Write a brief statement of interest discussing how your personal, academic, volunteer and/or professional experiences have informed your decision to pursue graduate studies in social work at Laurier.

“The Master of Social Work curriculum emphasizes the development of critically reflexive practice skills through theongoing integration of knowledge, theory and practice within a framework that promotes the
advancement of equity, inclusivity, reflexivity and social justice.
We welcome applications fromprospective students from all walks of life and value therepresentation of diverse social locations,ideas, perspectives, and life experiences in our student body, and the field of social work as a whole.
The FSW is committed to meaningfully facilitating an atmosphere that values the diversecontributions, talents, and lived experiences that our students, faculty, staff, alumni, andcommunity partners bring to the MSW program, all of which strengthen us as acommunityoflearners,scholars andfuturesocial workers.
Applicants to the MSW Programs (non-IFS only):
To be considered for admission to theMSWprogram,this documentmust be completed by allapplicants. We are interested in understanding:
1.how yourpersonal and paid/unpaidexperiences,valuesand social
location(s)influenceyourinterest in pursuing graduate social work education at Laurier;
2.your ability to criticallyanalyzeand addressacontemporarysocialissue.
We understand that applicantswill have differing levels of knowledge andunderstanding of the field ofsocial work and related issues and are applying to theprogram to learn more.
In assessingyour responses below, we are looking for a demonstration of:
Aninterest insocial work
A commitment toequity, diversity, and inclusion
Analytical,critical thinking, and writingskills
Relationship building skills andabilities
Acritical understanding of contemporary social issues
Acriticallevel of self-awareness and awareness ofone’ssocial location(s)
GPA requirements:While the minimum average for admission into theMSWprogram is a B in yourfinal year, we understand that certain factors may impact a student’s GPA. We recognize that otherexperiences such as professional and lived experience, in addition to GPA, also contribute to anapplicant’ssuitabilityand readinessfor agraduate social work studies and acareer in social work.As such,if applicable,we encourage you toincludeinformation providingrelevant context for youracademic recordin theStatement of Interest section.
Length:
Please pay close attention toword count limits.
YourStatementof Interestmustnot exceed500 words.
YourCase Example of SocialIssuemustnot exceed 500 words.
 Together, the Statement of Interest and the Social Issue Analysis must not exceed 1000
words total.
 If you choose to use references in either section, please use a consistent referencing
style for in-text citations and the reference list. The use of references is optional.
References are not counted in the word count and can be included after each question.
Part 1: Statement of Interest (500 words)
Write a brief statement of interest discussing how your personal, academic, volunteer
and/or professional experiences have informed your decision to pursue graduate studies
in social work at Laurier. Please address how these experiences:
 Would influence your approach to social work practices with individuals, families,
groups, communities, and/or organizations;
 Have shaped your understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion;
 Have contributed to your short-term and long-term career goals; and,
 Influence how you might contribute to the student community, the learning
environment, and life of the Faculty of Social Work community and the larger Laurier
community.
Please be sure to address the four points above. You are encouraged to use “I”
statements.
Part 2:A Critical Analysis ofa Social Issue(500 words)
Write acritical analysisof acontemporarysocialissue(this can be at a local, national orglobal level)that is relevant to thefield of social work. This analysisallows you to explorean area of interest as it relatesto social work practice and allowsassessorsto be abletoevaluateyour analytical and critical thinking skills andacademic writing skills.You areencouraged to use “I” statements and to draw from yourfirst-handpaid and/orunpaid/volunteerworkexperiences in the area of social servicesand/or your personal livedexperiences.Please be as specific as possiblerather than giving generalities.
Pleaseconsider the followingprompts in youranalysis:
What is the social issue that you have identified andwhyis it relevant to the field ofsocial work?
What are thefactorsthatinfluence thisissue, including issues of power?
Why does thisparticularsocial issue deserve public attention and resources?Iftheissue is not being addressed by policymakers, why do you think this is so?
What, if any, are thediffering opinions onhow to address this issue?
Describe some specific possible waysthatyou as asocial workermightcontributetoaddressingthe issue;include a discussion ofroles (e.g.,leadership, ally,advocate,direct service provider, etc.)youmightadoptand potentialconsiderations relatedtoyourpositionalities/social locationand ethics.
Feel free to add any personal reflections you hold with regards to the issue youhave chosen to present.”

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