Canadian Universities MSW. The waiting game 2016 admissions

[SW_Student]

Anyone get off the waitlist for UofT Advanced Standing? 

[cpun]

If anyone has been or knows anything about being wait-listed at the Lakehead HBSW, I would love to hear about your experience. I am really curious as to when wait-listed people receive news of their status changing. Please feel free to message me!!

[SamSat]

Question for those who did prerequisite courses for the Renison HBSW program... is there a way to enrol in some prerequisite courses in the summer? For instance, if I wanted to take a course between May-Aug 2016, how do I go about doing this as a non-degree student, and have I missed the boat to enrol? I have also emailed someone from the programs office, but I think she was on vacation and will be swamped with emails when she gets back, but i want to make sure I don't miss a deadline to enrol while waiting to hear back. Thanks!

[soapaddict]

8 hours ago, cpun said:

If anyone has been or knows anything about being wait-listed at the Lakehead HBSW, I would love to hear about your experience. I am really curious as to when wait-listed people receive news of their status changing. Please feel free to message me!!

i got waitlisted too for the thunderbay campus i believe they say may 13 we should know ..

[msw.ang]

20 hours ago, AmaniK said:

Hello,

Friday I got an e-mail from York informing me that I am on the waitlist for their 2 Year MSW program and the waitlist closes Aug 31, 2016. MyFile still says "No Decision Yet". When I called yesterday morning, I was told about 400 people applied and only 20 got in, so I should be very proud of my accomplishment. I don't know how many have been waitlisted, so not sure about my chances of getting off of it. My assumption is that it is unlikely.

Someone named "mswbsw" above wrote: "So just a heads up for everyone regarding York's 2 Year MSW - I just spoke to York's graduate admissions office. I was calling them to see whether if I accept my offer to the Post-Degree BSW, if they won't accept me into the MSW because they'll be able to see that I accepted the BSW, and she said it won't have any baring. Anyways, she did say that they have sent out their initial offers of admission and their waitlist offers for the 2 Year MSW program, so she told me to check my Myfile and my e-mail (I didn't tell her I have been checking multiple times a day for the past month, lol). She said they're still going through all the applications and making decisions, but to check Myfile. My Myfile still says 'No Decision Made' so I'm guessing it doesn't look too good for me. I only had 10 days to reject/accept my BSW acceptance, so hopefully it is the same for the MSW and more decisions will be coming soon".

Did you apply for the 1 Year or 2 Year MSW program?

Congrats on your U of T acceptance.

Hey!! Thank you I applied to the 2 year MSW program. Thanks for the info, I just found it weird that people have heard back but I havent heard anything. I know they only accept a tiny amount of people aha so I didn't have high hopes, really just curiosity!

[msw.ang]

8 minutes ago, soapaddict said:

i got waitlisted too for the thunderbay campus i believe they say may 13 we should know ..

 

8 hours ago, cpun said:

If anyone has been or knows anything about being wait-listed at the Lakehead HBSW, I would love to hear about your experience. I am really curious as to when wait-listed people receive news of their status changing. Please feel free to message me!!

 

I was accepted to the Lakehead HBSW in Orillia (saw online), but havent recieved the acceptance package yet so I'm not sure how long we have to reply. I'll be declining the offer, so when I get the package I'll let you know what it says That way you guys sort of know when you should see some move in the waitlist

[AmaniK]

On 2016-04-15 at 11:11 AM, mswbsw said:

So just a heads up for everyone regarding York's 2 Year MSW - I just spoke to York's graduate admissions office. I was calling them to see whether if I accept my offer to the Post-Degree BSW, if they won't accept me into the MSW because they'll be able to see that I accepted the BSW, and she said it won't have any baring. Anyways, she did say that they have sent out their initial offers of admission and their waitlist offers for the 2 Year MSW program, so she told me to check my Myfile and my e-mail (I didn't tell her I have been checking multiple times a day for the past month, lol). She said they're still going through all the applications and making decisions, but to check Myfile. My Myfile still says 'No Decision Made' so I'm guessing it doesn't look too good for me. I only had 10 days to reject/accept my BSW acceptance, so hopefully it is the same for the MSW and more decisions will be coming soon.

