Freaking Out Over Applications

[MSWinmyfuture]

Hey all,

I submitted my applications to USC, CSUF, CSULB, and CSUN not too long ago. Now, the awful waiting game has begun and I'm already tossing and turning. I'm graduating with my B.S. in Psychology this spring, with minimal social work internships and a lot of irrelevant retail work. My GPA is currently a 3.46. I am fairly confident in my SOP and my recommendations were from a professor, program director of my internship, and SW supervisor at the same internship. 

USC has been my dream school since I can remember, but how does one deal with the cost?

Please let me know if you have any idea/opinion on my chances of getting in to any of these schools. 

[ginabina]

From what I have heard, getting into CSULB is one of the more difficult. This is due to it being considered one of the better programs, and it being significantly less expensive. I have seen many people on these forums choose CSULB over USC for the very reason of the price difference. I know of quite a few people with similar stats to you who have been accepted to USC so I think you have a decent to good chance of getting in. I would say your chances to get into CSUF and CSUN are good. 

For a long time I thought that USC was going to be the school I would go to for my MSW, but after a lot of research and talking to people in the SW field, I decided it wasn't worth the cost so I didn't even apply. When it comes to SW it is a bit different from other graduate programs. It doesn't really matter all that much which school you go to and how  much prestige the school has. This is different than say going to law school. What about USC makes it your dream school? 

If you really think USC is the school for you, you have to make a plan. Determine how much total tuition, books, and materials will be and how much you will need for living expenses. If it is going to require taking out a loan, determine how much you will be paying monthly and for how long. Be sure to take into consideration where you plan to live once school is done and how much you will realistically be making as a SW. I've read that a monthly loan payment should never be more than 15% of your monthly income. If it's more than that, it can really impact the lifestyle you live once you are done with school.

Going to your dream school would be amazing, but you have to consider how it will effect things once you are out of school. I know many people who have gone to their dream school and taken on an insane amount of debt to do it. For many of them it's a decision they regret, while others think it was totally worth it and they would do it again in a heartbeat. You just need to make sure you look at everything and are ok with your choice. 

 

[MSWinmyfuture]

This is great information. Thank you so much ginabina!! 

[sunnyskies13]

Hi! I am currently attending CSUF and LOVE it. As do all my other classmates in the cohort. I think I remember receiving my acceptance around March/early April. Majority of people did have to do an interview. Our professors told us they had roughly 500 apply and we are a cohort of about 75-100 I believe. CSUF is great. Professors are awesome, have great experience and you really get to know your cohort.

Personal opinion (no one hate me): I could NEVER justify the cost of USC when you can get the same degree at a CSU school. Rumor going around is "everyone" gets in to USC. They recruit HARDCORE once they learn you are interested in their program. Alright personal opinion over.

[anony2888]

You are correct about USC. They do admit nearly everyone that applies and they are serious recruiters.

Something to keep in mind is that accredited MSW programs must all teach the same fundamentals. We also are not going to be making lawyer or doctor money once we graduate. People are paying for the USC name, not a better education necessarily.  I think charging as much as they do for an MSW (and offering very little in scholarship money) says a lot about the university (and others). 

[MSWinmyfuture]

19 hours ago, sunnyskies13 said:

Hi! I am currently attending CSUF and LOVE it. As do all my other classmates in the cohort. I think I remember receiving my acceptance around March/early April. Majority of people did have to do an interview. Our professors told us they had roughly 500 apply and we are a cohort of about 75-100 I believe. CSUF is great. Professors are awesome, have great experience and you really get to know your cohort.

Personal opinion (no one hate me): I could NEVER justify the cost of USC when you can get the same degree at a CSU school. Rumor going around is "everyone" gets in to USC. They recruit HARDCORE once they learn you are interested in their program. Alright personal opinion over.

Hi! Thanks for your honest opinion. Do you mind sharing your stats?

I am leaning towards CSUF as well. Given, it's a convenient drive for me and I've heard great things about the program. 

[sunnyskies13]

Yay yes go CSUF! of course I am biased

Stats:

Bachelor of Social Work

3.5 GPA

1 year internship at homeless nonprofit

1 year work helping individuals with severe mental illness adjust to independent living

2 years work case manager for chronically homeless who have mental illness

volunteered at homeless conventions, homeless street outreach, domestic violence shelter, political campaigns 

[MollyKate]

On 1/22/2016 at 11:07 AM, sunnyskies13 said:

Yay yes go CSUF! of course I am biased

Stats:

Bachelor of Social Work

3.5 GPA

1 year internship at homeless nonprofit

1 year work helping individuals with severe mental illness adjust to independent living

2 years work case manager for chronically homeless who have mental illness

volunteered at homeless conventions, homeless street outreach, domestic violence shelter, political campaigns 

I recently applied to CSUF! So nervous! I have a bachelor's in psychology from UCLA, a 3.7 GPA, and a strong personal statement, but only one year of work experience as a community liaison for a foster care and adoption non profit. I'm really hoping for an interview!!!