How much experience is enough?

[Dani4]

Hello! 

This is my first time posting here. I've recently started looking into MSW programs in Canada. Most seem to indicate that you require relevant experience, and from what I can see on here many schools value experience quite a bit. I'm just wondering how much experience I require (possibly in hours). By the time I graduate (with a BA in Psychology)  I'll likely have a B+ to A- average, so I'm attempting to determine approximately how much real experience I should be looking to obtain to increase my chances of getting in. I realize this probably depends on schools, I am primarily interested in UofT and possible UBC. 

Thanks!

[b39]

Hi there! 

 

It is very difficult to know "what's enough" in terms of experience for schools which do not give a minimum of hours. If you ask anyone from the program in 99% of cases they will tell you it depends on the total package (well, that's been my experience with UofT in the past). However, last year while I was on the wait-list I started asking around and found out from one friend that someone told her that UofT looks for candidates in the ballpark of 700 hours. 

 

With that said, a lot of people get in with less than that because it is truly dependent on the applicant pool, what kind of volunteer experience you had (i.e., research is highly valued there) not to mention grades and well you can see how the total package makes it really hard to put a certain set of hours. My only advice is make sure your references are people you trust to give you the best possible reference and someone from a volunteer position you have been at.

 

One of my downfalls last year was that I ended up not getting a reference from my only volunteer position and so I had to put 2 academics and 1 work. I talked to a professor at UofT later who hinted that it might have held me back as there was no external confirmation of what I had stated in my application (i.e., they want someone to validate what you have said in your application). 

 

Anyways I hope that helps, best of luck!

[binichka]

This is something I'm curious about for myself, or at least the kind of volunteer work I have (not so sure how applicable it is to social work). Most of my volunteer experience is in education.  I was most recently a literacy advisor/teacher in the Peace Corps (I didn't finish the two years, however-- I stayed for one year and left for personal reasons).  I have also been a volunteer ESL tutor and a Big Sister with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.  Do you think that my experience is irrelevant, or I may be penalized for not having finished a full two years of the Peace Corps?  (I left on good terms)

 

I have been thinking about applying for Title IV, so I can see where my experience having worked with children will help me.  Is it enough though?  

 

Then again, I was also thinking of applying to the forensic social work program at CSULA.  I worked for a sheriff's office here in CA for almost four years.  Could that possibly help me?

 

I've been out of school since 2007, so I want my experience since then to be my selling point.  

Edited October 1, 2014 by binichka

[binichka]

...And I just realized you're discussing schools in Canada exclusively.  Oops, my apologies 

Edited October 1, 2014 by binichka