MSW Fall 2016 CSULB, CSULA, CSUDH, CSUF, USC

[ginabina]

Most applications became available this month so I figured I would start a thread since I haven't seen one yet. What schools are you applying to? What are your stats? Do you need advice or help with anything? 

I'm currently contemplating how many schools I should apply to. I was initially only going to apply to CSULB and CSULA, but now I'm thinking I should apply to one more just in case. It would most likely be CSUDH since that is where I'm completing my bachelors degree. I'm not sure if my stats are good enough to just apply to 2 schools.  

My stats:

Overall GPA: 3.74

GPA for last 60 units: 4.0

6 Months volunteer experience with hospice patients

5 Years working as a receptionist

No GRE scores

Btw. I just looked at CSUDHs application and they require 3 reference forms AND 3 letters of recommendation. I wish it was just the form like some of the other CSUs. 

[wanderlustinginstead]

Hi ginabina!

I went to a CSULB info sesh early this month and was completely discouraged! The room was filled and there was people standing. My GPA is not great hence the feeling discouraged, BUT I will still give it a shot. I'm applying to SDSU, CSULB and was also considering CSUDH.

 

My stats are OK, my GPA isn't competitive and hope the school really looks at applicants holistically.

GPA 2.87

Over five years in the human services field including experience as domestic violence counselor, community outreach, teaching pregnancy prevention and health relationships, case managing, therapeutic behavioral counselor.

Strong letters of rec

And well rounded personal background...

So, we'll see how it goes. I was denied admission from SDSU last year so I hope my tenacity adds some points when the panel is deciding on tenacity!

 

Good luck

[sunnyskies13]

I applied to six CA MSW programs last year and was accepted into three. Currently attending CSUF. Let me know if you want any info on their program.

[Deez]

Wow I remember freaking out about applying to grad school last year and I just finished my first semester at CSUDH. My stats were:

GPA: 2.95

Work: 2 years in the mental health field

Education: BA in Psychology; Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist certification

 

I only applied to CSUDH, CSULB and Columbia online program in Los Angeles. I was accepted into CSUDH and Columbia but I wasn't able to attend due to me conceiving a baby (long story lol). But if you have any questions about CSUDH's program I'm here to answer any. Good luck ladies!

 

[Lorie]

Hi everyone, anyone applying to UCLA?  Have any idea where we might hear back?  I submitted Dec. 15 but unfortunately missed the scholarship deadline diversity statement, hoping there are other funding opportunities.  I heard back from CSULB Advanced Standing, accepted.  That brings great comfort.  Good luck everyone!

[LATriton]

Wow! That's awesome. Congrats! I applied to CSULB by the priority deadline and so now patiently waiting to hear their decision.

[Jax_Nise]

I'm currently at CSULB. I can answer questions. 

[ginabina]

I submitted my applications to CSULB and CSULA on January 7th. I really wish I had submitted them earlier, but my third letter writer took forever to get the letter back to me. I still need to apply to CSUDH but I have a few more weeks to do that. I was told I have a really good chance of getting into CSUDH since I just finished undergrad there and my GPA while attending the school was 4.0.

Jax_Nise - CSULB is my first choice followed by CSUDH. What are your favorite things about CSULB? What are some things you don't like so much? What is the general vibe of the school and student population? Within the MSW program, how are the professors? 

[ginabina]

Deez - How do you like the program at CSUDH? How are the professors? Field placements? 

[lilypad044]

On January 7, 2016 at 8:14 PM, Lorie said:

Hi everyone, anyone applying to UCLA?  Have any idea where we might hear back?  I submitted Dec. 15 but unfortunately missed the scholarship deadline diversity statement, hoping there are other funding opportunities.  I heard back from CSULB Advanced Standing, accepted.  That brings great comfort.  Good luck everyone!

Hi there. I am a current UCLA MSW student. Last year I head back around March 1st. I heard thats a little early but it should be around then.

Edited January 11, 2016 by lilypad044

[Jax_Nise]

On January 11, 2016 at 0:13 PM, ginabina said:

I submitted my applications to CSULB and CSULA on January 7th. I really wish I had submitted them earlier, but my third letter writer took forever to get the letter back to me. I still need to apply to CSUDH but I have a few more weeks to do that. I was told I have a really good chance of getting into CSUDH since I just finished undergrad there and my GPA while attending the school was 4.0.

Jax_Nise - CSULB is my first choice followed by CSUDH. What are your favorite things about CSULB? What are some things you don't like so much? What is the general vibe of the school and student population? Within the MSW program, how are the professors? 

I hope you get in at CSULB. I generally like everything about CSULB. The major pain is parking. One professor is not a very good teacher but she has 50 years of clinical experience so that makes up for her lack of adequate teaching skills. It seems like she may be on her way out as she is north of 70 years old. I got the sense that the professors are extremely helpful and willing to meet with students to ensure that students understand the content and expectations. Generally, the other students are willing to get together and form study groups. However, be prepared for other students who are not interested in study groups and who are interested in keeping to herself. It is quite hard to get a sense of the general vibe of the school because as a social work student, you tend to cluster among other social work students near the Outpost or inside the social work center, which by the way is a great place to take a nap, relax, store lunch/dinner, and study. 

