Fall 2016 U.S. MSW - The Wait

[UMichHopeful93]

Hi all,

I thought I'd start a thread for those of us who have finished our MSW applications and are nervously waiting it out. I haven't started checking the mail for anything yet, and I think I'll hold off for a few weeks. It's super early in the game, and since a lot of programs have rolling admissions, I'm hoping that I get my letter within the next month or so (too hopeful?).

Anyways, here are my credentials: 

Graduating December 2015 with a B.A. in public relations - Honors College GPA 3.5

Graduated December 2013 with an A.A. in liberal arts - Honors Program GPA 4.0 

Experience: 100+ hours of volunteer service through various organizations, and just recently became a full-time volunteer with a non-profit organization; 6 internships with PR firms, mostly working with non-profit clients. 

Rec. letters: Sociology professor/ volunteer coordinator, director of the PR department at my university, and the director of the non-profit I volunteer for. 

Extras: I have a couple of connections I was able to use as references at my top choice schools.

Concerns: Not enough direct SW/ volunteering experience. 

Schools applied to: University of Michigan, Columbia, Washington University in St. Louis. University of Southern California and NYU.

Share your stats, your updates and your concerns here! 

Edited October 7, 2015 by UMichHopeful93
(sp)

[dreamwithguts]

Hi UMichHopeful93! 

Out of the list you have, I applied for NYU. I submitted my app 9/29 when their deadline was 10/2 but I believe they've just extended their deadline to 10/30. I know some people have already received acceptances from them already so I'm a little (actually a ton) nervous here. I haven't heard back at all. When did you submit your nyu app? 

 

My credentials:

 

BA in psychology 3.8 gpa

Two years of volunteer experience and one year as a case worker in a social service agency.

Rec letters: one from agency I volunteered with and two from professors. 

Schools applied to: NYU and hunter, both accelerated programs 

Concerns: what if they wanted the supervisor recommendation to be from my work supervisor rather than volunteer? my other concern is that maybe I didn't answer the "skills and attributes that make you suited for the profession" and "what you'd like to improve on" questions thoroughly..is that why they aren't getting back to me?! I'm going crazy lol

[lucky_stars]

Oh, yay--an MSW thread!

I applied for U Houston's online MSW program that starts fall 2016 (in mid-November), but I can't find timelines of when they start rolling out acceptance notifications. Do they wait until the deadline of March 15th or do they accept early? I'm trying for dual masters between UH and UT-SPH for epidemiology, and the nerves are just horrible.

Stats:

Graduated December 2015 w a BS in anthropology and psychology (cum laude--does that even matter?) 3.78 GPA

Two and a half years in an emergency mental crisis facility, plus another year and a half of direct patient care.

Recs: one from my work supervisor, one from an LPC I work with, and one from my anthropology department head (who supervised my independent study in human rights and social justice--also leading a project I am assisting with in locating the burial sites of reported missing migrant workers).

Concerns: no BSW background; I suck at self-promotion, so my SOP probably wasn't awesome; not enough ECs. I've worked so much between school and actual employment the past 2 years I had no time to contribute in a meaningful way to organizations. Also wondering if my focus on social justice type topics, as well as mental health, is discouraging to acceptance for clinical programs (like the online one).  

[AMcCoy]

Hi Everyone

I also am applying for MSW programs. I have applied for Advanced Standing programs at NYU and Columbia and will be possibly be applying to University of Saint Joseph where I am currently in the BSW program. I graduate with my BSW in May 2016.

USJ BSW program GPA- 3.97 with 4.0 in all Social Work Courses

Associates in Humans Services from May 2014- 3.96 Overall GPA

Experience: I have completed two Social work internships for a total of 600 hours. Junior year placement within a domestic violence agency and Senior year (currently) within a men's prison. I currently work per diem at the same domestic violence agency I interned with. I have also been working as a residential counselor for women with developmental disabilities and psychiatric conditions for the last two years. During my associates degree I also completed internships within a substance abuse program and with Habitat for Humanity outreach department.

Rec. Letters: Columbia: BSW Department Chair, Social Work Faculty Adviser and my professor who is Director of Latina Community Practice program at USJ. They all have PhD's in social work. NYU: Faculty Adviser, Same Professor and my Senior Year internship Supervisor who is a Counselor Supervisor at the prison

Concerns- My supervisor at my internship does not have a degree in social work which might affect her ability to evaluate me for graduate work in advanced standing but it was a requirement for advanced standing to have a letter from the most recent placement. I am set on going to Columbia or NYU but cost is definitely a concern. Also I attended college in 2007 for a year and did absolutely horrible. I didn't go back until 2011 and have maintained almost a 4.0 since then but still had to submit the transcript from 2007 (1.8 gpa). 

I am grateful for all of you participating in this thread and sharing your credentials. It is very helpful. Good luck to everyone.    

