Social Work Admission: Requirements, Deadlines, and Personal Statement Guide

BSW Application Workshop

THE REQUIREMENTS ADMISSION APPLICATION DEADLINES APPLICATION CHECKLIST GPA REQUIRMENT PREREQUISITES Transcripts Completion/In Progress Gen Eds & Pre-Major Classes Personal Statement Social Work-Related Resume Personal Statement 2-3 Recommendation Forms Minimum of 2.500 CGPA SW 1010 SOC 1010 PSY 1010 POLS 1100 MATH QA WRTG 2010 Gen Eds (Can be missing up to 2) Admission to the BSW is contingent on final admission to the University of Utah FALL COHORT: Application opens December 1 Application closes March 15 SPRING COHORT: Application opens June 1 Application closes September 15

PERSONAL STATEMENT Details of the Personal Statement How to Make Your Personal Statement Stand Out 5-page Personal Statement Optional 6th Page for GPA Statement If your GPA is low, utilize this 6th page to discuss why your GPA has been lower and what your plan is moving forward to be successful How you have otherwise demonstrated a capacity for success in our program (superior grades during the final semester(s) of work prior to applying, success in another degree or certificate program, etc.)? If granted admission to the program, how do you plan to address potential obstacles to successfully complete the program? ____________________________________________________________ Utilize the Writing Center to get feedback on your Personal Statement Does it flow well? Is there a good balance of personal information as well as relevant information that demonstrates your readiness for the program? Discuss your reasons for choosing to pursue a BSW What other career paths have you explored? What strengths & values do you bring to the field of Social Work? What volunteer, work or life experiences have helped you to prepare for a career in Social Work? Do not overshare on personal obstacles Show how you have grown from situations Be prepared to address what you consider to be your personal strengths, limitations, and needs for growth with regard to working with people whose gender, culture, ethnicity, or sexual orientation are different from your own, Read, understand and reference the NASW Code of Ethics to help you with relevant language: Code of Ethics (socialworkers.org)

SOCIAL WORK-RELATED RESUME Social Work-Related Experience Resume Guidelines The more Relevant Experience you can demonstrate, the better Human Service - College of Social Work - The University of Utah (shows what counts as Social Work-related experience) Experience can be job related, volunteer, internship (paid or unpaid) Mission/Religious based service typically does NOT count Formatting guidelines: Follow this template format, even if you already have a resume 2 pages max, though sample is 1 page. If you have a lot of experiences, choose wisely remember this is your SOCIAL WORK-RELATED resume You can take out sections that don t apply to you Be sure to include hours per week, city, state, & position title for all your experiences Reverse chronological order Education it you attended a lot of schools, you don t have to put them all down.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND TRANSCRIPTS GEN EDS PRE-MAJOR COURSES TRANSCRIPTS & CURRENT CLASS SCHEDULE Unofficial transcripts or copies of official You do not have to pay for it No degree Audits Transcripts from all institutions One from EVERY regionally accredited school, even if another transcript shows those transfer credits. Include transcripts from concurrent enrollment credits/courses also need the college/university s transcript not the H.S. transcript. Current class schedule or anticipated schedule Pre-Major Courses must be completed within the last 10 years with a C or better Gen Eds need to be completed or in progress at the time of your application A maximum of two Intellectual Exploration general education requirements (FF, HF, SF/AS) may be unfulfilled when starting BSW program SW 1010 Social Work & Social Welfare SOC 1010 Intro to Sociology PSY 1010 General Psychology (OR PSY 1011 OR AP PSY score of 3+) POLS 1100 US Nat lGov t (OR HONOR 2212 OR AP Gov t score of 3+)

RECOMMENDATIONS DETAILS APPLICATION DEADLINES BEST PRACTICES HOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS WORK You will provide names and email addresses on your application form which will then send a form to your recommender 2-3 individuals required Prefer one level up Possible options: faculty/professor, previous supervisor, mentor, co-worker (NOT personal counselor, religious leader, or family/friend that s a social worker) Person should know your potential in the social work field or your academic performance Choose individuals that you are confident will say good things Make sure that you have contacted your recommenders to ask them if they are comfortable providing you with a recommendation and remind them of the deadline Double check that you have their correct email address REMEMBER YOUR APPLICATION DEADLINES AND GIVE YOUR RECOMMENDERS AT LEAST 4 WEEKS NOTICE!!! FALL COHORT: Application closes March 15 YOU CAN DO THIS BEFORE HITTING THE FINAL SUBMIT BUTTON ON YOUR APPLICATION SO DO IT EARLY!!!!! SPRING COHORT: Application closes September 15

ADMISSIONS DETAILS APPLICATION DEADLINES BEST PRACTICES Final admission to the BSW program is contingent on final admission to the University of Utah MAKE SURE YOU ARE CHECKING THE EMAIL THAT YOU PUT ON YOUR APPLICATION REGULARLY! FALL COHORT: Application closes March 15 Applicants will be notified via Email by the end of April You may be applying to the U and the BSW program simultaneously ONCE YOU RECEIVE YOUR ACCEPTANCE LETTER, YOU ARE NOT DONE YET!! MUST COMPLETE FORMS AND INTENT TO ENROLL BSW and U of U admissions are independent tasks be sure to track and follow through on both!! SPRING COHORT: Application closes September 15 Applicants will be notified via Email by the end of October Prior to the start of your Cohort semester, there will be a final check of your GPA and completion of Pre-Major classes You MAY receive notification that you have been accepted to the BSW program before being accepted to the U. If you are subsequently NOT accepted to the U, your BSW acceptance will be rescinded

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