The New Social Worker Vol. 19, No. 4, Fall 2012 | Page 20

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Your Social Work Graduate School Application:
14 Tips To Help You Get an Acceptance Letter
by Robin R. Wingo, MSW, LISW

pplying for graduate school is a
big step! Whether you are just
graduating with your bachelor’s in
social work or you have been out for a few
years, preparing that application takes time,
energy, and careful consideration. Your
grades are only one indicator of readiness
for graduate study. It is highly likely that
you will be asked to write a professional
statement or essay along with completing
a standardized application form. Although
some admissions committees conduct
personal admissions interviews, your first
representation will be in writing, and your
readiness will be evaluated on how you
present yourself, your experiences, and
your professional aspirations.

Every graduate school’s application
process is different. Some are fully online
and others use hardcopy, but they are
all looking for the same thing—students
who can clearly and thoughtfully make

1. Don’t just download applications!

Each graduate program is looking
for students who match its educational
mission and goals. Go to the Web site
of each program that interests you, and
review! Decide whether you are a good
fit for that particular program. Applying
only to programs that are located close
by may not be a successful strategy if
you can’t make a good case for fit. Take
opportunities in the application to write
about why you are a good fit.
2. Read the application carefully, and
follow directions!

That sounds like a no-brainer,
but often in the haste to complete an
application, key information will be
missed or ignored. Use a highlighter to
target items that use the words “must,”
“demonstrate,” “provide examples,” or
“identify.” Read the instructions for the

a case for how they are the best fit for
acceptance into that particular graduate
program.

As that applicant, you want to
be successful, but making the most of
the application process is a relatively
unexamined process. Each program will
provide forms and directions as part of
the application, but little direction is provided regarding what works to meet the
expectations. The following are some key
thoughts for putting your best application
forward.

professional statement or essay carefully
and make note of the expectations!

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Fall 2012

The New Social Worker

3. Attend a pre-admissions meeting
or ask to meet with a faculty member to talk about the program and
your fit.

Go prepared! Read the Web site and
the application and prepare questions.
Make sure you introduce yourself.
4. Give yourself ample time to think,
write, revise, edit, get feedback from

an impartial reviewer, revise, edit,
and submit!

Make sure your spelling, syntax,
grammar, and punctuation are correct.
Make sure your word choices clearly and
accurately depict your thinking and that
your ideas are presented in a professional manner. As you no, its easy two half
misteaks even win wee are being vary
careful too due it rite! (sic)
5. If you aren’t confident about your
writing skills, during the application
process, you might consider taking a
writing class or working with an editor to improve your writing skills.

Graduate students can tell you they
do a LOT of writing, and it is a skill you
will use in every class.
6. If you are applying in your senior
year or are a new graduate, keep
in mind that the coursework, volunteer experiences, and field practica
you completed have increased your
knowledge and skills.

Don’t underestimate their value! Focus on your strengths and what you have
to contribute, rather than on whatever
deficits you may think you have. Rather
than, “I hope to learn...,” think about
saying, “I have learned and applied...,”
or, “The skills I developed have led me
to....” Graduate programs are looking for
learners who will contribute to the learning environment. Give them examples of
what you have to offer!
7. If you have been out practicing at
the bachelor’s level, use your educational and work experience to highlight what you have accomplished,
where you are headed professionally,
and what you will contribute.

Draw specific examples from your
work (without breaching confidentiality)
to demonstrate skills, leadership, creativity, ethical practice, and professionalism.
Sharing your successes is not bragging!
8. Some programs request that a
résumé be submitted along with your
application.

Make sure it is up-to-date and
formatted in a clear manner. Current