Graduate School Interview (Social Work) -- Advice Solicited

In My Humble Opinion
1

Greetings All.

As I’m sure I’ve mentioned rather compulsively in various places on these boards, I have applied to four graduate schools of social work. If accepted I would start this Fall. Since a lot of these places have late deadlines, the waiting game has been more than a little vexing, and I’ll be waiting for likely 1-2 more months before I hear the official word.

However, I just received an e-mail (as in, just now) from the Admissions Coordinator of one of my front-runner favorites offering me an interview (she typed this out by hand–we’ve been speaking already–not a form letter!) They are requesting I schedule it as soon as possible and this is without having received one of my letters of recommendation. It is likely I will schedule the interview between 2-4 weeks from now, as I’m currently quite ill and will need some recovery time.

Naturally, I have no idea what to expect. I appreciate all and any advice that could be rendered but I also have a specific question/concern.

I am rather notorious, as I noted in my statement of purpose, for having a wide breadth of interests within the social justice sphere. (Fortunately I did not note in this statement how extensively this has resulted in a ‘‘what should I do with the rest of my life?’’ style crisis, or how many times I changed my majors around as an undergraduate.) Sufficed to say, my husband has heard, ‘‘I finally know what I want to do with my life!’’ about eleven thousand times. I regard this as both a gift and a curse. It is a gift because I have used my many passions as opportunities to explore a wide range of interests, thus resulting in the aforementioned wide breadth of knowledge. It is a curse because damn, what am I going to do with my life?

Anyways, I know applying to graduate schools, much like applying for jobs, is about demonstrating your best. Therefore, my statement of purpose is incredibly strong and direct about my career goals. Well, rather than explain it, here are some excerpts from the actual statement:

This is the issue. Just about as soon as I turned in my application materials, I began to really reflect on my feelings about my current work (administrative non-profit.) I came to the conclusion that in my zeal for taking on and mastering big challenges, I have strayed a bit too far from my actual strengths. As a result I do not feel like I am thriving or empowered or doing anything I’m really good at.

Given my long-time, enduring passion for mental health advocacy and treatment, my great ability to channel empathy into productive action, my strong communication skills, particularly in one-on-one settings, my holistic perspective, and a number of other strengths, I’m thinking quite seriously about changing my focus to clinical social work – to specialize in evidence-based treatments for survivors of repeat trauma. I still maintain a strong interest in the mental health needs of immigrants, and have been thinking of joining the Peace Corps after I get my M.S.W. to really, finally, once and for all nail fluency in Spanish (a long time struggle for me.) Then I could come back and do bilingual clinical work.

So hopefully my dilemma is evident. I have to go into this interview as a confident, goal-focused individual and yet I’m already reconsidering the goals I outlined in my statement of purpose. Now as far as I understand, a social work acceptance is a social work acceptance and I don’t have to declare any specific specialization until year 2 of the program.

So what am I doing? Do I be up-front about my second thoughts? Do I present them as alternate interests? Do I play it as straight and narrow as I did in my statement of purpose, or do I offer more nuance? Is this topic likely to come up in the interview?

As I mentioned before, nothing is written in stone yet. I am honestly not sure whether I want to take the Macro or Micro approach and I will probably need a little exploration as a graduate student before I know for sure. I’m just not sure what I should do, for the interview in particular, to achieve my greatest odds of success.

Any support/advice anyone could offer regarding interviewing in general, tips and tricks, etc. would be greatly appreciated. If you’d like to hand me a paper bag to breathe into, I wouldn’t mind that either!

2

Speaking as a social services faculty member who just wrote a batch of reference letters for graduate social work programs:

“One of my strengths is that I am excited by many aspects of Social Work practice. I’m still learning about all of the ways an MSW can participate in her community. I’m not sure yet where I’ll be focused when I’m done with this program, but I’m confident that I will make a positive contribution to the field.”

To the extent that you can, relax in the interview and be yourself. If they don’t like that, it’s better to know it up front than to pretend to be something else and then find that the program is a bad fit.

Human diversity considerations, ethics, and case information may come up in the interview. Have your friends ask you some questions and give feedback on your responses.

Good luck!

3

Thanks susan! You are a valuable resource in more ways than one.

Ok, I really like this. Would it be prudent to specifically mention that I’ve considered clinical as well, or deliberately keep it vague? It seems like if I said something like, ‘‘I have also considered specialization in evidence-based treatments for trauma in a clinical setting’’ that would make me seem like less of a flake than, ‘‘I’ve considered some other things too.’’

That is sort of my instinct too. It seems like being rejected from a school would be a better fate than getting accepted into a program I hate.

Fortunately one strength of mine is that I tend to interview well. I am going to be as prepared for this as humanly possible. Can you think of any examples of questions that might come up?

Thanks. I greatly appreciate it.

4

From what I know of you on the boards, I do get a sense that you might ultimately be more suited to working with people one on one, like in a clinical setting. That said, administrative skills are just that, skills, and they are learnable. So just because they aren’t your strengths now doesn’t mean they aren’t things you can master. If you formally study things like budgets and project management, you can learn them. Most likely the people you see handling them well got that way through some study or lots of experience.

