[Jufarius87]

m suprised Yale isnt on that list....

[academiccricket]

Speaking of Yale, does anyone know how competitive the (concentrated) MAR program is? I applied because I would love an opportunity to work with textual criticism more before going into a Ph.D., but I'm also worried that I won't get in since I already have an M.A., though I want to improve my Greek and acquire new languages.

Thoughts about the program? I hate that notifications don't go out until March 15th :lol:

[Jufarius87]

I went to Yale's open house, what seems to be the case is that the concentrated MAR is more difficult to get into than the comprehensive MAR.

That said, their overall admit rate is about 55-67% depending on the year (goto yale web and search YDS by the numbers) an the adcomm said their average entering gpa was about a B+, so if your UG is strong and your masters is in a related field I would imagine you have a very good chance of making the concentrated MAR (which is probably what you would want if you already have an MA and want to focus on Greek and biblical texts).

[academiccricket]

Thanks for the info. I've looked at the page before, and petersons.com lists about a 55% acceptance rate, but sometimes that data can be skewed (for better or worse).

[Jufarius87]

Just sent my application a few days ago, application checklist went complete today.

I think (supposing I am one of the lucky roughly 50%) that it is going to be a matter of funding for me. I broke down the numbers and roughly 10% of entering M.A.Rs (5 out of roughly 50 entering) get the marquand (full tuition + 5k stipend :D ) and roughly 10 of M.Divs (8 out of 70-80 entering) get either a marquand or a nickerson (full tuition + 2.5k). There are also other full tuition awards that seemed more specialized (Forman, Sengal, Teh Sie), So I imagine at the end of the day roughly 10-15% get a free ride with stipend. Adcomms also indicated the average fin aid package was about 80% of tuition.

Little obsessed with Yale as it is my first choice...

[spock&kirk]

I'm getting ready to send in my application for a concentrated MAR at Yale, and I'd appreciate someone in the know ballparking my chances:

undergrad Classics major, have studied Latin & Greek for 4 years. Hebrew for 2
Great recommendations, on of whom is a Cambridge prof. with whom I did a supervision two summers ago
Have spoken to a Yale professor I'd like to work with
3.35 GPA.
GRE v. 750 q. 660 a.w. 5.5
3 yrs of experience as research assistant
Research grant
Two publications in student journals.

I'm a very good writer, so I don't expect the presonal statement or essay to be a problem, but I am uncomfortable with my GPA. Will it hurt or will other things make up for it?

I'm also applying for MTS at Harvard, Notre Dame, and Emory, and an MA at GTU.

[academiccricket]

I'd say if the "average" is a B+, your 3.35 falls right in line with that. You seem to be a pretty solid candidate, in my opinion and your GREs definitely can help even out your GPA (if that is your concern). I can't imagine a more qualified candidate, but who knows how these things play out, eh?

I'm applying for the Concentrated MAR in Biblical Studies, and my profile is...
M.A. Jewish Studies (concentration Hebrew Bible) - 3.7
B.A. English, B.A. Religion - 2.7 (I worked full-time and double-majored. Ridiculous on my part)
GRE - v. 590, q. 600 AW - 4.5

Languages:
Hebrew - Modern (2 years), Biblical (incredibly proficient...), Mishnaic
Akkadian - 1 year (audit at Harvard)
Aramaic - 1 semester
German - 1 year
Greek (Attic) - 1 Year

My recs are 1) from my M.A. Adviser 2) from a Harvard lecturer 3) from a past-president of SBL / ASOR

Taught Pentateuch (upper-division) and Eng.101 at a small (~2000 students) liberal arts college
Participated in archaeology dig in Israel this past summer
Am presenting a paper at Trinity College in Ireland this February
---
I really just want to improve my Greek and do textual criticism. Sigh. I really want this, but I imagine that a 50% acceptance rate means just choosing from an applicant pool of ridiculously overqualified people like yourself. March 15th can't get here soon enough.

[spock&kirk]

academiccricket-

Thanks for your response. Where did you you do your MA in Jewish Studies?

[demondeac]

So Baylor's Religion program has notified their short list for interviews...why the hell didn't I apply to Baylor? Oh right, Texans.

[spock&kirk]

I'll definitely apply to Baylor for a PhD.

[cavedan]

spock&kirk,

If you're applying to one of the language-intensive subfields, then I think you're all set. When I applied for MTS/MARs at some of the schools you mentioned, I had much less language background (and a lower GRE), and I did very well with applications. I also found that most MTS students in my subfield had similar or less language background when they began the program. I'm not saying it's a simple 1:1 correspondence between languages and acceptance, but - well, maybe it is? For the masters anyway. In any case, if the written parts of your application are in order, I think you will do well.

[Jufarius87]

Wow.... you guys are scaring me with the language backgrounds...

Going for M.Div
GPA 3.82/4 (Philosophy and Mathematics)
ECs at church and school (elected positions)
senior thesis / honors program in philosophy.
P.B.K
Didnt Submit GREs

1 year of German.... even though I did well in it I think I'd prefer to take up a different language in Grad school... Hebrew or Arabic probably
Hoping the lack of languages doesnt hurt me (not intending on going on for doctorate immediately after M.Div)
Anyone got Questions let me know.

