MSW 2022 CANADA APPLICATION FORUM

[BingBongBingBong]

10 minutes ago, stack said:

Congrats to everyone who got their acceptance, you all must be very proud of yourselves  As you should be!!!!

The waiting sucks. I assume I'll have the decision today but I can't focus on any of my work lol I just keep refreshing this forum, my email and Carleton 360 

 

 

 It sounds crazy coming from me but I was in the same boat last year with checking everything.

 

Try to take breaks from the crazy refresh cycle (e.g. checking emails 24/7), the letter/email will come, give yourself some space away from it all.

Good luck.

[stack]

1 minute ago, BingBongBingBong said:

 It sounds crazy coming from me but I was in the same boat last year with checking everything.

 

Try to take breaks from the crazy refresh cycle (e.g. checking emails 24/7), the letter/email will come, give yourself some space away from it all.

Good luck.

You're so right... Not like refreshing is going to make the decision come any faster lol I wish I didn't have to work on the computer today so I could completely escape but I will close some tabs and give myself some space. Maybe even treat myself to a lunch who knows lol

I'll be back ❤️ 

[tturtle]

10 hours ago, EMWC said:

I got into Carleton - and with a funding package, that's a first for me! What's the deal with funding packages, do some schools do it and others not? 

congratulations!! ?  and from what I have heard, all schools do funding packages! This is the first time I'm hearing some don't ?

[SocialWork123]

20 minutes ago, texasturtle said:

congratulations!! ?  and from what I have heard, all schools do funding packages! This is the first time I'm hearing some don't ?

Some definitely don't (wild!!)! I know Western doesn't, maybe UoT? Don't think Lakehead does but they do offer a TA opportunity

[cassieb]

I just checked Laurier's website and it says their decisions most likely won't be out until April. Is anybody else stressed out about this because Lauriers 2 year msw is my first choice yet I got into Carleton yesterday and need to respond within 21 days. 

Edited February 25, 2022 by Cassie Bohm

[Mikaa]

Hi guys! I just got accepted to the MSW program at Ryerson!! Im so excited. I was really confused at first though because they called me and for some reason I thought it was fake LOL because I didn’t think they would call you.  
 

I guess their process involves them calling you and then you will receive an email with your acceptance letter! 

I am still waiting from other school like Uoft but Im wishing everyone the best of luck! ??

[ESloan3]

12 minutes ago, Cassie Bohm said:

I just checked Laurier's website and it says their decisions most likely won't be out until April. Is anybody else stressed out about this because Lauriers 2 year msw is my first choice yet I got into Carleton yesterday and need to respond within 21 days. 

I applied to Laurier last year and didn’t find out until the beginning of May about their decision. They also had a later application deadline so perhaps that’s why. It wasn’t due until Feb 1st

[EMWC]

2 hours ago, MSW-Advanced Standing said:

Congratulations! 
finally it’s been a long and tough wait

would you mind sharing your background to us so we all can know more about what quality the schools are looking for ?

Of course! I do think my background is unique and could be encouraging for some. Last year I didn't apply to a single MSW because I thought I was unqualified.

My background is in the arts and cultural sector, I have a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) and graduated with a 3.6-3.7 GPA (4.3 scale). I have over 6 years professional working experience as an arts administrator/programmer - about 8000hrs. I also have over 1000 hrs of volunteer experience (various social justice, environmental, and arts related initiatives). I am 30 years old so I am sure I am coming in at an older age then some  

I have no formal social service experience, but there are overlaps with the work I do in cultural programming and my past volunteer history.

I think the strength of my applications have been from my experiences outside school (again - I’m 30 years old) and a strong personal statement (helps when your friends have PhD's and can review your work!). My area of interest is also a little unique, which I also believe has given me an edge (I’m interested in the social service potential of cultural institutions through a specifically post-colonial lens).

I am so proud of everyone on here for their commitment to themselves and their education, I found this forum to be really encouraging and I am excited for how diverse the student body in social work seems to be. If anyone else is applying from the cultural sector I would love to chat!

[EMWC]

1 hour ago, BingBongBingBong said:

 It sounds crazy coming from me but I was in the same boat last year with checking everything.

 

Try to take breaks from the crazy refresh cycle (e.g. checking emails 24/7), the letter/email will come, give yourself some space away from it all.

Good luck.

