Applying directly from undergrad

[psyched_trojan2015]

Hi everyone!!! Man, I've been lurking and posting on this site for awhile now, but it's senior year for me and the time to decide to apply is coming up soon. Does anyone on here know if there are any disadvantages applying directly after undergrad? I actually graduate this December, so it will be perfect timing for most of the applications. I'm slightly nervous since most people on here have a huge list of experiences that seems to directly relate to MSW programs. For me, I do have experience...but most of it is research-based with a couple of other types.

 

I hate to make this into a chance thread, so I'll just cut to the chase: I have volunteered at the medical center of my university for a semester, mainly conducting prescreening studies and handling administrative work. I also did another semester of research but for a communication research lab on campus, performing content analysis. So, that's one full year of research. I also taught middle school students as a student instructor through an educational program at my uni, which was hard but seriously rewarding since I was placed into a very poor, run-down area. Huge culture shock for sure, but so enlightening. Then there's my current job as a administrative assistant at the language center I've had for two years. I really like the job, lots of good professional exposure to administrative setting in academia. I JUST got a part-time job at a mental health center as a part-time Residential Assistant, which I'll stick with for at least a year until I apply to programs. 

 

Grades...3.7 cumulative, 3.95 Psych major at a great school in SoCal, and I'm sure I'll do just fine on the GRE..but this whole emphasis on students with years and years of experience is making me wonder if it's worth applying for the next round. Based on the snapshot I provided, am I considered competitive for MSW programs? I'm particularly aiming for UCLA and Cal. I really want to stay in California. But I'm looking into UMichigan as well since they have a concentration for human sexuality. Also, some programs do not ask for GRE, but I'm still taking it anyway.

 

Should I wait like 2-3 years after I graduate to work and get more "experience," or should I just apply and go for it? How much experience is enough? Aren't the essays important too? My long-term goal is to become an LCSW in LA (hopefully) and specialize in human sexuality. Thanks so much everyone!!

 

 

[Stupid Guns]

I would say go for it. You sound like a highly competitive applicant wherever you apply, so unless you have some other reason for wanting to wait (like finances) you should apply right away. Now, if you go that route make sure the programs you are applying to are available to start in the Spring. I know many programs only allow new admissions in the Fall semester.

[hyronomus4]

I agree, I think you would be a strong candidate at pretty much any program you applied to. 

With that being said, I still think there are some advantages to waiting a few years.  I had the same situation and I took three years off (because I was tired of school and almost all of my BSW profs encouraged a break) and it was a great choice for me. 

1. Most MSW programs have concentrations and some experience working in the field can help you determine which one is the best fit and help you get more out of your classes.  I ended up switcing gears after getting some work experience.  

2. I got my MSW at the same time as a lot of people that went straight away after their BSW.  I'm generalizing a lot here but they were more burnt out of school at that point and many said they wished they would have waited so they had more energy and enthusiasum for their studies.  I found that giving me some time away made me appreciate it even more and I feel like I sought out additional opportunities that I would have avoided if I was feeling burnt out.

3. A LOT of your work for your MSW asks you to draw on experiences that you've had and talk about it for papers or class discussions.  A few years of work will help you have more to talk about and make your papers stronger.

4.  There are also some financial gains to working off some of your undergrad loans befor going MSW... but honestly that had nothing to do with my decision.

[firewisp11]

I think the decision comes down to individual preference/situation. I'm applying straight from undergrad mostly because I know I would lose steam if I took time off before grad school. It sounds like others have the opposite reaction where they start to get burnt out by continuing straight to grad school from undergrad. I also couldn't find many job options that were appealing to me without having an advanced degree (since my undergrad is in psych) so that was another contributing factor. You could always apply in December and defer for a year (if the program allows) which will give you time to get more experience while still having grad school as an end goal. Whatever you end up deciding, good luck!

[Chubberubber]

Sorry to be a bit of a downer on this, but from what I know CAL places A LOT of importance on field experience. They require at least a year (~2100 hours) of paid or volunteer experience in a related field. Take a look here at past admitted students' experience: http://socialwelfare.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/docs/Resume%20Template%20and%20Sample%20Work%20Experience.pdf

 

Even without it being an official requirment, I would strongly suggest you take at least a year to explore what social work is about outside of academia. It would help you realize which population or area of society you're most excited aboout serving and what being immerssed in it full time is like... It would also help you realize is you feel your future is in direct practice or more in research and policy planning and then plan your MSW trajectory accordingly. For example after 2 years of working with a certain group pf population I realized that is would be very hard for me to only do therapy or case management, so I tried to take a route that would allow me to do research in the benefit of this population as well.

