitted or not. So have at it!

Hello, I wanted to create a place for all of us to chat and compare our stats. Also, to congratulate each other when some of us get in and people to plan a second try who don't. Good luck to everyone, and I hope we all hear back soon!

Hi! Anyone on here attending CSULA for their MSW program? If so, are you doing the 2 or 3 year program? Also, have you heard from Lightburn regarding anything? I am a little confuse what we do next. Thanks!

I thought I create this thread for all SJSU MSW applicants and find out who applied, which concentration, and if they heard anything yet... My concentration is in mental health.. I have 5 years working directly with autistic children and currently on my 4th year in case management for children with developmental disabilities. My GPA is pretty low... 2.8... but I was denied last year for insufficient background.

Hey everyone! It's already October (.......), I graduated from the MSW at U of T in June 2017 and remember this forum being quite the comfort during application season given how obnoxiously anxiety inducing the process was. Feel free to post about the ins and outs of your process, it's important people have an outlet (#selfcare) and a social network. I'm rooting for ALL of you, if you have any questions just inbox me :D.

hi guys! I was taking with some friends starting their masters programs at other universities and they were discussing how they all had Facebook groups as support, so I started one for Master of Social Work grad school at FAU regular admission program! Join here!! https://www.facebook.com/groups/624041944614564/

Hello Everyone, Those of you that applied to Stanislaus State MSW 2 year and 3 year program have you received a response? Or does anyone know by when decisions might be made. Considering how the deadline was on the 1st of February thank you

Hi Guys! So it’s about that time! Schools are sending out their acceptance/decline letters. Let this be a place where you can share which CSUs you applied, which ones you’ve heard from and have yet to hear from. If you got invited for an interview please share some tips for those who haven’t had theirs yet. Let’s support each other and possibly meet people who will be in your program in the fall! My name is Selene and I applied to the extended programs for CSUF CSULA and CSUDH. I got accepted to CSULA and CSUDH but have yet to hear anything from CSUF.

Has anyone else been waiting to hear back from CSUN? I interviewed in March for the online MSW program!

I'm a rising senior at the University of Virginia, a psych major and my current GPA is 3.1. I want to apply to the VCU MSW program this fall. I am planning on raising my GPA with my summer and fall classes which shouldn't be as difficult as what I've taken so far. VCU is the only school I'm interested in, I've only heard bad things about the GMU MSW program. I'm planning on taking the GRE soon but I'm wondering if it's even worth it. I have an internship coming up at a school for boys on the spectrum, and I have social services related volunteer experience. But even if I get my GPA up to a 3.3 or a 3.5, do I have a shot? I would love to hear the stats of people who have been admitted to or graduated from the program already.

