MSW Programs - 5 Tips for Interview Success
by Ashley Tiara Lilly
Graduate school interviews can be intimidating, but they are also wonderful opportunities to meet people and to learn more about the program(s) you applied to. I recently applied to a few MSW programs and was invited to interview for two of them. I got accepted to both schools, so I wanted to write about some tips that helped me to feel confident and successful. Here are five tips for interview success:
1. Do Your Research
When I was preparing for grad school interviews, I made sure to do a lot of research. I read about the program, courses offered, and details about how field placements work. I also read about the research interests of the professors in the social work school, the areas of specialization students had to choose from, and whether the program seemed more clinical or macro focused. Learning as much as I could about what made a program unique helped me to feel prepared.
2. Talk About Your Experiences
As someone who holds a bachelor’s degree in English, my experience in the social work field is limited. However, I found that discussing life experiences can be just as valuable as discussing professional ones. I talked about experiences I had volunteering to feed people who were homeless, as well as how passionate I am about helping LGBTQ+ youth. I feel that discussing the things I was passionate about showed that I gave a lot of thought toward my decision to pursue an MSW.
3. Make Your Voice Heard
The interviews that I was invited to were both group interviews. As an introvert and quieter person, I was worried that I wouldn’t get a chance to say everything I was thinking. During one interview, this wasn’t an issue at all, because my group was really in sync and we each spoke in the same order. In the second interview, this was a bit more challenging, because we all spoke at different times. Still, when I had a chance to speak, I made sure I took my time and gave the best answers I could. I also made sure I listened to the people in my group and bounced off of their ideas or stories.
4. Trust Your Instincts
I learned as much as I could online about the schools I applied to. I also sent emails if I had any questions about my application. Still, nothing can replace visiting a school and interacting with people in person. I got unique vibes from each program, so when it came time to choose a school, I trusted my instincts more than anything. The interview was a valuable opportunity to see how I felt in each environment.
5. Say Thank You
After I finished my first interview, I sent an email to thank the admissions advisors. I read in an article once that email is better than snail mail, because it leaves a more immediate impression. In this case, it seemed like a good tip, because I was accepted to the program the next day. For my second interview, I didn’t have the contact information of the person who led the interview, so I would definitely recommend asking for it if it’s not readily available. I always like to express gratitude to people who helped me or gave me their time. Even if I never talk to that person again, it feels good to leave with positive energy.
I definitely felt nervous about my grad school interviews. However, I also enjoyed the experience of meeting other aspiring social workers. I met people who had BSWs, as well as people who had backgrounds in anything from theater arts to education. The interview process gave me the opportunity to see which program felt right for me. I think that as long as you’re being honest, positive, and expressing your passions, you can’t go wrong.
Ashley Tiara Lilly is planning to start her MSW studies in the fall. Her interests in the field include mental health, advocacy and representation in the African American community, gender equality, LGBT rights, and creative expression as a catalyst for social change.