I attended CSUDH as well, go Toros! 

Of course it is always better to submit your application as soon as possible but as long as you have a strong application in many of the areas (grades, personal statement, extracurriculars, work experience, and recommendations) you should be confident with your chances of getting into both schools.

Good Luck 

[ginabina]

I just submitted my last grad school application. Now that it's all done, I'm dreading the wait to hear back. Hopefully we won't be waiting long. 

[ginabina]

On 1/15/2016 at 0:03 AM, Jax_Nise said:

I hope you get in at CSULB. I generally like everything about CSULB. The major pain is parking. One professor is not a very good teacher but she has 50 years of clinical experience so that makes up for her lack of adequate teaching skills. It seems like she may be on her way out as she is north of 70 years old. I got the sense that the professors are extremely helpful and willing to meet with students to ensure that students understand the content and expectations. Generally, the other students are willing to get together and form study groups. However, be prepared for other students who are not interested in study groups and who are interested in keeping to herself. It is quite hard to get a sense of the general vibe of the school because as a social work student, you tend to cluster among other social work students near the Outpost or inside the social work center, which by the way is a great place to take a nap, relax, store lunch/dinner, and study. 

I attended CSUDH as well, go Toros! 

Of course it is always better to submit your application as soon as possible but as long as you have a strong application in many of the areas (grades, personal statement, extracurriculars, work experience, and recommendations) you should be confident with your chances of getting into both schools.

Good Luck 

How do you like your field placement? 

[MrsKozee]

On January 7, 2016 at 8:14 PM, Lorie said:

Hi everyone, anyone applying to UCLA?  Have any idea where we might hear back?  I submitted Dec. 15 but unfortunately missed the scholarship deadline diversity statement, hoping there are other funding opportunities.  I heard back from CSULB Advanced Standing, accepted.  That brings great comfort.  Good luck everyone!

I applied to UCLA and USC in December as well!! I hope we get in!

[vts619]

6 hours ago, MrsKozee said:

I applied to UCLA and USC in December as well!! I hope we get in!

@MrsKozee I also applied to USC in December. Do you think we'll hear back long after those who applied by the early admissions deadline? Did you already receive an email saying your app was complete?

Edited January 20, 2016 by vts619

[MrsKozee]

@vts619, that is a possibility..... I really hope we  get in.... It all just hit me and this is my first time freaking out... Haha.... I've been super confident up until now!! We may start hearing back in March!!

[Jax_Nise]

On January 19, 2016 at 2:01 PM, ginabina said:

How do you like your field placement? 

I entered the 3 year part time program so I have not been placed. 

[ginabina]

CSUDH sent me an email on 2/8 letting me know they had my application. I submitted most of my packet on January 12th, but they received my last LOR on 2/4. It says that they assign each application a number based on the order it was recieved. This number determines the order in which your application will be reviewed. I suspect it will be awhile before anyone gets any acceptance letters. CSUDH is notorious for waiting a long time to review applications. 

[MrsKozee]

Hey all!! Stupid question.... Has anyone heard anything from UCLA yet?

[MSWinmyfuture]

Anyone else get a random email from CSULB today that the School of Social Work received their app?

[MrsKozee]

Check your email!!! I bit my UCLA acceptance email today at 3am!!! Double Bruin for life!!! 

[redtaz]

Anybody heard anything back from CSULA or CSUF? Patiently awaiting been been having the biggest troubles with CSULA grad admissions and them receiving my transcripts! Its been over a month and a half now and they still have not processed them.

[ginabina]

8 hours ago, redtaz said:

Anybody heard anything back from CSULA or CSUF? Patiently awaiting been been having the biggest troubles with CSULA grad admissions and them receiving my transcripts! Its been over a month and a half now and they still have not processed them.

I submitted my packet to CSULA in early January and I haven't heard a word from them. No emails requesting anything, and no emails confirming that they even have my packet.

[redtaz]

1 hour ago, ginabina said:

I submitted my packet to CSULA in early January and I haven't heard a word from them. No emails requesting anything, and no emails confirming that they even have my packet.

If I may ask, when did you submit your transcripts to them and on your GET does your application show as complete? I've been dealing with admissions for a month and a half now trying to get my transcripts processed since they lost my first set of transcripts so I had to submit a new one on Februaury 5th and those still haven't been processed either. 

[ginabina]

I first submitted transcripts in October when I applied to the university. I submitted a second set of transcripts around the first week of January once my final grades were submitted. On the GET website it says my CSULA application is complete but I believe that is referring to the application to get into CSULA, not related to the MSW program. I submitted all my transcripts electronically.