UPenn MSW info

[chriskyk]

Hey guys so I'm interested in applying for the 2-year full time MSW from UPenn. The sharing of the following info is greatly appreciated:

1. Admission stats (e.g acceptance rate)?

2. Average GPA of accepted applicants?

3. What type of questions are usually asked during the MSW interview?

Cheers,

Chriskyk

[2011 MSW Hopeful]

I'd like to echo these questions, since I have an interview coming up. Sorry I can't be of help yet, chriskyk.

[chriskyk]

Hey 2011 MSW Hopeful,

May I ask:

1. When you submitted your MSW application and

2. When did you receive a confirmation from the school?

3, When did you receive the interview invitation?

Thanks,

Chriskyk

[2011 MSW Hopeful]

1. When you submitted your MSW application and

2. When did you receive a confirmation from the school?

3, When did you receive the interview invitation?

I submitted my application on 1/22. I got an email about scheduling an interview on 2/1. There wasn't a confirmation of receipt of materials, but since the admissions interview is standard, I assume that serves as the confirmation. Pretty fast turnaround time, actually!

[chriskyk]

I submitted my application on 1/22. I got an email about scheduling an interview on 2/1. There wasn't a confirmation of receipt of materials, but since the admissions interview is standard, I assume that serves as the confirmation. Pretty fast turnaround time, actually!

Nice haha. Do you mind sharing your stats (eg. GPA, work experience etc)?

How did your interview go?

[2011 MSW Hopeful]

My interview isn't until later this month. GPA: 3.3 (very poor final two semesters due to some personal issues); GRE 650V, 550Q, 4.5A, 750 Psychology; 3 years of full-time human services experience (child/adolescent mental health) and a few other field experiences. I don't have much idea of what my chances are, to be honest. It's my top choice, but I think attending would only be feasible for me with considerable funding.

[srs5050]

I was recently accepted to this program. The interview was comfortable and relaxed and focused on my work experience, my reasons for applying to SP2, and my career goals. My GPA /GRE are similar to 2011 MSW Hopeful, and I have 4 years of direct service experience. I submitted my application 1/1, received an interview invitation via email within a few weeks, scheduled my interview for the next week and received my acceptance about two weeks post interview. The admissions team was incredibly helpful throughout the process, and I found the interview to be a genuine extension of the good vibes I'd already been getting from this program. I'd suggest you call them directly for questions regarding admissions statistics. Good luck!

Edited February 7, 2011 by srs5050

[chriskyk]

I was recently accepted to this program. The interview was comfortable and relaxed and focused on my work experience, my reasons for applying to SP2, and my career goals. My GPA /GRE are similar to 2011 MSW Hopeful, and I have 4 years of direct service experience. I submitted my application 1/1, received an interview invitation via email within a few weeks, scheduled my interview for the next week and received my acceptance about two weeks post interview. The admissions team was incredibly helpful throughout the process, and I found the interview to be a genuine extension of the good vibes I'd already been getting from this program. I'd suggest you call them directly for questions regarding admissions statistics. Good luck!

Congratz on your acceptance and thanks for the great info. I'm sure you have made up your mind of where to go next fall then haha.

I realized that both of you took GRE, but just want to make sure, the test is NOT required for application right? Because I'm not planning to hand in my score even though I took it.

[2011 MSW Hopeful]

I found out I got in this week, and could not be more thrilled! Such good vibes from the program, I love Philadelphia, and it's really appealing to me for some personal reasons. I'm kind of on pins and needles waiting to hear back about scholarships/grants. I'm really hoping for the best, since it's an expensive program...does anyone have any wisdom to share about what I might expect? I would love to hear from current students or other acceptees. It SEEMS worth it, but I would really like to hear how people feel about cost vs. experience/value.

chriskyk, the program doesn't require the GRE. I just happened to have taken it a few years ago, and submitted my scores as part of the application on the basis of the fairly high verbal and subject test scores.

