Personal Statement Advanced Standing Program (ASP)

The Cal State LA School of Social Work application must include a personal statement of approximately six to eight (6-8) double-spaced pages, (one-inch margin all around, 12-point font) in essay format discussing each of the points listed below. The personal statement is an opportunity for applicants to share personal and professional experiences that have prepared them for graduate school in social work. The personal statement will also be used to evaluate applicants’ critical thinking, self-reflective capacities, and advanced writing skills.

Answer the questions in order. Please do not copy/paste the questions but instead provide the headings (e.g., Professional Information). Failure to address any question or adhere to the instructions stated above will affect theevaluation.

Professional Information

1. What are your short-term and long-term goals for a career as professional socialworker?

2. Describehowyourstrengthsand

3. Our school has a strong cross-cultural emphasis and values What attributes and values do you possess that can enrich our school’s cross-cultural orientation? How do you think your worldview regarding diversity will influence your work in school and as a socialworker?

4. Pleasedescribeanyprofessionalcross-culturalexperiencesyouhavehad,especiallywithregardtovalue conflicts and how those conflicts wereresolved.

Educational Plan

Our program is rigorous and demands a great deal of time and attention. The Advanced Standing Program (ASP) begins with a short-term, intensive summer bridge.  In the ASP program students spend an estimated 60 total hours per week for their studies (which includes 12 hours of classes, 24 hours of field internship, and 24 hours of reading, studying, and preparing class assignments). We highly recommend you do not work while in the program. (Please note these are estimates and a student’s hours may be higher orlower).

5. What is your plan for managing your responsibilities with such a rigorous graduate program? For example, there is no flexibility when it comes to class and internship schedules, as it is a cohorted program; therefore, if you will be working while in the program, please explain how you will reconcile this with such a rigorous program. Please consider financial and time managementissues.

Vignettes/Case Illustrations

6. Discuss a situation in which you were confronted with a difficult value or ethical conflict. How did you resolve it? What were some of the factors you considered in making your decision? How was the person and/or other individual affected by thesituation?

Please draw upon your own work/volunteer experience to illustrate how you managed the situation described. If you have not had such an experience in a professional setting, please draw upon a personal experience and dis- cuss how you would manage the situation if it occurred in a professional setting per the questions above.

Do not use names or information that might violate the confidentiality of the individuals you decide to use in your descriptions.

Draw from your own work experience to illustrate how you would manage the situation described below. Do not use names or information that might violate the confidentiality of the individuals you decide to use in your descriptions.

7. Tony and Ana never expected to live into their eighties, but they are glad to be alive and glad they are still living in their own home. Maintaining the house has gotten harder since Tony had his first stroke. Ana finds herself exhausted and arthritis prevents her from getting around the way she used to. They cannot afford to hire someone to help them in their home. They’ve looked into alternative housing arrangements. The one thing that Tony fears most is that his condition will deteriorate and that he will end up in a nursinghome.

Within two months, a series of small strokes affected him profoundly. His condition has deteriorated to the point where he needs help getting to the bathroom, as well as feeding himself. Ana has done the best she can, but their children have decided that Tony will go into their local nursing home, where he can get around the clock care.

Tony and Ana are afraid and do not feel like they have a choice.

Please provide a brief case write-up. Include relevant clinical issues and/or concerns. What would be the case plan for this family, including, if applicable, necessary resources?

Additional Information

Describe any additional information, not reflected in the enclosed forms that might enhance your application. For example, you may include achievements, publications, awards, and professional presentations, or other relevant information.