I guess I’d say to give more weight to reconsidering your interests than to reconsidering your abilities–grad school will be about developing new skills any way you slice it.

Also, consider the focus of the program and the specific person you are interviewing with when you respond to the question. A program/person very focused on placing administrators in state government would be more likely to see your wavering as dealbreaking.

Good luck!

5

Olives Are you considering getting licensed? Do you want to be an LCSW?

You are highly personable from what I know of you here that I would not think any grad entrance counselor would miss that. Be yourself and worry less about specifics and more about WHO you are and perhaps WHERE you see yourself in the future.

Above all your wavering is normal [I can go on and on about Mrs.P wavering before she finished her grad program] but in this case I get the sense you know what you ultimately want to do, but you may need to hone down your interests for this purposes of the interview.

Oh and I do hope you begin to feel better soon. :slight_smile:

6

Yes, I am considering getting licensed to become an LCSW. I have always considered this as a possibility – heck, in fourth grade I told everyone I wanted to be a psychologist, so my interest in mental health is hardly new. I do have some experience in mental health advocacy to support this as a stated goal, the real question is whether I’m going Macro or Micro. I am beginning to think that even though I am a ‘‘big picture’’ person, I could use that ‘‘big picture’’ in a one-on-one therapeutic setting.

I suppose it is normal. It’s just that my husband is highly abnormal and makes me feel weird in comparison. He never doubted for a second his focus or even his specialization. He’s just like an efficient little career-obtaining machine. Me, it took two years to even get up the nerve to apply to grad school because I kept worrying I was going to make the wrong choice. I waited until I was absolutely sure that I wanted to be a social worker before I applied. Fortunately there are enough variations within the field to keep me fascinated for a good, long while.

The interview is scheduled for January 26th! :eek:

7

Bumping because my interview is TOMORROW at 2pm.

Any and all advice solicited!

8

The point of grad school is to learn. You’re expected to grow and change while you’re there. Being uncertain as to your ultimate goal is not a bad thing - don’t be afraid of it.

9

My girlfriend is a psychologist who worked at a big city non-profit focused on immigrant populations when I met her. There were MFTs, MSW, etc. there as well who I got to know in varying degrees. Also, because I did a web site for the agency, I got to know the Executive Director fairly well, and was privy to certain aspects of how she viewed her job that the rank and file was not aware of.

My opinion is that you will do fine, and that your new goal is not incompatible with your old goal. A lot of the the casework at that agency was arguably to to repeated trauma, and it was essentially 100% an immigrant population.

It was not a small agency either, most of the work was funded by the county of which the City is part of.

I would say the biggest thing lacking was that the clinical workers were disconnected from the true role of administration, and few saw management as a career option. On the other hand, the higher you got in the management chain, the less clinical experience there was.

And nowhere in the organization, especially at the ED and Board level was there any serious insight or willingness to delve into innovative business models.

My guess is if you can explore all of that, and come away where you fit best just out of school and then ride it out from there during your career, you run the chance of doing something not only deeply satisfying but valuable to the clients, and spectacular to the effectiveness of the agencies that you end up working for over the next several decades.

Penn is an Ivy league school, they want you to dream how you will make a BIG difference. The ED at the agency I mentioned has dual degrees from Ivies (not Penn), it is your job to raise the bar for the next generation while recognizing the value of those who came before.

Work that into the interview :slight_smile:

10

That. And listen to the interviewer as much as she listens to you. IOW, don’t do like my moronic coworker who came back from a Medical School interview complaining that the interviewer wanted to talk about the latest sports matches instead of about my coworker’s GPA (do “bedside manner” or “helping the patient relax” mean anything to you, genius?)

You’re great. You’ve got a lot to offer. They want you as much as you want them. And if you find yourself needing to go right now, remember it’s better to ask for a bio break than do it in the chair! :wink:

11

Thank you for the excellent advice. My interviewer telephoned me this morning to reschedule for next week Feb 5th (the same day as my Bryn Mawr interview!) She didn’t want me driving in the bad weather and also she had the flu. So I’m on pins and needles for a while. The good news is we talked for 15 minutes, just chit-chat, and we got along very well. She is incredibly easy to talk to. I feel much more comfortable about the interview now that I’ve had such easy conversation with my interviewer. She told me I was one of the first being interviewed out of 350 applicants. She guessed that I was also applying to Bryn Mawr, said most applicants do apply both places and even gave me directions and a time that would allow me to get to Bryn Mawr later that day. The folks at UPenn have all been just so nice. This had made a huge impact on me and may ultimately affect my decision greatly (assuming I’m so lucky to have such a decision to make.)

12

About the original question, when I was thinking about applying to a program and what I wanted to specialize in, my mother joked that having a lot of choices of specialties makes your mid-life crisis a lot easier. :slight_smile: I don’t know about social work, but I suspect that it’s the kind of field where you take some courses later on and change directions slightly. It sounds like it offers many paths, and if you decide you want something different in years to come (more one-on-one contact with clients, more administrative duties, etc.) you will be able to fulfill that desire.