To clarify, were you told last Friday that ALL initial offers and their waitlist offers for the 2 year MSW program have already been done?

Thank you and best of luck.

[AmaniK]

On 2016-04-12 at 4:28 PM, Sarah Erwin said:

Haha never once in my attempts to email them have they replied.

E-mail Emma if you have not already tried.

Any updates?

[AmaniK]

On 2016-04-12 at 9:28 AM, SamSat said:

Thank you... that helps a lot  Will go fishing for the post now!

All those interested in York's MSW program please read to ensure it is a good fit for you. In short, they have no clinical aspect to their program and it is very difficult to secure a clinical position and those who want to feel they are not equipped to unless they have a clinical background and/or take additional courses outside of York's program.

Serendipitous22 on page 32 wrote:

Hi everyone. I'm currently in the MSW program at York University. I remember very well what it was like to repeatedly check my email and the various online application systems, and my mailbox... for those of you who are still waiting, hang in there! I wanted to share some information about my program that I wish I had known when I was applying, and when I was making my decision.

To be completely fair, here is a brief overview of the type of person that I think would be a good fit for the York MSW program:
- You are very interested in critical social work theories, including Marxism, critical race theory, feminism, queer theory, critical disability studies, etc. (*York does not yet have a strong Indigenous component to the program. UVic is excellent at this if that's what you're looking for. Arguably we should all be looking for this, but I digress.)
- You did a BSW that heavily focussed on clinical skills OR somehow have clinical skills already. In this instance, I actually think York would be a really good complement to your existing skills.
- You want to do macro or meso level social work practice, such as: community work, grassroots activism/organizing, research, group work, programming. York is a good choice for this as it focuses on critical social work practice, which translates well into macro/meso social work practice.
- You want to do a PhD and are very interested in theory and want to write a major research paper. U of T limits the number of students who can do a thesis, so York would be a good choice for you as every student needs to write a practice-based research paper (same as a major research paper; note that a PRP is shorter than a Master's thesis) and this is a requirement for many PhD programs.

Unfortunately for me, I don't fall into any of these categories and I have been disappointed with the program. I'm writing this in the hopes that you will have a bit more information than I did when making an admissions decision. There are a total of 20 students in my cohort/class, and we have had many extensive discussions as a group about our shared frustration and disappointment with the curriculum, faculty, and department. I would estimate that: 3-4 students have seriously considered dropping out or transferring (including me), 10-12 actively and vocally dislike/resent/are disappointed with the program, and 5-6 aren't happy or satisfied but are committed to just getting it over with. There isn't a single person in my cohort that has expressed basic satisfaction - let alone enthusiasm - for any aspect of the program, aside from the funding package (more on that later).

There were some 'rumours' that went around the forum during my application year that I can now comment on based on my own experience. York does not have established relationships with key clinical practicum agencies in the GTA. York has good relationships with a lot of agencies that would interest you if you're interested in community work, policy, research, or activism/organizing. U of T has exclusivity agreements with many clinical agencies, meaning that the agency agrees to only take on U of T students. These include many hospitals or clinical facilities such as Hincks-Dellcrest, CAMH, and the University Hospital Network. Aside from these exclusivity agreements, many clinical/counselling agencies will not accept placement applications from York students. There ARE some exceptions to this rule, but everyone at York who wants to go into clinical/counselling work then has to compete against each other (and students from other schools) to get those limited placement positions. Generally speaking it is true that U of T has a lockdown on key clinical placement sites.

If you have ANY interest in doing clinical work (counselling, working in a hospital, crisis work, trauma work, individual/family/couples/group therapy), and you are seriously considering attending another program, go there instead of York. This is the bottom line.

