CSU/ UC applicants

[bnw0404]

What was your GPA, BA degree, GRE scores, and volunteer experience?

What schools were you accepted to?

Im trying to get a general idea of what typical GPAs are

[bnw0404]

Guess I should add mine

3.2 Bus admin-marketing from UCR

relevant experience:

2 year Riverside Area Sexual Assault Advocate

1 year high school sexual assault advocate

6 months mentor to children who's parents were incarcerated

2 years (in progress) Peace Corps Volunteer, Ethiopia small business development

other:

marketing internship with State Farm

co founder of 100 Black College Women of UCR

Im nervous because my major is in business, but I do have the min qualifications

I haven't applied yet, and I will be taking the GRE in a few months

Edited May 31, 2012 by bnw0404

[MSW Bound]

Depending on where you apply, your major does not matter. MSW degree is very popular for being a second, third, fourth... career; therefore, most people do not have their degree in a social science. If I am not mistaken UCLA and CSULB only require you to have an undergraduate degree - the concentration really is not that important. Focus on your personal statement and presenting your experience appropriately. Make sure, I repeat, make sure you attend the informational's for the schools you are thinking you want to attend. I must say, that really helped me when preparing my personal statement.

Finally, do not wait until the last minute to turn in your application. If you notice, most of the individuals scurrying turned their apps in too late (too late = any time after January or close to the cutoff date for the application period). How do I know this??? I was that individual last year. I turned my app in on the last day and did not get accepted into the university. This year I did everything I mentioned above and gained acceptance before Thanksgiving.

Best of luck to you... If I were you, I would not worry about others specs because your specs are yours and there really isn't much you can do to change them. I would focus on my application, personal statement, and attending those information sessions. Start working on your personal statement now! The information desired usually does not change much... Have a proofreader (non-family member) read it over for you... You will do just fine - trust me... :-)

[briefinterviews]

Oh, I just had to reply to this--I managed a mentorship program for children of prisoners

I echo the above sentiments that experience is huge, and your personal statement is key. I did not apply to the Cal States, but the UCs really emphasized that 1-year of full-time experience in social services. As a Peace Corps volunteer (which I know one candidate in my cohort at Cal is), you've got that covered. Every program's essay requirements are different and nuanced in their own ways--do not procrastinate. I spent about 4-5 months working on my statements.

I would venture to say that the time of application is much more critical for the Cal States than the UCs, though UCLA does have a priority deadline in December to qualify for their few scholarships. That is what I gathered from the conversations taking place here last application cycle, anyhow.

For what it's worth, both admissions reps at UCLA and UC Berkeley informed applicants during my cycle that unless you were a PhD applicant, the GREs were a mere formality and not worth stressing over.

Best of luck!

Edited June 1, 2012 by briefinterviews

[bnw0404]

Thank you guys so much for your comments! I will definitely start working on my applications right now! I really appreciate the input. You guys helped to ease my mind about having a different major and GRE score!

Congrats on your acceptances to MSW programs I wish you tons of success!

[MSW Bound]

Oh, I just had to reply to this--I managed a mentorship program for children of prisoners

I echo the above sentiments that experience is huge, and your personal statement is key. I did not apply to the Cal States, but the UCs really emphasized that 1-year of full-time experience in social services. As a Peace Corps volunteer (which I know one candidate in my cohort at Cal is), you've got that covered. Every program's essay requirements are different and nuanced in their own ways--do not procrastinate. I spent about 4-5 months working on my statements.

I would venture to say that the time of application is much more critical for the Cal States than the UCs, though UCLA does have a priority deadline in December to qualify for their few scholarships. That is what I gathered from the conversations taking place here last application cycle, anyhow.

For what it's worth, both admissions reps at UCLA and UC Berkeley informed applicants during my cycle that unless you were a PhD applicant, the GREs were a mere formality and not worth stressing over.

Best of luck!

I did attend an informational at UCLA, and one of the individual's that sit on the admissions board stated that turning your application in early is key. The reason this is key is that they read the applications in the order received, and if your personal statement is not all the way tight, you are more likely to get in if your application is at the top of the stack. He said that by the time they have read the 100th personal statement, their eyes are crossed and they are less apprehensive to cut the applicant some slack. I say for your sanity and the others on the board (j/k) turn your app in ASAP.