MSW Applications Fall 2020

[MCSW23]

I originally only wanted to go to a Chicago school and then somehow weened out literally all of them in my application process and now have serious FOMO, along with a few other schools. Is it worth it to open up applications to anywhere? I feel like I am annoying the absolute heck out of all of my recs lol. 

This process is just so weird. I feel like there is so much weight on every little detail. I really don't know how I'll actually pick a school. 

[mswanxiety]

Anyone receive access to the U of Michigan wolverine portal today? All I saw was the subject line with Michigan and Follow Up Instructions. Just about passed out.... haha

My portal doesn't include any info, besides saying that my app was completed... I have read that some ppl received their offer in the portal...

[IvySWCu]

On 12/12/2019 at 10:26 AM, madisonc7 said:

Hey friends! 

I have/am applying to 4 MSW programs:

1. UDenver - submitted / Dual w/ Korbel Int. Human Rights MA
2. NYU
3. Columbia - submitted
4. UWashington

I also applied to ASU's Social Justice & Human Rights MA and got accepted 4 days after completion of materials. No Financial Aid talk yet, though they said it could be a few weeks. 

Can't wait to see what else happens

Goodluck, lots of Columbia applicants on this forum -lets keep each other posted with decisions! 

[IvySWCu]

9 minutes ago, mswanxiety said:

Anyone receive access to the U of Michigan wolverine portal today? All I saw was the subject line with Michigan and Follow Up Instructions. Just about passed out.... haha

My portal doesn't include any info, besides saying that my app was completed... I have read that some ppl received their offer in the portal...

Hmm It may just be where they post your decision after they review your app! Good LUCK! I can imagine the feeling of passing out. And yes I have read that is where everyone typically receives their decision.

[IvySWCu]

11 hours ago, madisonc7 said:

I originally only wanted to go to a Chicago school and then somehow weened out literally all of them in my application process and now have serious FOMO, along with a few other schools. Is it worth it to open up applications to anywhere? I feel like I am annoying the absolute heck out of all of my recs lol. 

This process is just so weird. I feel like there is so much weight on every little detail. I really don't know how I'll actually pick a school. 

What Mae you originally rule out chicago? And I would only apply if it’s a serious option to move for you. Yes I’m currently weighing my options and feel the same exact way. There’s a lot to consider. I think overall tuition fees will be my main concern as I do not not want to take debt out.

[MCSW23]

3 hours ago, Zayah said:

What Mae you originally rule out chicago? And I would only apply if it’s a serious option to move for you. Yes I’m currently weighing my options and feel the same exact way. There’s a lot to consider. I think overall tuition fees will be my main concern as I do not not want to take debt out.

I definitely wanted to move there. Just wasn't sure how many programs were too many to apply to. I think it's just jitters. Tuition doesn't bother me. I just want to feel like I belong and can study what I want with the most support and expertise. 

[LisaOh]

On 12/12/2019 at 1:01 PM, Holygiant said:

Yeah of course.   I would definitely recommend going to visit and don't just take my word for it.  Again I am somewhat biased because I despise NJ as a whole.   That being said....

 

Living in NYC and commuting is gonna be rough.   The train from Penn Station is 40-60 minutes depending on whether its an express or not and its...not the most reliable.   Plenty of people depend on it for a daily commute, but I don't think I'd be able to.   You could drive also but traffic is a thing.   Oftentimes its just as quick to drive as to take the train....except that it really depends on where in NYC you live.   I live super close to Manhattan, so its only 30 minutes to Penn Station from where I live, but that then makes the commute over an hour even if you take the express train to NB.   So its kind of a journey.   

NYC is also expensive.   Like...theres just not cheap housing here.   To give a couple of rough approximations.   A room in a shitty random house in NB is prolly $600-800 a month.   A small 600 ft 1 bedroom at Raritan is approx $1000 a month.   A 2 bedroom at the luxury buildings in New Brunswick is $2500 a month.   A room in a shitty random house in Manhattan is prolly $1200 a month.   A 1 bedroom in Manhattan is probably closer to $2000-2500 a month.   My luxury 2 bedroom in a trendy part of Brooklyn is $4750 a month.   And my place is like....950 square feet.   So its nice, but not huge (for NYC standards it is).   You can get cheaper housing by going to an outer borough like deeper in brooklyn or queens, but then your travel time increases substantially, and some of the neighborhoods are not super safe.   NYC is an amazing wonderful place to live, but its hard.   Just everything in this city is hard and its crowded.   People are amazing and NYC is a place I do think everyone should live in their life, but it will make the whole experience for you somewhat more difficult.  =

You can also consider  Hoboken or Jersey City, since you could drive to NB more easily/its cheaper/you can take t he PATH into the city   

 

I jut want to say that I lived in Manhattan and was easily able to find rent much cheaper. It is so much cheaper than the DC metro area and Boston. However, NJ is cheaper, obviously.