Hi everyone, I've recently discovered this forum and have been obsessed with it for days, which is good and bad because I learn so many useful things or see reassuring advice, but I also worry about getting to excited and hopeful and having my heart broken by being rejected. I am an undergraduate senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago. My major is psychology, minor is sociology and I've applied to 5 MSW programs for the fall of 2018. UIC's Jane Addams College of Social Work, Depaul University, Loyola University Chicago, the Institute for Clinical Social Work, and lastly the application that was submitted just yesterday, Hunter College's Silberman School of Social Work. So far, I've been accepted in UIC, ICSW, and still waiting to hear back from LUC, Depaul, and Hunter. I originally only choose to apply to the four programs in Chicago because I thought moving out of state would be way too expensive and I was kind of scared that I couldn't live out of state on my own. When applying in December-January I briefly contemplated applying to programs in New York because I've always wanted to live there but I quickly gave up on the thought because I told myself it was too expensive to move/no one in my family would support me moving/and I was already struggling with applications fee and transcripts order fees for the few programs here in Chicago. I recently fell in love with Hunter's program and just knew I had to apply, so I scraped together money for the application fee and asked my recommenders if they wouldn't mind sending their letters to just one more school. I'm worried slightly about my chance of getting into Hunter this late in the season. I mean everyday from hour to hour, I tell myself it's all good, I'm a decent applicant and other times I feel like a complete loser and like Hunter is out of my league. I guess I just want to vent and also ask if any of you think I could swing it? I haven't really told anyone about applying to Hunter except my best friend and my recommenders, of course and I'm sure my friend is tired of hearing me blather about it all day haha. So like I said I'm at UG senior here at UIC, I transferred here two years ago after getting my AA in psych at a community college back home in Champaign. My GPAs at UIC are 3.0 overall and 3.2 for my major. GPAs at CC were 3.0 overall and 3.5 for my major. I have not taken the GRE because none of the programs I applied to required it, including Hunter. I've worked as a resident assistant at UIC for a year now, but have also kept a steady job since starting college in 2013, I was on the executive board of a community service and volunteer organization on campus called Alternative Spring Break, I've cheered on the university's competitive cheerleading team, I volunteer every holiday season with the Salvation Army with my mother who is a case worker for them in Atlanta, I worked for a year early on in my time in CC as an AVID tutor. If you're not familiar with AVID, it's a college readiness program for high achieving middle and high students from backgrounds less likely to go to college. I was also a student in this program in middle school so it was a personal honor to actually be involved as a tutor. I haven't worked in any research here at UIC or worked as a research assistant but I'm hoping all my other extracurriculars and volunteer work show that I am able to handle many things on my plate and am prepared for the challenges of graduate level coursework. Also in my time at UIC, I've been given the opportunity to help with administrative and registration tasks in preparation for the JACSW Training Institute for school social workers every summer since moving to Chicago in 2016. In addition to prep, I also assist in administrative tasks during the training institute and have been able to sit in on quite a few sessions, talked with a lot of school social workers in the field, and just get my foot in the door slightly when it comes to social work. I work primarily with one of the assistant clinical professors who puts on the event and her phd student that works with her, both of whom are 2 of my recommenders. And last but I hope not least, I recently was nominated and won UIC's 2018 Annual Chancellor's Student Service and Leadership Award so I hope that looks nice on my applications. I've noticed a lot of people on here when they speak about their Hunter interviews emphasize how important diversity is to Hunter. UIC is quite frequently ranked as one of the most diverse universities in the country and it's something the university is very proud about celebrating. In my time at UIC I can say that I have benefitted so much from the diverse student and faculty population here, especially within the campus housing department who is the largest student employer on campus and I have worked for my entire time here at UIC. So I think when it comes to speaking about diversity, I have a leg up, because it's all that's surrounded me for two years and something UIC is always focusing on. So I know that was a lot, thank you if you read it all haha. Do you think I have a shot at Hunter? Even if I applied this late in the season?

Hello everyone! I wanted to start a chat about admissions. Has anyone received information on when we are supposed to find out about if we got in or not?

Anyone accepted / attending UConn for Fall 2018?

I applied to USC to do an MSW online last week and the waiting has been killing me! I completed my undergraduate in 2015 as a Child and Family Studies major. I didn't really have a ton of work experience, just a work-study job, so my CV is kind of dull. I'm really concerned about my GPA as maybe it was a 2.7 when I graduated. I did write an addendum to further explain the reasoning behind my low GPA (sexual trauma). I have had a time of healing and know that I am fully ready to be a fantastic student again. A few months after I graduated, I moved to Tanzania to work for a non-profit for 15 months. Which is why I am wanting to pursue a masters in social work. I'm really passionate about working with refugees and hope to live and work in the East African region working with those refugees. My professor wrote a strong recommendation letter for me and the founder of the organization I worked for wrote my letter as well. I'm also nervous about my personal statement. I'm not the best writer and I answered each question, I'm just scared I didn't answer up to their standards. Do I have a shot or should I kiss my dream school goodbye?

Hey guys, I recently applied to the advanced standing social work program at UIC for the fall of 2018. I’m pretty worried about my chances of getting in and I can’t find much information about other worried people’s admission results. I’m graduating this May from SIUC with my bachelors in social work. I went to a community college for my first 2 years. I have a cum. GPA of 3.0 but I show a lot of improvement in my grades. I went from a semester gpa of 2.0 at community college to a 3.6 at SIU. I’m in a sorority and I have a lot of different volunteer experiences and hours. I submitted 3 LORs. I talked to someone from admissions before I submitted my application and expressed my concern about my chances of getting in because of my GPA. She said that there are around 1,000 applicants and she said they accept somewhere around 200 for the regular 2 year program but since I will have my BSW and id do the advanced standing program, I have a much higher chance of getting in because of the fewer number of applicants with BSWs. Can anyone share their experience of getting accepted or denied into this program?

Hi all, I need help deciding which grad school to attend. I have been accepted to MSW programs in University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and Loyola University Chicago. I need to make a decision within the next few days and I have no idea what to do. What do you guys think? Besides the tuition, is there a school that is more credible than the other? Would an MSW from Milwaukee or Loyola be better? Please please help.

Hi Everyone! Just a few days until the application deadline for my MFT program. Is anyone else applying to MFT programs? Any last minute tips on applications or interviews? Thanks so much & Good luck to everyone!