This is such sound advice! ❤️

[EMWC]

1 hour ago, SocialWork123 said:

Some definitely don't (wild!!)! I know Western doesn't, maybe UoT? Don't think Lakehead does but they do offer a TA opportunity

I thought funding packages were for thesis-stream programs only! It's been so long since i've been in school, all this stuff is so novel. I am guessing some schools give you scholarships/awards as an incentive and also depending on donors/endowments?

[Siikun]

33 minutes ago, Cassie Bohm said:

I just checked Laurier's website and it says their decisions most likely won't be out until April. Is anybody else stressed out about this because Lauriers 2 year msw is my first choice yet I got into Carleton yesterday and need to respond within 21 days. 

You can accept now and then decline down the line  that’s what waitlists are for!

Edited February 25, 2022 by Siikun

[Siikun]

12 minutes ago, EMWC said:

I thought funding packages were for thesis-stream programs only! It's been so long since i've been in school, all this stuff is so novel. I am guessing some schools give you scholarships/awards as an incentive and also depending on donors/endowments?

I know Carleton makes sure to give every single student some form of funding (RA, TA, straight up scholarship)- I received a funding package of two scholarships when I got in totalling around 11k. This was the only school that offered me funding (which made my decision pretty easy lol).

[EMWC]

24 minutes ago, Siikun said:

I know Carleton makes sure to give every single student some form of funding (RA, TA, straight up scholarship)- I received a funding package of two scholarships when I got in totalling around 11k. This was the only school that offered me funding (which made my decision pretty easy lol).

This is so interesting! I've never gotten a scholarship before so it was a nice suprise. I am so curious about the Carleton program and how you found it - what is the culture like? The involvement of profs? I am interested in the intersections of social service/cultural sector from a post-colonial/decolonial perspective and honestly would be willing to go to any school that has a prof who is doing work somewhere in this intersection - I wasn't sure based on the profiles of the profs at Carleton, but I love the idea of a small cohort and Ottawa's proximity to large cultural institutions.

[Siikun]

51 minutes ago, EMWC said:

This is so interesting! I've never gotten a scholarship before so it was a nice suprise. I am so curious about the Carleton program and how you found it - what is the culture like? The involvement of profs? I am interested in the intersections of social service/cultural sector from a post-colonial/decolonial perspective and honestly would be willing to go to any school that has a prof who is doing work somewhere in this intersection - I wasn't sure based on the profiles of the profs at Carleton, but I love the idea of a small cohort and Ottawa's proximity to large cultural institutions.

Hmm. Well. I was in the one year cohort and I found there was a divide between the 1/2 year. This year was a struggle with the constant shifting from in person, to online, and back again a few times- making connections was not a vibe. The profs are quite excellent and are the willing to jump in and get involved beyond the classroom, but often it takes you making the first step (and a good impression). There are definitely profs doing decolonial work (I’m looking specifically at Ilyan Ferrer and Patricia McGuire), and have spent most of my MSW trying to break down the barriers of traditional education and challenging everything. I’ve found profs open to the challenge (ex: storywriting vs. Essays). Decolonizing social work and social spaces is at the centre of much of the work I’ve done, but I also framed my course load around that (a more policy based lens- I cannot speak to micro practice as much). 

[EMWC]

10 minutes ago, Siikun said:

Hmm. Well. I was in the one year cohort and I found there was a divide between the 1/2 year. This year was a struggle with the constant shifting from in person, to online, and back again a few times- making connections was not a vibe. The profs are quite excellent and are the willing to jump in and get involved beyond the classroom, but often it takes you making the first step (and a good impression). There are definitely profs doing decolonial work (I’m looking specifically at Ilyan Ferrer and Patricia McGuire), and have spent most of my MSW trying to break down the barriers of traditional education and challenging everything. I’ve found profs open to the challenge (ex: storywriting vs. Essays). Decolonizing social work and social spaces is at the centre of much of the work I’ve done, but I also framed my course load around that (a more policy based lens- I cannot speak to micro practice as much). 

This is actually super helpful, thank you so much. I can appreciate that the past two years must have been super weird because of COVID - though it sounds like you've really made the best of a bad situation. Can I ask what made you choose Carleton specifically (other than they seem to be the ones giving out the $$$) and whether you were considering any other programs and why? 