 

It seems to me like the one relevant experience you had was teaching disenfranchised middle-schoolers, but if all you did was teachng (meaning no tutoring or some equivelance of "case work") then you might be at a disadvantage.  Also remember that your application will be taken in a larger context, for example- what kind of diversity you'll bring to the cohort, meaning- your experience might be enough if you have a lot of extra "added value".

 

I don't know much about UCLA, but would imagine it won't be very different there. Also, if you want to stay in CA I heard that in the MSW level, SFSU has a very good and highly competitive program...

 

Good luck with graduation!

[briefinterviews]

I would also strongly suggest taking the time to get field experience before pursuing your MSW--you will gain much more from the program in the short- and long-term if you do. UC Berkeley does place a strong emphasis on work experience; not one person in my cohort came directly from undergrad, and there were very few in the direct practice concentrations who did. 

 

For what it's worth: I did my undergrad at UCLA and worked for about three years in Los Angeles; when I decided to go back to school, I was accepted to UCLA, USC, and a smattering of out-of-state programs, including Michigan. However, the high density of MSW programs in Los Angeles turned me off (among other factors at the time), as students all end up vying for the same internship placements and I wanted more control and opportunity. Still, I ultimately wanted to work in L.A. and was a remote applicant while beginning my final semester at Cal. My offer was finalized about a month after graduation, so heads up to anyone looking at public sector jobs! I had my eye on a very specific government agency, and it was a six-month process from start to finish.

[MermaidturnedMSW]

I contemplated applying for programs right after I graduated with my BSW but I knew field work was going to be an important factor in my career. I am have worked for almost a year in the field and will be starting a program this Fall. For me, that year has given me great insight into what field of social work I want to be in as well as the population and organizations that I see myself working with.

[socialworkette]

I contemplated applying for programs right after I graduated with my BSW but I knew field work was going to be an important factor in my career. I am have worked for almost a year in the field and will be starting a program this Fall. For me, that year has given me great insight into what field of social work I want to be in as well as the population and organizations that I see myself working with.

 

This.

 

OP - personally I really recommend taking time off to get full time experience in the field. The payoffs are multifold - 1) gain experience 2) earn money 3) figure out what you do and do not like as it relates to the SW field….among other reasons. Especially if it sounds (to me) that you're looking to do more clinical type social work/become a LCSW. I think most schools want to see at the very least 1000 hours of full time work experience….although your part time RA experience is a good start. Do you feel like you have/will have a lot to write about concerning your experiences for grad school apps if you applied for the next rounds? Do you feel like you've developed good enough relationships with your supervisors from your previous volunteer/etc experiences to get good LORs that can speak to your potential in the social work field? And your academic stats are very good. Did you take any social work coursework undergrad? I ask because psych and social work, while they have similarities, are still quite different disciplines.

 

Social work is a special field in the sense that theres a lot of applicants that are coming from previous careers (some human service related, some not….) so from the get go you're competing with people that have a lot of work experience under their belt. 

 

But of course, field experience is not the only thing schools look at though. You could always consider applying to the next round of apps, and if it doesn't go the way you've planned you can always reapply. 

[Nochal]

It also depends on where you are applying. For example, Eastern Michigan University's MSW program is entirely catered towards the working adult. They look for applicants who have more field experience. They don't accept many (possibly any) applicants straight from EMU's BSW program since many of those applicants only have the required 9 month internship under their belt. 

 

Then there are schools that want a mixed bag of people throughout their program, accepting applicants straight out of undergrad along with applicants who have been working in the field for 10 years. It all depends.

 

I think working in the field can only make your application stronger. The only negative I can imagine is losing the momentum you've built studying and writing papers. 

 

Edit: Personally, I'm going straight from my BSW into an MSW program. My life circumstances are allowing an opportunity for me to focus entirely on my studies so I can quit my job while I complete my program. So, if you believe you will be in a better place to complete your MSW program in a few years, there is no harm in waiting.

Edited February 2, 2015 by Nochal

[psyched_trojan2015]

Wow, thanks so much for all your guys' help! I didn't expect so many good advices from different people. After giving this a close thought, I've decided to just take a year (or two) off after December. I've realized how exhausted I am from trying to finish strong academically. It would probably be best if I just work and form better connections with people who actually can help me later down the road. Plus, the extra year means more time to study for the GRE. I just don't want to feel rushed, as it seems that is what everyone at my class is doing. But you know what, forget it. There's no rush to all of this. I need to go at my own pace, and my priority is to finish school strong right now. Thanks so much EVERYONE!