[rafnow]

The NRC ranking of doctoral programs in religion had Claremont at ~20 and Iowa ~26. That's more than 10 years old now, so things may have changed. I think Iowa does have a pretty good reputation in certain areas. All depends on what you're trying to do.

[Stud. Theol.]

I recently came across two (very informal) discussions about religion rankings. They actually both focus on Christian theology (witha slightly conservative bent), so if anyone finds themselves more-or-less in the Nicene tradition then these may be valuable as far as rough opinions go:

http://www.firstthin...hesquare/?p=447

http://prosblogion.e...os.com/archives ... e-tgr.html

Also, regarding the NRC rankings, I did read a footnote somewhere that new rankings for religion were supposed to come out this month. I'm not sure if that's true, however.

[rafnow]

I think the new NRC rankings have been pushed back several times and now are due out "early Spring", but I could be wrong.

[sarah4153]

I see someone posted an acceptance letter from UCSB in the results page. I'm waiting to hear and I think a couple of you might be as well. I haven't heard anything. :|

[GSStudent]

I saw that too. I haven't heard anything yet. The end of January...that's early!

[sarah4153]

GSStudent said:

The end of January...that's early!

Well, they have had our apps since December 1st! :-D

[Stud. Theol.]

Anyone hear from Virginia?

[sarah4153]

Stud. Theol. said:

Anyone hear from Virginia?

No, but your post made me check the website again! :-)

[cmmimg]

This is in response to the people talking about University of Chicago-Divinity on the results page (I thought I'd move it here to not complicate the results board).

I was told in an email from Chicago a bit over a week ago that they would notify in mid-March. Furthermore, I was told today by a fellow applicant who was in recent communication with Chicago that they said they notify only via post, both for rejections and acceptance. They will send letters on March 6 or 7, which means they should reach us all a bit later.

[Philmajor]

Thank Cmmimg - do you have any information on how they make decisions. Do they accept/reject internal applicants and then move to external? Perhaps everyone is in the same pile :?

[Stud. Theol.]

Sarah,

Did you, by chance, land an interview with the UVA faculty? I got to meet Jones, Hart, and sit in on a class with Mathews. They are a very cordial bunch.

[veiltender]

I saw that someone posted an acceptance to the Religion PhD at Princeton on the Board. I don't know if all the Religion waitees saw it, so I thought I would mention it on here. Good luck to those who applied to Princeton!

[GSStudent]

I am the one who got into Princeton's program in Religion in Late Antiquity. A prof emailed me Wed night to inform me of the good news. Just waiting on Harvard now!

[sarah4153]

Stud. Theol. said:

Did you, by chance, land an interview with the UVA faculty? I got to meet Jones, Hart, and sit in on a class with Mathews. They are a very cordial bunch.

No, I haven't heard anything. I have a friend who also applied to UVA and he hasn't heard anything either.

[Svartsven]

Stud. Theol. said:

Sarah,

Did you, by chance, land an interview with the UVA faculty? I got to meet Jones, Hart, and sit in on a class with Mathews. They are a very cordial bunch.

Your comment is somewhat confusing. Are you saying the faculty contacted you for an interview after you submitted your application, or that you arranged a campus visit? These are potentially two very different things.

I'm still waiting to hear from UVA, Indiana, Syracuse, and Iowa. I've also applied to a number of philosophy programs.

[cmmimg]

Philmajor--No, I don't really know how Chicago makes decisions, though from what I've heard generally, their internal applicants aren't given any particularly special treatment, though certainly a recommendation from someone deciding admissions must do something to help.

[Stud. Theol.]

Sorry, that was confusing.

No, I wasn't invited for an interview after I applied. I arranged a campus visit before I sent my application. I was just wondering if anyone else had had any sort of direct interaction with the faculty and might share their impressions.

My own impression is that it's a very good environment in which to do theology (my own focus). Each of the individuals I met with even expressed a sort of optimism/excitement about both the work that they do and the graduate progam, generally. In interacting with some individuals at other programs I got the impression that this is somewhat rare. I'm just very high on UVA and, so, pretty hopeful.

Also, if anyone did land a post-application invite, I wouldn't mind hearing how that went.

UVA required our apps in early December so I guess I'm antsy to know either way.

[Stud. Theol.]

Svartsven,

What is your area of focus? Philosophy of religion, philosophical theology, something in that arena?

I am hoping to do something within that blurry arena myself. I applied to a number of top Ph.D. programs in philosophy 2 years ago and was shut out. (I aimed a bit too high, apparently. And my focus on phil. theol. or phil of religion probably didn't make many people in those philosophy programs jump for joy.) This time around I am focusing on religion/theology programs that are friendly (or at least not opposed) to projects in philosophical theology.

If you're looking at similar topics, what programs/people have you focused on?

[Svartsven]

Stud. Theol. said:

No, I wasn't invited for an interview after I applied. I arranged a campus visit before I sent my application.

Thanks for clearing this up.

Stud. Theol. said:

Svartsven, What is your area of focus? Philosophy of religion, philosophical theology, something in that arena?

I think my interests would be classified under philosophical theology. Though, more specifically, I'm interested in Post-Kantian religious thought, especially Kierkegaard (I'm writing my MA thesis on SK). I also have an interest in James, Barth, Heidegger, and Wittgenstein.

Quote

If you're looking at similar topics, what programs/people have you focused on?

I'm not sure how much our interests overlap, but I've applied to the following programs.
Religious Studies/Religion: UVA, Indiana, Syracuse, and Iowa
Philosophy: UC Riverside, Georgetown, New Mexico, Fordham, and U of Calgary

[amida]

I've accepted an offer from Duke in Theology/Ethics, have declined an interview at Emory, and have not heard anything from Yale, Vanderbilt, U-Chicago, or Boston College. (I applied in Theology to all of the schools.) Best of luck to everyone!