Worried About Getting Into a Master of Social Work Program in Tennessee

[Rachel Lynne Jones]

I am in my last semester of my BA in Psychology and I am considering applying to a MSW program in Tennessee. The problem is, I have a low GPA (low 2.0 overall, high 2.0 Psychology) and I am worried about my chances. The last three semesters I have been taking my general education requirements and courses for my minor (Art History), so my overall GPA has been affected by them (my Psychology requirements were achieved prior). Basically, I graduated from high school with a 3.89 GPA, a community college with a 3.75 GPA, and then screwed up when I went through my BA degree because of conflict about what I wanted to do with my life, stress, depression, etc and I didn't care. Now, I realize that I want to go to go into a MSW program and realize that I made a huge mistake in my undergrad and need to come up with a way to rectify it.

I plan on attempting to boost my low GPA by taking a year off after I graduate to get a year of experience in the mental health facilities around my area and study my butt off to get a great GRE score. I know that I have the potential, I just really messed up with my GPA. Will my activities during my year off and my high GPA scores prior to my BA program have an affect so that I will have a chance into getting into a MSW program? Thank you.

[mswhopeful2012]

It definitely sounds like you have the potential! Is there a school nearby you are interested in? Perhaps you could ask a MSW professor to mentor you or meet with and discuss best next steps with! Good luck!!

[Wishing]

If you are really dedicated to doing this I have no doubt it can be done. I would start by looking at the programs you are interested in. Do they consider mostly the last 60 credit hours of college work you've done? Or is it more wholistic? The programs I applied to mostly considered the last 60 hours of credits, which benefitted me as a student who has an upward trend in grades over my college career. You could apply to programs that consider the entire GPA more heavily OR try to take some additional courses at a community college or even at the graduate level (in social work, even!) as a non-matriculating student. If I were you I would do everything possible to seek out classes that would complete my education and make me look well-rounded while trying to demonstrate your ability to perform well academically. Did you take stats and research methods as an undergrad? If not, take those classes to help you out and do the absolute best you can in them. If you already have, try to see if you can get yourself into some upper-division courses in Psych or Social Work that you haven't yet taken and kick butt. If you do really well you can also use these instructors as potential recommenders. Bonus points if you can get yourself in to some graduate level social work classes and get those professors on your side.

Otherwise, check to see what the minimum GPA requirements are for the program you are interested in. Some schools have a firm GPA cut-off and students under (usually) 3.0 culumative GPA need to appeal the department for consideration. Others allow you to substitute a really good GRE score for a lower GPA.

And definitely go ahead with seeking out experience relevant to the area you are interested in working in. If you can get a job in this area post-graduation that would be great, but also try to log volunteer hours in a related field in addition to that. Show your dedication and be ready in your application essays to demonstrate your skills and how you have grown over time academically and professionally to possess the skills you need as a social worker and also as a student at the graduate level.

Good luck!