Fall 2012 Applications

[arjayz]

Sure, I'll share.

Undergraduate: UCLA Graduated in 2008

Major: Psychology and minor in Education

GPA: 3.2 (I know, pretty low, but my last two years I did pretty well)

Work/Research experience:

1. Project Manager of NIMH UCLA Mental Health Services Act (Prop. 63) Study evaluating the implementation of Prop. 63 systems of care on directly operated and contract clinics.

2. Project Manager of UCLA and LACDMH Evidence-Based Practices Study evaluating EBP's in school based agencies.

3. Associate Producer on UCLA and LACDMH Documentary Series filming variety of mental health clinics. In fact, please check out our films:

http://www.pendari.c...ogram.aspx?id=5

http://www.pendari.c...ogram.aspx?id=7

LOR: My supervisor on the research studies above, UCLA Distinguished Professor I had during undergrad, and Associate Dean of Social Work Research at USC

A lot of research experience, but it allowed me to really understand policy and I was also able to interact

with clients, so I'm pretty sure that was a plus

I was wondering about UPENN scholarships; are they more likely to give money for a high GPA or tons of experience? I'm trying to see what those who received scholarships had, but the posts are scattered and I can't really figure it out.

[Rivka]

DearLouise, I'm not really sure if they still consider you for scholarships if you decline financial aid. Maybe send them an e-mail notifying them that you would like to be considered for scholarships? As for the username and password, I was wondering about that myself. I haven't gotten anything.

Arjayz, I imagine that Penn scholarships are based on a combination of academics and experience. I'm sure if someone had a huge amount of experience and low GPA or a really high GPA and little experience that they could get a scholarship. They give them out in varying amounts, I'm sure based on the total awesomeness of your combined GPA and experience. Speaking for myself, I was given a small to mid-size Dean's Merit Award and have a 3.78 GPA and 2.5 years of full-time inner city teaching experience and a 4-month social work internship.

[DearLouise]

Oh, I realized that Columbia's financial aid is only for US citizens...sigh. And I don't think international student will receive scholarships...

I wonder if they only send username and password after we pay the deposit.

[rjose]

I still haven't heard from Columbia! I'm getting a bit nervous. For those who have heard a response, when did you submit and when was your application officially "complete"?

[MeganParkins]

I still haven't heard from Columbia! I'm getting a bit nervous. For those who have heard a response, when did you submit and when was your application officially "complete"?

I'd like to know as well. I was submitted 1/3 and complete 1/9. Getting very nervous

[rjose]

There was a thread in another forum discussing what's the right amount of loans to take out for an MSW.

There are a lot of folks on this thread discussing Ivy League schools and private schools and I was just wondering what your thoughts are about paying for the tuition? For those who have the money to pay, great, by all means these programs are great, and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

However, for those who are considering taking loans, let's be honest, social work isn't the most lucrative career. Also, I personally have applied to Ivy Leagues, Private Schools and some Cal State schools and am highly considering the Cal States schools (if I do get in, don't want to jinx myself at this point ) just because the cost is significantly lower.

However, I may consider going on to get my PhD and was wondering if WHERE I get my MSW plays a role in my chances of getting into a PhD program?

Any advice or comments on this topic is much appreciated!

Edited February 9, 2012 by rjose

[roxyshoe]

Rjrose, this worries me too. I swore that I would only attend an MSW that offers me at least half of the tuition in merit scholarships, but at this point I doubt that will happen. U Chicago offered me 12k which might be as good as it gets, so I'm basically just planning on working my butt off in a work-study job to help balance out the remainder of the pay. I really, really cannot take out more loans, at least an excessive amount, because I am already super in debt from undergrad. It may come down to taking a year off to work before going to grad school =/ We'll see...would help if I can hear from some more schools!!!

In terms of the where - it might, however I think MSW is all about the opportunities you take advantage of with each program. Even if you don't go to the best MSW program, if you get excellent field placements and rec's from those and your profs, and good grades, etc, I'm sure you can get into a great PhD

[arjayz]

There was a thread in another forum discussing what's the right amount of loans to take out for an MSW.

There are a lot of folks on this thread discussing Ivy League schools and private schools and I was just wondering what your thoughts are about paying for the tuition? For those who have the money to pay, great, by all means these programs are great, and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time.

However, for those who are considering taking loans, let's be honest, social work isn't the most lucrative career. Also, I personally have applied to Ivy Leagues, Private Schools and some Cal State schools and am highly considering the Cal States schools (if I do get in, don't want to jinx myself at this point ) just because the cost is significantly lower.

However, I may consider going on to get my PhD and was wondering if WHERE I get my MSW plays a role in my chances of getting into a PhD program?

Any advice or comments on this topic is much appreciated!

All the programs I applied to are private or Ivy League schools, and now that I've gotten acceptances I'm starting to worry about the price tag of such an education. I don't have any loans from undergrad, and my parents are willing to help out, but the programs are still way out of my price range. I'm hoping to receive some merit scholarships and financial aid from the schools I applied to. I also applied to four outside scholarships ranging from $10,000-$20,000 a year; I worked for months on the applications and they are really, really strong and I'm hoping to win at least one of those to supplement the financial aid/loans/merit scholarships from the schools. I also applied for a few non-interest loan programs and am hoping those will help out also. If you're really considering a private or Ivy League school, I highly consider searching for scholarships; if you win, it'll be a huge help to financing your education whether you go to a private or state school.

[rjose]

Thanks roxyshoe, I agree! I'm not even done paying off my undergrad loans and I plan on working my butt off in a work study job also, so I definitely don't want to attend a school that offers me close to no aid.

