Boston University 2012

[SofieCat]

There's little mention of BU for fall 2012 acceptances so I thought i'd post something since I've been reading (and not posting) for quite some time. I submitted by app early feb but due to a few reasons, it wasn't officially "complete" and being processed until March 15. I received an email from them saying i'll hear back in 4-6 weeks. Anyone also waiting to hear back? Anyone wait listed/rejected/applying? Rants and raves about the program or application process? Share your thoughts here!

Edited March 19, 2012 by SofieCat

[MissH]

I was in much the same boat as you. Three weeks after I submitted my application, I was rejected.

I loved their program. While I was less than impressed with how I found out (PDF attachment was MissH rejection), I was impressed with their office. I emailed them right after my rejection-there is another MissH who has a school in common with me. At that school they had mixed up our gPa's. As such, I asked them to double check that all transcripts were mine, which they did.

I think you should hear soon.

[SofieCat]

Thanks for the reply MissH. I'm sorry it didn't work out with them. Would you mind me asking your stats/prior experience? I'm looking forward to a reply from them soon, though I've noticed there are people who applied to BU at the start of Feb and haven't heard back yet.

[Wishing]

Hi everyone! Good luck with your BU applications! I recently decided that I am going to attend BU next year, so I thought I would weigh in here.

My BU application was complete on 1/15 and I received the confirmation email that my application was complete on 2/16. I was admitted on 3/9 via email. The decision was actually just an attached PDF in the email, so it doesn't look like they are using their website as an admission portal the way some other schools are.

I have been very happy with BU's communication thus far. BU admissions and financial aid staff in the office have been responsive to my emails and phonecalls and very helpful about giving me information that helped me make my decision. Good luck!

I applied for the Macro focus program, so my stats may look a little bit different from those seeking to concentrate in another area.

My stats are as follows:

3.75 overall GPA from top 25 liberal starts college

3.95 GPA in major, Political Science. 4.0 GPA in minor, Gender Studies

Honors thesis dealt with themes of ideology and American citizenship in public assistance programs.

2 years full-time experience in AmeriCorps as a volunteer coordinator and tutor to ESL students (paid)

2 years part-time experience as a research assistance on women's issues in public policy (paid)

1 year part-time experience as a nonprofit community organizer on LGBT issues (paid)

1 year experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (volunteer)

1 year experience as a volunteer with a nonprofit dealing with youth-led community change projects (volunteer)

Assorted other volunteer experience, mostly in community/campus organizing, politics, nonprofit.

My letters came from the following:

Undergraduate professor who supervised my thesis research. I took 3 other classes with her during my junior and senior years, so she knows me well.

Executive director of the nonprofit I work for currently (LGBT social services)

Executive director of nonprofit dealing with youth-led community change

Hope that helps! I know I was a wreck waiting to hear back... BU was my first choice and I already sent in my deposit and everything.

Edited March 19, 2012 by Wishing

[SofieCat]

Wishing - i am impressed by how quickly you heard back from them.

Your stats are fantastic....

Did you receive any tuition help/GA's/ or scholarships from BU?

I'm not sure how they determine who gets free aid but from what I've read many accepted applicants get 50% tuition waiver, which I'm hoping for.....

Edited March 20, 2012 by SofieCat

[Wishing]

Hi Sofie,

Thanks! I think my stats are pretty good (hope that doesn't sound braggy, I graduated in 09 and took a look of time between then and now working on my relevant experience) but I did not receive any scholarship funds of any kind from BU. I will take the max Stafford Loan and Grad PLUS loans to cover the cost. This may not be true, but I am pretty sure they have already awarded all of the scholarship money and from the timeline it seems like I was one of the first applicants to be admitted without scholarship funds. This is somewhat speculative, but I did ask them for more aid and their answer was that it had all been awarded already and that I am high up on the scholarship wait list and could possibly be awarded aid if others do not accept the offer of admission and financial aid. I found this REALLY disappointing - like, huge hit to my ego disappointing - because their website did seem to indicate that a lot of students receive aid/tuition assistance, etc.

They also did not offer me federal work-study, even though I qualify, because they have limited spots. The reason I am still attending is because it was my first choice and it is also still less expensive than the other two schools to which I applied. BU's tutition is lower to start and the cost of living (especially compared to Columbia) is also lower. I am still holding out hope that I may be awarded scholarship funding as it becomes available, as I imagine BU competes with many other highly ranked programs for accepted students.

