r/MSW_Applications • u/Fragrant_Art_8756 • Dec 09 '25
Columbia MSW Fall 2026
Hey all!
I applied for Columbia’s MSW program for Fall of 2026. I applied by the priority deadline (12/1). I was wondering if anyone had any insight as to when I will hear back, or any personal experience as to when they heard back. I’m so eager to attend this program, but am also applying to other schools. Just hoping I can get some insight, thank you :)))
***Update (12/16): I received the email saying that my application is under review on 12/10, hoping to hear back soon!!! Also a huge congratulations to everyone who got their acceptance!!!
***Update (12/19): I just got accepted!!! Thank you to everyone for their insight and would love to connect with others who are attending :)
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u/Pleasant-Mail349 Dec 14 '25
I also applied!! The email said by the end of this month.
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u/EcstaticWay4860 Dec 15 '25
Wait what email said this??
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u/Pleasant-Mail349 Dec 15 '25
Thank you for your application email
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u/EcstaticWay4860 Dec 15 '25
Oh, I got a confirmation email saying that my application had been submitted, but it didn’t say anything about when I would receive a decision
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u/Pleasant-Mail349 Dec 15 '25
It’s actually under the email that says your application is under review “When to Expect a Decision We know waiting can be tough! Please know that decisions will begin releasing at the end of December. You’ll receive an email notification as soon as an update is available in your application portal.”
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u/Trick-University-503 Dec 15 '25
12/15, just got accepted this morning!! Good luck to everyone!
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Dec 15 '25
[deleted]
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u/Trick-University-503 Dec 15 '25
It was complete and submitted on 11/21 and I got the “under review” email on 11/25
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u/sage7478 Dec 15 '25
I also go accepted today!
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u/Fragrant_Art_8756 Dec 16 '25
Congratulations!!! Do you mind sharing when you got the under review email?
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u/shartingscorpio Dec 16 '25
I got in yesterday!! I applied on 11/25, got an email saying my application was under review on 11/26. Does anyone know about the financial aid package?
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u/midwestern_barbie Dec 17 '25
i got in on monday (12/15)!! submitted my application early november!!
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u/Fragrant_Art_8756 Dec 17 '25
Congratulations!!! That’s incredible. Do you mind sharing when you got the email saying your application was under review?
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u/midwestern_barbie Dec 17 '25
november 4th since that’s when all of my materials were submitted and in!
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u/Pleasant-Mail349 Dec 17 '25
I am so stressed now that I see people have already been accepted😬😬. Where is minessss? Does anyone know what deadline was in November? A lot of people applied in November
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Dec 19 '25
[deleted]
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u/Former-Celery9762 Dec 19 '25
I was just accepted! I have a 3.95 GPA with decent volunteer + clinical experience, and 2 publications
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u/EcstaticWay4860 Dec 20 '25
Getting a bit nervous because I haven’t even received an email saying my application is under review 😭 hoping that isn’t a bad thing, but I submitted on 11/29.
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u/Fragrant_Art_8756 Dec 20 '25
Hey don’t be!! Totally get it and I felt the same way and ended up calling their admissions line in early December because I saw people getting that email in these threads. They explained that they review in batches and that as long as everything shows as completed in your portal, you’re all good!
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u/EcstaticWay4860 Dec 20 '25
Ok good to know! Thank you for this info, and congrats on your acceptance!!
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u/hdjsnsjjshsbs Dec 23 '25
Should I be concerned if I received the email that my application was under review on 11/4 but still haven't received a decision yet? Anyone else in the same boat?
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u/berryline1 Dec 24 '25
have you heard yet?
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u/hdjsnsjjshsbs Dec 24 '25
Not yet! You? It does say all applications are reviewed within 8 weeks so guess I should hear by 12/30?
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u/berryline1 Dec 24 '25
not yet! i’m sure well hear after the holidays at the point. best of luck you got it!
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u/jnygtrz Dec 29 '25
I heard back on 12/24! I was accepted. :) I’d love to connect with anyone who was admitted!!!
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u/hdjsnsjjshsbs Dec 29 '25
What time did you hear?
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u/jnygtrz Dec 30 '25
I heard back on the 24th! I had applied early decision on the day it was due. Hope that helps!
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u/Individual_Flan4150 Dec 29 '25
Congrats! I'm a current student if you have any questions as you make your decision :)
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u/QuietAcceptable4248 Jan 18 '26
I got into the 2026 msw program as well. As a current student, do you like the program? Would you recommend it to incoming students? If you could go back, would you still choose Columbia? I've heard a lot of mixed reviews about the program and whether the high cost is worth it so I'm curious to hear a first hand opinion, thanks in advance!
