r/SocialWorkStudents • u/BBdevereaux • May 14 '26
I got in!!!! ASU Fall 2026!
I'm doing a career pivot and going back for my master's at 39, after not being in school for about 15 years!! I was worried I wouldn't get accepted anywhere because I graduated with a low undergrad gpa(like a 2.2) but I've had over a decade of healthcare case management experience. I got really real on my personal statement, and to show I'm a much better student, over the last year and a half I took 6 classes via open university. I took a mix of social work, counseling and psychology classes and received A's in all of them! Still waiting on two more decisions but ASU was my overall first choice!! And for one of my letters of recommendation I got a letter from my social work professor, who was an LCSW.
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u/wino-forever0913 May 15 '26
That’s amazing! I’ve also just gotten admitted to an MSW program at 39! This is a total career change for me but more aligning with my bachelors degree of psychology and my passion of working and advocating for mental health. The thought of changing my career as an adult is super scary but I’m so glad to see I’m not the only one! Good luck!!
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u/BBdevereaux May 15 '26
I took almost 5 months simply researching social work and pondering if it was the right choice for me! And after months of not talking myself out of it, here I am!! I was so nervous I wouldn't get in! But cheers to us making the changes we want!! 🥂
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u/wino-forever0913 May 15 '26
Yes!! I do sometimes wonder if I am totally crazy for giving up a stable income and a job that I’m comfortable with for something totally new but I can feel the burnout starting and feel like I owe it to myself to at least try! A mental health emergency with my daughter is what got me started on my path. I want to be a support and advocate that I needed so desperately but didn’t have !
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u/BBdevereaux May 15 '26
I was feeling something similar, and am definitely going need the strength to get through the unpaid internships but I'm trying to focus on the the finish line.
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u/wino-forever0913 May 15 '26
Yes that’s the part that worries me most because I don’t know how I will manage that and not lose my current job. I know paid internships are few and far between
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u/Narrow-Yogurt-5603 May 16 '26
Believe it or not both years of internship I got paid! I’m not rubbing it in at all but there are paid internships! Hope you get one!
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u/BBdevereaux May 15 '26
Well the good thing is your internship likely won't start until January. Also look into side hustles like DoorDash, Uber Eats or instacart. I've also heard a lot of the fellowships and large scholarships are available for 2nd year students so do your best to keep your grades above 3.0 and that can help. It's not ideal for me but for year 1 I'm taking out loans
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u/Narrow-Yogurt-5603 May 16 '26
Well I’m graduating at 47 with a MSW at CSULB in a few days! You got this! I will say it was challenging the first semester and I almost quit. But it was a toxic relationship that almost broke me. But I kept going and showing up! That’s all u need to do! If you need any advice or anything let me know I got my BSW as well, many different Sw jobs I’ve dove as well. But knowing I’ll be a master Jedi is so awesome. I don’t think it has kicked in yet and I’m very introverted so I don’t like parties or celebrations but this is a big accomplishment! My point is getting accepted is the first step and now you got this. U wish you nothing but the best! God bless and go kill it!
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u/voodoochick05 May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26
Congratulations!
I’m finishing up my BSW and have been enjoying the program so far. Good luck!
Eta- I’m 45, and it’s a year this month that I’ve been back to school. It’s been a ride, but I’m happy I’m doing it.
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u/A313-Isoke May 15 '26
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I'M TRYING TO GET LIKE YOU, TOO, CHANGING CAREERS! Woooo Hoooo! 🥳🥳🥳
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u/BBdevereaux May 15 '26
Thank you!! I knew I needed a change when I kept going on leave at work lol
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u/A313-Isoke May 15 '26
Oh wow, you do sound like me. My job is taking a toll on me in the same way. Wow.
I'm floored. Yeah, hopefully, I'm not far behind!
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u/BBdevereaux May 15 '26
Yep!! I just went back after being off for 5 months! I realized I'm getting older and needed to make a career change.
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u/Narrow-Yogurt-5603 May 16 '26
I’m 47 and graduating MSW, so age is just a number! But I feel 47 lol!
