MSW Helper Blog.

MSW Helper specializes in working with MSW applicants to help them write top notch personal statements for grad school.

Check out the blog below, or visit the website to access free resources and services to help you write your personal statement with confidence.

Michelle Bruxer Michelle Bruxer

Scholarships for Canadian Social Work Masters Students 

This article contains a list of scholarships and bursaries that MSW students across Canada may apply for. Note that this list includes application deadlines, location requirements, and a brief overview of the scholarship requirements and funding amount, as well as links to learn more about each program.

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Personal statement, Low GPA Jessica Sauerwein Personal statement, Low GPA Jessica Sauerwein

Don’t let your low GPA stop you from applying to your Masters degree

Are you considering applying to a Master of Social Work graduate program but worried about your low grades? Don't let that hold you back! Although it varies depending on the school, MSW admissions committees generally look at applications holistically. That is why they require more than just your academic transcripts.

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Application Process, MSW application Jessica Sauerwein Application Process, MSW application Jessica Sauerwein

Rejected from grad school? How I got accepted to grad school the second time I applied

Receiving that first rejection from a Master of Social Work (MSW) program was a gut-wrenching experience. It felt as if the result of my passion, strong academic record, and the vast range of experiences I had gained were suddenly insignificant. The doubts crept in, and I questioned whether I had overestimated my abilities or misunderstood my calling in social work.

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Personal statement, Mistakes Sydney Citro Personal statement, Mistakes Sydney Citro

Six ways to improve your personal statement (Trust me, I edit them professionally)

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.

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These are the 5 Biggest Mistakes You’re Making in the Research Analysis in Your MSW Personal Statement

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! 

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Grad school life Jessica Sauerwein Grad school life Jessica Sauerwein

Success in Grad School: A Guide to Productivity and Self-Care for Social Work Students

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. 

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Personal statement, Low GPA Michelle Bruxer Personal statement, Low GPA Michelle Bruxer

How to get accepted to your MSW even if you have a low GPA

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.

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Personal statement, Mistakes Sydney Citro Personal statement, Mistakes Sydney Citro

I was rejected from the Master of Social Work Program the first time I applied - here’s how I got accepted next time.

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.

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Applying to Clinical Social Work Programs in Canada

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. 

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Resume and interview Michelle Bruxer Resume and interview Michelle Bruxer

The 8 questions you NEED to know how to answer before your next social work interview

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?

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Personal statement, Common MSW prompts Michelle Bruxer Personal statement, Common MSW prompts Michelle Bruxer

How to answer “why I want to be a social worker” in your personal statement

If you are applying to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, you likely need to write a personal statement as part of the application process. The vast majority of Schools of Social Work ask applicants to discuss what motivates them to become a social worker.

In this article, we will be discussing how to discuss your motivations for becoming a social worker in a strategic way.

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Applying to Master of Social Work Programs in Canada

Starting the journey of pursuing a Master of Social Work can be both exciting and daunting. On one hand, you may be excited about your potential career path, but on the other hand you may already know that Master of Social Work programs can be quite competitive.

As a Canadian myself, I often get questions specific to Canadian Master of Social Work programs. This blog post will address important questions and considerations when applying for Canadian MSW programs, including the demand for social workers in Canada, finding suitable programs, GPA programs, and identifying the best programs in the country.

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Personal statement, Examples Michelle Bruxer Personal statement, Examples Michelle Bruxer

Master of Social Work Personal Statement Example

Schools also often ask about things like ethics, alignment with the school, values, conflict, and how you intend to manage the demands of the program, but almost every school asks the above two questions, so this is a great place to start

The vast majority of schools are looking for you to talk about:

  • Your personal experiences (from your life, professional experiences, schooling etc).

  • A discussion of a social problem and how social workers can work towards solving it.

  • Your motivation or goals for becoming a social worker

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MSW application, No experience Michelle Bruxer MSW application, No experience Michelle Bruxer

How much experience do you need to apply to your MSW?

When I was applying for my Master of Social Work, I spent hours scrolling through forums and trying to compare myself to other MSW applicants.

I see the same thing happening today. I always see MSW applicants compare their stats with each other “I have a 4.0 GPA, 10,000 hours of experience – blah blah blah.”

As someone who works with MSW applicants daily, I can tell you with confidence that having more experience doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a better application. It’s far more important to show admissions committees that you have the skills and insights they’re looking for.

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Online MSW, MSW application Michelle Bruxer Online MSW, MSW application Michelle Bruxer

Pros and cons of Online Master of Social Work Programs

More universities are offering 100% online Master of Social Work programs. Online Master of Social Work programs are great because they offer flexibility with time and location, and they open doors for applicants in remote areas.

However, there are also drawbacks to online programs as well. They can be more competitive, they aren’t suitable for everyone, and it can be harder to secure placement in online programs.

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Need help?

MSW Helper has been helping future social workers write top notch MSW personal statements since 2018.