Secondly, even if you feel optimistic about securing one of the few clinical placements available, you should know that York does not teach any clinical or practical skills. I knew this when I was applying, but I didn't REALLY understand it. Examples of skills or clinical topics that you will not learn at York include:  developing a therapeutic alliance (this term is never used at York), building trust and rapport, phases or stages of a counselling relationship, communication skills (open-ended questions, active listening, reframing, summarizing), assessment skills, documentation skills, treatment planning, crisis intervention, counselling theories, counselling methods, ANYTHING related to mental health conditions (signs, symptoms, therapies).... you get it. There is one class on group facilitation and one class on narrative therapy (the only counselling course); both are electives.

This is because York's MSW programs draw on a wholly different knowledge base than U of T, or other clinical programs. Critical social work draws on critical social theories, like Marxism, feminism, critical race theory, queer theory, critical disability studies, etc. U of T's social work program primarily draws on psychology, the medical model, and psychotherapy as a knowledge base. This is why York's mission statement and admissions process emphasis anti-oppression and social justice, and U of T's mission statement and admissions process emphasize research, "clinical" practice, and evidence-based treatment.

To illustrate this difference, U of T offers classes on Social Work Practice in Mental Health, Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families, Advanced Social Work Practice in Mental Health, and electives related to trauma, counselling theories, cyber-counselling, child and adolescent trauma.... etc. York offers classes called Critical Perspectives in Mental Health and Critical Social Work Theories and Practice Skills. In the latter, you will learn about how and why various therapies (e.g. CBT, solution-focussed, strengths approach) are inherently problematic. You will not learn how to practice any of these therapies, OR even learn how they are done. You will also not learn how to practice any alternative treatments (in fact, you would never ever say 'treatment' at York). York focuses on critical and structural social work, so their critique of CBT, for example, would be that CBT individualizes a person's symptoms (let's say anxiety) instead of looking at the structural and contextual factors (e.g. the person who feels anxious is a racialized person living in poverty and on the brink of homelessness, so York might say that instead of medication and CBT, we should advocate for affordable housing and a guaranteed annual income). This is IMPORTANT and I have valued this, but I am not better prepared to work with someone with anxiety (meaning I still have no clue what to do). (This is why I imagine that a clinical BSW + a York MSW could be a good combination).

So, many of us are stuck and eager to wrap up the program. Some students are doing external training - which, by the way, is incredibly expensive (a one day workshop ranges from $300-$500 and a certificate course in CBT could be $2000). Don't bother thinking, "Oh I'll just take electives at U of T", because there is only a very, very, very miniscule chance that you will be allowed to do so.

One redeeming aspect of the York MSW program is its generous funding package. If finances are an issue for you, then it's worth seriously considering attending York as the funding packages are generous. In the 2-year program everyone gets a $15,000 package ($9,000 in Year 1 through a graduate assistantship (which requires 5 hours work/week) and other money, and $6000 in Year 2 through a research assistantship which doesn't require any work). If you get a York Graduate Scholarship then you get $6000 on top of this package. You will get all of this information in your acceptance letter. York also has very low tuition at roughly $1800 per semester. By comparison, the tuition at U of T is TREMENDOUSLY higher and they don't offer any funding packages. ** This is not inconsequential and despite everything else I've said, the money makes a huge difference **

/end rant

BEST OF LUCK to all of you. I know this is a stressful time -- hang in there! I hope you all end up at a school that is a good fit for you personally and professionally.

[AmaniK]

I created a forum called: York University MSW 2016 Entrance

For those who applied to York, if you have been accepted, rejected, wait-listed, still waiting, interested in applying, curious, etc. please check it out.

=)

Edited April 20, 2016 by AmaniK

[mswbsw]

4 hours ago, AmaniK said:

To clarify, were you told last Friday that ALL initial offers and their waitlist offers for the 2 year MSW program have already been done?

Thank you and best of luck.

I believe she said "We are still checking over applications and making decisions but we have sent out our initial offers of admission and waitlist offers, so check Myfile and your e-mail." So, I don't know how likely it is that they would have another round of admissions.. I mean, if they've already sent out waitlist offers, in order for another round of offers to be made, everyone on the waitlist would have to decline, right? It wouldn't hurt to give them another call, honestly, and just ask them where they are with more offers.