Do you know if we qualify for any Loan Forgiveness programs? I only know of some stipends in southern California.

[rjose]

Thanks arjayz - are you using Fastweb for scholarships? Do you know of any other websites?

[ellie811]

Do you know if we qualify for any Loan Forgiveness programs? I only know of some stipends in southern California.

I would be very, very cautious about thinking about loan forgiveness programs. Most of those are from federal funding which can change in the blink of an eye. You're better off paying off a loan quickly and saving on interest than paying it for a long time and getting the last little bit forgiven. I had $17,000 in loans for my undergrad, and worked my butt off to pay it off in 1 year, saving about $4,000 in interest by doing so. No, it wasn't easy. I didn't buy any clothes during that year, no vacations, basically no fun money for anything....I was paying over half our monthly income to the loan. But, it was nice 1 year out of undergrad to be completely debt free! (no credit card debt, paid cash for a used car)

[kristi28]

Just got my acceptance to UChicago with a $29,500 scholarship that is renewable for the second year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OmG! This feels AMAZING! I applied December 18th and received an email telling me that my app status had changed online. :-)

[Rivka]

Wow sweet deal! Congrats Kristi!

[rjose]

Holy Cow - that's AMAZING Kristi28!!! That's a hell of a lot of money! Congrats!!!!! I guess what they say about UChicago offering a lot of aid is true!

[katiemk1230]

Congrats Rivka and Kristi!! The waiting game has paid off

Does anyone know where the thread is for the concerns about financing an MSW education?

Man, first we worry about getting in, then when we have to worry about paying for it. On the one hand, you only live once. On the other, how much living can you do when you have a gazillion dollars worth of loans? I believe I have heard that the Obama administration has set it up so that if after 25 years, if you've paid back at least the minimum required monthly payment religiously and you still owe money, the rest of your loan will be forgiven (Of course, ideally you wouldn't have that hanging over your head for 25 years!). Not sure if that is something that really exists or not, I didn't follow up on this.

I'm really not sure if it's better to pay more for a more "reputable" school, or not - I guess it's more of a question of what the school offers in terms of internships/field placements to job opportunities, rather than name recognition. What are your opinions?

Edited February 9, 2012 by katiemk1230

[kristi28]

Wow sweet deal! Congrats Kristi!

Holy Cow - that's AMAZING Kristi28!!! That's a hell of a lot of money! Congrats!!!!! I guess what they say about UChicago offering a lot of aid is true!

Thanks!!!

[roxyshoe]

Congrats Kristi! WOW!!!!

[XXXXXXphd2021]

Wow thats a lot of $$$$!! congratulations!!!!

[MissH]

Congrats Rivka and Kristi!! The waiting game has paid off

Does anyone know where the thread is for the concerns about financing an MSW education?

Man, first we worry about getting in, then when we have to worry about paying for it. On the one hand, you only live once. On the other, how much living can you do when you have a gazillion dollars worth of loans? I believe I have heard that the Obama administration has set it up so that if after 25 years, if you've paid back at least the minimum required monthly payment religiously and you still owe money, the rest of your loan will be forgiven (Of course, ideally you wouldn't have that hanging over your head for 25 years!). Not sure if that is something that really exists or not, I didn't follow up on this.

I'm really not sure if it's better to pay more for a more "reputable" school, or not - I guess it's more of a question of what the school offers in terms of internships/field placements to job opportunities, rather than name recognition. What are your opinions?

Google Heather Jarvis. She's a student loan expert and has tons of info on loan forgiveness.

[KristinMSW]

Google Heather Jarvis. She's a student loan expert and has tons of info on loan forgiveness.

Wow - thank you so much for posting this. Just read through a bunch of stuff on the PSLF program, I can't believe how many tools and insights are on this site! Makes me feel a ton better about the program. obviously you will never know what could happen in congress, but she had some very valid points about it all!

Fantastic resource.. everyone should be looking at this...

[rjose]

Thanks so much - I'll definitely google Heather Jarvis. Thank you so much!

[Whitty]

Just checked the SFSU website and was denied admissions. On to the next one!

[ellie811]

I believe I have heard that the Obama administration has set it up so that if after 25 years, if you've paid back at least the minimum required monthly payment religiously and you still owe money, the rest of your loan will be forgiven (Of course, ideally you wouldn't have that hanging over your head for 25 years!). Not sure if that is something that really exists or not, I didn't follow up on this.

I'm not sure if this program is in place, but, even if it is now, doesn't mean it will be later. They could eliminate the program next month, next year, in 5 years. Please don't put yourself in a situation of depending on a program that can go away in an instant! It's like how the subsidized loans that don't accrue interest while in school are being eliminated as of July 1.

[rjose]

Ellie811, are you saying that when I go to graduate school sometime in August/September of 2012 I can freeze my undergraduate loans, but they will still accrue interest?

I just read this about my Undergrad Federal Perkins Loan:

For loans made on or after July 1, 1993, interest does not accrue during any type of deferment.

Edited February 10, 2012 by rjose

[ellie811]

Ellie811, are you saying that when I go to graduate school sometime in August/September of 2012 I can freeze my undergraduate loans, but they will still accrue interest?

I'm not sure, you'll need to talk to your bank about that. I do know they're uliminating the subsidized loans in the future - not sure what that does to exisitng loans. My husband is in law school and has some subsidized loans and he's been told by the school that it will start accruing interest in July (he graduates in May, so this is before the 6 month waiting period). We haven't heard this directly from the bank though. Interest rates will be going to around 7% in July I believe.

(I am not a financial expert, I am not a banker, do not take any of this as 100% truth. I have done research, but don't have time not to re-research or provide sources. Do your own research and borrow conservatively.)