LotusInABox Posted November 18, 2014 Posted November 18, 2014 Hi all, I've recently submitted my application to the University of Michigan's School of Social Work MSW program. I'm extremely nervous because this is the only university I'm applying to and it is the only one I want to go to for my Master's degree. I would like to get some feedback on what type of student they usually accept. I am a senior at my current university and have a 3.7 GPA. I graduated with honors with my Associate degree in Science and Arts and I am part of the honors society. I have 2 years experience working in the field extensively. I sit on boards and communities within my community and have done some international social work. I have a strong focus and specific population I want to work with and I think I made that clear in my application. I believe my recommendation letters are good too. I know that U of M is extremely competitive and the next few months of waiting are going to kill me. What do you think the odds are of getting in? I would love to hear from past students who got in and what their social work experience was upon acceptance.
Stupid Guns Posted November 23, 2014 Posted November 23, 2014 (edited) Hi LotusInABox, I too am applying to Michigan for Fall 15. I can't quite answer your question as I haven't been admitted, but I can give you some info about myself as a fellow applicant. I graduated in 2011 from Eastern Michigan with a degree in history and a 3.51 GPA. Since then I've been an officer in the US Army. I don't have very much "traditional" social work experience. Most of the experience I do have, are things I've been apart of in the military that I believe translate well in to the social work discipline. For example, I was an advisor to senior Afghan government and military officials. I worked with them on a daily basis, and while advising them we had the opportunity to work on humanitarian aid missions, community security, government support to farmers, solving inter-tribal disputes, and coordinating the limited healthcare resources in the area. In the Army I've also assisted in training my unit in the District Stability Framework model of analyzing sources of instability within communities. My letters of recommendation are coming from one of my college professors, my supervisor in Afghanistan, and the individual who was my supervisor until this past may. I had the opportunity to visit the school back in September and meet with an admissions counselor. Although I was not notified to schedule an interview, the counselor recommended I schedule an admissions interview because she believes I present myself as an even better applicant in person than if someone were to just look at me on paper. So I've got that interview scheduled for December 19th, which I'm very excited and nervous about. Michigan had always been my dream school, even before I knew I wanted to do social work. The fact that it is the #1 program is just icing on top! Best of luck and hang in there! If you are anything like me this waiting is anxiety inducing! Edited November 23, 2014 by Stupid Guns
LotusInABox Posted November 29, 2014 Author Posted November 29, 2014 It sounds like you have a lot of excellent experience! I am not familiar with the interview process... Does the School of Social Work typically ask for interviews? I have not heard anything about scheduling an interview either but am wondering if I should? As long as you can relate your experiences to the core values of social work I think you will do fine!
Stupid Guns Posted November 30, 2014 Posted November 30, 2014 From what I understand usually the school will contact you for an interview if there is something in your application they want more information on or some sort of discrepancy. However, in my case the admissions counselor recommended I schedule one on my own as a way of strengthening my application. Her words went something like, "scheduling an interview can either hurt or help your application depending on who you are and what your situation is. But, in your case I think it will help you." I really have no idea what the criteria is for the school initiated interviews.
kmcgrath Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 Have you heard from the school yet? I was accepted to UM School of Social Work Advanced Standing MSW Program for Fall 2015. I graduated from MSU in 2010 with Dual Bachelors Degrees -- Social Work and Criminal Justice. You sound like you have a pretty strong application -- good luck!! Beth_87 1
Stupid Guns Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 Thanks! I have heard back and I've been accepted. Pending anything unforseen I should be in the 16 month track.
MermaidturnedMSW Posted January 8, 2015 Posted January 8, 2015 I keep checking my Wolverine, but nothing yet. I applied for the Advanced Standing program as well. Congrats to everyone who has been accepted! =]
kurkz Posted January 13, 2015 Posted January 13, 2015 I had my phone interview last week (I request this!) and I was told I would find out by this Friday! yayyy! Good luck to everyone!
Sala Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 Does anyone know how long did it should take to receive an email with the details of your acceptance? I saw on Wolverine access that was accepted about a week ago, but I'm getting antsy waiting for the email.
Nochal Posted January 14, 2015 Posted January 14, 2015 For me, I was accepted on wolverine access on the 19th and got the email on the 24th, so it wasn't too long of a wait.