[SamSat]

5 hours ago, AmaniK said:

All those interested in York's MSW program please read to ensure it is a good fit for you. In short, they have no clinical aspect to their program and it is very difficult to secure a clinical position and those who want to feel they are not equipped to unless they have a clinical background and/or take additional courses outside of York's program.

Serendipitous22 on page 32 wrote:

Hi everyone. I'm currently in the MSW program at York University. I remember very well what it was like to repeatedly check my email and the various online application systems, and my mailbox... for those of you who are still waiting, hang in there! I wanted to share some information about my program that I wish I had known when I was applying, and when I was making my decision.

To be completely fair, here is a brief overview of the type of person that I think would be a good fit for the York MSW program:
- You are very interested in critical social work theories, including Marxism, critical race theory, feminism, queer theory, critical disability studies, etc. (*York does not yet have a strong Indigenous component to the program. UVic is excellent at this if that's what you're looking for. Arguably we should all be looking for this, but I digress.)
- You did a BSW that heavily focussed on clinical skills OR somehow have clinical skills already. In this instance, I actually think York would be a really good complement to your existing skills.
- You want to do macro or meso level social work practice, such as: community work, grassroots activism/organizing, research, group work, programming. York is a good choice for this as it focuses on critical social work practice, which translates well into macro/meso social work practice.
- You want to do a PhD and are very interested in theory and want to write a major research paper. U of T limits the number of students who can do a thesis, so York would be a good choice for you as every student needs to write a practice-based research paper (same as a major research paper; note that a PRP is shorter than a Master's thesis) and this is a requirement for many PhD programs.

Unfortunately for me, I don't fall into any of these categories and I have been disappointed with the program. I'm writing this in the hopes that you will have a bit more information than I did when making an admissions decision. There are a total of 20 students in my cohort/class, and we have had many extensive discussions as a group about our shared frustration and disappointment with the curriculum, faculty, and department. I would estimate that: 3-4 students have seriously considered dropping out or transferring (including me), 10-12 actively and vocally dislike/resent/are disappointed with the program, and 5-6 aren't happy or satisfied but are committed to just getting it over with. There isn't a single person in my cohort that has expressed basic satisfaction - let alone enthusiasm - for any aspect of the program, aside from the funding package (more on that later).

There were some 'rumours' that went around the forum during my application year that I can now comment on based on my own experience. York does not have established relationships with key clinical practicum agencies in the GTA. York has good relationships with a lot of agencies that would interest you if you're interested in community work, policy, research, or activism/organizing. U of T has exclusivity agreements with many clinical agencies, meaning that the agency agrees to only take on U of T students. These include many hospitals or clinical facilities such as Hincks-Dellcrest, CAMH, and the University Hospital Network. Aside from these exclusivity agreements, many clinical/counselling agencies will not accept placement applications from York students. There ARE some exceptions to this rule, but everyone at York who wants to go into clinical/counselling work then has to compete against each other (and students from other schools) to get those limited placement positions. Generally speaking it is true that U of T has a lockdown on key clinical placement sites.

If you have ANY interest in doing clinical work (counselling, working in a hospital, crisis work, trauma work, individual/family/couples/group therapy), and you are seriously considering attending another program, go there instead of York. This is the bottom line.

Secondly, even if you feel optimistic about securing one of the few clinical placements available, you should know that York does not teach any clinical or practical skills. I knew this when I was applying, but I didn't REALLY understand it. Examples of skills or clinical topics that you will not learn at York include:  developing a therapeutic alliance (this term is never used at York), building trust and rapport, phases or stages of a counselling relationship, communication skills (open-ended questions, active listening, reframing, summarizing), assessment skills, documentation skills, treatment planning, crisis intervention, counselling theories, counselling methods, ANYTHING related to mental health conditions (signs, symptoms, therapies).... you get it. There is one class on group facilitation and one class on narrative therapy (the only counselling course); both are electives.