[LisaOh]

On 12/13/2019 at 2:42 PM, mswanxiety said:

Anyone receive access to the U of Michigan wolverine portal today? All I saw was the subject line with Michigan and Follow Up Instructions. Just about passed out.... haha

My portal doesn't include any info, besides saying that my app was completed... I have read that some ppl received their offer in the portal...

I received this the other day. That being said, I read the email so I knew what it wasn't. Right now, it is just your application information. I am sure you will receive your offer in the portal, but it is super soon for that.

[LisaOh]

16 hours ago, madisonc7 said:

I definitely wanted to move there. Just wasn't sure how many programs were too many to apply to. I think it's just jitters. Tuition doesn't bother me. I just want to feel like I belong and can study what I want with the most support and expertise. 

I am in the same boat. I had a long list that I was applying to, but I have recently ruled out a few. Now, I am nervous that I am applying to too few. (I should mention that I am applying to MSW/PhD programs, which are super competitive.) But the applications are so expensive and then sending GRE scores on top of that. Ultimately, I guess I am just nervous that I will not get in anywhere.

[IvySWCu]

On 12/13/2019 at 10:34 PM, madisonc7 said:

I definitely wanted to move there. Just wasn't sure how many programs were too many to apply to. I think it's just jitters. Tuition doesn't bother me. I just want to feel like I belong and can study what I want with the most support and expertise. 

Gotcha, well you should definitely apply then!

[Holygiant]

On 12/13/2019 at 2:45 AM, fooliejulie said:

When I applied to UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare MSW program in 2017, I was notified of my admission status on March 7, 2018. (Spoiler alert: I was rejected.)

Thanks for this!   Sorry you got rejected....would you mind sharing your stats?

[Holygiant]

On 12/13/2019 at 12:57 AM, Zayah said:

Thanks for sharing all that insight, I have on going pro/cons list about all the schools I’ve applied to that I’m highly considering and jotted some of your points that. Sigh, if I get into UC - I think I’ll be set on staying in chicago, I just am worried about picking UIC because it’s the “responsible” thing to do. Tuition would be so cheap ($31k) for the entire program, and they do have a great one! It’s just sadly not clinically focused, which worries me.

Are you only set on UC Berkeley? Also you may have already mentioned but is your previous experience in social work or a related field? 

 

What kind of work do you want to do?   How much are you looking for a school that is clinically focused?   

I've really struggled with where to apply, actually.   I am interested in eventually becoming a private therapist, but I am struggling to find schools that seem like they have really good clinical programs and are well known (and seem easily transferable reputation-wise between NY and CA).  

This year I am only applying to UC Berkeley and USC b/c I am in the process of moving to California.   If I don't get into either of them, I will regroup and figure out what I want to do.  I don't have to go this year, but it would dovetail nicely into me moving to CA.   

My previous work is not in a related field, but it kind of is.   I have a ton of experience helping individuals who are neurodivergent overcome a specific challenge.   If you want more details I'd be happy to PM you but what I do is pretty unique and I have a relatively large profile in my field, and I don't want to out myself.   

[RoseLewis]

Hey guys!! I’ve been a longtime stalker of this page and finally decided to post lol. 

applied -

USC -11/27

NYU- 12/1 accepted 

UPenn- 12/1, interview tomorrow! 

Boston University- 12/16

Columbia- 11/24

Edited December 17, 2019 by Maxirose

[HarmReducer]

On 12/9/2019 at 4:00 PM, HarmReducer said:

I'm just about finished with my MSW applications for Fall 2020. Just waiting on my last (slow!) recommender to make time to write the last two letters.

• Ohio State (online) - last piece submitted 12/2
• LSU (online) - waiting on last recommender
• UMD Baltimore (in person) - waiting on last recommender

I know that on Ohio's website it says that admissions are rolling, with an average notification time of 3–5 weeks. The UMD website doesn't give a time frame—it just says basically "keep checking back every week after completion." And I have no idea at all about LSU.

I got accepted to Ohio State today! That took only two weeks! Still waiting to hear back from UMD and LSU (they finally got my last recommendations on Friday), but Ohio was my first choice, so I'm 99% sure I'm going there.

[mswanxiety]

just got an invited to conduct a video interview for merit based scholarships at WashU. Has anyone done this before? Any tips?

