Finish Undergrad May 2014... MSW Fall 2014?

[SFGiantsFan]

First off, I just wanted to say hello.  I just found these forums this afternoon while looking up MSW information and found that this board is by far the most helpful and comprehensive place to find all-things-MSW.  I love it!

 

Ok, so here's what I'm curious to know... I'm just starting my senior year of undergrad through Washington State University Online.  I'll finish in May 2014 with my BA in Human Development (minor in sociology).  I'm hoping to pursue an Online MSW Program in the Fall of 2014, but I'm curious how that works... If I finish my undergrad in May, how do schools accept me for a Fall program?  Did anyone else run into this issue?  How did Universities handle it for you?  I have heard that BU doesn't accept you on condition of graduation.  Is that true?

 

I just started my search for the perfect Online MSW Program.  I've got it down to BU, Humboldt, Indiana, Louisville, Tennessee, VCU, and Edinboro (although, those are really just based on price and length of program... I need to do more researching).  I liked USC, but it was too expensive.  I live in the Seattle area, but I need an online program, as it works better for my schedule, and I live too far from either of the UW campuses (Seattle or Tacoma).  I'm taking the GRE for the first time this coming week (hopefully the only time).  My GPA is a bit above a 3.0 so I'm working on improving that in my final year. 

 

As far as work experience, I'm a licensed substance abuse counselor, so I'm hoping that helps me out even just a bit (thoughts?).  In 2011, I went back to school full-time through the local community college for the "Certificate of Achievement" program that is required here in WA to be an addiction counselor (which none of those 47 units were transferable for my BA... They were all in their stand-alone program for the certificate).  I finished in December 2012 and have been working ever since.  I'm hoping even a year or so of clinical experience will help.  Anyone know the standard is?

 

Sorry for all the questions... I got really excited that I found this board, and I'm super new to the MSW world. Thanks in advance for your response!

[agentofchange]

Hello!

We're so happy that you found the forum. It's been a fantastic resource for me during the MSW application process, etc.

In regard to your question about applying for MSW programs while you're finishing up your undergraduate degree - most people apply during their senior year. I applied for MSW programs beginning October of my senior year (October of 2012). I was unconditionally accepted to all of the programs I applied for. They do, however, require that you submit a final transcript following graduation that documents you have earned a bachelor's degree.

I recommend applying for programs before December. I have heard horror stories about people submitting them at the last minute and not being accepted and/or being wait listed. Like I mentioned before, I applied in October of my senior year and received acceptance letters in early February of this year.

I hope this helps. Good luck!!!

[nhl]

I also applied a month or two into my senior year as soon as application periods opened up. I don't know about BU's program but the best bet to find out would probably be to call them. I found that calling the admissions offices for all the programs I applied to was really helpful throughout the whole process. Most everyone I corresponded with was patient and helpful.

 

My acceptance letters tended to come with some sort of contract; most of them relating to committing to the program, promising to send in a deposit and attend an orientation or otherwise forfeit my spot in the program, etc. And, most definitely, sending in a final transcript. But I remember it being like that for undergrad as well, sending in final grades and all. Most of the time, it's really nothing to be concerned about because your GPA would really have to take a dive or something else extreme for your initial acceptance to not work out.

 

I also cannot second enough what agentofchange said about starting early! I was way in over my head senior year with an internship and classes and work. It helped a lot to start drafting up my personal statements from day one and requesting letters of recommendation really early on as well.

 

As for what the standard might be in terms of gpa, gre score and work experience... I think that's always hard to say. I had no idea what my chances really were going into the application process, and I figured, my resume is what it is. I felt both confident and worried in various aspects but I wasn't going to linger on what I couldn't change or how I may or may not measure up to other applicants. So I did what I could, which was making my personal statements solid and staying on top of things to meet the priority deadlines.

 

Best of luck to you!

[SFGiantsFan]

Thank you both! I'll definitely be looking into applying as soon as I can and I'll work on making my personal statement strong.  It's true that you never really know what your chances are until you try...

 

Thanks!!!

[doulalizzie]

How is the process going for you SFGiants fan? I will graduate from CSUCI in Camarillo with a BS in Psychology program in Spring of 2015 and I plan on applying to CSUSB for Fall 2015. I haven't found much on this program on this forum but from my research on the internet it seems to be the best program for me. I am going to apply to their distance MSW program.