This is because York's MSW programs draw on a wholly different knowledge base than U of T, or other clinical programs. Critical social work draws on critical social theories, like Marxism, feminism, critical race theory, queer theory, critical disability studies, etc. U of T's social work program primarily draws on psychology, the medical model, and psychotherapy as a knowledge base. This is why York's mission statement and admissions process emphasis anti-oppression and social justice, and U of T's mission statement and admissions process emphasize research, "clinical" practice, and evidence-based treatment.

To illustrate this difference, U of T offers classes on Social Work Practice in Mental Health, Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families, Advanced Social Work Practice in Mental Health, and electives related to trauma, counselling theories, cyber-counselling, child and adolescent trauma.... etc. York offers classes called Critical Perspectives in Mental Health and Critical Social Work Theories and Practice Skills. In the latter, you will learn about how and why various therapies (e.g. CBT, solution-focussed, strengths approach) are inherently problematic. You will not learn how to practice any of these therapies, OR even learn how they are done. You will also not learn how to practice any alternative treatments (in fact, you would never ever say 'treatment' at York). York focuses on critical and structural social work, so their critique of CBT, for example, would be that CBT individualizes a person's symptoms (let's say anxiety) instead of looking at the structural and contextual factors (e.g. the person who feels anxious is a racialized person living in poverty and on the brink of homelessness, so York might say that instead of medication and CBT, we should advocate for affordable housing and a guaranteed annual income). This is IMPORTANT and I have valued this, but I am not better prepared to work with someone with anxiety (meaning I still have no clue what to do). (This is why I imagine that a clinical BSW + a York MSW could be a good combination).

So, many of us are stuck and eager to wrap up the program. Some students are doing external training - which, by the way, is incredibly expensive (a one day workshop ranges from $300-$500 and a certificate course in CBT could be $2000). Don't bother thinking, "Oh I'll just take electives at U of T", because there is only a very, very, very miniscule chance that you will be allowed to do so.

One redeeming aspect of the York MSW program is its generous funding package. If finances are an issue for you, then it's worth seriously considering attending York as the funding packages are generous. In the 2-year program everyone gets a $15,000 package ($9,000 in Year 1 through a graduate assistantship (which requires 5 hours work/week) and other money, and $6000 in Year 2 through a research assistantship which doesn't require any work). If you get a York Graduate Scholarship then you get $6000 on top of this package. You will get all of this information in your acceptance letter. York also has very low tuition at roughly $1800 per semester. By comparison, the tuition at U of T is TREMENDOUSLY higher and they don't offer any funding packages. ** This is not inconsequential and despite everything else I've said, the money makes a huge difference **

/end rant

BEST OF LUCK to all of you. I know this is a stressful time -- hang in there! I hope you all end up at a school that is a good fit for you personally and professionally.

Than you!!  

[radiance1313]

Hey everyone, i know that many people on this dicussion board, this i there second or third time applying to MSW programs (and congrats too all of you that got in)

I was hoping to seek some support from all of you, and get some advice.

This was my first year applying to a 2 Year MSW program (i currently am completing my undergrad in the field of child and youth care) . I applied to york, where i got rejected  and U Of T where I got waitlisted.

ideally, like many of you it was my dream to obtain my MSW! long story short the reason I want to obtain my MSW is so that I can Work not only with Children but also within the Field of Geriatrics.

 

Any advice on other programs I should apply to next year, advice on how i should enhance my application?  (as I know many of you this is your second time applying and have more experience, with applications and knowledge of what the process has looked like)

 

I greatly appreciate you help!!!

 

Wishing you all the best in your future!

[BernadetteKay]

Anyone on UofT waitlist hear back about openings yet?

[phd2msw]

1 hour ago, BernadetteKay said:

Anyone on UofT waitlist hear back about openings yet?

Was wondering the same thing. I haven't heard anything so far. On the Results Page, it looks like people in previous years started hearing back towards the end of May.

[emilym123]

4 hours ago, radiance1313 said:

Hey everyone, i know that many people on this dicussion board, this i there second or third time applying to MSW programs (and congrats too all of you that got in)

I was hoping to seek some support from all of you, and get some advice.