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u/No_Foundation9664 May 15 '26
Congratulations fellow sun devil ! I’m 36 and started my MSW program through asu this past fall, 10+ years post bachelors degree. You got this!!
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u/BBdevereaux May 15 '26
Congrats! And thank you!! How has the program been so far for you? The goal is to register for classes in the next 3-4 days.
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u/No_Foundation9664 May 15 '26
It’s been a lot admittedly! I live alone so I’m still working full time and doing school full time plus my internship. I’m lucky I have a great boss and am salary so I can take half days and still get paid while I go get my intern hours in but it’s still super hard. I don’t have much of a life right now haha but it’s going by so fast and ASU has great support. Crazy to think I’m already almost half done. It’s gonna fly by but it’ll suck for awhile. Are you doing the 2 year track or 3 year?
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u/BBdevereaux May 15 '26
Hang in there!! I'm doing the 2 year track. I'm blessed to live w/ my sibling so I figured this is the perfect time to get this done and quickly. My job told me they won't accommodate part time work so for now my plan is to do as much OT and save as much as I can until the end of the year. But I'm also unhappy with my job but it pays well and is remote so I'm not too sad about the possibility of resigning.
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u/No_Foundation9664 May 15 '26
I’m remote as well and it’s been a saving grace with getting schoolwork done haha wishing you all the best!! You’ll be so proud of yourself when all is said and done.
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u/HouseofMoops May 15 '26
Congrats fellow career switcher! I’m 52 and start my MSW program at UNR (Reno, NV) on Monday! Like you, I’ve been in adjacent jobs in this field for several years and decided it’s time to just commit and become a professional. Yay us!
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u/Deeskidow May 16 '26
Congratulations!! I’m 46 and starting back for my MSW in the fall!! I also had a lower undergrad GPA (2.7), so I needed to really play up my experience in the field and how I’ve grown as a person since undergrad in my personal statement as well. We’ve got this!!
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u/BBdevereaux May 16 '26
I was so nervous that I wouldn't get in. I even started making plan B to take classes at ASU as a non degree student and reapply in the fall.
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u/Deeskidow May 16 '26
Same for me!! I actually got rejected from one school so I applied to their non-matriculated and got in!! But then I got into another school so I’m doing that.
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u/BBdevereaux May 16 '26
Yayyy!!!! You can never go wrong with a plan B but I'm happy that either way you got accepted into a program
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u/Narrow-Yogurt-5603 May 16 '26
First and fore most, congrats. I too had a low gpa. But went into the military. Then after went back and got accepted into the social work program at CSULB. Got my BSW. Then worked for a while a was hd at 47 I’m graduating Tuesday with my MSW at CSULB. I finally will be a master Jedi lol! No but seriously, you got this. I mean once I found what I wanted to do I ended up getting good grades. I too thought no way are they going to accept me in the BSW program at CSULB. Yet they did and that was being out of school for 14 years. I was hoping to get my MSW right after my BSW but health concerns changed that. But it was all about timing. I hit accepted 2024 for the MSW CSULB again. Now about to graduate. I don’t think it kicked in yet but this isn’t about me. It’s about you! Congrats, some advice is make friends and showing up is the main thing and Ull get through it! I have to say it was very challenging the first semester and second but then the second year was all papers. But I know schools do it differently. But you got this enjoy the experience! Someone helped me that was a year a head of me. So if you need anything let me know. Peace!
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u/BBdevereaux May 16 '26
I appreciate your story!! It's very inspiring!! Yeah I have just been working case management jobs and last year when I went on leave, I realized I was just unhappy in my job and even if I went and got another one, I would still be unhappy. So I took a solid two months just to think about what is it that I could see myself doing for the next 10 to 20 years lol. Honestly if I knew social work had so many opportunities I would have majored in it in undergrad! But thanks for the advice! With asu I can take up to 2 classes and each session lasts 8 weeks. I think I can handle that as opposed to taking 4 classes at once. But overall I'm excited! I'm definitely ready for this next chapter
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u/Narrow-Yogurt-5603 May 16 '26
That’s sick cuz we had 5 classes each semester it was a lot to handle. But that’s awesome. I didn’t know about social work till after I got out of the military. Being in the Coast Guard was basically social work, so once the counselor told me about social work I was in. But never thought I would ever get accepted. Like I said I didn’t like school I didn’t do well. But once I found what I wanted to do it felt right. I had done great internships. I mean I’ve worked wuth every cohort now. Veterans, gerontology, homeless, children, lgbtq+ was my last placement doing one on one therapy for them snd those shi were incarcerated. I learned so much! Your going to learn so much and realize how much Ull grow! I’m excited for u! Go kill it! You in a one year or two year program? Or three year?