[MCSW23]

Decided to put an app in for UPenn as well. I almost went to Drexel and had enrolled and everything and then backed out last minute. 

[IvySWCu]

On 12/17/2019 at 2:07 PM, HarmReducer said:

I got accepted to Ohio State today! That took only two weeks! Still waiting to hear back from UMD and LSU (they finally got my last recommendations on Friday), but Ohio was my first choice, so I'm 99% sure I'm going there.

Yay! Congrats, that was your first option right?? I think I’m giving up my spot at UMD,  I’m really torn about what city to live In. Good luck on hearing for their program! 

[IvySWCu]

11 hours ago, mswanxiety said:

just got an invited to conduct a video interview for merit based scholarships at Wash U. Has anyone done this before? Any tips?

I’ve done job interviews via video but never for a scholarship! Good luck though!

[IvySWCu]

On 12/17/2019 at 1:52 PM, Maxirose said:

Hey guys!! I’ve been a longtime stalker of this page and finally decided to post lol. 

applied -

USC -11/27

NYU- 12/1 accepted 

UPenn- 12/1, interview tomorrow! 

Boston University- 12/16

Columbia- 11/24

Awesome let’s of Columbia applicants on this thread! Let’s all keep eachother  posted on updates. Im so eager to hear back from UC and Columbia 

[Carolina310]

On 12/11/2019 at 11:32 AM, Zayah said:

I actually did not apply to any advance standing programs - I am a career changer and am a financial analyst. Thank you much!  Yes, I am overwhelmed with excitement, I was a bit concerned I may be overlooked with my professional experience, being quite different. However it has been great to hear so much positive feedback from admissions. I put ALOT of effort into all my applications and I think it really showed.

 

Are you familiar with Rutgers or the NJ area? Could you provide any information on what living there would be like? I'm in the Midwest and I hear it is a completely different feel than the east coast. 

 

My top choices are : University of Chicago, Rutgers, University of Illinois (Chicago), and University of Maryland. So it really worked out well that those are the first programs I heard back from! Basically these schools have programs that are more catered to what I want to study and have a city where I could see myself living. UC and UIC being better options, because I already live in Chicago.

I also really liked Boston College and UT - Austin. However, these locations would be a little tougher to move to for me.

 

Wow that is a big career change for sure! I am not familiar from the NJ area, all I know is that it can be cheaper to live in that NY. My cousin lives in Chicago and loves it, I don't picture him leaving ever! I did see that someone responded to your questions about living there so I hope that was helpful. I actually want to leave the east coast so that's why I am applying to 3 out of state schools

[Carolina310]

On 12/11/2019 at 12:10 PM, Zayah said:

Good luck! I think its also great that you're applying to a ton of schools not mentioned on too many threads here on gradcafe. I imagine you will not have issues being accepted. Most programs are very understanding and just want to see why you are interested in an MSW.

 

I feel like most of the "popular" MSW programs - are the same exact ones we all apply for, so you will have competitive advantage for sure!

Thank you! I submitted my application for Portland State University tonight so one less school to work on for now. I agree, MSW programs are not as competitive as other programs. It Is still stressful because you know more than enough qualified students apply, but they can't accept everyone. 

[Carolina310]

On 12/17/2019 at 2:52 PM, Maxirose said:

Hey guys!! I’ve been a longtime stalker of this page and finally decided to post lol. 

applied -

USC -11/27

NYU- 12/1 accepted 

UPenn- 12/1, interview tomorrow! 

Boston University- 12/16

Columbia- 11/24

Good luck!! What was the interview like?

[RoseLewis]

1 hour ago, Carolina310 said:

Good luck!! What was the interview like?

Interview was very laid back! Simple questions. Why Penn? What do I have to bring to Penn? What are my strengths/weaknesses? 

But good news, I received my acceptance letter at 9pm!!! It was so quick, I was very surprised but I'm over the moon!! 

[IvySWCu]

10 hours ago, RoseLewis said:

Interview was very laid back! Simple questions. Why Penn? What do I have to bring to Penn? What are my strengths/weaknesses? 

But good news, I received my acceptance letter at 9pm!!! It was so quick, I was very surprised but I'm over the moon!! 

CONGRATS! That is awesome!

[IvySWCu]

10 hours ago, RoseLewis said:

Interview was very laid back! Simple questions. Why Penn? What do I have to bring to Penn? What are my strengths/weaknesses? 

But good news, I received my acceptance letter at 9pm!!! It was so quick, I was very surprised but I'm over the moon!! 

Can I ask what your stats are?