Canada · 2027–28 one-year HBSW intake
Lakehead one-year Social Work 2027 personal statement exam
Lakehead's one-year HBSW route is for applicants who already hold a three- or four-year undergraduate degree and have sufficient university coursework. Its professional-suitability review gives the personal statement exam 25% of the application score, alongside grades, references and a work and volunteer résumé. This is separate from the third-year HBSW application.
Writing format
Online, consecutive 3.5-hour personal statement exam with essay-style questions
What to prepare
- 1Reflect on experiences that led you toward social work and what those experiences taught you about people and systems.
- 2Explain your understanding of a professional social worker's role without presenting personal goodwill as a substitute for professional practice.
- 3Identify strengths you would bring to training and abilities you still need to develop; Lakehead lists these as example topics, not the guaranteed exam questions.
How to approach the writing
- Complete the OUAC application and send the supplemental form, résumé and two references before the separate online exam window.
- Prepare to write independently in one consecutive 3.5-hour session; arrange any documented accommodation through the supplemental form before the package deadline.
Before you submit
Lakehead lists December 10, 2026 for the OUAC application, December 16 for the supplemental package and references, and January 22–25, 2027 for the online statement exam. Its package says to email the supplement to the School of Social Work rather than upload it to myPortal; confirm the invitation and exact exam access instructions.
Read Lakehead 2027–28 one-year HBSW supplemental application package ↗Read Lakehead one-year HBSW admission and deadlines ↗Official source checked 2026-09-25.