Uchicago and UIC financial aid? Worth applying out of state?

[HaleyWantstobeaTherapist]

Hey everyone!

I am wondering if anyone has any info on the aid that university of Chicago and UIC gives out on average? Uchicago's program is so appealing, it seems just perfect. However, all I ever seem to read about is how absurd the price tag is. It says on their website that 95% of admitted students are offered aid, but I wonder what that entails? Is it even worth applying? I hope someone can shed some light on this for me!

On another hand, I know UIC is highly regarded, and is also known to be cheaper. However, I would be applying as an out of state student. As far as I can tell, it seems that private schools are a better but for us out of state applicants because they have more money to offer. 

I am going to be starting the application process to MSW programs in fall 2016, for fall 2017. My list of schools I'm interested in has ballooned to about 8, which I think I should be able to cut down. I want to knock one of these two off of my list, as I'm starting to think they are kind of just pipe dreams in terms of finances. 

Can any of you share your experiences with either of these schools?

[BrendonSW]

I've read from two threads that Univ. of Chicago scholarships can be generous. The two people that posted had 2/3 of their tuition covered. I would apply for anything you're eligible for. I haven't heard anything regarding UIC yet. Good luck! 

[fenetian]

I'm an out of state student waiting to hear back from UIC, but I can confirm that I received a 2/3 tuition scholarship from UChicago for Fall '16. Hopefully I'll be able to respond again soon with some information about UIC!

[HaleyWantstobeaTherapist]

20 hours ago, fenetian said:

I'm an out of state student waiting to hear back from UIC, but I can confirm that I received a 2/3 tuition scholarship from UChicago for Fall '16. Hopefully I'll be able to respond again soon with some information about UIC!

Congrats on UChicago! Do you mind if i ask what type of prior experience you had in the field before applying, and how much of it? I'm also trying to figure out just what exactly I should be trying to get on my resume in the months before I start filling out applications

[fenetian]

1 hour ago, HaleyWantstobeaTherapist said:

Congrats on UChicago! Do you mind if i ask what type of prior experience you had in the field before applying, and how much of it? I'm also trying to figure out just what exactly I should be trying to get on my resume in the months before I start filling out applications

Sure! My undergrad was in speech & hearing science and my work experience has been mostly classroom-related (teaching English in Japan and working for a Montessori school). I do have a fair amount (2-ish years) of volunteer experience with local shelters and leadership roles on campus, but I think the most relevant experience that helped me was my AmeriCorps program, Public Allies. It's a service program focused on social justice and community leadership and I think that really strengthened my application and personal statements!