University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill’s MSW Statement of Purpose Tips
Writing the Statement of Purpose (SOP) can be daunting. It’s one of the most important aspects of the MSW application because it gives you a chance to show the admissions committee your story, motivations, and insights. However, putting all your thoughts to paper with a limited word count can be tricky! So in this post, I’ll be giving you tips to help make your SOP for the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (UNC’s) Master of Social Work application.
Something to keep in mind: I am not affiliated with the University of North Carolina and everything in this post is my own opinion. Please use discretion and check with the school for the most up to date information about the application process.
To start, here are the instructions provided by the school:
“The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work seeks students who have diverse experiences that will enrich the classroom environment, and whose post-graduation practices will represent an array of skills and interests. The statement of purpose reflects who you are, a clear picture of your goals as a future social worker, and why you are seeking admission to the Master of Social Work program at UNC.
Your statement of purpose should be in a standard essay format and a maximum of 4-5 double-spaced pages in 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins.”
Now we’ll dive into how to answer the specific prompts provided for the UNC - Chapel Hill’s MSW SOP:
Prompt 1:
“Describe the development of your interest in social work and in pursuing your MSW. Please highlight any volunteer or paid experiences that have contributed to your interest in social work as a career and any experiences or qualities you bring to the profession and academic environment.”
This is one of the most important prompts in the MSW statement of purpose. Schools want to understand why you are interested in pursuing social work and what makes you a strong candidate.
One of the biggest mistakes we see in this section is applicants focusing too much on the what instead of the why. Schools don’t want you to repeat what they can see on your resume – they want you to dive deeper. To answer this prompt, think about the following:
What personal or professional experiences led you to social work?
Was there a defining moment or a gradual realization that influenced your decision?
How has your motivation evolved over time?
What insights have you gained that inform your desire to become a social worker?
For example, instead of stating, “I volunteered at a homeless shelter,” you might say, “During my time volunteering at a homeless shelter, I observed firsthand how systemic barriers impact housing insecurity, which deepened my commitment to advocacy and policy change.” This approach allows the admissions committee to see the depth of your reflection and critical thinking.
Then, be sure to connect your skills and strengths to the MSW program at UNC. To answer this part of the prompt, think about the following:
What unique perspectives do you bring?
How have your past experiences prepared you for graduate studies in social work?
What social work skills do you have?
If you don’t have social work experience – What transferable skills do you bring to the program?
Finally, be sure to clearly state your goals. Be specific about your career aspirations and how an MSW will help you reach them. Admissions committees like to see that you are intentional about your choice to pursue social work.
For example, instead of saying that you want to “help people” it would be stronger to say something like: “I plan to specialize in mental health and work with underserved communities, particularly in trauma-informed care. An MSW will equip me with the clinical skills and research knowledge to provide comprehensive support to marginalized populations.”
Prompt 2:
“Describe a specific area or issue in social work that interests you most and how this interest developed. How will the UNC Chapel Hill School of Social Work program further help you develop your knowledge and skills in your areas of interest? How do you see yourself as a leader and/or providing leadership within your identified area of interest to advance equity, transform systems and improve lives?”
Choosing a Social Issue
When it comes to answering this prompt select a social issue that is connected to your goals as a social worker. It’s also important to get specific. Instead of broad topics like mental health or child welfare, narrow it down to something more specific, such as trauma-informed care for survivors of domestic violence, expanding mental health access in immigrant communities, or disrupting the school-to-prison pipeline.
Be sure to explain how this issue became important to you. Did you encounter it in personal or professional settings? Reflect on why this issue matters to you and how it is connected to your goals.
To take it a step further, you may choose to integrate research to back up your observations. This shows the admissions committee that what you have observed is indeed connected to a larger social issue that needs to be addressed.
Connect To UNC’s MSW Program
Show that you have researched UNC and understand how the program will help you grow. Be specific - mention specializations, faculty research, field placement opportunities, or unique program features that align with your interests.
