Auburn University
Social Work Program
Application Checklist
Instructions for Completion:
Students should apply to the Social Work Program at the end of Practicum and before Methods I.
Applications are due either April 15th, August 1st or November 15th -- whichever date is closest to the end of the semester in which Practicum will be completed.
To submit a complete application to the Social Work Program please include the following:
Admissions Application Form.
Individual photo no larger than 4x6.
Standards of Social Work Education Acknowledgement Form.
Complete the Rubric for Assessing Professional Behaviors-Student Self-Evaluation
Copy of unofficial transcript.
One letter of recommendation (See Admissions Policy for guidelines on selection of recommender).
Admissions Essay: “Why I Want to Be a Social Worker” (See next page for instructions).
Bring the completed packet to the Social Work Department Main Office in 7030 Haley Center.
Students will be notified of admission decisions via mailed letter to their home address. Please be sure the mailing address you provide on your application is up to date.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATION PACKETS WILL NOT BE REVIEWED
FOR OFFICE USE ONLYDate Received:______Complete Packet Verification Date/Initials:______
Admissions Committee Review Date: ______Action: Conditional ______Full ______Reject____
Guidelines for “Why I Want to be a Social Worker” admissions essay
Your 3-4 page admissions essay should address the following:
o Why do I believe that Social Work is an appropriate career choice for me given my personal values, life experience, interest in and ability to contribute to the Social Work profession?
§ Please include any history of helping others, or personal events which have contributed to your growth in awareness, sensitivity and understanding of diversity with regard to race, age, gender, lifestyle, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation and gender identity, spirituality, religious, non-religious belief, or physical or intellectual ability.
o What social problems with American society am I most concerned with and wish to impact as a professional Social Worker?
o How are my personal values similar, dissimilar, or a “good fit” with the profession of social work? Please discuss this in detail after thoroughly reviewing the NASW Code of Ethics.
§ If I have some conflict with the values of social work and still want to work in this profession, what can I do to improve my ability to work with clients who challenge me?
o What strengths do I possess? What are the areas in which I need to grow during the course of my education? Include how you manage stress and/or crisis situations.
Admissions Application Form
Name: ______AU Student Number: ______
Local Address: ______
Local Phone: ______
Home Address (if different): ______
Home Phone: _(______)______-______
Auburn E-mail Address: ______
Personal E-mail Address: ______
Current Cumulative GPA: ______
What courses are you currently taking that are not listed on your transcript?
Courses / Expected Grade______/ ______
______/ ______
______/ ______
______/ ______
______/ ______
Do you have a particular field of interest in social work? (Examples: Mental Health, Income Maintenance, Child Welfare, Community Action, Planning and Research, Administration, Etc.)
If so, What? ______
Standards of Social Work Education
Acknowledgement Form
I, ______, a student interested in pursuing studies in Social Work at Auburn University, do hereby that I have been supplied with, have read, am aware of the contents of, have been given an opportunity to answer questions, and agree to abide by the Auburn University BSW Student Handbook and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics.
Signed: ______ID#______
Date: ______
Copy Placed in Student’s File Date: ______
Evaluation for Admission to the Social Work Program
Student Name : ______Date: ______
1. What motivations or experiences led to you choose social work as a major?
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2. What are your specific career interests in social work?
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3. In what area do you plan to do your internship?
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4. What are your plans immediately following graduation?
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5. What are your plans five years after graduation?
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6. What value conflicts do you have or might you have regarding social work including, those related to your religious and spiritual beliefs?
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7. What strengths do you possess related to social work practice including social support, health practices, and stress management, as well as skills relating to people, etc.?
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8. What are your needs for growth or learning? How do you plan to address these?
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Please rate yourself on the items listed in the left-hand column using the following scale:
RATING SCALE: Unsatisfactory = 1; Below Average = 2; Average = 3; Above Average = 4; Excellent = 5
Time Management Skills / 1 2 3 4 5Academic Achievement Level / 1 2 3 4 5
Writing Ability / 1 2 3 4 5
Consistency in carrying out responsibilities / 1 2 3 4 5
Ability to work cooperatively with others / 1 2 3 4 5
Degree of commitment to the profession / 1 2 3 4 5
Degree of clarity regarding SW functions and goals / 1 2 3 4 5
Degree of comfort with the choice of major / 1 2 3 4 5
Ability to conceptualize and express one’s own value system / 1 2 3 4 5
Degree of acceptance of values dissimilar from one’s own
/ 1 2 3 4 5
Sensitivity to ethnic and cultural differences / 1 2 3 4 5
Auburn University
Rubric for Assessing Professional Behaviors – Student Self Evaluation
Instructions: Using the RAPB Behavior List as a guide, please rate your performance based on your demonstrated behaviors in all social work classes, practicum and service learning (i.e. BraveHearts). Use the comments section to support each of your ratings.
Ratings: 1=Unacceptable, 2=Needs Improvement, 3= Acceptable, 4=Outstanding
Behavior / Self eval Rating / Comments/Supports1. Attendance: Attends classes and related meetings
2. Punctuality: Is punctual and present
3. Initiation of Communication: Initiates communication with the professor /supervisor
4. Respect: Demonstrates respect and support in relationships
5. Self-Awareness: Demonstrates self-awareness
6. Diversity Awareness: Demonstrates awareness and responsiveness to diversity
7. Collegiality: Demonstrates collegiality and collaborative interactions.
8. Course Engagement: Demonstrates appropriate engagement in class activities /discussions
9. Written Expression: Strives for a high level of written expression
10. Initiative & Reliability: Demonstrates initiative, reliability and dependability
11. Responsiveness to Feedback: Demonstrates evidence of motivation to improve oneself
12. Compliance with Professional Requirements: Demonstrates compliance with the professional conduct policy in the Social Work Program and Field Education Manual
13. Compliance with the NASW Code of Ethics: Demonstrates compliance with the Code of Ethics in its entirety
14. Quality and Quantity of Work: Strives for high quality work that meets assignment guidelines
15. Professional Appearance: Displays professional appearance that does not interfere with professional relationships / responsibilities
Comments (regarding your ratings): ______
± Adapted from University of Vermont Department of Social Work and Texas A & M University Central Texas Social Work Program.
Updated 9.25.17