MermaidturnedMSW Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Hi, I was just accepted via Wolverine Access!! No email yet
Beth_87 Posted January 15, 2015 Posted January 15, 2015 Have you heard from the school yet? I was accepted to UM School of Social Work Advanced Standing MSW Program for Fall 2015. I graduated from MSU in 2010 with Dual Bachelors Degrees -- Social Work and Criminal Justice. You sound like you have a pretty strong application -- good luck!! How do you know if you've been accepted into the Advanced Standing program? I saw that I am accepted via Wolverine Access but do I have to wait until I receive the official email to find out?
Nochal Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 How do you know if you've been accepted into the Advanced Standing program? I saw that I am accepted via Wolverine Access but do I have to wait until I receive the official email to find out? The official letter which will be attached to the email will tell you. Congratulations on acceptance!
Beth_87 Posted January 16, 2015 Posted January 16, 2015 The official letter which will be attached to the email will tell you. Congratulations on acceptance! Great, thanks! Do you know when we should hear back regarding scholarships? Congratulations to you too!
Nochal Posted January 17, 2015 Posted January 17, 2015 Great, thanks! Do you know when we should hear back regarding scholarships? Congratulations to you too! Thanks, Beth! I'm not sure about scholarships/financial aid. I heard they'll be contacting people about that in future. Personally, I haven't even done FAFSA yet since my work hasn't given me my W2's yet.
MermaidturnedMSW Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 How long did it take for everyone to get the "official" email? I saw my status on Wolverine and I got an email from Financial aid about important things for applicants but nothing else.
Nochal Posted January 25, 2015 Posted January 25, 2015 How long did it take for everyone to get the "official" email? I saw my status on Wolverine and I got an email from Financial aid about important things for applicants but nothing else. If you have set up your umich email acount, it may have been sent there. The official email was sent to both my umich email and the email I applied with.
MermaidturnedMSW Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 Hmmmm I haven't set up my umich email. I guess I'll set it up and check there? If it isn't there I'll check with them this week. Thanks!
MermaidturnedMSW Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 I decided to email admissions because I looked at the calendar and it has almost been two weeks since I was admitted. I don't want to get lost in all the paperwork!
eastsidechickMSW Posted January 26, 2015 Posted January 26, 2015 So I applied on December 15th and still haven't heard anything. When were you sent an email about Wolverine Login information? I am assuming mine still hasn't been processed if they haven't sent me instructions on how to set up an account :/
MermaidturnedMSW Posted January 27, 2015 Posted January 27, 2015 I was sent an email about accessing Wolverine maybe a few days after I applied. Call them, in the morning was when I was able to get the fastest service =]
kvargs13 Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 I was sent an email about accessing Wolverine maybe a few days after I applied. Call them, in the morning was when I was able to get the fastest service =] Hi! I had a question for you. I applied on December 18th, and got an email saying "Thanks for applying". I never got a second one about Wolverine Access. In fact, this is the first time I am hearing about it and now I'm freaking out because everybody is being accepted on it, ha! A little help please.. what is Wolverine Access and how do I look at mine? Do I have to call?
SocialWaiter Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 Hi! I had a question for you. I applied on December 18th, and got an email saying "Thanks for applying". I never got a second one about Wolverine Access. In fact, this is the first time I am hearing about it and now I'm freaking out because everybody is being accepted on it, ha! A little help please.. what is Wolverine Access and how do I look at mine? Do I have to call? Maybe this will help ---> http://bit.ly/15Rp9o0
kvargs13 Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 Maybe this will help ---> http://bit.ly/15Rp9o0 Thank you for that. I emailed the MSW link so hopefully I just missed the email. I went through them all, and the last one I received was saying that my application was submitted successfully and had been time stamped.
SocialWaiter Posted January 28, 2015 Posted January 28, 2015 Thank you for that. I emailed the MSW link so hopefully I just missed the email. I went through them all, and the last one I received was saying that my application was submitted successfully and had been time stamped. Hopefully everything works out and you get in. I'm relatively new to the social work field and MSW, but I remember seeing that UM is highly ranked and respected. I sincerely hope you and others all are accepted. Cheers.
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