Some advice on selecting programs to apply to - and a friendly reminder to always ask for more scholarship money

[swprospect]

You might have come across the WSJ or Slate articles about how universities have been exploiting their graduate programs for profit (one particular ivy league school has been in the spotlight and is widely talked about here too). If not, please check them out here:

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/financially-hobbled-for-life-the-elite-masters-degrees-that-dont-pay-off-11625752773

https://slate.com/business/2021/07/masters-degrees-debt-loans-worth-it.html

It's unfortunate that it has come to a point where it's difficult to discern whether or not a graduate program's priority is to be a cash cow machine for a university (by admitting a ton of students and profiting off of federal loans) or is genuinely utilized as a vehicle to produce quality graduates that'll contribute to their relevant fields. While the articles focus on drama and arts programs (e.g. MFA), the student loan issue can definitely be applicable to Social Work and a variety of other master's programs.

Point is -- and it has been reiterated a ton here on this forum -- please be sure to keep the cost of MSW programs in mind as you're selecting programs to apply to. I would only recommend attending a program with a high tuition if you obtained a scholarship that covers a majority or all of the tuition (and even then be sure to keep living costs and other miscellaneous expenses in mind)..or if you're well off already.

If you've obtained a scholarship, don't hesitate to ask for more money. The worst the financial/admissions office can say is no. Shoot them an email and use scholarships from other programs (if you got any) as leverage; at the end of the day, it's a numbers game. For the most part, the schools have budgeted enough to accomodate scholarship reconsideration requests, and the admissions team's job is to make sure it can get as many admitted students as possible to commit to their program. It is in your best interest to reduce the cost of the program as much as possible on your end.

Research, research, research the programs you are interested in. Look at the linkedin profiles of graduates, check out what resources are available to students/alumni, and read the reviews of those who attended the programs (google them). Don't get too hyped up on the names/prestige of universities (check out the articles for more context), but if their programs do align with your professional goals and they award you a substantial scholarship, definitely apply to them.

Hope this helps and good luck with your applications!

 

Edited July 17, 2021 by swprospect

[swprospect]

2 hours ago, swprospect said:

You might have come across the WSJ or Slate articles about how universities have been exploiting their graduate programs for profit (one particular ivy league school has been in the spotlight and is widely talked about here too). If not, please check them out here:

https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/financially-hobbled-for-life-the-elite-masters-degrees-that-dont-pay-off-11625752773

https://slate.com/business/2021/07/masters-degrees-debt-loans-worth-it.html

It's unfortunate that it has come to a point where it's difficult to discern whether or not a graduate program's priority is to be a cash cow machine for a university (by admitting a ton of students and profiting off of federal loans) or is genuinely utilized as a vehicle to produce quality graduates that'll contribute to their relevant fields. While the articles focus on drama and arts programs (e.g. MFA), the student loan issue can definitely be applicable to Social Work and a variety of other master's programs.

Point is -- and it has been reiterated a ton here on this forum -- please be sure to keep the cost of MSW programs in mind as you're selecting programs to apply to. I would only recommend attending a program with a high tuition if you obtained a scholarship that covers a majority or all of the tuition (and even then be sure to keep living costs and other miscellaneous expenses in mind)..or if you're well off already.

If you've obtained a scholarship, don't hesitate to ask for more money. The worst the financial/admissions office can say is no. Shoot them an email and use scholarships from other programs (if you got any) as leverage; at the end of the day, it's a numbers game. For the most part, the schools have budgeted enough to accomodate scholarship reconsideration requests, and the admissions team's job is to make sure it can get as many admitted students as possible to commit to their program. It is in your best interest to reduce the cost of the program as much as possible on your end.

Research, research, research the programs you are interested in. Look at the linkedin profiles of graduates, check out what resources are available to students/alumni, and read the reviews of those who attended the programs (google them). Don't get too hyped up on the names/prestige of universities (check out the articles for more context), but if their programs do align with your professional goals and they award you a substantial scholarship, definitely apply to them.

Hope this helps and good luck with your applications!

 

Research, research, research the programs you are interested in. Look at the linkedin profiles of graduates, check out what resources are available to students/alumni, and read the reviews of those who attended the programs (google them). Don't get too hyped up on the names/prestige of universities (check out the articles for more context), but if their programs do align with your professional goals and they have the potential to award you a substantial scholarship, definitely apply to them.

 

sorry small edit here at the bottom of the post