waitlisted by BU today :(

[icelestial]

Just got an email saying that they can't make a decision right now, anyone else got that? So sad right now  , how much chance do i have left to get in

Edited February 10, 2014 by icelestial

[aglings]

Wondering the same thing. I don't think it's the same thing as "wait list." I believe it's more that our applications have been moved to the pool with the regular deadline applications and will be reviewed among those applications. I'm disappointed as well, as BU is my top choice. Also wondering my chance of admission and wondering if it's worth contacting them.

[icelestial]

Aglings, BU is also my top choice and I'm disappointed as well right now, however I called them today and they said they have waitlisted us and will make decisions together with the March 3rd deadline pool, and that we can expect to hear from them in the middle of april. I only applied for BU and BC, so I am keeping my hopes up for BC as well! hopefully we can all still get in!!! what other schools did you apply for? Also, do you think we have an equal chance as the march 3rd pool or we are only considered after their admission?

Edited February 10, 2014 by icelestial

[aglings]

Thanks for the update (and for calling the admissions office). This whole process is a little confusing, and I wasn't aware that BU handled decisions this way. I wish they had made that more clear.

 

I also applied to Simmons and Smith. I was accepted to Smith early admission, and have to make a decision in a couple of weeks. The timing isn't working out favorably, but in the end I'll end up where I end up. All good schools. I'm just really excited about BU's program and department. 

 

As for having an equal chance as the March 3rd pool, I have no idea. That's why this seems different from a wait list and their language is very confusing. It seems a wait list would give us a leg up, but if we're considered with the March 3rd pool as equals, it seems we're back to square 1. Oy. Best of luck to you! 

[nightwolf1129]

icelestial, if you completed your application to BC before the beginning of January, then chances are your application is currently being reviewed.  Several of us, including myself, received emails from BC notifying us about our acceptance.  Hopefully you should hear from BC within the next week or so regarding their decision.  

[icelestial]

Hi nightwolf, did you receive the acceptance letter by mail or email? Also, I applied for BC in the middle of Jan, so maybe towards the end of Feb I will hear back from them! 

Edited February 11, 2014 by icelestial

[nightwolf1129]

I received an email from BC last Thurs (2/6) telling me that I've been accepted and an official letter and response form will be mailed out soon.  I'm expecting those either this week or next.  I see you're from Danbury, did you attend West Conn?

[icelestial]

I attended UConn as a psychology major for undergrad! BU and BC are both my top schools, but comparably because BU's program is more affordable, so hopefully!  

[sweetpiepear]

Interesting! I applied to BU too but I have not heard from them at all. But I think I am happy with BC. =)

[lola9900]

 

icelestial said:  how much chance do I have left to get in

Based on a 2009 study by Kirk, Corcoran and Kil, you still have a very good chance of getting in to BU.  According to the study, BU ranked last (of the schools providing information) in terms of yield:

 

119.  Michigan State (44.3%)

120. Washington U (42.9%)

121.  U of Vermont (42.5%)

122.  U of Wisconsin - Madison (42.0%)

123.  U of Penn (41.6%)

124.  Boston College (40.5%)

125.  Simmons College (40.2%)

126.  NYU (39.4%)

127.  Fordham (36.3%)

128.  Boston U (34.3%)

 

What this means is that in 2009, of those students who were offered admission to Boston University's MSW program, only 34.3% accepted the offer.  Thus, 65.7% did not accept, and (I presume) Boston U went to the waitlist to ask those candidates if they wanted to attend its program.

 

Note:  The study is a few years old; I couldn't find anything more recent.  But I would imagine that though the exact percentages may change and the ordering of a few schools may flip, the list largely reflects today's matriculation rates (IMO).  But if someone else has more current stats, please share.

 

This information can be found at http://sweduc.wordpress.com/2009/09/13/msw-and-phd-admission-rates/

[nightwolf1129]

I'm wondering lola9900 if the low yield %s for BC & BU, for example, are due largely because of the high tuition rates and varying levels of scholarship/fellowship $$ awarded to accepted applicants? 

[lola9900]

 

nightwolf1 129 said:

 I'm wondering if the low yield %s for BC & BU are due largely because of the high tuition rates and varying levels of scholarship/fellowship $$ awarded to accepted applicants

From what I can see regarding the most competitive programs (which is also found in that study), I think that may be true.  For example, Portland State U  & Rhode Island College are two of the top 10 most competitive schools (as far as admission rates), with San Francisco State U as the most competitive.  I'm not sure of the cost of SFSU, but RIC is the least expensive school I found (in state or out), and PSU is not terribly expensive either (though I have heard the cost of living in Portland is high). 

