Does applying to macro/clinical concentration increase chances of acceptance

[SofieCat]

So I know for most programs, a clinical concentration is far more popular with applicants than macro social work. I'm wondering, would applying as a candidate interested in a macro concentration increase the odds of acceptance, since some of the schools have 80% of applicants interested in clinical, and only 20% macro. Or vs versa for schools that specialize in macro social work.

Thoughts?

[michigan girl]

Not necessarily. Admissions officers are trained to figure out who is committed to clinical or macro social work. If your heart is in clinical practice, then select the clinical concentrations. Grants and scholarships are also tied to students' incoming concentrations.

[ladybug3]

It depends on the school. One school I am applying to accepts the best people, regardless of stream, and makes courses based on interest after acceptances. That being said, another school accepts so many people per stream (with less popular streams accepting less people per year).

I also noted that sometimes your stream is malleable while other times it is set in stone. Make sure you know whether your stream is for sure before you commit to it.

Not only this, but it might not even matter what stream you choose. I have streams selected at my schools, however they are generalist MSW degrees. This means at the end of the day, I graduate with the exact same degree, despite applying to a Macro stream at one school and a Mental Health stream at another. My placement experience and courses will be different, but my degree itself will not prevent me from any specific jobs due to my specialization..

There are so many variables.. but, as the person before me said, I would not apply to an area you don't want to study in simply to get in "easier".. do you really want to be accepted on a technicality? I don't know about you, but I want to be accepted on my own merit, not because my field had no applicants...

[michigan girl]

I also want to add that certain social work programs have special programs for students who are interested in emerging fields, such as child welfare, international social work, and geriatric social work. Sometimes, students enrolled in these special programs also receive unique financial aid packages and perks (i.e., 1/2 tuition scholarships, seminars, one-on-one career counseling, etc.). For instance, If you apply to one of those programs, get accepted, and later realize you want a different concentration, you may lose the financial aid funding! That's why it's very important to be honest in your statement of purpose. You may face stiffer competition in the applicant pool if your intended concentration is clinical. Nevertheless, if you are accepted into a MSW program, you may receive a good financial aid package because there are more scholarships and fellowships available for clinical practice social work students.

[SofieCat]

Thanks for your insight everyone. I'm not thinking about lying by any means. I am genuinely interested in macro social work, and have lots of experience in this area.... but I'm also interested in clinical direct practice as well. it's 50/50. I could go either way. I'd like to decide once I start the program.