Canadian MSW Applicants 2018

[MSWapplicant2021]

19 hours ago, karisma said:

I still haven't heard back anything! I applied to uoft for their 2-year msw 

If you don't mind me asking, what did you do your undergrad in? And what kind of experiences? I am worried I don't have enough experience!

[spers]

Hi Everyone!

Congrats to everyone who got accepted to the Advanced Standing at U of T! I applied for the 2-year MSW at U of T. I didn't receive an email about the JOINid? Does anyone know if I should have received one or who I should contact? I only have an SGS account right now..

Thank you!

[MSWapplicant2021]

8 minutes ago, spers said:

Hi Everyone!

Congrats to everyone who got accepted to the Advanced Standing at U of T! I applied for the 2-year MSW at U of T. I didn't receive an email about the JOINid? Does anyone know if I should have received one or who I should contact? I only have an SGS account right now..

Thank you!

I applied for the 2 year program at UofT as well. As for the JOINid, it is in the email we got right after we applied with instructions I believe!

[smntoronto]

13 minutes ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

If you don't mind me asking, what did you do your undergrad in? And what kind of experiences? I am worried I don't have enough experience!

I feel the same way! It's my second time applying to the 2 year program and I'm not sure I've bettered my chances of getting in whatsoever. 

[MSWapplicant2021]

3 minutes ago, smntoronto said:

I feel the same way! It's my second time applying to the 2 year program and I'm not sure I've bettered my chances of getting in whatsoever. 

This is my first time applying! What kind of experiences do you have? 

[smntoronto]

2 minutes ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

This is my first time applying! What kind of experiences do you have? 

I have about 300 hours of crisis counseling, 2000 hours of advocacy work, 100 hours in a drop in centre, a brief research assistant position during my undergrad. I did a year of work in non-profit communications, which may or may not have hurt my applications since it's not direct human service experience. My current position is a bit administrative but in an environment that's relevant to social work, so it probably won't help me. My grades are good. Basically I have a lot of hours that aren't going to be counted as "experience". I was waitlisted at U of T in 2015 but never made it off.. they waitlist a ton of people so it's no surprise! What about you!?

[MSWapplicant2021]

6 minutes ago, smntoronto said:

I have about 300 hours of crisis counseling, 2000 hours of advocacy work, 100 hours in a drop in centre, a brief research assistant position during my undergrad. I did a year of work in non-profit communications, which may or may not have hurt my applications since it's not direct human service experience. My current position is a bit administrative but in an environment that's relevant to social work, so it probably won't help me. My grades are good. Basically I have a lot of hours that aren't going to be counted as "experience". I was waitlisted at U of T in 2015 but never made it off.. they waitlist a ton of people so it's no surprise! What about you!?

Oh gosh you have done quite a bit! I just graduated from specializing in Communications. I did an international internship in community development and research in Pakistan for 2 months. I also did a full year research internship regarding social justice and wellbeing. And then I did a placement at a homeless shelter for four months. I have been doing little things but I feel like it is not enough! In terms of my grades, my GPA in my last year would be 3.7 if they counted my summer courses but since they don't count because I only took two, my GPA is around 3.3 which is okay? I think? 

[smntoronto]

4 minutes ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

Oh gosh you have done quite a bit! I just graduated from specializing in Communications. I did an international internship in community development and research in Pakistan for 2 months. I also did a full year research internship regarding social justice and wellbeing. And then I did a placement at a homeless shelter for four months. I have been doing little things but I feel like it is not enough! In terms of my grades, my GPA in my last year would be 3.7 if they counted my summer courses but since they don't count because I only took two, my GPA is around 3.3 which is okay? I think? 

You definitely sound qualified  I always forget that the personal statement and references also play a huge part in getting accepted. I don't know what kind of references I received, at least from my employer since I'd only known them for 6 months by the time they submitted a letter for me. My personal statement I just don't know about.. it was really tough even the second time around! 

[MSWapplicant2021]

9 minutes ago, smntoronto said:

You definitely sound qualified  I always forget that the personal statement and references also play a huge part in getting accepted. I don't know what kind of references I received, at least from my employer since I'd only known them for 6 months by the time they submitted a letter for me. My personal statement I just don't know about.. it was really tough even the second time around! 