[SocialWork123]

Hey y'all! I just got accepted to Carleton's Advanced Standing (1 year) program!!! My last name is in the first half of the alphabet and my status changed to Decision Being Made by Post Doctoral & Graduate blah blah either late last night or this morning. Movement is happening!! GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

For reference, I have a BSc in Psych and I'm finishing up my BSW currently. I had about 8900 total hours on my "portfolio" they have us fill out. I'd say about ~700 of my ~1200 volunteer hours were direct and hard to say with my paid work because it varies from super direct mental health work to stuff that only certain reviewers may consider relevant (like customer service). Maybe about 50/50 for that. I think I have about a 3.95/4.0 scale but I'm not completely sure because both of my degrees use different scales. 

Please let me know if I can answer any other questions. Reading this thread is the only thing that keeps me sane so I'd love to be that for someone else. Going to go scream now

Edited February 25, 2022 by SocialWork123

[dani973]

Hey all! 

I just wanted to come and update as many others have been that I received an acceptance email from Carleton yesterday for the 2year MSW program.

Hoping to hear back from the other schools and programs I applied so I can make a decision.

Good luck to those who have not heard yet, and best wishes to those who were not accepted, or who are waitlisted! 

[stack]

Hey everyone!

Just got my Carleton acceptance for the 2 year foundational program. I wish everyone else waiting the best of luck! I am so thankful I found this community  

 

[teaandSW21]

25 minutes ago, stack said:

Hey everyone!

Just got my Carleton acceptance for the 2 year foundational program. I wish everyone else waiting the best of luck! I am so thankful I found this community  

 

congrats!

[teaandSW21]

34 minutes ago, dani973 said:

Hey all! 

I just wanted to come and update as many others have been that I received an acceptance email from Carleton yesterday for the 2year MSW program.

Hoping to hear back from the other schools and programs I applied so I can make a decision.

Good luck to those who have not heard yet, and best wishes to those who were not accepted, or who are waitlisted! 

congrats!

[teaandSW21]

15 hours ago, EMWC said:

I got into Carleton - and with a funding package, that's a first for me! What's the deal with funding packages, do some schools do it and others not? 

congrats!

[MSW2022MM]

Hi Everyone,

Congrats to everyone who has been accepted to a program, hope to those still waiting, and courage to those who did not get accepted this time around - it will happen!

This might seem a bit random to pop into the conversation at this time but just in case there is anyone looking at this thread who is wanting to apply to Laurier for their ONLINE program January start, the application opens on March 1 (the first part - OUAC application) and I recommend doing it ASAP. It says the application is open until April 15 but has a disclaimer that it can close any time. They seriously mean this. I applied for the September start (still waiting to hear back) and the application opened October 1 and said it was open until December 1 but they closed it by October 15th because they had already reached their maximum capacity for applications (they said in an info session they were limiting it to 200 applications). I don't know if they will be doing the same thing this time around or if January start is as popular as September (I was told by the advisor it wasn't). You only have to do the OUAC part and then you have the rest of the time to do part 2 even if they close part 1 applications. I hope that makes sense - I'm happy to clarify any of this if there are questions. I just didn't want anyone to miss out on applying because I never expected it to close so early.

[Aslwin]

On 2/24/2022 at 4:41 PM, MSWMa said:

I’m wondering if there’s been any groups made for the Dal class, advanced standing?

I looked and noticed some for previous years, but nothing yet for this year

[MSW20222023]

Waterloo’s Quest site is down till Monday, fingers crossed we hear Tuesday. Any ideas when U of T and Yorks decisions will be released? Good luck everyone!

[PeanutbutterClouds]

Hi there, I've been lurking the thread this year as I applied to just two schools. I'm happy to say that I got into Ryerson MSW. They actually called me this morning to tell me. As well, they offered me a meaningful scholarship amount. 

Thank you everyone who posted their stats and general knowledge, it was really helpful for me. So I'm going to do the same.

3.5 GPA or a 90median (BSW)

9,460 volunteer hours 

17,557 work hours 

I have varied work experience that ranges from tutoring to teaching DBT and directing Art camps. My volunteer work is mainly helping to manage a peer support community dedicated to mental health. What I think was the most meaningful (however I'll never know) is my life experience with various adversities such as homelessness, financial insecurity etc. Which I laid out in my personal statement. And how I sought to take that experience and apply it.

I hope this is helpful for someone. Don't give up, I am in my 30s and never thought I would be here after everything I've endured in life but here I am. Believe in yourself, you got this!

Good luck to everyone! I'm still waiting to hear back from the Laurier online 2 year as well.