This was my first year applying to a 2 Year MSW program (i currently am completing my undergrad in the field of child and youth care) . I applied to york, where i got rejected  and U Of T where I got waitlisted.

ideally, like many of you it was my dream to obtain my MSW! long story short the reason I want to obtain my MSW is so that I can Work not only with Children but also within the Field of Geriatrics.

 

Any advice on other programs I should apply to next year, advice on how i should enhance my application?  (as I know many of you this is your second time applying and have more experience, with applications and knowledge of what the process has looked like)

 

I greatly appreciate you help!!!

 

Wishing you all the best in your future!

Hello,

This was my second year applying, last year I was rejected from all the schools I applied to and this year I have been waitlisted at UofT.

Other than MSWs and post degree BSWs I applied to Ryerson and UBC for their Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and was accepted to both schools. I would definitely recommend applying to this program next year since you would like to work with children, unfortunately there would be no work with geriatrics with this degree.

All the best!

[Sarah Erwin]

Just got an offer of admission from Laurier (was on the waitlist). So happy and excited!, it was my first choice! Best of luck to everyone still waiting!

[MSW/MEd]

1 hour ago, Sarah Erwin said:

Just got an offer of admission from Laurier (was on the waitlist). So happy and excited!, it was my first choice! Best of luck to everyone still waiting!

I was also accepted off the wait list today!

[cpun]

21 hours ago, msw.ang said:

 

 

I was accepted to the Lakehead HBSW in Orillia (saw online), but havent recieved the acceptance package yet so I'm not sure how long we have to reply. I'll be declining the offer, so when I get the package I'll let you know what it says That way you guys sort of know when you should see some move in the waitlist

Thanks! That's exactly the information I'm after lol

[Applicant#1000]

4 hours ago, MSW/MEd said:

I was also accepted off the wait list today!

 

6 hours ago, Sarah Erwin said:

Just got an offer of admission from Laurier (was on the waitlist). So happy and excited!, it was my first choice! Best of luck to everyone still waiting!

Congratulations you two!!

[AmaniK]

20 hours ago, mswbsw said:

I believe she said "We are still checking over applications and making decisions but we have sent out our initial offers of admission and waitlist offers, so check Myfile and your e-mail." So, I don't know how likely it is that they would have another round of admissions.. I mean, if they've already sent out waitlist offers, in order for another round of offers to be made, everyone on the waitlist would have to decline, right? It wouldn't hurt to give them another call, honestly, and just ask them where they are with more offers.

Thank you for your reply.

I am on the waitlist for York's 2 year MSW program. York does not give any information on how long the list is, one's rank, etc.

My hope slightly increased since I recently saw that some people were accepted off of the waitlist at their 1st choice. I hope the universe is also in my favour, but York only accepts 20 out of about 400+ applicants... *sigh*

[AmaniK]

On 2016-03-17 at 0:57 PM, YWEANG said:

Good luck everyone if you are on the waiting list of York MSW, don't panic, you still have a really good chance get into the program!!!

Does this apply to 1 year MSW (40 spots) or the 2 year MSW (20 spots) or both?

& do you know approximately how many are usually on the 2 year MSW waitlist approximately?

 

Edited April 21, 2016 by AmaniK

[Sarah Erwin]

22 hours ago, MSW/MEd said:

I was also accepted off the wait list today!

Congrats! Do you know if there's a group running already for those accepted?

Are you attending for sure? Where are you coming from?

[radiance1313]

On 2016-04-20 at 7:11 PM, emilym123 said:

Hello,

This was my second year applying, last year I was rejected from all the schools I applied to and this year I have been waitlisted at UofT.

Other than MSWs and post degree BSWs I applied to Ryerson and UBC for their Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education and was accepted to both schools. I would definitely recommend applying to this program next year since you would like to work with children, unfortunately there would be no work with geriatrics with this degree.

All the best!

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it!!!!!

[emilym123]

14 minutes ago, radiance1313 said:

Thanks for your input, I appreciate it!!!!!

No problem!!