Ahh that makes me feel a bit better! and yeah the personal statement took me forever, I put a loooooot of work into them!! I really think MSW programs should have interviews

[spears7]

16 minutes ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

Oh gosh you have done quite a bit! I just graduated from specializing in Communications. I did an international internship in community development and research in Pakistan for 2 months. I also did a full year research internship regarding social justice and wellbeing. And then I did a placement at a homeless shelter for four months. I have been doing little things but I feel like it is not enough! In terms of my grades, my GPA in my last year would be 3.7 if they counted my summer courses but since they don't count because I only took two, my GPA is around 3.3 which is okay? I think? 

what do you mean by they don't count summer courses because you only took 2? i figured that would just bump out 2 from your semester before? 

[MSWapplicant2021]

5 minutes ago, spears7 said:

what do you mean by they don't count summer courses because you only took 2? i figured that would just bump out 2 from your semester before? 

I am not a 100% sure because I didn't fully understand what Angela (the admissions person) meant. She just said that because I only took 2 courses in the summer, they wouldn't count because they only look at full course loads. What do you mean by bump out 2 from the semester before? Maybe I just misunderstood her!!

[spears7]

4 minutes ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

I am not a 100% sure because I didn't fully understand what Angela (the admissions person) meant. She just said that because I only took 2 courses in the summer, they wouldn't count because they only look at full course loads. What do you mean by bump out 2 from the semester before? Maybe I just misunderstood her!!

i just assumed they would go by the 10 most recent courses on your transcript (whether it was full course load or not). but thats good to know if not!

[MSWapplicant2021]

3 minutes ago, spears7 said:

i just assumed they would go by the 10 most recent courses on your transcript (whether it was full course load or not). but thats good to know if not!

Yeah unfortunately they only look at full course load which is 4 courses or more. Which sucks because I worked super hard in my summer courses and got A's because I thought they would count:(

[smntoronto]

3 minutes ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

Yeah unfortunately they only look at full course load which is 4 courses or more. Which sucks because I worked super hard in my summer courses and got A's because I thought they would count:(

Wow they certainly weren't clear about that during the info session

[viclane96]

DId anyone who applied to UofT advanced msw “children and their families” stream hear back or get an invite on acorn? I know that many people who were accepted and posted on here mentioned that they were in the mental health and health stream so I’m curious. 

Edited February 21, 2018 by viclane96

[mswapplicant18]

2 hours ago, SwagMaster said:

There are some screen shots a few pages back in this forum. 

 

2 hours ago, BruiseV08 said:

Click on Dashboard (left side column). Then ta da! It's under the heading "Academics"

 

Thanks guys! I didn't understand it at first because I didn't realize that if it didn't say "invited" it just wouldn't say anything at all haha. I'll just have to keep waiting! But hopefully that does mean an acceptance for everyone who sees "invited"  

[mswapplicant18]

11 minutes ago, viclane96 said:

DId anyone who applied to UofT advanced msw “children and their families” stream hear back or get an invite on acorn? I know that many people who were accepted and posted on here mentioned that they were in the mental health and health stream so I’m curious. 

I applied to Children and Families and haven't heard so maybe that does have something to do with it? I'd like to hope so  
However, I do believe my friend who got a rejection letter did apply to the Children and Families stream as well

[cat_not_kitty]

31 minutes ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

Yeah unfortunately they only look at full course load which is 4 courses or more. Which sucks because I worked super hard in my summer courses and got A's because I thought they would count:(

 

28 minutes ago, smntoronto said:

Wow they certainly weren't clear about that during the info session

Hi all,

 

Thought I would finally come out of lurkville to contribute to this conversation . I'm really surprised to hear that Angela said this – it seems to contradict both anecdotal and official information, including the FAQ on the FIFSW website, which states: "I did not complete a full course load in my final year. How will my GPA be calculated? As an example, if you are only taking three courses from Sept – April, we will count back and include any summer courses you may have taken, and/or the previous Winter. In terms of how many credits – it must be the equivalent of a full-course load – minimum of four full credits at the senior level." Moreover, they allow upgrading of one's GPA (for example, through Athabasca University), which would mean that applicants were supplementing low-GPA senior-level courses taken while they completed their degree with those taken part-time at a later date.

