Something about doors being closed in your face, so you break a window... I think that's how it goes.

So, fine.. I didn't get accepted to the U's MSW program.  Which was hard and awful and rejection sucks.. but really, I'm grateful to the U for being dumb.  Their loss, my gain!  I started looking at other programs, and found something I'm REALLY excited about AND they are still accepting applications for this fall.   For a bunch of different reasons, it is a lot better than the MSW program, (including the time requirements, the cost, the cohort size, the location... the fact that my marriage might actually survive this program!).

But most importantly, it's pretty much what I begun to picture myself doing with an MSW, without all the other stuff I was not interested in.  So, it's not a consolation prize, or my second choice.  If I don't get in for this fall, I will reapply to this program, and not the U's MSW.

I have met with the academic advisor for the program, and it's director. Both meetings went really well. The advisor said it sounded like I had been looking for their program after I told her why I had been interested in previous grad programs.  She said that talking to me felt just like talking to the people who were in the program, and that she thought I would fit right in.

What I really loved was when she let me know that my informal experiences, that had not counted for much with the U's MSW program, were precisely the kind of things the Westminster program was looking for. The meeting with the director was a lot of excited chatting and nodding heads. After I talked to her about my history, what I've been doing and what I care about, I asked her what they look for in competitive candidates.  She said it was basically everything I had just talked about. So, that feels good.

I am applying at the end of the window, so I know there is a possibility I won't get in.  But it feels really great to have a good, solid idea of what I'd like to do in the future.  I never really had that with the MSW.  I just figured that once I got into the program I'd figure it out.

Just filling out this application has been a completely different experience.  Instead of trying to twist my experiences and skills to make them look like what was wanted, it's been so nice to really spell out what I have to offer and what I've been doing and have them appreciated. It definitely makes writing my resume and essay easier!

What? you don't want me? Fine! I don't want you!

Maybe this is just the rejection speaking... but I'm starting to question whether I really want an MSW.

I heard back about what my application was lacking, and the main thing was that I've been a stay at home mom for the last 7 years, and they didn't really count the informal things I'd done as worth much. For months I've been trying to nail down lately what I really wanted to do with my MSW.  I didn't have a particular profession in mind.  I just knew I wanted to be involved with helping support women, working towards social change. And I figured once I got in the program I'd learn more about all the different possibilities.

The one thing I have come to realize already is that I am more interested in Macro than Micro.. I want to work on the big picture. And the thing I've always really loved doing was finding a need, and trying to fill it.  I'm a planner.  I love spreadsheets and looking up details and researching options.
I'm a passionate go-getter! Someone says we should do this, I start figuring out how to make it happen.
I think I would really love to be involved in community organizing, which is something I think you can do with an MSW, but do you really 'need' one?

Maybe an MSW is overkill for me.

Wisdom from an online friend I've never met

A friend's response to my news... I've decided she is wise.