Do not give up hope! I know what I said sounds somewhat discouraging, but again, it's not like they told me this directly. Some of it is speculative given the information I have about students who were admitted before me and offered aid combined with the answers given to me by the financial aid office. I was happy with their communication and the information they gave me, but I didn't feel comfortable asking them outright and I doubt they would have told me anyways. Also, as cocky as I am, just because I didn't make the cut doesn't mean others won't. Maybe they are looking for something I didn't have. It also looks like certain specialties (mostly clinical or various certificates) are eligible for stipends and such that I didn't qualify for because I intend to concentrate in macro.

Where else (if anywhere) did you apply? Are you still waiting to hear back?

Edited March 20, 2012 by Wishing

[SofieCat]

That is discouraging I don't think i'll be able to attend without a scholarship. Do you think your FAFSA/financial situation has a factor in all of this? This is my only shred of hope now because I'm independent (zero family contribution) AND I was in the peace corps the last two years so my income is zero.

I've only applied to BU. And i'm still waiting to hear from them. They have a fantastic program for what I'm interested in (macro and international/global focus) and frankly, I missed the deadlines for most of the top programs in the US since I couldn't start applying until January. So, if this doesn't work out I'll have to apply for fall 2013...if I even do that....

Edited March 20, 2012 by SofieCat

[Wishing]

Aww, I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't think my FAFSA was a factor... I am in a similar situation to you in that I am very low-income and I qualify for the max amount for Stafford loans. Columbia gave me the max amount of aid they offer and that was income based. I told BU basically the same thing you are saying: I really want to attend and it's my first choice, but I can't really afford it without scholarships. They basically told me I was out of luck and that the scholarships are based on merit and not need. I have to suck it up or not go, which isn't an option for me right now. I am underemployed and I really need to just get my master's and be done with it, even if I have to borrow to do that.

If you don't mind my asking, what other programs would you have applied for if you'd had the time? I ask only because I know BU and Columbia both have good programs for the international focus but I'm not familiar with the other programs that are strong in that concentration. Having seen the what the BU and Columbia financials looks like side by side BU is still cheaper even with max aid from Columbia, so that is something to keep in mind. Other than that, perhaps next year would be your year! I know it's really discouraging to hear. I almost cried when I saw I didn't have any scholarships because to be honest I thought I was a perfect fit for a lot of the ones described on BU's website and they made it sound like so many people got them. :/ Blah. The whole graduate school thing is so bad for the ego. I hope you get good news from BU and get to go next year!

[SofieCat]

wishing: thanks for the encouragement and pep talk

If i had ample time this year (or if i decide i still want to go to fall 2013) i would have applied for UCLA, and some Cal States (I'm a CA resident); Boston College since I just missed their deadline because I was too busy applying for BU; and WashU--both schools also have a good int'l/global concentration.

Cost is a huge factor for me. I have the background to get into a good program, but i just can't swallow the price tags some of these schools (USC, Columbia, etc) have. I hear what you're saying about needing to just suck it up and go so you can finish sooner....I am a bit frustrated myself with the waiting game and feel the same way. But logically, if I can save at least 25k by waiting 1 year.... it might be worth it to me. After living abroad (on pretty much nothing) for a few years I've become very debt averse and frugal. I'm really frightened by how much debt people are in from student loans.....

[Wishing]

No problem! I've needed it plenty along the way.

I definitely hear you on the CA schools... I am actually in CA right now and I am really wishing I liked the programs at the Cal State schools! Alas, they are pretty weak on the macro, at least in terms of the things I am looking for in a program. UCLA and Berkeley seem a little better on that front, although it looks like they really push doing the dual public policy/msw degree, which doesn't make sense to me financially. I didn't think BC really had a macro focus, but I may be wrong. I am gay and interested in working with LGBT youth, so Jesuit isn't really what I was looking for. UChicago is a REALLY good option - they have a great macro program and from what other posters on the board have reported, it seems like great financial aid/scholarships.

I also totally relate to what you are saying about the prices, although my perspective is almost the complete opposite - I figure if my partner and I can make it living on what we do now we'll pay back the loans no problem once we're employed, even at the "worst case scenario" salaries. We're pretty mobile and willing to move for emoloyment, so I'm pretty confident. Or stupid... either way. Seriously good luck to you. Who knows, maybe I am 100% wrong and you will get a bunch of aid and I have no idea what I am talking about! That would be cool, right?

[SofieCat]

That's a good point you bring up regarding paying back the loans quickly... do you mind me asking what specific types of organizations you plan on working in upon graduation? It seems based on my research (and i please correct me if i'm wrong), 40k seems like a respectable salary for new grads. I used to make a bit more than that, and I was only able to save 12k per year max while living in CA (and eating beans for dinner). That doesn't seem like a dent if I owe nearly 70k for MSW loans. I'm curious about your 5 year plan after graduation...

