Your Final Decision

[AdvancedStanding]

I think it'll be great as decisions are coming out and people are making up their mind to find someone that will be going to the same school as you.

Simply reply by stating which school you have decided to go to, what program, and a little bit of why.

I will be going to Columbia University's Master's of Social Work advanced standing program for the following reasons:

1. it's just one year

2. I would like to go to New York City

3. Very interested in their macro concentration (Social Enterprise Administration)

4. beautiful campus

[waitingwaitingwaiting]

Hi fellow future social workers!

I will be going to UCLA, where I will get in-state tuition (and the possibility of getting a stipend, CalSWEC or IUC, to subsidize my tuition). I chose it over Columbia and University of Washington primarily because of cost. I also already live in Los Angeles and ultimately would like to be licensed here in California. Though I was hoping to use grad school as an excuse to explore a new city, the practicality of staying here won me over.

If anyone has any questions about UCLA or Los Angeles in general, I am more than happy to provide my input. I have been here for the past 4 years and spent the majority of my life in the suburbs north of LA.

[JessicaX]

I'll be attending Columbia's two-year MSW program.

I won't lie and say that the Ivy League status didn't factor into my decision, but I did feel like the school was a good fit for me after visiting and getting a chance to speak with faculty and students. It was always my top choice and I'm fortunate enough to not have to take out a crazy amount of loans to afford it.

[amanda lauren]

I'll be starting Virginia Commonwealth's Master of Social Work program this fall and couldn't be more thrilled!

It's been my top choice school for a long time now, for a handful of reasons:

1. It's ranked 14th in the country, which is what originally made me notice the program - I hadn't heard from VCU beforehand.

2. The wide array of field placement opportunities is really impressive, and I have the opportunity to work in a school, a hospital, even adoption agencies (and as someone who is adopted as is considering a career with an adoption agency, this was a huge plus).

3. The location seemed perfect - a small city that wasn't horribly overwhelming, but still had enough going on to keep me from getting bored! I've lived in bigger cities my whole live (grew up in NY, went to college in Boston) so I was looking to still stay in a city to keep myself from going crazy, but I wanted to try out a smaller city for once.

4. I was really impressed with the overall impression of VCU and the MSW program that I got when I visited the school. Everyone was incredibly friendly, went out of their way to help me (one woman working in the MSW department even took an hour out of her day to give me an unscheduled overview of the program, the school, everything).

5. THE WEATHER IN VIRGINIA - almost anything would be better than the Boston weather at this point, and I'm pumped to be moving to the south!

6. VCU offers a certificate program in school social work, and I've wanted to be a school social worker for quite some time now, so this was a priority when looking at schools.

7. VCU is a public university and the cost is significantly less than what I've paid for my undergrad tuition at a private university; tuition at VCU will be less than half of what my undergrad tuition was.

8. The program size is great: not so small that I'd feel cabin fever, but not so big that it feels impersonal.

9. VCU MSW students have study abroad opportunities, whether for a semester-long field placement or for short-term international trips over winter/summer break. Studying abroad was the best experience I had as an undergrad, so getting a chance to do it again, and use my social work skills on an international level, would be amazing!

10. Did I mention that I'm dying to move south and get away from New England?

There are even more reasons why I chose VCU, but those were the main stand-out factors that put VCU above all of the other schools I applied to. Oh, and the fact that I've gone to college 6+ hours away from home and wanted to make sure I could go to grad school far away from home too - not that I don't love NY (I do, I really do!) but I like the feeling of experiencing someplace that's completely new and foreign to me.

[Sassafrass2]

I've finally made my decision... <DRUMROLL>... and it's going to be VCU for me as well!

I kept going back and forth between VCU and another program, but ultimately VCU won out for several reasons. First, the price was paramount in my decision. You can't beat attending a high ranked program that happens to be priced very reasonably. Although I'm not absolutely stoked about living in Richmond, the cost of living is MUCH cheaper than what I'm used to in the DC area. Also, my whole family live all throughout Virginia, so they are extremely happy I'm staying close. I've worked with a few of the professors in the past, and have always been impressed with their caliber and expertise. Also, the range of field placements and the oppertunity to possibly study abroad isn't too shabby either!

The only drawback seems to be the lack of jobs for my significant other... but even if he makes way less, we can still swing it. There are tons of forclosures/short sales in the Richmond area - so it also looks like I'll be buying my first house while I'm there and we can come out actually saving money versus renting. Double-excitement!!

Many of the other program I was accepted to have "Incoming MSW Students" groups on Facebook or hosted on the department's page. I know that there isn't one currently for VCU's group... so I wanted to see if anyone is intersted? Maybe I can sweettalk someone into starting one for us happy Rams! Haha.

Congrats everyone on starting this exciting new adventure in your lives!

