Unsuccessful for social work....What now

KatieShopstoomuch

alwaysonthego wrote: »

Have you had relevant work experience?

Were you able to link your real life experience and skills to the questions?

I think this was my problem with the interview. I was that nervous i couldn't think straight :mad: and although i was able to give answers to the questions in which issues people may face and were or how i'd witnessed it before i didn't then go on to give any solutions, ie.....the social worker would then...or suggest....or support... etc I think that is were i have failed miserably but with NI only having two universities and over 1000 applications a year for their 130 places i could still be applying in 5 years time :eek:

KatieShopstoomuch

I'm still waiting to hear from the other university although it has a higher reputation and higher standard so i feel because i haven't got a place with the other one i most likely won't get an offer from them either

KatieShopstoomuch

alwaysonthego wrote: »

I got a place on a MA social work course for this Sept (not sure if I am defering due to promising funding for a research MA). There were 40 places and 300 candidates (small uni) and they phoned me an hour after the interview telling me i was successful and said I would make an excellent student. This is possibly because I have (or soon to be) a related degree, plenty of voluntary work experience working at the CAB and supporting Gypsy and traveller families and paid work as a care assistant. They said that I presented myself well during the interview.

:T Well done i'm pleased for you

newlysingle_2

Sorry you didnt get offered a place. I also applied this year, I was offered 3 interviews out of 4 uni's. I went for my first interview at my first choice and my heart sank when they told me 1500 had applied for 50 places. Luckily I was offered a place and withdrew for my other interviews to give someone else a chance. But whilst waiting for my interview I considered what I would do if I didnt get offered a place. I already do voluntary work with home start and am continuing for the foreseeable future, but also considered doing some counselling and focusing in the area of social work i wanted to go into ie young children and families.

If social work is an area you want to go into I would take the next year to build up as much experience as you can do, and if possible ask the uni for feedback- we were told we would get it on request if we were not accepted, and work on those areas.

Good luck xx

KatieShopstoomuch

Hi newly, did we speak before way at the start of the access course? lol...... When i spoke to Queen's they said there was a reserve list and i may get a letter within a few days if i am on it then if people decline their offers and places become available i could get offered a place ...... I do hope so but i've still another decision to hear from so i might be lucky lol......Well done on your offer

Oldernotwiser

KatieShopstoomuch wrote: »

I think this was my problem with the interview. I was that nervous i couldn't think straight :mad: and although i was able to give answers to the questions in which issues people may face and were or how i'd witnessed it before i didn't then go on to give any solutions, ie.....the social worker would then...or suggest....or support... etc I think that is were i have failed miserably but with NI only having two universities and over 1000 applications a year for their 130 places i could still be applying in 5 years time :eek:

Do you have to stay in NI?

newlysingle_2

Yes we did lol, only got 9 weeks left now can't wait to finish and get stuck into uni work. Hope you get on the reserve list. I know when I went for my interview there were young people there only going to make their parents happy, they were taking up someone elses chance of a place when they didnt even want to go :mad: That was the main reason for me withdrawing, to give someone else a chance.

KatieShopstoomuch

Yeah unfortunately Family etc I need them for support as I have got my daughter as well, I had considered it as I have family im Cambridge and had looked at Anglia Ruskin and UEA but just recently I have moved my daughter into a much better school so I don't want to disrupt her again. I'll have to try again next year and try to get better interview skills!

KatieShopstoomuch

Yeah newly thats about the same as me! Final exams in three weeks, cannot wait i've found it really intense! Enjoyed it though..... Maybe i'll get good news from the other university but i don't want my hopes up Yeah there is a person in my class got an offer and she doesn't even want to do it she said she's doing it for the incentive bursary and to get a good paid job but she hate the idea of social work.....GRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! Very decent of you withdrawing in time for others to have a chance Bet you can't wait to get started!!! Hope it goes really well for you

MrsManda

KatieShopstoomuch wrote: »

I'm still waiting to hear from the other university although it has a higher reputation and higher standard so i feel because i haven't got a place with the other one i most likely won't get an offer from them either

This isn't necessarily true so don't give up hope until you get a reply. Think about your previous interview and work on what situations you could talk about if you get another interview. When I applied for uni I had low A-level grades and hadn't studied full time for five years. I wasn't applying for SW but the courses I were applying for has around 150 applicants per place. I didn't get an offer at one of the unis so was convinced I wouldn't get a place for the other uni I had applied to as they said they had ~300 applicants per place as they were considered one of the best in the UK. To my surprise I got an interview and a place and I've been there since. I nearly didn't apply there at all because of the incredible reputation but my OH convinced me to attempt anyway as I had nothing to lose. So please don't lose hope, just plan what you want to do if you don't get in or you do.