No you're right BC doesn't have a big macro focus. It is however a great program if you're interested in int'l relief work or work abroad. So is University of Washington. From what I've read, the good macro schools are few and far between. My main focus is actually int'l work, and the macro focus fell into that because most of that work will be in admin for relief organizations.

Sorry, everyone, to have hijacked my own thread and going off topic. Wishing... If you don't mind I'm going to PM you so people don't get bored by our convo

Edited March 20, 2012 by SofieCat

[Wishing]

Haha, yes I can respond further in PMs if you'd like. If anyone else is curious just let me know and I can post it here as well. I know I learned a lot reading through the tangents of various threads and hearing what people had to say.

[roxyshoe]

Hey all, I was accepted to B.U some time late February/early March. I applied on the deadline in January.

Stats are:

3.76 gpa from UMich, double major in psych and creative writing/lit, minor in German. Really good rec's. Lots of research and teaching experience, very little human services/volunteer.

I was offered a 9,000 scholarship/year and the rest of the tuition covered in loans. This came with my acceptance in the mail. I love B.U SO MUCH, but I won't be attending.

[SofieCat]

What are the merit scholarship amounts? I've only heard of 9,000...

[spmoran]

Hi all-

I was admitted to BU early March after submitting my application in mid February. I was surprised to hear back from them so quickly. I hear what everyone is saying about the lack of financial aid BU is handing out-I only received the max for Stafford loans and will need to take out grad plus loans for the rest. I was surprised at this for many the same reasons others here say-the way the website reads I thought I would for sure get assistance in scholarship form. I recently emailed BU's financial aid office to ask about the "request for alternate computation form" that is part of thier application under the financial aid section. I was concerned because I had not filled this out and after doing my taxes from 2011 realized it was unlikely Id be making the same income while enrolled in classes, which was only about $20,000 since I was only employed for half of 2011. I was told I could fill out the form and send it back to them but now I am curious if this will even help. Im also a little confused by this document because I have no idea how much I'll be making while enrolled in classes. Anyone else fill this out? Any advice?

I really want to bring up this topic to discuss private scholarships. Is anyone looking toward this avenue? Any resources? Databases?

Good luck everyone!!

[Wishing]

Hi Spmoran,

Congrats on your acceptance! It sounds like we're in the same boat re: financial aid. I did fill out the "alternate computation" form in my original application. I am moving cross-country to attend BU and do not intend to have a job my first year in the program. I'll look for something part-time, but no guarantees so I didn't record anything. I just explained the situation, that I was moving, that I don't anticipate any income during my time as a student, etc. To be honest it didn't seem to help that much with the financial aid office. I am underemployed right now and qualified for the max financial aid from Columbia (need based.) But BU finaid office basically told me they don't care about the need aspect (in nicer words, but that was the jist) and they only do merit-based scholarships.

Are you definitely attending BU next year? If so, very exciting! We'll be in the same class.

[Lisbeth]

Haha, yes I can respond further in PMs if you'd like. If anyone else is curious just let me know and I can post it here as well. I know I learned a lot reading through the tangents of various threads and hearing what people had to say.

Hey there, I'm not even applying to Boston University, but I would like to see the continuation of that convo. if possibly lol. It might help since it's about paying back loans and I am curious how people have thought of planning this etc. Thanks!

[Wishing]

Well, I am in a slightly different situation than most in that my wife and I are both planning to be in graduate school at the same time next year. She will be finishing up her PhD and I will be starting my MSW. We will both graduate in 2014. The loan payback for us is pretty simple - we plan to use our combined income to pay off our loans jointly. We currently live on one of our salaries and save the other, but once we've both graduated our earning potential will increase substantially (even in a worst case scenario we will easily make 2x what we make now) and instead of saving vigorously like we do now we'd put one full salary toward loan repayment. I am also planning to go into nonprofits, so I hope to be able to take advantage of some of the loan forgiveness programs there, as well as the new income-based repayment. We have been living on a pretty strict budget these last two years in a VERY high cost of living area and have managed to do pretty well, so I am confident that we have the financial/budgeting skills it will take to pay down debt effectively. We also plan to be mobile for a number of years post-graduation, so we're willing to move for jobs and delay things like buying a house. Oh, and we'll be childless probably forever but at least within the next 10 years, so that kind of off-sets the cost of education. For us it's about prioritizing the things we feel are important and we both care a lot about our educations and not so much about other things we could potentially spend money on.