[academiccricket]

S&K,
I did my M.A. at Hebrew College (in Massachusetts). Fairly small school, lots of knowledgeable faculty though.

Jufarius87,
From what I've heard, an MDiv is easier (more or less...I don't know if anything in this process is "easy") to get accepted to because you aren't "expected" to have a language intensive background, since it is a more "ministry-focused" degree. I hope that helps ease your mind and nerves.

[demondeac]

So applications are in...for the most part. I am daily learning how unreliable the registrar-to-grad school connection can be. I had one program that was missing every transcript (3 schools, two copies each), though I have to suspect that this had more to do with disorganization at the grad school than the three registrars sending the transcripts. Letters of Recommendation also have a funny way of disappearing and needing resending.

So I am in the totally anxious waiting period. Every day I do what I call "phd fidgeting" and check gradcafe, applyingtograd, etc. If I'm extra neurotic I might check the status updates at my programs. What are you all doing? Anyone else waiting for the earlier programs (like Emory's invitation-only interview weekend)?

[academiccricket]

demondeac,

I hear you. So much. I've re-sent transcripts out at least 5 times, and sent two follow-up emails to recommenders. 2 months later, and I'm waiting on one transcript to get to UW-Madison for my application to be complete, and then one LOR to be sent to CUA for my application to be complete. The other five are finished and I am waiting ever so patiently.

[thousandsuns]

Has anybody heard from VAnderbilt or EMory yet on 2009 Religion phd applications?

[demondeac]

thousandsuns said:

Has anybody heard from VAnderbilt or EMory yet on 2009 Religion phd applications?

Just looking through results it looks like Emory invites its interview weekend folks around the January 22-23rd range. Given the statistical sampling done on the "Waiting it Out" (which is crazy and entertaining all at the same time) the most likely time to hear anything is on Tuesday or Wednesday of the week, so either we may hear tomorrow (a little early but a Wednesday), or more likely next week around Tuesday or so. Vanderbilt is a little different, since they only give as many offers as they are expecting to take as PhD students (so around 18-20, around 2 per sub-discipline if I remember correctly). So If you are one of those 2, you are ridiculously awesome and apparently hear in mid February. If/as those students decline through March or April, they will make offers going down the waitlist through March and April. The results page seems to confirm this also. I know I'm waiting on pins and needles for both these programs, though I'm trying to cultivate some stoic apatheia...I think I'm going to re-read Epictetus now that I think about it.

[studyordie]

I still have one more app due (Villanova) and I'm glad because it's kind of keeping the neurosis at bay. It's not really working, however, so if anyone would like to distract themselves with frivolous gossip...

This is a couple steps removed from the source so somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but a few years back Vandy really liked an Ancient Near East person from my seminary and in consulting with her faculty advisor they said they had to know whether or not she would attend vandy if she were admitted because they do not use a wait-list and end up losing whatever spots they offer that are not accepted. If what I heard is true, is that not the stupidest thing you've ever heard? I don't personally have much hope for my application there so this is more curiosity than concern, but that sounds like a good way to miss out on great candidates.

[demondeac]

studyordie said:

This is a couple steps removed from the source so somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but a few years back Vandy really liked an Ancient Near East person from my seminary and in consulting with her faculty advisor they said they had to know whether or not she would attend vandy if she were admitted because they do not use a wait-list and end up losing whatever spots they offer that are not accepted.

I would say it sounds a bit like that old game "telephone" :D The way it was explained to me by the graduate secretary there (who is probably the nicest I've met through this whole process) is that they try to make offers to the people with the best credentials who really fit in the program, so they don't anticipate many of them declining to go elsewhere. If they do decline (and some do), their spot is offered to another candidate (though a bit later in the process). If I remember correctly they are not allowed (by the Uni) to make more offers than they have funded fellowships, so this would mean that they would almost HAVE to pick folks who will attend or they will miss out by extending offers late in the game. With this in mind, I wouldn't be surprised if they made contact with a letter of recommendation writer with whom they were acquainted, to try and surmise how serious the student was about the program. If the student is likely going somewhere else, then they have to go with another student. It is interesting to see how university policies can affect this whole process.

Oh and if there are any Vandy adcomm lurkers out there...I'd totally go there! :mrgreen:

[achowa00]

I think I'm glad I decided not to apply to Vandy after all: getting rejected from the alma mater really would be painful. :cry:

All of my applications are in, sans the one-year Master's programs I'm applying to that wouldn't require moving. Those are due Feb. 1 and I just can't bring myself to do anything until right before the deadline, although after shelling out for overnight mailing on other app's, I should have learned better.

I'm not too nervous yet, as I've been too busy with the holidays and work to think TOO much about it, but I'm starting to spend more time on here which says something for the anticipation that's building. Eek.

Are people applying for outside funding? Other fellowships, etc? Is now the time to do that?