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.

In this post, we are hearing from Earvin Casciano, who is a current MSW Candidate at Florida State University. He is an aspiring social work entrepreneur and Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). He is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) and AmeriCorps alumnus.

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! 

Writing a CV for social work applications is different from a typical resume. This article serves as a guide for applicants who are applying to social work programs. Read on to learn about what you should include, mistakes to avoid, and how to format your resume so that it meets best practices for the social work field.

Embarking on the journey of grad school is no joke! As social work graduate students, we find ourselves not only facing the demands of academic coursework, but also juggling the complexities of field placements, work commitments, and personal responsibilities. MSW programs require a significant amount of time and energy. Implementing effective time management strategies can be helpful in navigating the demands. 

The Master of Social Work is unique because many paths can lead a student to the program. While an obvious progression may be from a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree to a Master of Social Work (MSW), this is not the only option. In this article, I will discuss how to become an MSW student.

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.

Narrowing down which Master of Social Work (MSW) programs you want to apply for can be challenging, especially if you are new to the field of social work and aren’t super familiar with the specifics of different branches.

In this article, I will go more in-depth on what clinical social work means, the clinical social work programs offered in Canada, and tips for your application to clinical social work programs. 

The most common social work interview questions and how to answer them:

1. Tell us about your experience with crisis and risk

2. What social work theories do you align with in your work?

3. Tell us about an ethical dilemma you faced

4. Tell us about a time you had a disagreement or challenges in a professional setting

5. What clients do you find challenging to work with?