While applying for graduate school, finding references can be one of the most stressful parts. When I was applying for my Master of Social Work (MSW), I remember being worried about whether my supervisors and professors would even be willing to write a reference for me and feeling guilty for asking them to write multiple references. On top of that, it was confusing figuring out what kind of references I needed for each program. I’m answering your most common questions about grad school references so that you can go into your applications feeling confident that you’re putting your best foot forward in every aspect of the application!

There are many Master of Social Work programs, which means many options exist when applying to pursue this degree. However, MSW applications are expensive and extensive, so reviewing the various programs and applying them to those that work best for you is important. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when evaluating programs:

Are you considering applying to a MSW program, but unsure if you should go the course-based or thesis-based route? The purpose of this post is to provide clarity about the difference between both tracks and what you should consider when selecting a path. The structure of a course-based versus a thesis-based program may differ depending on the school, but they will relatively follow a similar approach.

Receiving that first rejection from a Master of Social Work (MSW) program was a gut-wrenching experience. It felt as if the result of my passion, strong academic record, and the vast range of experiences I had gained were suddenly insignificant. The doubts crept in, and I questioned whether I had overestimated my abilities or misunderstood my calling in social work.

When I was applying for my Master of Social Work, I spent hours scrolling through forums and trying to compare myself to other MSW applicants.

I see the same thing happening today. I always see MSW applicants compare their stats with each other “I have a 4.0 GPA, 10,000 hours of experience – blah blah blah.”

As someone who works with MSW applicants daily, I can tell you with confidence that having more experience doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a better application. It’s far more important to show admissions committees that you have the skills and insights they’re looking for.

More universities are offering 100% online Master of Social Work programs. Online Master of Social Work programs are great because they offer flexibility with time and location, and they open doors for applicants in remote areas.

However, there are also drawbacks to online programs as well. They can be more competitive, they aren’t suitable for everyone, and it can be harder to secure placement in online programs.

When I applied to my Master of Social Work, I often compared my GPA and experience to other applicants, and it made me doubt myself even more. Here are my thoughts on the grades and experience you need to get accepted to grad school.

The personal statement serves as a sample of your academic writing abilities, so properly formatting your MSW personal statement is a simple way to help your application stand out and look more professional.