PS Autobiographical Essay:The MSW Admission Committee wants to know (a) why the applicant wants to be a social worker, (b) if the applicant has a sound understanding of the social work profession, and how it differs from other mental health disciplines, and (c) how the applicant’s life experiences have prepared him/her for graduate studies in social work. Formatting: length should be between three and four double-spaced pages.Please do not exceed four pages. Use Times New Roman 12 point font with one inch margins. If the work of others is used or referenced, APA format must be followed. (Please reference the American Psychological Association Publication Manual, 6th edition for information on how to format work appropriately.) Please do not use headers. The autobiographical essay should consider the following elements:What led the applicant to choose social work as a profession and what his/her career goals are;Life experiences, family background, and educational experiences as they relate to the applicant’s choice to become a social worker;Work and volunteer activities (provide details on social work or human services-related experiences);Leadership abilities and notable achievements;Social welfare areas of interest, including how obtaining an MSW would enable the applicant to professionally address these. GPA In order to be accepted into any graduate program, the University of Utah requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 from a regionally accredited institution. If the applicant has attended more than one institution, the GPA is a weighted cumulative GPA of all institutions. Applicants with a weighted cumulative GPA below 3.0, must also calculate the last two years’ GPA (60 graded semester hours of undergraduate work or 90 quarter hours). If both are below significantly 3.0, applicants should consider earning a second undergraduate degree or completing a minimum of 30 hours of post-graduate study in order to strengthen their applications.However, applicants with lower GPAs may still be considered for admission and should consult with the MSW Admissions Coordinator, Lena Al-Rayess, at Lena.Al-Rayess@utah.edu prior to applying. Please note that the University of Utah’s Graduate Admissions Committee is unlikely to approve admission for an applicant with a cumulative GPA under 2.8. CV Resume or Curriculum Vitae:Applicants exhibit their understanding of, preparation for, and commitment to social work through their application materials, including a resume. The MSW Admission Committee is particularly interested in the applicant’s paid work and volunteer experience in human services. Fee The non-refundable graduate application fee for international applicants is $65. Applications submitted after the application deadline will incur an additional $30 late fee, even if an academic department has a later deadline. Applications are not complete until the application fee has been paid. Please do not send cash. RL Four Professional Recommendations:Formal letters of recommendation are not needed. Recommendations must be requested through the ApplyYourself application system. Recommendations must be professional in nature and be from an individual who has supervised applicant in some capacity. Supervisors and anyone who has been directly responsible for assessing the applicant’s human service-related work/volunteer experience are suggested, particularly licensed mental health professionals. Personal references from friends, family members, personal therapists, and acquaintances will not be scored. Transcript Please note that a final official transcript must be submitted to the University’s Office of Admissions by the first day of class to verify receipt of an academic degree and/or any prerequisites in progress at the time of application. These must also be sent to the MSW Program office at least 14 days prior to the first day of classes.