Edited February 21, 2018 by cat_not_kitty
Typo

[MSWapplicant2021]

5 minutes ago, cat_not_kitty said:

 

Hi all,

 

Though I would finally come out of lurkville to contribute to this conversation . I'm really surprised to hear that Angela said this – it seems to contradict both anecdotal and official information, including the FAQ on the FIFSW website, which states: "I did not complete a full course load in my final year. How will my GPA be calculated? As an example, if you are only taking three courses from Sept – April, we will count back and include any summer courses you may have taken, and/or the previous Winter. In terms of how many credits – it must be the equivalent of a full-course load – minimum of four full credits at the senior level." Moreover, they allow upgrading of one's GPA (for example, through Athabasca University), which would mean that applicants were supplementing low-GPA senior-level courses taken while they completed their degree with those taken part-time at a later date.

Okay so maybe I did misunderstand.. my bad! So my 2 courses that I took do count? In my last year, I took 4 courses in the fall, 5 in the winter and then the 2 summer courses.

 

[karisma]

1 hour ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

If you don't mind me asking, what did you do your undergrad in? And what kind of experiences? I am worried I don't have enough experience!

I did my undergrad in business with a major in human resources management! Although my degree is in business, in HR, we have a huge emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. I've conducted a seminar in diversity and inclusion: "gender and sexuality in the workplace" where I gained knowledge regarding social work relevant issues such as misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and how they affect an individual's success in the labor market, education system, and in overall society. I also critically analyzed this through a social, cultural, economical, and political point of view and obtained info on personal struggles associated with individuals who have issues with gender identity and have faced discrimination regarding their gender and sexual orientation, as well as the gaps that currently exist in helping them integrate into society. Also conducted a training session for training and development in workplace harassment where we addressed the prohibited grounds and how this affects the workplace in the context of an organization, person, and task (so needs analysis)

 

My GPA in my final year was a 3.98 on a 4.33 scale. I'm in the process of completing my research course (one assignment to go!) which I'm getting an A+ in (fingers crossed!)

I've worked at a housing and support agency which provides services to newcomers from arabic, farsi, and spanish speaking environments; ran a few groups and helped run client programs (840 hours in total). I was also a program facilitator at a youth summer program in BC where it aiemd to strengthen and nurture the sense of belonging in the community and develop self-esteem, critical thinking, and inclusiveness (240 hours)

I worked at my students union as a centre for women and trans people coordinator (450 hours), in the role of a HR coordinator (250 hours), volunteered with kids who have special needs (200 hours), community centre for newcomers (since I speak around 6 languages, I used my skill to communicate with our clients and make them feel supported and safe), a group facilitator on campus, I also went abroad to volunteer in Africa where I helped develop a microfinance program for women in the village and how they can use their skills to improve their lives on a social, economic and cultural level while encouraging empowerment (300 hours), went abroad to pakistan as well (approx 600 hours) 

I have many other roles as a peer mentor, mental health listener, community leader, and program assistant at a caregiving centre which takes up about 2000-2500 hours

I also have experience as a research associate working at a diversity, equity, and inclusion firm which did social justice research, education, and consulting (900 hours)

I myself don't know if this is enough or good experience lol- but I hope it is! 

 

 

Hbu?

 

Edited February 21, 2018 by karisma

[cat_not_kitty]

15 minutes ago, MSWapplicant2018 said:

Okay so maybe I did misunderstand.. my bad! So my 2 courses that I took do count? In my last year, I took 4 courses in the fall, 5 in the winter and then the 2 summer courses.

 

From what I know – which, of course, is only based on my own understanding of the information they've provided online and at the info session (and my obsessive reading of all prior Grad Cafe Canadian MSW forums in their entirety ) –  I think you can safely presume that they'll include your summer courses as long as they are senior-level...so sounds like your GPA will be 3.7!

