申请MSW的tips - 来自admissions committee

chujingkaylaUID: 2861529

虽然2012年的申请季是过了，可是好的info还是值得分享的，尤其msw本来就没有很多...

我常年在gradcafe蹲点，今天看到一个很不错的sharing，大家可以参考参考，虽然这样做有点算是“侵犯版权”，我就直接copy了。


发的人叫做“socialworkphd” -


I know it's late for most of you who are waiting to hear back after already dropping your applications, but maybe this post will be helpful for future applications. By the fact that you are at a forum like this, you are probably already way ahead of the crowd- doing your homework and technology savvy and motivated to stay on top of your admissions.

I have an MSW (10 years ago) and PhD in Social Work (recently) and now teach at a university and sit on the admissions committee. We read a lot of applications for our competitive program (admission rate about 25% including wait list). We rank applicants based on undergrad GPA, strength of letters of reference (don't care whether you've checked that they are confidential or not), and essays.

Here are the things that we look for:

- paid human services Work experience
-some priority to people who are local (our state or a state that borders ours get the first review, even after we rank everyone- we fill leftover spots with top ranking people throughout the US)
-a defined career path (it's not a promise, we just want to know that you can choose something and you have an interest and know what a Social worker does)
-very specific examples of ways that you've used a particular skill or have encountered a particular problem
-open mind/experience/understanding about working with diverse populations and people at risk. Be specific.
-talk about your unique background specifically, and how that will help you use your skills as a professional
-talk about what you lack and hope to get from a MSW (if you already know it all, you'll be a pain in our classes- we want to help educate people who want an education)
-if you are applying for a school far from home say why and demonstrate that you know the culture and geography of the school

Don't do this:
-say you've wanted to be a Social worker since you were in grade school
-say you like helping people or that your friends tell you that you are a great listener
-talk about how an MSW will be a nice supplement to your (fill in blank here with healing method that is not evidence-based) home-based business
-spend a lot of time talking about your history of poverty/being oppressed/etc without tying it concretely to how it's shaped you
-make a long list of the skills you learned in your last program that come right off the syllabus (instead make it personal, relevant, and demonstrate your unique understanding of the concepts)

For bonus points:
-throw in some words like: evidence-based, strengths-based, populations at risk, research to practice. Use them appropriately and in context and give specific examples. (We don't actually award points for these phrases, but they are examples of things that demonstrate applicants have done some homework and know what they're getting themselves in to.)

Please- have someone else review your statement. Read it out loud. Rewrite. Clear writing is important for grad school. Avoid passive voice. Go through and cut out every word that is not necessary in the sentence. Look back at your paper for structure- could you make an outline of it? Does it have a beginning, middle, and end that flow from each other? Go to the writing center at your undergrad program- most will provide assistance to alumni related to jobplacement and grad school applications. Have someone that writes well read your essay for grammar and flow.

If you have a red flag in your record (poor undergrad grades, or mental health history that you talk about in your essay for example) talk about how you have gotten help and why they won't interfere with your graduate study.

Independent research is not a large component of most MSW programs. If you have some research experience, great... but don't stress about that. On the other hand, if you are applying for a joint MSW/PhD program, research experience can weigh more heavily.

I don't recommend MSW/PhD programs. Post-MSW practice experience is very valuable to understanding and contextualizing things you learn in a Social Work PhD program. If you want to teach, many schools require that you have two years post-MSW experience. (CSWE requires it if you want to teach practice courses.) A joint program will limit your job opportunities and your experience in using and designing applied research. The only justifiable reason for going straight through in my opinion is if you plan a career solely in Social Work research, but (also in my opinion) you won't be as credible as those who have done some Work in the field, even in research. Your field placement DOES NOT count as post-MSW experience.

Some people have asked if a grad degree in another field helps with admissions. Sure, it demonstrates that you can do grad-level work. We want people who can get through grad school. However, clearly explain the career transition and how an MSW will supplement your skills, and explain your career trajectory. We turned down 2 applicants with JD's with great GPA's and recommendation letters this year because they did not explain why they were leaving their fields as lawyers or why having an MSW would help their careers.

yidamayjuneUID: 2952842

chujing你今年要去读msw吗？我是Yida

coco3263UID: 16360

看完了，的确是申请MSW很好的建议啊。一看就是看了很多申请人的材料之后的切身体会，希望后来的申请人能够不犯以上的错误。

songwei007UID: 2878972

"some priority to people who are local (our state or a state that borders ours get the first review, even after we rank everyone- we fill leftover spots with top ranking people throughout the US)”:O

vickyWSJUID: 3407080

马上要面试笔试MSW，很有帮助，谢谢LZ.

timerouterUID: 3669220

我也在准备一个SW的笔试，好奇还有哪家有这个要求耶

-壳中人不舍夜-UID: 3480412

MARK