Edited April 13, 2011 by Sassafrass2

[Lilly]

This was such a hard decision for me! It ended up being between Berkeley and UChicago, and I've settled on Berkeley (C&F concentration)! The range of field placements and small cohort (15 students) really won be over!

[MSW hopeful]

I will be attending the Master of Social Work 3-year direct practice program at San Diego State University

[PsyK]

I'm very excited to be attending UChicago for the 2-year MA program. The primary reason for my choice is the people; I couldn't be more impressed by the faculty, their research, and the staff. I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to learn from them and participate in research that I'm interested in.

UChicago also provides a diverse and inter-disciplinary curriculum with ways to design your own program. They have so many great routes you could take that, all of a sudden, I'm having a difficult time deciding exactly what I want to do. It's a good problem to have, in a sense, but I guess I need to find some direction again.

Lastly, so as not to make this too long, my visit to SSA really "sealed the deal" for me. Everyone I met was warm, welcoming, and very knowledgeable. The building has everything a student needs in one place. I just felt "right" with it.

Ok. One more thing. I'm also looking forward to being part of the larger community at UChicago. The events, the speakers, etc. will be great supplements to my education and my own intellectual curiosity!

[pdgardne]

I'll be attending NYU based on their emphasis on clinical social work. I want to work in NYC after I graduate so that was a big factor in my decision as well. Anyone else going?

[IanYoung]

I'll be attending NYU based on their emphasis on clinical social work. I want to work in NYC after I graduate so that was a big factor in my decision as well. Anyone else going?

Hi, me too!!! I will be attending the two-year MSW program at NYU. I have the similar reasons with you for choosing the school. I am very clinical and also would like to work in NYC after graduation. Very excited about going there!

[happyroman]

I will be attending UCLA. The program is the two-year Social Welfare program and am extremely excited! I picked UCLA because

1. It's got a great reputation

2. I will be paying in state tuition

3. heavy research emphasis

4. It's been my dream school

5. Love the campus location

6. close to home

Edited April 15, 2011 by happyroman

[amanda lauren]

Many of the other program I was accepted to have "Incoming MSW Students" groups on Facebook or hosted on the department's page. I know that there isn't one currently for VCU's group... so I wanted to see if anyone is intersted? Maybe I can sweettalk someone into starting one for us happy Rams! Haha.

Congrats everyone on starting this exciting new adventure in your lives!

I would definitely be interested in this group! Great idea

[Sassafrass2]

I would definitely be interested in this group! Great idea

I was deciding to bite the bullet and create an unofficial page... and then I came across a brand new facebook group for the incoming cohort (literally created in the past few hours!). It's titled "VCU MSW class of 2013" - and you shouldn't have any problems finding it under the facebook search.

See you there!

[feistygirl916]

Cal State Fullerton MSW also has a Facebook page... search for "CSUF MSW Class of 2013"

Come join us if you were accepted!

[gradhopeful777]

All of my decisions are in and after crunching numbers it looks like NYU's 2 year MSW program!

1. Money. Thankfully, my awarded scholarship and workstudy bring my tuition and fee's to a very reasonable number - close to some state schools that I had applied to!
2. NYC. Location! I visited NYC for the first time back in February shortly after I was admitted and I was really blown away. Born and raised in the Bay Area there's an excitement about the city that is undeniable! I'm looking forward to the adventure.
3. NYU. It's been a dream school to attend since my undergrad years.
4. Clinical concentration. My work experience has really shown me that I really enjoy providing direct clinical services. I'm interested in pursuing school social work and have a long-term goal of becoming licensed as an lcsw. An even longer-term goal would be pursuing a PHD and teaching. I get the impression that NYU has amongst the best clinical training concentrations in the nation. Combined with professors that share my interests in working with youth and LGBTQ communities the decision to attend becomes very clear!

Now the stress is having to find a place to live when I live 3k miles away! Anyone else making the transition to NYC/NYU from the west coast?

Cheers

[pdgardne]

I'm going to NYU for all the same reasons! I want to work with LGBT individuals and groups as well. I'm coming from AZ but I'll probably be living with my cousin who lives out there. See you this fall!

All of my decisions are in and after crunching numbers it looks like NYU's 2 year MSW program!

1. Money. Thankfully, my awarded scholarship and workstudy bring my tuition and fee's to a very reasonable number - close to some state schools that I had applied to!
2. NYC. Location! I visited NYC for the first time back in February shortly after I was admitted and I was really blown away. Born and raised in the Bay Area there's an excitement about the city that is undeniable! I'm looking forward to the adventure.
3. NYU. It's been a dream school to attend since my undergrad years.
4. Clinical concentration. My work experience has really shown me that I really enjoy providing direct clinical services. I'm interested in pursuing school social work and have a long-term goal of becoming licensed as an lcsw. An even longer-term goal would be pursuing a PHD and teaching. I get the impression that NYU has amongst the best clinical training concentrations in the nation. Combined with professors that share my interests in working with youth and LGBTQ communities the decision to attend becomes very clear!

