MSW Personal Statement Guide
In this guide we have put together everything you need to craft your MSW personal statement, including information on the application process, how to answer specific application prompts, troubleshooting your personal statement concerns, and free resources.
MSW Application
How to Answer Common Personal Statement Prompts
Why do you want to be a social worker?
Admissions committees look for applicants with strong critical thinking skills who can make a meaningful contribution to the social work field. In this post, we will show you some of the biggest mistakes applicants make when responding to this prompt. For example: Avoid saying that you want to become a social worker because you want to “help people” as this is a vague answer. Read the post to see what you should say instead.
Tell us about a social justice issue (COMING SOON)
In this post, we will be showing you how to select a social justice issue, and how you can leverage this prompt to show admissions committees how you can fill a gap as a social worker.
See also: 5 Ways Your Social Justice Personal Statement Might Be Missing the Mark
Ethical dilemmas and social work values
Questions about ethics often leave applicants scratching their heads, unsure how to respond in a way that feels authentic and relevant. Without proper guidance, many toss in a few sentences that feel clunky and disconnected—leaving admissions committees unconvinced.
But here’s the good news: addressing ethics doesn’t have to be intimidating. Admissions committees are looking for critical thinking and your ability to reflect on social work values in action. In this blog post we will be showing you how to answer personal statement prompts about ethics.
Discuss your experience with diversity, self-reflection, and anti-racist practice (COMING SOON)
Social justice is a core value of the social work profession, and social workers must educate themselves, unlearn, and self-reflect when it comes to issues such as oppression, marginalization, and racism. In this post we will be diving deep into this topic and how you can respond to similar prompts in your personal statement.
What are your professional strengths and weaknesses?
When applying to a Master of Social Work (MSW) program, discussing your strengths and weaknesses can be one of the most challenging parts of the application process. Schools are not only interested in your academic abilities but also in your capacity for self-reflection and growth, which are vital for social workers. Here’s how you can approach this topic in your personal statement effectively. In this post, we will be showing you how to respond to questions about strengths and weaknesses effectively. More importantly, we will be showing you what NOT to do when responding to these questions.
How will you meet the demands of graduate school?
Admissions committees ask how you plan to meet the demands of graduate school to gain insight into several key areas, including your ability to manage time effectively and handle the rigorous demands of the program, whether you have a plan to meet the program’s financial requirements, how resilient and adept you are at solving problems during challenging and stressful times, and your access to support systems and self-care strategies to maintain your well-being throughout the program. For a more detailed response check out the full post.
Why are you a good fit for this program?
When schools ask this question, they want to understand if you’re genuinely aligned with their program. Admissions committees look for candidates who have thoughtfully chosen their program by recognizing its unique features—specializations, courses, faculty, and values—and seeing how these align with their own professional goals and aspirations. By showing what you bring to the table, you’ll make a compelling case for why you’re a perfect fit.
MSW Personal Statement Q&A
Still stuck?
Speak to an Application Advisor to discuss your application and map out a plan for your personal statement, or get your personal statement professionally reviewed by MSW Helper!
Free Resources To Help You Write Your Personal Statement
MSW Personal Statement Template
Get your copy of our MSW Personal statement template to help you brainstorm ideas for your graduate school personal statement.
Facebook Group
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Free Webinar
Join our free 30 minute webinar to learn how to craft a compelling personal statement that stands out. Learn about what schools are looking for and mistakes to avoid.