Admissions chances

[UMichHopeful93]

Hi, everyone! I'm new these boards, and I'm looking for a bit of insight.

I'm applying to the MSW program for social policy and/ or community organization work. Here is a bit about my background:

- Graduated this past May with a bachelors degree in public relations from the honors college at a state school, GPA 3.5
- Graduated two years ago from the honors program at a community college with an associates in liberal arts, GPA 3.9
- I've had 5 internships, mostly in PR, though many clients we worked with were non-profits
- I've volunteered with about 5 non-profit organizations on-and-off, and I just recently became heavily involved with a local non-profit every weekend.

Recommendation letters: Sociology professor from community college, department chair at state school, director of non-profit I am recently involved with.

I know coming from a school with a degree in PR, and most of my background being in PR, it's a little nontraditional - and that's why I'm worried. I've heard that many people make career changes to go into social work and that this is usually not an issue with admissions, but I'm nervous regardless. This is the path I want to take. I'd rather put my time and effort into helping change society than benefiting a corporation (nothing against those who are in business!).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[Nico Corr]

I'd say your academic background and work history are pretty solid. I wouldn't worry too much. I actually went to graduate school open house earlier in the week for public/foreign policy school and had the same concern as far as coming from a "nontraditional" background. I was told not to worry at all about it. Two of the admissions people particularly told me about their differing backgrounds, and one told me she got a bachelors degree in music and after teaching history of opera and drama for seven years, she decided she wanted to study urban development and social policy and got into the first school of her choice! Another I talked to said she had studied media and journalism, worked at a law firm for three years then applied to and got into several choice programs. So you are not at all on the wrong path. I actually envy your pedigree. I myself came from a community college and got atrocious grades my first three semesters. I pulled it together and transferred to a respectable state school where I am holding down a 3.7 gpa and hope to graduate next fall. I have been working in the field of education for seven years but want to get a graduate degree in IR and have almost zero experience in that field. I have a lot of work to do to get there. If I were you though I wouldn't worry too much. You seem to have the drive and you certainly have the grades. You just have to do well on the GRE and you'll be set.

 

[UMichHopeful93]

Nico Corr, thanks for your feedback. I'm hoping you're correct in your assumptions/ experience. Also, luckily for most MSW programs, the GRE is not required! Best of luck to you.