Good luck with your interview on its new date! You sound like you’ll do great.

13

I get very excited when I know other people are looking into social work. Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, class of 2006! Woo!

Anyway back on topic. I’m trying to remember my interview but I honestly can’t, unfortunately. What I do remember is my first day in school for my BSW, we went around the room to say why we were interested in social work. Seriously, every one of us said “because I like helping people.”

You’ve made it clear what population you’re interested in, but think about the WHY. What is it about helping people, or interacting with them that appeals to you? I know something I’ve always enjoyed is the engagement process, getting to know the clients and building the relationship with them.

Also keep in mind that your professors will (hopefully) come from a variety of backgrounds and offer you insights into different areas of social work that you may not have considered. Another thing to keep in mind is that you will be doing internships as part of your graduate work…and the generally held opinion is that the internships will help you decide what you DON’T want to do. :slight_smile:

(FWIW, I’m a preventive social worker, and my clients are families whose children are at risk of foster care placement)

14

I have no good advice (sorry, olives!), but I wanted to tell you that I went to Bryn Mawr for my undergrad degree (in psychology), and a good friend of mine just got her PhD from their psychology grad program – it’s a great school with a great community in a great area. From what I’ve gathered about you from your posts here, I think you’d really enjoy it there. I wish you the best of luck! :slight_smile:

15

I had to provide an update. I had both interviews today and they both went very well.

I am incredibly happy to report that the interview with UPenn went exceptionally well and probably ranks up there with one of the best experiences of my life. I connected right away with the interview director, who had a number of positive things to say. I in no way felt like I had to put on a front… I was completely forthright about my indecision, which she regarded as perfectly normal, and actually offered me an option that would allow me to master BOTH clinical and macro-- a dual degree. Since one of them is a one-year program, I don’t even have to decide until next year when I’m well into my studies.

Everything about the school fits me perfectly. I fell in love with the campus, and the people (some of whom she introduced me to.) The director pointed out a number of things she liked – she said I was an exceptional writer and she’s highly critical of statements, but couldn’t find a single error in my essay. She said I had numerous interesting social work experiences. She said my grades were excellent, and she even went so far as to point out that I was silly by trying to provide a justification for my 3.6 cumulative. Another concern of mine, my medical withdrawals, she told me were a complete non-issue, but she was curious so we ended up discussing a bit anyway.

It seems like trite advice, ‘‘be yourself,’’ but that is all I really had to do. I just answered every questions as honestly as I could. I didn’t even think to try to imagine what she would want to hear, because the conversation was so natural. I genuinely liked her as a person and could easily see her as a part of my support network.

And then she seriously, really, I-kid-you-not said the thing that every applicant wants to hear. She said, ‘‘Honestly, there’s nothing here barring you from admission. We don’t send out the letters for about three weeks, but I think you’ll do very well here.’’

I am so out of my mind with shock and excitement that I can’t even read the pamphlets she sent me home with because my mind will not stop racing. I’m not completely ruling out any of the schools I applied to, because I want to make a careful and reasoned decision. But the truth is my heart is pulling me violently in this direction. I haven’t felt this level of passion and awe and excitement since University of Michigan. It’s not only the reputation, it’s the program. It’s like it was tailor made for me. It addresses my concerns and hopes and dreams. It makes me believe I can do big things.

The Bryn Mawr interview also went great, and there are a number of unique things I love about the school (their career guidance resources are impressively in-depth and extensive), but from where I’m standing UPenn seems like the best fit.

I am still a little bit in shock. I knew I had a chance, but I never imagined I would have such an instant positive impression. It’s nice to be excited for a change, instead of nervous. I don’t know what I ever did to deserve such amazing educational opportunities, but I am really grateful to have been born as me, to be this person with these blessings. I hope I will prove worthy of the honor.

16

And Philly wins! Take that, New York!

Seriously – congrats, I’m so glad it went well.

17

That’s good to hear. I know you mentioned that Columbia seemed like a good fit; have you talked to anyone there?

18

Not yet. But I definitely will if I’m admitted. I have a lot of questions. The thing that concerns me about Columbia is that it’s such an enormous program–900 MSW students! I need to feel like I’m part of a community and that I’m getting guidance and support and attention. I have no real evidence that Columbia can’t offer that; I’ve yet to even go to the campus and I guarantee you I WILL do my research if that becomes an option. So the tide may turn. All three are excellent schools. But I’m a little too high to care right now. :smiley: (And sleep deprived. And food deprived. It’s been a crazy, hectic, exhausting day.) And seriously, it’s ridiculous to me that I’m even thinking critically about these amazing schools. It’s like weighing the relative merits of the Louvre and The Met. I am still in shock. I promise to come down to earth again soon. Just give me my moment. I worked hard for it.

19

That sounds WONDERFUL! Congratulations! And I’m not surprised she said you were a great writer - just from the posts of yours I’ve read here, you have a gift.

I remember the elation of getting into graduate school - I can only imagine how it would feel if the program seemed so perfectly suited for you!