Now the stress is having to find a place to live when I live 3k miles away! Anyone else making the transition to NYC/NYU from the west coast?

Cheers

[creativesocialworker]

I decided on UCLA. I am hoping to get the IUC stipend this year and then get my PPS credential the second year. I really liked the sound of their International Social Welfare Caucus. This year a bunch of them are going on a two week, fully funded trip to Switzerland. They are also planning another trip to Peru.

They just stared a facebook page for our cohort:

https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_155773951153416&ap=1

[odugrad2011]

so after a few days of some intense consideration, i have decided to attend vcu!

it was a tough decision between their program and nyu's, as i have wanted to go to nyu for over a year now, but i am very happy with my decision. the tuition for vcu is tons cheaper than nyu and their program is ranked slightly higher. other things that played into my decision were the cost of living (so much lower than where i am at now), the amount of things to do in richmond, the huge array of field placement options, and that vcu has a certificate of aging studies program which is perfect as i want to work with older adults. so happy this decision is over and good luck to all of those waiting to hear back from schools or grappling of choosing!

[2011 MSW Hopeful]

I'll be attending SSA at the University of Chicago for many of the same reasons PsyK mentioned. I've been here this week visiting the school, and have just been blown away by the caliber of academic instruction and the general friendliness/happiness of SSA staff and students. I also received a generous scholarship offer and felt like the School of Social Administration values its students highly and, if you're admitted, will do everything they can to make it possible for you to attend. One of the features I'm excited about with SSA is the cohort system of grouping incoming students -- from everything I've heard, your cohort becomes a great support system. I had to consider the decision at length because it's a huge move away from my family and significant other on the east coast, but I know I'd be disappointed in myself if I didn't pursue this opportunity.

Oh, and Chicago seems pretty nifty, too!

[Sarah Beth]

I'm not 100 percent decided yet but I'm leaning towards going to WUSTL and doing the advanced standing program since I only got into the 2 year msw program at the other school I applied to!

[Shaakira20]

I just got accepted to Hunter College and I'm extremely excited! I'm still waiting to hear from Fordham, but I'm pretty sure I'll go with Hunter - the price is amazing for the quality of instruction I'll receive and they have a brand new facility for the School of Social Work.

[KrissyS]

I just got accepted to Hunter College and I'm extremely excited! I'm still waiting to hear from Fordham, but I'm pretty sure I'll go with Hunter - the price is amazing for the quality of instruction I'll receive and they have a brand new facility for the School of Social Work.

Hey, I'll be going to Hunter in the Fall too!

I just have a question. Thursday night I received a slew of emails from Hunter about my acceptance. The subject heading of one of them was "HCSSW Event", but the email was about paying the deposit not an event. Was it the same for you or is there a new student event that we have to attend in the upcoming weeks?

[Shaakira20]

Um, I received several e-mails from Hunter on Thursday as well. Two were both welcome/acceptance letters (one was "revised") and the third e-mail was from Nireata Seals asking me to verify my attendance for the fall via e-mail so they can "hold my place in the enrollment database" in lieu of receiving my deposit. The only info I received about student events was for the orientation in August.

Have you received your financial aid award from them yet?

Hey, I'll be going to Hunter in the Fall too!

I just have a question. Thursday night I received a slew of emails from Hunter about my acceptance. The subject heading of one of them was "HCSSW Event", but the email was about paying the deposit not an event. Was it the same for you or is there a new student event that we have to attend in the upcoming weeks?

[KrissyS]

No I haven't received any financial aid info from them yet. I think that happens after we become "official" students (paid our deposits, get our NetIDs, etc.) though I'm not entirely sure.

Um, I received several e-mails from Hunter on Thursday as well. Two were both welcome/acceptance letters (one was "revised") and the third e-mail was from Nireata Seals asking me to verify my attendance for the fall via e-mail so they can "hold my place in the enrollment database" in lieu of receiving my deposit. The only info I received about student events was for the orientation in August.

Have you received your financial aid award from them yet?

[erinl]

I'll be attending Columbia for my MSW for a multitude of reasons:

1) I received fairly good scholarship money from them, and they were able to work with me on getting me a little bit more. Not very many schools do that at all, especially when it comes to social work departments.

2) Fantastic Ivy education at the very first school of social work in the country.

3) I've always loved NY and never thought I would be able to justify living so expensively (this practically makes no sense as I've lived in CA my entire life). When I was accepted, it made sense to venture out of my comfort zone (SF and LA) and live on the opposite end of the country. I can't wait to experience living somewhere new and as a result, expand my academic and professional network.