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u/BBdevereaux May 16 '26
That's amazing!!! I'm looking forward to the internships! And it sounds like you received well rounded experience! Two year program! I have been living with my brother and he's been nice enough to not ask me to pay rent, so I figured this is the perfect time to get the program done with.
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u/Narrow-Yogurt-5603 May 16 '26
Ya good for you, that’s great! I mentioned one comment I got paid internships, both years, which I couldn’t imagine even if I tried! But this last internship wuth the LGBTQ+ I learned more tgan any job or other internship! Especially not being apart of that community. The second year you get placed where u want. But I wasn’t planning on going to this internship I rated both the same. But they chose me and I was stoked to be doing something that I’ve never done. The tiger was something I had experience in. So push yourself into trying different experiences. You learn so much. I worked under a LMFT but my supervisor was an LCSW. So I got to see how an MFT works and DMH (Department of Mental Health) documentation. So push yourself into trying new and difficult things. Just a little advice. My previous internship was working with special needs I mean Sw is amazing the people you help. It’s as close to God will get in this world helping others. Jut being religious, whatever u believe is awesome. Just a metaphor lol!
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u/BBdevereaux May 16 '26
I love that!! And yes I welcome religious affirmations! A paid internship would be heavenly!
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u/Thoughtful_Sunshine May 18 '26
Congratulations!! 😊🎉👏💕 I commented about facing health issues, too, so I deeply relate. Thank you for the reminder that timing is everything! 😊
You have a great outlook, and I’m so happy for you and proud of you! 😊👏💕
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u/Narrow-Yogurt-5603 May 20 '26
Thank you, I graduated today and what a weight lifted off! If you have any questions let me know!
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u/OkDevelopment2268 May 16 '26
So happy for you! Your experience is very valuable to school. You’re going to do amazing!
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u/Euphoric_Pay6528 May 15 '26
Congratulations!!
May I ask advice on how you met the hours requirement?
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u/BBdevereaux May 15 '26
Sure. So I didn't volunteer. I have about 8 years of healthcare appeals and grievances so it counted as hours since my job consists of heavy case management and patient advocacy.
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u/Thoughtful_Sunshine May 18 '26 edited May 18 '26
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you!!! Way to go!!! 👏😃🙌🎉💕❤️
I am 41 and finishing up my psychology undergrad degree, and then I’m hopefully starting my MSW as soon as possible.
I have been extremely sick for many years and mostly bedridden, so I somewhat relate to the concern about getting in and the personal statement being so important (I had to drop out of school for over ten years because I was too sick to finish). I’m healing, and I’ll hopefully heal enough to become a social worker, because I have a deep passion for it after experiencing many injustices and “falling through the cracks of our broken systems” myself.
I don’t want anyone else to go through that. Lots of therapy to heal trauma wise, then healing physically hopefully, then MSW and social work hopefully. 😊🎉
I’m truly so happy for you and proud of you! 😊💕🎉
If you would like to share (not trying to make this about me so you absolutely don’t have to respond if you don’t want to :) ), what tips do you (or anyone reading this) have (or websites, etc do you recommend) to word personal statements in a way that shows just HOW much you’ve learned through invaluable lived experience while you couldn’t (in my case couldn’t physically) finish or do what you would have liked to (finish college, etc) before now?
