Paid/Volunteer experience.

[mystiqueMSW]

Hello.

Im looking at applying to UofT and other Two- year (no BSW) MSW programs, but I don’t think I have a lot of experience that will make me a competitive candidate. 
 

Ive been a volunteer with ACT (AIDS committee of Toronto) for two years,  but I don’t have many hours with them. I recently started a project sponsored by ACT for trans and non-binary folks That starts this week (which I am excited for). I am also a community board member for an HIV/STD testing website called Get Checked Online, which started this June (2019), but we only meet 4 times in the year. 
 

I have a B.A. (Hons.) in sociology and sexual diversity studies from UofT with a 3.5 overall gpa (but a 3.87 gpa in my final year; and I made the deans list in summer 2018). 
 

I don’t have much research experience, but I had one of my essays about gay identities published in the sociology student journal at UofT. 
 

ive seen people in other grad cafe threads applying with years of experience, having 1000s of hours, and still getting waitlisted or rejected. So I know I dont stand a chance for Fall 2020. 
 

anyone have advice on getting more research and social service experience? 
 

thanks :)

[whatdidigetinto]

9 hours ago, e.blaque said:

ive seen people in other grad cafe threads applying with years of experience, having 1000s of hours, and still getting waitlisted or rejected. So I know I dont stand a chance for Fall 2020. 

 

I am commenting because of this thought and I am going to be blunt - You don't stand a chance if you approach your applications with this defeated attitude. 

It honestly seems to be a mystery why some students are chosen and not others - you have no idea what these people's references looked like, what the content of their essays was, or what the total package they presented to the applications committee looked like.  What makes you unique?  What would make you an ideal social worker?  What is your passion and motivation for going into this field?  You are more than a set of statistics, numbers, GPA and volunteer hours and so is every other applicant.  If you are choosing to spend time and energy applying, please do so with a more confident approach.  Ask yourself why you belong there and let that show in your application.

[mystiqueMSW]

On 10/15/2019 at 8:58 AM, whatdidigetinto said:

I am commenting because of this thought and I am going to be blunt - You don't stand a chance if you approach your applications with this defeated attitude. 

It honestly seems to be a mystery why some students are chosen and not others - you have no idea what these people's references looked like, what the content of their essays was, or what the total package they presented to the applications committee looked like.  What makes you unique?  What would make you an ideal social worker?  What is your passion and motivation for going into this field?  You are more than a set of statistics, numbers, GPA and volunteer hours and so is every other applicant.  If you are choosing to spend time and energy applying, please do so with a more confident approach.  Ask yourself why you belong there and let that show in your application.

Okay...

but do you have recommendations on how to get your foot in the door for social services (volunteering or otherwise)?

[LisaOh]

Everyone needs volunteers, especially non-profits and social service organizations. I cannot tell you how many times I am thanked each time I volunteer.

Idealist is a great place to look or VolunteerMatch. Or if there is a local organization that you are interested in, just email them!