r/SocialWorkStudents

I hate CSWE and everything is stands for. I went through effort of getting a internship only for it to be declined because the group supervision was more than 5 students. Thats it. I alread was forced to transfer once because my previous social work program was dishonest about financial aid and just lack of rigor. This field is just very hostile to non traditional students. I wish I would have stuck with counseling instead.

I’m about to finish my 400 hours of my unpaid internship. For this role, I was required to drive not only to and from my practicum, but also during it to client homes, all while not being paid for my time.

I was paying about 160- 200 dollars a week in gas for a 4 day work week, and I can say it’s doubled now since Trump decided to start the war in Iran and skyrocket gas prices.

I knew this would be costly to me, but I didn’t think I would have spent close to 4 grand on GAS in 3 months. I actually remember asking for accommodations on my first day (1 work from home day, as I explained how costly this would be for me) and was lectured about how I need to be a “big girl in the big social work world soon, and I’ll be expected to do this” Yeah, and I’ll be paid for it! So I can actually afford to maintain my vehicle.

I don’t even know why I’m making this post. Just need some encouragement to get through the last 40 hours of this crap. It’s so hard to be excited to be done. I took a year off and slaved a way, 60 - 70 hour work weeks just for all of my money to go towards my living expenses for an unpaid practicum.

WashU has been my dream school, and I just got in with a $40K scholarship, a $15.3K practicum tuition award, and a $9K living stipend. I also got into Rutgers MSW (no aid), and I’m still waiting on BU and Boston College.

I’m super grateful, but I’m honestly still not sure if I should enroll. I really love social work, but money is tight and that’s a big factor for me right now.

As the title suggests, I need help or advice! I'm currently in my sophomore year and need to knock out my math requirements. I'm TERRIBLE at math. Like... absolutely horrendous. I initially was going to take "math for liberal arts" but upon further inspection, lots of MSW programs (advanced standing specifically) require an introduction to statistics class.

I was looking at CVC though and I see "introduction to statistics for social sciences and sociology" and it seems easier? More do-able and related to what I'm studying, at least.

How stingy are MSW programs with using the exact course? I'm not really certain. I'm mainly looking at SJSU or CSU East Bay, but maybe other programs, too?

Should I just bite the bullet and take the intro to statistics class? I'm already a little confused because I didn't do algebra in high school (only geometry and a statistics course), but it says it requires algebra...so I guess as a bonus question, do they actually ask for highschool transcripts or do they just TRUST that you did algebra in high school? Or will they take an actual high school statistics course as a supplement?

Thanks! I'm certain it's a question with nuanced answers, but any advice helps! I'm not sure who I'd contact about this either. I'm kind of new to most of this

sometimes reading this sub makes me nervous about pursuing an msw…

i graduated with a ba in sociology in 2023 and have been working at a nonprofit in los angeles county for the past 3 years making about $50k. i recently got accepted into a 2-year msw program starting fall 2026, and i’m really trying to figure out if it’s the right move.

my biggest concern is the cost vs. payoff. the program is ~$20k, and i’m not sure how much my salary would realistically increase after graduating. i already feel a bit overworked and underpaid in nonprofit work, so i don’t want to end up in the same position but with debt. important to note that my fiancé is an engineer that makes enough to cover our bills while i would be in school, we just would lose my income.

i’m also thinking about timing. i want to have kids by around 28. I’ll turn 25 at the start of the program and would finish the msw in 2028 at 26, so it feels like everything is kind of stacked close together (school, career growth, starting a family).

i’m also wondering if it would make more sense to wait and do my msw after having kids instead.

for those who have an msw or are currently in a program:

* do you feel like it was worth the cost?

* what did your salary look like before vs after?

* did it actually open up better opportunities?

* how intense was the program + internship balance?

* if you have kids, when did you do your msw and would you recommend that timing?

* would you do it again?

i’m trying to be realistic and make a smart long-term decision, so i’d really appreciate honest input.

Starting my MSW program in the fall in Colorado after 9 years of living in DC (and 11 years post undergrad) and y'all overwhelmed is an understatement.

I don't have a car right now because I didn't need to get a new one after mine died and I'll likely need one in Denver and I'm so stressed about this.

And I'm also stressed about affording all of this in general. I haven't gotten my financial aid package yet, but based on the COA, there's going to be a gap between what I get in aid and what I owe the university - plus cost of living and stuff. I have a job interview but it's for a seasonal role and what if I don't get it?

On top of all of that is just the stress of moving to a new place.

Don't get me wrong, I'm really excited but today has me thinking...wtf did I get myself into?

Hello! I am currently a junior in college and am going to be applying to MSW programs in the fall. I am coming up with a list of schools I want to apply to (although I need to narrow it down) and so far they include Columbia, UNC Chapel Hill, Penn, UChicago, NYU, Boston University, Loyola Chicago, UGA, SDSU, Fordham, and UNC Charlotte. However, I’m worried about my stats. I am a sociology major at a well respected liberal arts college in South Carolina called Furman. I have a 3.15 gpa (which I am pretty worried about), I have qualitative and quantitative research experience (3 semesters worth), I spent a summer working at a summer camp in Maine, and I am spending this summer helping my professor write his textbook on a fully funded fellowship. I have not participated in any extra curriculars in college. Do MSW programs care about that? Additionally, in the fall I will be shadowing a social worker in my area for my capstone. Anyways, do I have a chance at these schools or should I aim a little lower? Thanks for your help. :)