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Open house welcomes 93 potential applicants

By Rayhaan Adams, first-year MSW student

On the evening of Monday, Sept. 19, 2011, Dean Jack Richman, faculty and staff members and current students at the UNC School of Social Work welcomed prospective applicants to the schools’ annual fall open house. It provided potential applicants an opportunity to learn about the School’s curriculum, field placements, financial aid and admission requirements.

The event was well-received by 93 attendees, representing a host of interests and geographic locales.  Dean Richman greeted potential applicants by expressing the wealth of diversity and excitement a nationally ranked program, such as UNC’s School of Social Work, embodies. The evening also consisted of an overview presentation of the Master of Social Work program, as well as the admission and financial aid process, presented by Sharon Thomas, the director of recruitment, admissions and financial aid.

The remainder of the open house, aside from introductions and overviews, was devoted to an extensive faculty panel. Travis Albritton, Betsy Bledsoe, Dan Hudgins, Joelle Powers, and Wanda Reives discussed curriculum options and professional development opportunities available to our social work students. Attendees were also given the opportunity to meet with current first and second year students and Student Ambassadors during the reception.

The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive. The majority found the faculty panel to be of great help, as one guest stated, “The enthusiasm [of the faculty] was inspiring, and their thoughts and goals aligned with my own of social work.” Another claimed that, “The array of experience of the faculty was very helpful in the decision [to apply].”

The event is beneficial to all potential applicants seeking answers to questions that may require more in-depth personalized information than what is cited on the website. One potential applicant summed it up best: “I came into this meeting wanting to learn what social work was and what it affected. You [UNC] sold me!”