Leadership and Contribution to The Social Work Field
Finally, the final part of the prompt asks how you see yourself as a leader in your area of interest. Leadership isn’t about holding a formal role – it’s about using your skills to create meaningful change.
In this section think about how you will use your MSW degree to enact social change in your area of interest.
How you will advance equity (e.g., advocating for underserved communities, working on inclusive policies, or conducting culturally responsive research).
How you will transform systems (e.g., influencing policy changes, improving access to services, or addressing gaps in existing interventions).
How you will improve lives (e.g., working directly with individuals, training future social workers, or developing new community initiatives).
Prompt 3:
“If you are a dual degree applicant, please explain how you plan to use each degree/training to address the issue you identified above.”
UNC offers several dual degree options, including options in Divinity, Law, Public Administration, and Public Health. If you are applying to a dual degree MSW program you will want to answer this prompt.
When answering this prompt, focus on demonstrating the intersection between both degrees and how they will equip you to address your chosen social issue more effectively. Avoid treating them as separate paths. Instead, explain how each complements the other in achieving your goals. Be specific about how the additional training from the second degree enhances your social work practice, whether through policy advocacy, clinical expertise, research, or leadership.
For example, if you're pursuing an MSW alongside a Master of Public Health, discuss how the MPH will provide the analytical skills to address systemic health disparities while the MSW ensures you remain grounded in client-centered, trauma-informed care. Clearly articulate why a dual degree is the best path for you and how it uniquely positions you to create meaningful change in your area of interest.
Prompt 4:
“How will you use your MSW degree in ways that will recognize the dignity, worth, identities, and lived experiences of the individuals and communities that you will impact during your social work career?”
Schools of Social Work generally ask this question to assess your alignment with social work values and ethics. When writing your SOP be sure to reflect on the NASW Code of Ethics to guide your responses. Be sure that you are clear about the impact you hope to make with your social work degree and how you will enact social change.
Prompt 5: Optional
“Please address any special academic or other considerations that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when reviewing your application. This response can include anything not covered in previous questions that may help us in making an admissions recommendation. You may include this information in your 4–5-page Statement of Purpose or by submitting a letter in the “Program Supplement” section of the online application.”
When you see an optional prompt like this in your MSW application, you might wonder: Do I need to answer this? You only need to answer this prompt if it adds value to your application.
MSW programs take a holistic approach to reviewing applications. They know that sometimes GPA and work experience don’t tell the full story of who you are as an applicant. This prompt gives you the opportunity to provide context for anything that might impact how they view your application.
For example, you might use this section to explain:
A low GPA due to extenuating circumstances
A career break or transition into social work
Unique strengths or experiences that aren’t captured elsewhere in your application
Schools want to know if there’s more to your story - especially if it helps them understand your potential as a future social worker.
If nothing in your background requires additional context, it’s okay to leave this section blank. Don’t feel pressured to fill space if you don’t have anything significant to add. However, if you have information that strengthens your application or clarifies a potential red flag, this is the place to address it.
When answering this prompt be sure to be clear and concise, provide context and avoid excuses, and highlight growth and strengths.
Example: "During my undergraduate studies, I faced significant family responsibilities that impacted my GPA. While this period was challenging, it strengthened my resilience, time management, and ability to navigate complex situations—skills that I now bring to my work in social services. Since completing my degree, I have pursued additional training and maintained a strong professional record, demonstrating my commitment and readiness for graduate studies."
Organizing Your SOP
Since the school requests a standard essay format I would consider writing your SOP in APA format. I would also recommend breaking up the SOP with headings that align with the prompts so that your SOP is easy for the reader to scan. However, given the overlap between some prompts, you may choose to integrate related responses under different sections to create a more cohesive narrative.
Feeling Stuck on Your SOP? We’re Here to Help!
Writing your MSW application can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you're unsure how to structure your statement of purpose, struggling to highlight your strengths, or just need a second opinion, an MSW Helper Application Advisor can provide expert guidance tailored to your unique experiences and goals.
Applying to another school? Check out our other MSW application guides!
Note: This post is not affiliated with the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.
