Calling on all those who have been accepted into MSW

[Dancer8]

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Hey,

I'm applying to MSW programs at NYU, Hunter, Columbia, and Rutgers. I am just confused and anxious about where and how to start my personal statement. I need some advice on what to expect from those who have gotten accepted/

They have a list of questions - does anyone know if you have to follow that order? And would anyone have any tips on what these schools are looking for?

Thanks for everything!

 

[MDsWife]

I havent been accpeted, but DONT FOLLOW THE ORDER! they want to see how you can write and formulate an essay! Open up with something that will set you apart, not about passion or desire, because that is the old song and dance, they want something that will put you above. Dont be to creative though, it needs to be concise and coherent. Show your writing ability 👍

 

[lrn1]

I agree with MDsWife; however, I have not been accepted into a program yet. In fact, I would like to hear from some people who have been accepted into a program. I think the tips MDsWife gave are good, but also make sure to cover everything the school has asked to be addresses in the statement. If you don't do that, it could be a red flag - you might appear as though you haven't done research on the program and sent the same essay to all of the schools you are applied to. It's important to address the questions in the prompt that they provide, but also use the tips MDsWife gave.

There is a pretty good book called, "Graduate Admissions Essays" by Donald Asher. It's a great book for the admissions process period. It has 50 real sample essays - they aren't exactly for social work, but there is a good variety to read from. It might help give you an idea of where to start on your own. I got a copy of this book from Borders. You can skim through some of the pages on google books. Here is the link:

http://books.google.com/books?id=nH...&resnum=1&ved=0CDQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

 

[Dancer8]

Thanks soo much MDsWife for the advice and lrn1 for the book. I was looking for something that would gear me towards approaching the personal statement.

I found a blog from an actual current NYU Silver School of Social Work student and he has his personal statement on it.

http://blogs.nyu.edu/blogs/jis272/socialquirk/2009/10/question_writing_personal_stat.html