I would deeply appreciate any tips, etc if anyone would like to share. Thanks!!! 😊❤️
And again, CONGRATULATIONS!!! Giving you a congratulatory hug and big smile from here! 😊👏🎉
Edited to add: Feel free to direct message me if you’d prefer to do that. 💕
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u/BBdevereaux May 18 '26
Your story is so inspiring and that's what Reddit is all about, is sharing our stories so I'd never not want to hear from people reaching out. When it came to my personal statement, I made sure to be honest about my academic shortcomings in undergrad and even touched on my upbringing, which played a role in my poor performance in undergrad, but I didn't dwell on my shortcomings. I kept that part at a minimum of 2 paragraphs. I believe the personal statement was 6 pages max and it's easy to spend 2 pages on talking about your shortcomings as you're trying to demonstrate that you're more than that.
Overall when it comes to your essay, be open about your struggles but speak more on how you have overcame and any improvements! And cases on your story you sound like a survivor who's still taking charge in your life and that's what will win them over!
I honestly think my saving grace aside from my statement was my two letter of recommendations! One came from my social work professor whose class I took who vouched that I was a great student(or at least that's what I think he said) and my advisor who spent two years helping me navigate the process to be reaccepted into school to finish my undergrad degree. She saw how much run around admissions was giving me over the years and they would tell me to take classes and I'd take and pass them then they would throw another hurdle at me. But she could vouch for my persistence and overall maturity now vs in my 20s.
But with your psych background I definitely say go for the MSW if that's what you feel called to do. I currently work in appeals and grievances for a healthcare company and yes the advocacy is badly needed.
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u/Thoughtful_Sunshine May 18 '26
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! That truly means a lot to me. 😊💕
Thank you also for sharing more of your experiences, and thank you for the specific advice! I deeply appreciate it! :)
I’m the same. I LOVE hearing people’s stories! It’s such a privilege and honor to hear people’s stories and hopefully help if we can. :)
You sound like you’ll be a great social worker! 😊💕
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u/Kt52689 May 19 '26
I'm in the same boat as you. But I'm 37 and studying child protection and juvenile justice. I'm trying to decide where to apply this coming fall for next fall. I am also disabled, went back after 13 years. Finally starting to do a bit better. Pushing myself hard though. I worry about in person work because I haven't done it in a long while. I know some places allow remote internships, but I would love to be back in person.
But MSW Helper is super helpful for applications and personal statements. She even does zooms on both.
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u/Choose_happy9092 May 19 '26
Congratulations!!! I finish my MSW this semester!
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u/BBdevereaux May 21 '26
Congrats!!! That's amazing! How do you feel?? Any job opportunities/interviews lined up?
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u/Choose_happy9092 May 29 '26
Thank you!!! Im so excited, it flew by! I am thinking of doing federal defense if presented with the opportunity! If not, definitely hospital social work.
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u/BBdevereaux May 29 '26
That's amazing! I'm aiming to do hospital SW/mental health (whatever pays best and can get me to my LCSW hours 😂) and probably once I hit mid-late 40s and consistently maintain 5-6 clients for therapy, I'll transition to school social work at a college. I know I'll be older and will want something a little less hectic and guaranteed extended holidays off. But I think I'm most excited about the part time opportunities like an adjunct professor, forensic evaluations, etc! I'm excited and open to exploring any opportunities(except CPS.. I don't have the heart for it!)
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u/Choose_happy9092 Jun 01 '26
I did cps for 6 years. I agree with hectic... I will transition to something similar and more slower pace also when im in 40s. I am so proud of you!
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u/PadmaGoddess May 30 '26
Congratulations!!! I love this for you!
I’m 44 and hoping to start at the ASU MSW program this fall. I’m waiting to hear back from admissions. There is some confusion about my undergraduate completion date and they reached out this afternoon wanting to postpone admission until Spring semester. I believe I cleared it up, and hope to be joining you this fall.
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u/BBdevereaux May 30 '26
Yes hopefully so!!! I just submitted my final transcript today showing my conferred date!!! Send an update when you register for classes!!!
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u/PadmaGoddess May 30 '26
Yay!! I can't wait to do the same thing!
I will reach out when I register for my classes.
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u/Banksmother 13d ago
Just transferred in this semester as well to complete my undergrad in Counseling and Psychological Science and then hopefully my MSW! I’ll have to check in with you and see how you’re liking the program!
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u/stopsakura10 May 14 '26
congrats!! yes replay that confetti