MSW Statement of Interest & Assistantship

1. Describe your experiences, both personal and professional, that influenced your decision to practice social work. In discussing your professional history, please include your work setting(s), the length of time you served, and whether or not this experience(s) was paid or volunteer. Include what your learned about yourself from these personal and/or professional experiences.
   For advanced standing applicants that hold a BSW only: Please include information regarding your undergraduate field placement in your response to question 1.
2. Tell us about an experience with adversity, discrimination, and/or oppression either in your personal or professional life and how you handled that experience. If you have not faced these issues in your life, please explain your perception of the role the social work profession plays in working with people who do face such challenges.
3. Discuss your commitment to social justice, both personally and professionally, and how you see this issue relating to your future practice in social work.
4. Explain the reasons you have chosen to apply to our social work program.
5. State your career goals for the next five years, including the population(s) with which you see yourself working.

If you wish to apply for a graduate assistantship, format a one paragraph essay Word document to be uploaded into the `Assistantship Essay' section of the online application, noting that only full-time students may be considered for graduate assistantships.

Detail your research and/or instructional experiences, technological aptitude (i.e., ability to use specific programs, web development, etc.), and any special skills that you would bring to your work as a graduate assistant. Include if you would be willing to work with another department if an assistantship in Social Work is unavailable.