When writing your Master of Social Work (MSW) statement of purpose (SOP), creating your “mission statement” or “elevator pitch” is an important part of the writing process. In this article, I’ll explain what the mission statement is, why it is important to create one in your SOP, give you a step-by-step for creating yours, and lastly, provide an in-depth example! 

The grad school personal statement is one of the most important pieces of writing you will ever complete, and it can feel like a high-pressure, stressful experience. I understand the feeling of not knowing where to start and being extremely overwhelmed with the writing process. One of the key questions applicants ask is where to start or how to start their grad school statement, which is a fair question! This post will go over how to start your statement writing process effectively, hopefully alleviating some of the stress. 

One question that often pops up on grad school applications is: "How are you prepared to meet the demands of grad school?" Admissions committees want to know that you can handle the rigor of the program and are seeking assurance that you have the resilience, determination, and skills necessary to excel in the demanding environment of graduate school.

Wilfrid Laurier University is a popular choice for Master of Social Work applicants in Canada, and our team at MSW Helper has supported hundreds of MSW applicants with their application forms. This guide will walk you through how to complete the Experience Form, Statement of Interest, and Critical Analysis of a Social Justice Issue.

Many applicants’ desire to pursue a career in social work is driven by their lived experiences. Personal experiences are valid and can be used to strengthen your statement when done correctly. In this article, I will discuss how to include personal experiences in your statement and what to avoid.

Are you considering applying to a Master of Social Work graduate program but worried about your low grades? Don't let that hold you back! Although it varies depending on the school, MSW admissions committees generally look at applications holistically. That is why they require more than just your academic transcripts.

As an Application Advisor at MSW Helper, I have edited many personal statements. Each statement I edit is unique because each applicant has different skills, experiences, and interests within the field. However, while editing personal statements, I have noticed that I often make several key edits on many statements. I also made many of these mistakes on my personal statement when I applied to my MSW as well! I have compiled a list of tips to improve your personal statement based on these key areas for improvement.

The research analysis section of the personal statement is super important because it allows you to really show off your research and academic writing skills, which will help show the school you are applying for that you are prepared for graduate-level studies in social work. 

In this blog post, I’m outlining the 5 most common mistakes I see in the social work research analysis section when reviewing personal statements. I’ll also share some tips for how to avoid making them so you can make sure your analysis section is top-notch! 

Social work is so much more than an academic field, and as social workers, we need to have empathy, align with social work values, and contribute to the field in a positive way. None of this can be reflected through your GPA, which is why Schools of Social Work use a holistic approach when reviewing your MSW application.

I am currently in my first year of the 2-year Master of Social Work program, but I was rejected on my first try.

When admissions decisions came out in February 2020, I was rejected from the MSW program. Upon receiving that rejection, I felt defeated and confused. I thought my statement was great, and I had high grades and lots of diverse experience. However, when I applied a second time in December 2022, I reflected on my application and realized there were some major changes I needed to make to ensure my acceptance.