 

The authors of the study also posit that the low yields may be due, in part, to location.  For instance, many students apply to both BC and BU; so if they choose one over the other, this leaves the "un"selected school with a lower yield.  Looking at the list, there are 3 Boston schools -- all vying for the top students.  And this doesn't include Smith, which is less than 2 hours outside of Boston. The same can be said for NY schools.  Both NYU and Fordham are on the list, likely because they compete with each other.  But note that Hunter (also in NY) is at the top of the yield list...perhaps for reasons that you stated: it is the least expensive NYC MSW option.  I believe Hunter is also at the top of the list for the most selective programs (according to the study). So students who are accepted there, tend to go there. 

[nightwolf1129]

I know that was how I based my decision on where to go for my Undergrad since there were several really good private schools in my area and only one state school.  Fortunately the state school I attended had a relatively low class size in the Psychology department so I was able to forge great relationships with the faculty while not having to pay an exorbitant amount of $$.  If someone could go to a selective school, like Hunter, and not have to dig a Grand Canyon's size trench of student loan debt, then to me that's a no-brainer.  And I agree with your inference about the aspect of location since I live in Boston and hear about people applying to just BU, BC, and Simmons.  Obviously they can't attend all three

 

I'm curious though how the notoriety of top ranked private MSW programs plays into decisions when there are much cheaper public alternatives that may be decent?  And furthermore, is where someone graduated from as important anymore in the job market today?  Reason I ask is I've had this conversation with people who've argued either way when it comes to Person A coming from a small public college vs Person B from a big name private school (e.g., Harvard, WashU, Boston College) when deciding who gets hired for the position.  It's unfortunate that many aspiring graduate students are willing to incur tens of thousands of dollars of student loan debt all for a prestigious college/university to put on their resume, when at the end of the day they may be earning the same salary as someone who attended a public university.

[lola9900]

I hear you nightwolf1129!  From the posts on this board, and due to the relatively low pay in social work, seriously considering the cost of a program is absolutely necessary.  The only caveat I might add is that you should go to school where you intend to live after you graduate.  But I imagine your military ties combined with an MSW (from any school) would open a lot of doors (anywhere) for you, especially in the area you interested in working.  An MSW is not like a JD -- in that case, I think I would only go to law school if I got into Yale, Harvard, WashU or Michigan....the legal market is too tight otherwise.

 

Congrats on your acceptance!  And thank you for your service

[sweetpiepear]

Boston University called me today and told me that I was accepted to the program. They said that an official letter and email will also be sent to me. Good luck everyone!

[HopefulMSW]

Boston University called me today and told me that I was accepted to the program. They said that an official letter and email will also be sent to me. Good luck everyone!

CONGRATS!!!

[JMM1020]

Hey everyone! I applied to BU for the fall, my application became complete on Jan. 10th, for those of you that have been accepted when did you apply? Wondering how much longer I will have to wait and/or if I won't hear from them until March 3rd (their email said this would be the latest I'd hear back). Thanks!

[pmelwani]

Congrats sweetpiepear! Now you have to decide between BC and BU!!

[icelestial]

Hey everyone! I applied to BU for the fall, my application became complete on Jan. 10th, for those of you that have been accepted when did you apply? Wondering how much longer I will have to wait and/or if I won't hear from them until March 3rd (their email said this would be the latest I'd hear back). Thanks!

JMM, i was wait listed on 2/11, and I submitted my application on 1/15 for BU!

[JMM1020]

Hmmm I'm kind of nervous I haven't heard anything. I can't figure out if it's good or bad?? Thank your for the info.

[icelestial]

Hmmm I'm kind of nervous I haven't heard anything. I can't figure out if it's good or bad?? Thank your for the info.

no news means its good news!!! whats your stats if you dont mind me asking!

[JMM1020]

no news means its good news!!! whats your stats if you dont mind me asking!

BA in Psychology

Cum GPA: 3:51 last two years: 3.83 Major: 3.97

Various research internships, volunteer experience at a local hospital and I've been a Research Assistant for about a year and 9 months working with children and adults with chronic mental health conditions.

[pmelwani]

I just got a call from BU to let me know that I was admitted into the program. My application was complete on 1/17 so it took them exactly a month to let me know. They said they will email me more information shortly. Those of you still waiting to hear, it seems they are doing their round of calls this week so you should hear something soon!

[JMM1020]

Thanks for the update pmelwani! Hopefully I will hear from them soon!

[JMM1020]

I just got a call from BU to let me know that I was admitted into the program. My application was complete on 1/17 so it took them exactly a month to let me know. They said they will email me more information shortly. Those of you still waiting to hear, it seems they are doing their round of calls this week so you should hear something soon!

P.S. CONGRATS!!!!