Tangentially, and I know many other people disagree with this on the board, but as a macro focused student I very much believe that where you attend school will affect your career options. This may not be true for clinical, but for macro-oriented jobs, especially in nonprofits and policy, MSW grads will be competing with graduates from a bunch of other types of programs, including public policy and public/nonprofit administration. An MSW in that case is a slightly nontraditional path to the same career as grads in other fields and thus MSW grads need to have a strong background in the macro area of their choice (or a broad range of macro skills). Again, I know people on this board say repeatedly that where you go to school essentially doesn't matter, but many of the less expensive schools do not offer strong macro skills to their students. In all but a small number of schools, mostly those schools that are more expensive/bigger name (although I think this is incidental and/or due to strong public policy schools located there as well), the macro courses are at the minimum required for social work accrediting. Other schools allow a more involved and well-rounded macro education. Yeah, these schools are typically more expensive, but I would not feel confident in my career path if I didn't think I would get the preparation I needed at the school I chose. I have been working in nonprofits for a while, so I know a little bit about what organizations are looking for in new hires and to me it's worth it to pay a little bit more to get the best education I can in my area of interest. Just my 2c. I have a lot of opinions, so take it for what it's worth.

[spmoran]

Hi Spmoran,

Congrats on your acceptance! It sounds like we're in the same boat re: financial aid. I did fill out the "alternate computation" form in my original application. I am moving cross-country to attend BU and do not intend to have a job my first year in the program. I'll look for something part-time, but no guarantees so I didn't record anything. I just explained the situation, that I was moving, that I don't anticipate any income during my time as a student, etc. To be honest it didn't seem to help that much with the financial aid office. I am underemployed right now and qualified for the max financial aid from Columbia (need based.) But BU finaid office basically told me they don't care about the need aspect (in nicer words, but that was the jist) and they only do merit-based scholarships.

Are you definitely attending BU next year? If so, very exciting! We'll be in the same class.

Yes, we are in the same boat! I sent in the form the other day-figured I might as well. Im not 100% sure about BU yet. Althoough through the whole applying process it was my first choice I am still waiting to hear back from WUSTL. Im not completely impressed with WUSTL-although I did have a wonderful visit there. I at least want to wait until I hear from them before making a decision. As a macro student I know BU would be the best choice for me. Plus, Im interested in urban social work. Not to mention I've been living in St Louis for a little under a year now and its not my favorite.

Does anyone know the entering class size for BU? I cant find it anywhere on their website.

[Wishing]

I know what you mean about waiting to hear back from all your options. BU actually was not my first choice throughout this whole process, but now that I've had more contact with schools I'm really convinced it's the right choice for me. It sounds like in the Boston area their macro focus option is unparalleled in terms of opportunities for students. I am really pleased. I actually looked and couldn't find the information about the entering class size/program size on the website either. It is one of the questions I plan to ask as I continue conversing with the department in the coming weeks, so if I find out I'll post it here. If you get a chance to speak with them and ask before I do I'd be interested in hearing their response!

[MSW/MPH Hopeful]

My app was submitted 1/6, and was considered complete 3/7. They apparently couldn't find a transcript that had been sent so I requested another be sent. I received an acceptance email 3/23. Considering how I felt about the process early on, I was very impressed with how quickly decisions were made. But, they did not offer any funding, and I saw someone above say that they are out at this point. This is fine for me because I actually wanted to go to U of Utah -- who by the way has had my application since the date they request submission - 10/1 - for a hard deadline of 11/1, and I STILL have not heard. But, this thread is about BU and I figured I'd offer my experiences. It is a great school, though, and I love the program. We just want to live in Utah.

[Wishing]

I thought I should post an update since I spoke with one of the BUSSW deans yesterday about the program. I didn't take super detailed notes, so bear with me.

The school overall has about 425 students, but that is including the part-time students/students at other campuses, so the Charles River program is much smaller than that. He said class sizes are small: for foundation courses about 25 students, methods classes around 20, and advanced classes in the 2nd year are between 10-20, usually on the smaller end. He was SUPER nice on the phone, also. I have some phone conversations set up with current students over the next few days, so if I learn anything that might be of interest to others I will post it.

Hope that helps someone!

[SofieCat]

that is helpful, thank you.

Going back to what someone mentioned earlier, I think at this point if I get accepted with no aid I am out. It's just not worth it financially for me. it's really too bad, because it's a fantastic program, and i definitely have a lot to offer them and vs. versa.

I emailed financial aid and they did confirm that there are no more merit scholarships at this point. people are, however, being put on wait lists for them. they also confirmed that the merit scholarships are given on a first-come first-serve basis.

Edited March 28, 2012 by SofieCat

[KateC]

Just got accepted at BU and that's where I'm going. So excited to be joining you all there! Congrats to everyone!

[Wishing]

Just got accepted at BU and that's where I'm going. So excited to be joining you all there! Congrats to everyone!

See you there!!