MSW Admission Interview Information

The School of Social Work Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management (OSS) conducts many interviews with Master of Social Work (MSW) applicants each year. Applicants to the MSW program are welcome to request an interview after they have submitted their MSW application and all required supporting documents. For some applicants, the Admissions Review Team may request that they schedule an interview, so more information can be gathered prior to making an admissions decision. Interviews are conducted via Zoom or in person.

Student-Initiated Interview

An applicant to the MSW program can request an admissions interview after they have submitted their MSW application and all required supporting documents. This interview will be conducted prior to the initial application review. This may be a good option for a student who would like to provide additional information for the Admissions Review Team to consider (e.g., poor academic performance or withdrawals, limited social work-related experience, etc.). Applicants may meet with an admissions counselor to discuss whether an interview is recommended. Please note: an interview request is not used to gauge the applicant’s interest in the program.

Applications are reviewed holistically by multiple members of the Admissions Review Team. The staff interviewing you may not be the same staff members who will complete the initial review of your application materials.

To schedule an interview, applicants should call The Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management at: (734) 936-0961 to request an admission interview as soon as they have submitted a complete (including all letters of recommendation) application.

Applicants who would like to provide the additional information listed above may do so instead of or in addition to the interview via the "Additional Information" section of the application. The "Additional Information" section must be completed prior to application submission.

School of Social Work Requested Interview

Each year, The School of Social Work requests that many applicants to the MSW program take part in an admissions interview. This interview is conducted following the initial application review and allows the Admissions Review Team to gather more information before making an admissions decision. Interviews may be requested due to poor academic performance or withdrawals, limited social work-related experience, to clarify career goals, or to gather other information.

Students will receive a letter (via email) from the Office of Student Services and Enrollment Management requesting that they schedule an admission interview. To schedule the interview, applicants should call OSS at (734) 936-0961.

Applications are reviewed holistically by multiple members of the Admissions Review Team. The staff interviewing you may not be the same staff members who completed the initial review of your application materials.

Tips For the Interview

• If your interview is virtual, it is important to test your technology beforehand.
• If your interview is in person, it is important to arrive early to navigate potential traffic, parking issues, or other obstacles that may make you late to the interview.
• For a virtual interview, be in a private room where you are alone and can have your camera on for the duration of the interview.
• Be prepared and do your research about the University of Michigan MSW Program, including the School's mission and vision, prior to the interview.
• Treat the admissions interview as you would a professional job interview, including dressing in business casual attire as required at most MSW internship sites.
• Have a practice interview with a friend, mentor, or university career service office. Do not memorize your answers. Instead, come up with short bulleted lists of potential examples and strengths you want to highlight according to the questions you might be asked.
• If you are asked a question that you are not prepared to answer, feel free to ask a clarifying question or ask for a moment to gather your thoughts.
• Before answering questions, think about how you can use the question to demonstrate a certain skill or quality that you know to be a good fit for the MSW program.

Be Prepared to Discuss the Following

• Your interest in pursuing an MSW program and why you are specifically interested in the University of Michigan's MSW program.
• Knowledge of the social work profession and your specific learning goals.
• Human service experiences (paid, volunteer, research, and internship) or experience in another field that has prepared you for the field of social work.
• Your academic preparedness for the MSW program, including addressing past academic challenges, if relevant.
• Examples of times when you have demonstrated key skills pertinent to becoming a master-level social worker.

Please note: Questions asked during the interview may be similar to information requested on your MSW application. Interviews are an opportunity to provide clarity or more in-depth information for admissions consideration.