newenglandshawn

Thanks for the reality check! Glad I have ample and advanced warning so I can be diligent in my pre-application prep. So, just to be clear: you will be applying to various HB programs in the near-future? Thanks again for the reflections. This is all very helpful.

I should add that I would probably be content with getting into the ThD programs at either Harvard or BU as well, if my theological interests are a better fit for that track.

Thanks for the further feedback. This is probably pretty naive, but what does it matter how many years of the languages you have had if you mastered them when (and for however long) you did take them? At least for now, I am pretty committed to Boston for family and professional reasons. Also, in some of my research I have determined that there are HB professors in some of the schools that are not necessarily tied to historical-critical methods (and, in fact, are critical of it). Lastly, there was a classmate of mine in my masters program who did get into Brandeis. Her background, like mine, is, of course, less text-critical. She may have been working on her MA, however, and may have had more experience with the languages than I have. Unfortunately, I never intended to pursue a PhD in my education so I didn't prepare myself as well as I could have for this time (and I cannot afford to pursue another Masters at this point). But I am not completely disheartened. I still think there is a place for me at one of those Boston schools and I am going to try to do all that I can to make it happen!

Thanks for the response! Those are good questions. My interests in Hebrew Bible pretty much revolve around theology of the Hebrew Bible with special emphasis on the corporate solidarity motif (as it pertains to Second Temple Judaism as well, though I have not personally grappled with this concept outside the HB at this point). I also have other HB theological interests, which may be a limiting factor since most top-tier programs are not necessarily concerned with HB theology. At the same time, I am also interested in studying ANE languages. As far as my language experience: I studied Hebrew both as an undergrad (two semesters) and in my MDiv program (one semester, before testing out of the rest). I studied Greek as an undergrad (three semesters) and was able to test out of it for my MDiv. Other than that, I am starting to familiarize myself with German. I should also hasten to add that I received my MDiv from a denominational seminary (Andrews University Seminary/Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary), if that is a mitigating factor!

I have really enjoyed reading all the tips and advice in pursuing a graduate degree in religion. My question is this: I am planning to apply to doctoral programs a year from now at the Boston schools (BU, BC, Brandeis, Harvard) for OT/Hebrew Bible studies. With my background, I am wondering what my chances would be in getting into any of these programs. Undergrad GPA: 3.2 (like many others, I goofed off my first two years) Seminary MDiv GPA: 3.85 GRE: Taking it in the spring Other factors: I have written two books, though they are for "popular" audiences and they are by lesser-known publishers. I have not yet written for any journals, though I have written many other articles for denominational publications. I am an ordained minister in a small (though rapidly-growing) Sabbath-keeping Christian denomination (in which I was named by the denomination's official publication as one of the "Top 20" in their 20s, back in 2006). I anticipate that I will get very good letters of recommendation and that my writings skills are in the upper echelon of applicants. I also plan to put on the "full court press" this spring by trying to interact with some of the professors via class visitation, personal appointments, etc. So what are my chances? Of course, I am particularly interested in Harvard, but I am not feeling very confident in my credentials. I do have a couple family friends who are widely recognized in the OT field and were very successful OT PhD students at Harvard a few decades ago - one of which I know for sure was a classmate of a current faculty member. However, I do not know these two OT scholars very well myself and they are not at all familiar with my work at this point. Should I expend the energy to try to get acquainted with them so that they might reach out to current professors in these respective schools? I also have one professor I did study under who was classmates with a professor at Brandeis. It seems like that could be a worthwhile connection (though his expertise in OT is not necessarily a subject I am passionate about). What other advice would be helpful in pursuing one of these PhD programs? Thanks for the feedback!