[SFGiantsFan]

I applied to a bunch of the online MSW programs over the holiday break.  I wanted to make sure everything was in and done before I started back to school for my final semester this week.  Between my counseling job and my Bachelors internship, I'm super busy.  Best decision ever was to apply to all of the programs (regardless of their summer deadline) before jumping in to Spring Semester.

 

Good luck!

[doulalizzie]

Which programs did you apply to SFGiants Fan?

[nightwolf1129]

Something to also consider SFGiantsFan is if the program(s) you're applying to require and/or recommend social work working/volunteer experience.  As someone who took 2 years off before applying to graduate school, I know how important working and volunteer experience can be.  If you haven't already, I'd recommend seeing if there are any social work related volunteer/internship opportunities that you can take advantage of in your last semester to help bolster your resume & chances of acceptance.  Reason I say this is many MSW programs are extremely competitive so if you have something that can make you stand apart from the rest (beyond great GPA, personal statement, etc.), then I highly recommend seeing what you can do. 

[ImagineLennon]

I am graduating in Spring as well and have applied to four MSW programs. Wherever I attend is where I will send my final spring transcipts so they can confirm that I graduated. I am nervous because I know it could be tough for me to get in right from undergrad-- but I wanted to try this year anyway. I'm considering back up options if I don't get in anywhere. One option I am considering is to take classes as a non-matriculated student (some schools offer this, but not all) and then re-apply for admission the next year. While I am taking these classes I could also focus on getting some more experience to add to my application to make it stronger.

[SFGiantsFan]

Thank for the responses!

 

As far as gaining experience, I've been doing what I can, but I know it just takes time to accumulate the kind of experience that they look for... I've been working as an alcohol/drug addiction counselor for the past year.  I also just started interning with the DSHS in their Children's Administration department (CPS, Child Welfare, Adoption, etc.).  Working with CPS has been such a great experience so far. 

 

I ended applying to all of the online programs that I qualified for. I live in Washington, so not all online programs were available for me (some are regional only)... I applied to 11 total schools. If you're serious about grad school, why not give it your all, you know?  Writing the various Personal Statements took some time (a lot of time...) but worth it in the end.  I know the cards are stacked against me, but I never want to go through life wondering "What if?"... As in, what if I had only applied to this school... So I threw in everything I had... Will it pay off? Who knows... But definitely not for lack of effort at this point. 

 

I went to community college straight out of high school over 10 years ago and messed up my GPA pretty bad... I've done really well in my upper division/major courses over the past two years, but my overall GPA has still suffered because of my stupidity from all those years ago.  I have so far received one rejection letter, due to my low GPA (which is weird because the school stated that they focus more on your "last 60 units" which I've done really well).  No other letters have come through yet, so we shall see...

 

If I don't get in this go around, I'll keep working and apply for Fall 2015.... Maybe another year under my belt will help.

 

Good luck to the rest of you!!! 

[tiennnthai]

SFGiants, are you applying to schools in the west coast only? There are many great programs in California. However, I believe the very best MSW is at the University of Washington. I would loveeeee to go there. I had the pleasure to visit the campus this past summer and fell in love. Did you know UW and UCLA has the same architect? Pretty awesome. Don't know about that rain though but it would have definitely been an option if I haven't already built my connections here in sunny So Cal. Good luck!

[SFGiantsFan]

My search parameters were pretty specific: online only, part-time only, allows WA students. That narrowed it to the 11 I applied to. UW has an amazing program, but it's not online, nor could I fit in to my schedule time to go on campus. Only one CA school fit the bill - Humboldt State. But it's a Spring '15 start, so I haven't officially applied yet (can't until August). My husband and I plan to start a family here pretty soon, so that's why I chose online and part-time. I'll stay home with our little one a complete my Masters. Then when I go back to work, I'll be done. But thanks for the heads up!

For the record, the rain here isn't as bad as people think. I'm from CA originally and have been in WA for 5 years, and it's totally doable! The media overplays it... Kind of like seeing LA on TV (I lived down there for 6 years and LA isn't at all what it's like in TV either)...