[BrendonSW]

Hey guys! 

I am also applying for MSW programs. I have applied to NYU, University of Michigan, Portland State University, and the University of Denver. I graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in December 2015 with my BSW and have applied for Advanced Standing to all of my programs. 

Undergraduate GPA was a 3.6; SW was a 3.95. 

Experience: I completed a 1 year internship with an LGBTQ advocacy organization known as Tennessee Equality Project (TEP). I created a TEP committee during the internship and organized monthly meetings, community events, and developed trainings for LGBTQ advocates that joined the committee. Aside from this, I have presented research at 10+ national conferences and compiled a data analysis for a local agency. I'm worried about getting into some of these schools because I'm a recent graduate and only 22. I haven't experienced a whole lot in the SW field yet. 

Rec. Letters: A PhD SW professor at MTSU that lived in NYC and advocated for social justice for 3 years, the Field Director at MTSU, Executive Director of TEP, a PhD History professor that sponsored my research for every conference I attended, and a PhD SW research professor. 

Concerns: Not enough direct SW experience. 

So far I have received an acceptance letter for the Univ. of Michigan (super excited!). I'm still waiting on the other three. I've seen some people receive their letters from NYU, so I'm getting anxious. Univ. of Denver won't send out until mid-late Feb, and PSU has made decisions and they will be e-mailed within the next 2-3 weeks. How's everything turning out for you guys? Best of luck! 

[aramirez]

Hey y'all! 

I am applying for my MSW at NYU and USC. I am really hoping to get into NYU... it's my dream school. I am kind of worried about my GPA. I submitted my app on Jan 9th but apparently they extended the deadline for Fall 2016 so I don't know if this affects the time we are suppose to hear back from NYU. 

I attend University of California, Santa Barbara: 3.12 overall & 3.33 major pga

I am a global studies major, I have been a resident assistant 2 years and currently I am a resident director. I have been an educator for one year and I have conducted research for a full year. I think I wrote a strong statement of purpose. My LORs are from two professors and a work supervisor. I received mostly A's my third year and I am I did really well last quarter. 

[BrendonSW]

@aramirez Good luck to you! Truthfully, I don't think the GPA carries a heavy weight. I think they will look mostly at your statement of purpose, experience, and what your references said. I think experience and who you are / what you want out of this experience plays a big role in their decision. I submitted my app. to NYU on the 8th but it wasn't completed until the 16th because my evaluator's form didn't submit. I'm super anxious about it because this is my top / dream school, too. Someone who submitted on the 8th heard back a few days ago. They applied for the 2 year program. Here's hoping for an answer soon! 

[BrendonSW]

@aramirez Also, did you receive your welcome from the dean in e-mail yet? I heard that once your app. is under review, you'll receive that e-mail. 

[aramirez]

@BrendonSW Thank you for your response Brendon! I am really hoping to get into NYU. Good luck to you too. and yes I received my e-mail from the dean on January 21st. 

[Opt4theBest]

18 hours ago, BrendonSW said:

@aramirez Also, did you receive your welcome from the dean in e-mail yet? I heard that once your app. is under review, you'll receive that e-mail. 

 

10 hours ago, aramirez said:

@BrendonSW Thank you for your response Brendon! I am really hoping to get into NYU. Good luck to you too. and yes I received my e-mail from the dean on January 21st. 

Guys, what does the email from the Dean look like? I submitted my application last week, but do not think I have received any correspondence from the Dean of NYU SSW. Thank you!

[aramirez]

It's just an email from Dr. Lynn Videka telling you thank you for applying to the program and she explains that the program is clinical adding onto your graduate experience. 

[Opt4theBest]

Thanks. I think I received that email before I submitted my application (even before I paid the application fee). 

[AMcCoy]

Just wanted to let the group know I heard back from NYU and was accepted :-) Advanced Standing for Fall 2016. Good Luck to everyone

[BrendonSW]

@AMcCoy congratulations! That's awesome! Super excited for you. 

Do you mind saying when you applied and if you got a financial aid package? 

 

[AMcCoy]

I applied on Jan. 8th but due to a delay in my teachers field evaluation my application was complete on the 15th. The decision letter did not include any financial aid awards but it stated a separate award letter would come. I will keep you all updated on that.

[AMcCoy]

@BrendonSW My scholarship award letter was sent to me and includes $12,000 for the academic year :-) 

[BrendonSW]

@AMcCoy Congrats! I'm excited for you! I have a feeling I'll be hearing back soon. I applied on the 8th and my professor had to resubmit the evaluation on the 16th. So nervous. 

[AMcCoy]

Good luck! Hope you hear back soon. 

[tudor3x8]

Just got my acceptance for NYU's 2 year program! Honestly didn't think I had the experience or the GPA to make this happen. Haven't received my scholarship info yet, but hopefully they will soon!