Transcript:
Applicants must submit official transcripts, from all post-secondary institutions that they have attended, directly to the Graduate Admissions Office. If you are finishing undergraduate course work during the application process then you should send a current transcript. Once coursework is completed, a final official transcript that includes the final grades and the date the degree was conferred is required. If you have taken any Professional Credit Courses through the Continuing Education Department, you must specifically request transcripts to be sent to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.
Curriculum Vitae:
A current resume, including degree's completed and all professional positions held must be submitted. Please include any positions of leadership that you have held and ensure that all information is accurate and up-to-date.
Personal Statement:
The personal statement is a critical part of your admission application because it gives us the opportunity to review your writing skills and provides us with a great deal of information about you, your experiences and your goals. We do not offer individual interviews and often the personal statement will determine your success in the application process. You may submit the personal statement online when you complete your application or you may mail this personal statement separately to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions.
In a three to five page typed narrative, please address the questions below. You may add any additional information that may be helpful to the admissions committee.
What are your reasons for applying to Rutgers University School of Social Work? Discuss how your personal, professional, and/or community experiences and values affected your decision.
Select and describe a social problem of concern to you and describe how you believe professional social workers can help alleviate this issue.
What skills and strengths would you gain from Rutgers University School of Social Work that would help you to address the problem you described in question 2?
After carefully reviewing the program requirements--including field education hours and course load expectations--please describe how you will manage to fulfill the program requirements, while balancing field education weekday hours and academic work with other life commitments.
Recommendation Letter:
Three Current, Professional Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation should be current and come from individuals who are familiar with your academic and/or professional experiences and abilities. If you are a recent graduate or are currently enrolled in school, we recommend that you seek letters from faculty members. If this is not possible, consider asking individuals who are able to address your current work, abilities and your potential to succeed in graduate school and in the field of social work.
The most valuable letters come from those individuals who you have worked for or volunteered with in some capacity. We are looking for specific information regarding your academic and intellectual abilities, work performance and potential. Letters from friends, family, or professionals that you know on an exclusively social basis should not be submitted.
Letters of recommendation may be submitted by providing your recommenders email address on your application. These individuals will then receive a message providing access to upload their letters. Letters may also be sent directly to the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions. We request that the envelope seal be signed by the recommendation letter writer to ensure confidentiality.