[chriskyk]

I found out I got in this week, and could not be more thrilled! Such good vibes from the program, I love Philadelphia, and it's really appealing to me for some personal reasons. I'm kind of on pins and needles waiting to hear back about scholarships/grants. I'm really hoping for the best, since it's an expensive program...does anyone have any wisdom to share about what I might expect? I would love to hear from current students or other acceptees. It SEEMS worth it, but I would really like to hear how people feel about cost vs. experience/value.

chriskyk, the program doesn't require the GRE. I just happened to have taken it a few years ago, and submitted my scores as part of the application on the basis of the fairly high verbal and subject test scores.

Hey huge congratulations! You deserve it!

How big of a chance do you think an international applicant would have? I'm from Hong Kong, China.

I was thinking about starting the application this summer and submit it in Sept. Would you think the earlier I submit the bigger chance I'll get in, since the program acceptance is on a rolling basis?

Edited March 5, 2011 by chriskyk

[2011 MSW Hopeful]

Hey huge congratulations! You deserve it!

How big of a chance do you think an international applicant would have? I'm from Hong Kong, China.

I was thinking about starting the application this summer and submit it in Sept. Would you think the earlier I submit the bigger chance I'll get in, since the program acceptance is on a rolling basis?

Thank you! I don't see any reason why you wouldn't have a chance! I'm not sure about your financial situation, since the only source of aid they would offer you would be scholarships, which are (in my impression, at least) pretty limited, so that might be something to check into. I'm not entirely sure how the admissions process works in terms of whether you'd have a better chance earlier on, but it doesn't seem like it would hurt.

Edited March 5, 2011 by 2011 MSW Hopeful

[chriskyk]

Thank you! I don't see any reason why you wouldn't have a chance! I'm not sure about your financial situation, since the only source of aid they would offer you would be scholarships, which are (in my impression, at least) pretty limited, so that might be something to check into. I'm not entirely sure how the admissions process works in terms of whether you'd have a better chance earlier on, but it doesn't seem like it would hurt.

Haha thanks for giving me support!

Do you still recall any interview questions that you could share with me? I'm sure you did a good job in that for the application since it's an important component.

[NadaJ]

Just wanted to say I had a dream I was accepted to UPenn and I really liked it. I didn't even apply to UPenn this cycle, so maybe this is a sign I should for next year. In any case, GL to all of you!

[2011 MSW Hopeful]

Would any other UPenn admits mind sharing your funding offers? Here if you're comfortable posting, or by PM? Also are there any current Penn students here?

[iamthezoo]

Hi Everyone,

I got into the MSW program at Penn. I am really struggling with the enormous tuition...does anyone know if it is worth taking out such a big student loan for MSW given that most social workers make a mean of $41,000 per year?

Thanks!

[2011 MSW Hopeful]

Hi Everyone,

I got into the MSW program at Penn. I am really struggling with the enormous tuition...does anyone know if it is worth taking out such a big student loan for MSW given that most social workers make a mean of $41,000 per year?

Thanks!

I decided that it wasn't, and have talkled to a few others who felt the same way. I'm not sure how much luck others have had with their financial aid department, but I was only offered $2,000 in grants and some work-study funding for field placement (part of which comes out of the grant, from my understanding). I think the program looks amazing, but I couldn't think of anything that would put you that far ahead of a less expensive route, especially for clinical. Research opportunities as an MSW student seem limited if that's what you're interested in (and having a strong MSW school for prospective Ph.D. applications was the only thing I could think of that would make the debt worthwhile -- marginally). That, and foundation year students are in field placement three days a week, which I'm sure is a great learning opportunity, but wouldn't allow time for part-time jobs for extra money or additonal research experience.

All that said, it was hard for me to send in my form declining. It's a school I've been pining over since undergrad applications, and I really do love the area and their department. I think you just have to weigh whether it's worth it for you. The idea of graduating $100,000 in debt for an MSW was sort of paralyzing to me. There are some options that make it theoreticaly doable, such as income-based repayment, public service loan forgiveness, and NHSC, but it was ultimately too uncertain for me.

[jm2012]

It is interesting that people talked about submitted GRE scores?! I thought they didn't accept them for MSW?