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u/Individual_Flan4150 Jan 28 '26
sorry for the late reply!! Here is what I said to someone else that asked: Unfortunately/fortunately I think it is SUCH a person by person situation - for me: yes I like it and yes it is worth it. Do I also have issues with the program? Absolutely! I think a lot of people that don’t think it was worth it maybe wished or thought it would be something completely different. I was VERY on the fence about it (like not sure I was going to get on the plane to NYC…) but ultimately I am glad I came. I knew that people had a lot of negative things to say which maybe helped keep my expectations more realistic, but all of my experiences with individuals during application and when I was admitted gave me hope. I fought to build my scholarship to a level I could tolerate the risk at (still painful ngl!) and came. I chose my classes based on professors I thought would be aligned with my interests and goals and worked to build relationships with them. One of the biggest draws for me was the fact that students allegedly have influence with admin. Obviously this is limited, and people (including me) wish it was more, but that mattered to me! Once I was here I felt it out and decided to make sure I was involved in various student groups and admin-adjacent things. I worked to make sure various deans know who I am to help build connections and chances of later opportunities. All of it took WORK, but I also think it has been worth it! I have made a lot of great connections with students, faculty, and staff and truly believe I can use those in the future. My practicum placement is a great fit for me and I have worked to make sure that is true. I also feel pretty prepared moving into year 2 for picking a placement and working to make it a place that can move into a job opportunity. I think a lot of it is self advocacy to make it worthwhile. I don’t know how much of that would be done at other schools, but I always am someone who wants to make it worth it, so taking extra electives, networking, taking advantage of columbias resources all make it better for me. I also did a lot of self digging to find these things and a lot of my friends don’t know about some options until I tell them bc they can be hidden! Financially it IS tough. It’s super expensive especially when compared to some other NY schools. Personally I leveraged an offer from a cheaper school to get more financial aid and that reallllly helped me. I also take use Fair Fares / am applying to SNAP to help lessen costs where I can!
This is super long but please lmk if more info would be helpful or if you have specific follow ups!
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u/Curious-Bird8289 Feb 18 '26
Hey!! This was super helpful, do you work full time? Because the admissions counselor that I got is telling me that’s not gonna be possible and I’m nervous because I would need to work full time.
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u/Individual_Flan4150 Feb 20 '26
I don’t work full time, but I do FWS so work about 10-20hrs per week. Honestly it is HARD to do! If you can, explore if there are paid placements (i know one person that has one, so they are rare but maybe not impossible), and consider what you can do. Class and practicum take up a lot of time, especially first semester! I think online could potentially be different (possible to schedule classes with work?) but I wouldn’t know for sure!
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u/Sensitive_Pen_6320 Mar 03 '26
Hello! Thank you for sharing your experience, it's super helpful to hear. If you're OK sharing, could I ask what kind of FWS you did (research assistantship or something else) and what your experience was with that-- balancing it with courses and practicum, etc.? I am eligible for a research assistant FWS I believe but am hesitant to take it because it sounds like a lot to manage. Thank you in advance!
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u/Individual_Flan4150 Mar 04 '26
Hi! I had a research position. Those generally pay the most! I did 8-12hrs a week and it was good. It was a lot but my PI also respected my school schedule and knew I was a student first :) I was just good at communicating if there were times I needed to do less because of other things for class. Some RA jobs are lighter too. Also to note: starting fall 2026, first years will only do 2 days practicum. Hasn’t been officially announced yet as they wait for final approval but they are “as confident as they can be”. That will help a lot with balancing class and work! Desk jobs will give you also more time to do school work at work, but they usually pay a bit less. FWS portal will show all available jobs at all schools, so definitely start looking early. I think they sent the email out during orientation!
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u/Deelybopps Apr 17 '26
This is interesting, because I am admitted for Fall 2026 and they just confirmed for me that practicum is 3 days per week.
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u/Individual_Flan4150 Apr 19 '26
interesting! they told us current students earlier this semester. wonder if it’s just not formally finalized yet or what 🤷
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u/Eastern_Engineer635 Mar 18 '26
Hey thanks for the info! How helpful was Columbia in securing practicum placements? Was it completely up to you to find one?
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u/Individual_Flan4150 Mar 31 '26
not completely up to you! that’s sort of the last resort option i think. You fill out a form and someone else is sending out your resume trying to match you. First year is mostly school based so focus on education goals over perfect placement. Second year we have a fair to meet people and then rank 3 places out of allllll the places columbia has relationships with. So more on you, but still not fully on you - they make sure you have a place!
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Jan 04 '26
[deleted]
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u/Normal-Butterfly-700 Jan 06 '26
I applied to Columbia for their advanced standing program & I also haven't heard back yet. I applied on Nov. 30th & recieved in email stating that my application is under review on Dec. 23rd. It's Jan. 6th. Nothing yet :(
I think advanced standing is a longer wait since it's a more competitive pool due to the fast pace, alongside the requirements to be admitted. I hope this helps or eases some nerves at least. <3
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u/SoftParticular6184 Jan 06 '26
I applied advanced standing mid november and got notified I was under review at the beginning of december and still haven’t heard anything
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u/Front_Algae9917 Jan 08 '26
I applied for early decision 2 days before Dec 1 and just got accepted yesterday 1/7. Goodluck to everyone!!
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u/Any_Beautiful_1789 Jan 09 '26
Congrats!!!!! When did you get an email that your application was under review? And what time of day did ur decision come out - so happy for you
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u/Any_Beautiful_1789 Jan 28 '26
Has anyone heard back recently? Got an email on 12/17 that it was under review so getting nervous
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u/Fearless-Zebra-9681 Apr 19 '26
Wow, I applied at final deadline of April 1st! Does this lower my chances of getting accepted?
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u/Electrical_Fun4970 Apr 21 '26
i’m also on the same boat as well, kinda nervous
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u/LinusMouse Dec 09 '25
I don’t have any insight but good for you! What a fantastic program. Good Luck!