Edited February 21, 2018 by cat_not_kitty

[chinnz006]

24 minutes ago, mswapplicant18 said:

I applied to Children and Families and haven't heard so maybe that does have something to do with it? I'd like to hope so  
However, I do believe my friend who got a rejection letter did apply to the Children and Families stream as well

your friend already received a rejection letter?  I wasn't aware that rejections have gone out....

[viclane96]

28 minutes ago, mswapplicant18 said:

I applied to Children and Families and haven't heard so maybe that does have something to do with it? I'd like to hope so  
However, I do believe my friend who got a rejection letter did apply to the Children and Families stream as well

fingers crossed we get in! I haven't seen an acceptance to the children and families stream so maybe that means its coming out in waves - I emailed Angela so I'll let you know when she responds. When did your friend receive her rejection letter? @mswapplicant18

[cat_not_kitty]

14 minutes ago, karisma said:

I did my undergrad in business with a major in human resources management! Although my degree is in business, in HR, we have a huge emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. I've conducted a seminar in diversity and inclusion: "gender and sexuality in the workplace" where I gained knowledge regarding social work relevant issues such as misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, and how they affect an individual's success in the labor market, education system, and in overall society. I also critically analyzed this through a social, cultural, economical, and political point of view and obtained info on personal struggles associated with individuals who have issues with gender identity and have faced discrimination regarding their gender and sexual orientation, as well as the gaps that currently exist in helping them integrate into society. Also conducted a training session for training and development in workplace harassment where we addressed the prohibited grounds and how this affects the workplace in the context of an organization, person, and task (so needs analysis)

 

My GPA in my final year was a 3.98 on a 4.33 scale. I'm in the process of completing my research course (one assignment to go!) which I'm getting an A+ in (fingers crossed!)

I've worked at a housing and support agency which provides services to newcomers from arabic, farsi, and spanish speaking environments; ran a few groups and helped run client programs (840 hours in total). I was also a program facilitator at a youth summer program in BC where it aiemd to strengthen and nurture the sense of belonging in the community and develop self-esteem, critical thinking, and inclusiveness (240 hours)

I worked at my students union as a centre for women and trans people coordinator (450 hours), in the role of a HR coordinator (250 hours), volunteered with kids who have special needs (200 hours), community centre for newcomers (since I speak around 6 languages, I used my skill to communicate with our clients and make them feel supported and safe), a group facilitator on campus, I also went abroad to volunteer in Africa where I helped develop a microfinance program for women in the village and how they can use their skills to improve their lives on a social, economic and cultural level while encouraging empowerment (300 hours), went abroad to pakistan as well (approx 600 hours) 

I have many other roles as a peer mentor, mental health listener, community leader, and program assistant at a caregiving centre which takes up about 2000-2500 hours

I also have experience as a research associate working at a diversity, equity, and inclusion firm which did social justice research, education, and consulting (900 hours)

I myself don't know if this is enough or good experience lol- but I hope it is! 

 

 

Hbu?

 

Just piping in to say: this is absolutely fantastic experience, both in terms of quantity and scope – don't doubt that for a millisecond. Seriously. Plus, your GPA is terrific and you have those incredible language skills to set you apart. If you connected the dots between your HR core competencies/specialised interests, the fundamental values of social work, and your research/practice interests in your statement (the way you have here), I'd say your application is top-notch for U of T's 2-year MSW and the post-degree BSWs.

[karisma]

6 minutes ago, cat_not_kitty said:

Just piping in to say: this is absolutely fantastic experience, both in terms of quantity and scope – don't doubt that for a millisecond. Seriously. Plus, your GPA is terrific and you have those incredible language skills to set you apart. If you connected the dots between your HR core competencies/specialised interests, the fundamental values of social work, and your research/practice interests in your statement (the way you have here), I'd say your application is top-notch for U of T's 2-year MSW and the post-degree BSWs.

I really hope so! Everyone sounds so spectacular in terms of their experience and GPA

I worked on my statements from the end of my undergrad (may 2017)! Getting so many people to look at it and tell me what they think. I lack so much confidence since I'm still working on this research course! I'll have it done in the next week or so...I just hope I'm not too late. I indicated it on my resume how I will have it done by that time frame.