Hector Varela Jr.

I have accepted the offer to U of C. Will be attending in the fall. I went to the Prospective Students' Day (and the Diversity Day the following day) and was very impressed. Hope to see you there. Hector.

I applied to the Committee on the Study of Religion at Harvard GSAS under the presumption that it was a post-bachelor's program leading to a PhD. In the site info, I read that they do confer the MA but only when you are admitted into the PhD program at Harvard GSAS. In other words, you can't get an MA from Harvard GSAS and run to another institution. You must get the PhD at Harvard. I already have a MAR from another institution and am counting that will give me a little bit of an edge to get into this program. But, honestly, I think my chances are slim. I emailed today. But, all this to and fro regarding conflicts, intrigue, and drama between two departments at Harvard is troubling to me. I heard that they were in flux, planning to merge all programs under HDS, but wasn't aware that things were so bad. Makes me reconsider the possibility. Hector.

This sounds better. I was really surprised about the conflicts described previously, but I understand the situation that could cause it. This is the program I applied to in Harvard, and I am still waiting for an answer. Realistically, I think my chances of getting admitted are slim to none, but I am still hoping for a yes! UChicago was my #2, so pressure is off. But I would really like the choice... Thanks, H. PS. If I get into Harvard, I might ask you for that student's email, if you're willing to share it. Getting an insider's p.o.v. is priceless! Thanks!

Wow...incredible for such a prestigious university. Thanks!

Thank you very much.

Has anybody heard anything about this program?

Hi! I have been accepted to UofC in the Religion MA program. Seriously considering accepting, but my situation is somewhat uncommon: I am married with two teenage kids. I need a good school for them, along with a family-oriented area. My biggest concern is the schools around Hyde Park. My kids are in a private school now, but private schools in Chicago are much more expensive than in PR, so it is not in the budget. And, according to our internet search, public schools in Hyde Park are, to put it mildly, not acceptable. I would have no problem commuting for 30-45 minutes if it meant a better school for them. My process is: 1. Find a good school for both my kids within commuting distance. 2. Find a house/condo within my budget inside school radius. If found, great!. If not, go back to 1. 3. When school and living area are nailed down, my wife would look for a job. Suggestions? Comments? HELP? Hector.

Wow...must be a very limited program. Just got my rejection from BU as well. Unless a miracle happens with Harvard, UChicago it is!!!

I'm sorry. But at least you know and can explore other posibilities. For me, not knowing is worse. Good luck on your endeavors and God bless.

Thank you. That offers some jitters relief...

I am very proud of my patience (three teenagers at home, for starters ), but this is getting ridiculous, Pass, fail...I just need to know. H.

Anybody else out there knows something about admissions to the MA at the DRTS at BU? I haven't heard anything. H.

I haven't heard and tried to get into the GSAS site at Harvard and am unable. Keep waiting...and praying...and hoping... Hector.

Congrats, my friend. Crying from joy is a perfect emotion. H.

God...that's actually the last thread of hope I have Thanks and good luck.

Well, congratulations! That school is my first choice. Still harboring some hope over here... H.

In your signature, it shows acceptance to BU. So...you heard from DRTS? Hector. PS. Going bananas over here.

Got my response from UChicago yesterday...accepted! Nice offer on scholarship too. It's starting to get real...

I'm also waiting on BU (DRTS, MA/PhD). The wait is driving me ______.

I don't know...sounds a little pro-forma, impersonal, bland. Better wait for the real thing. Hang in there!

Thank you all. Good luck and God bless!

It's confusing as heck, isn't it? In any case, Harvard is quite the reach. My hopes are on the other schools, BU in particular.

11Q13: Thank you for your input. First, I may have pointed to the wrong program at Harvard. This is it: http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/programs_of_study/religion.php. Confused with other programs that stem from the Divinity School. At Harvard, it's through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Second, I never said I owned the company. I am the president. Those are very different things. The owners are different family members at various levels of corporate engagement. Family in the sense of my parents, uncles, sisters, cousins...Financially, we have been hammered by the economy in the past four years. Though still very much in it, we are but a shadow of what we were a decade ago. But that's the story with small businesses everywhere. Long story short: time is right for a change in career. Third, you're probably right about the financial aid. That's why we're prepared to self-finance a couple of years. Then we'll see.

Appreciate it, luciernaga. In BU, it's an MA/PhD track. in Temple and UChicago, it's vanilla MA. In HDS, it's an eventual PhD, but the program starts you out at an MA level with my academic resume. So, the easy answer is MA level. Regarding the financials, I might be able to self-finance the masters (provided it's no more than two years and taking a huge hit on savings), but beyond that I need assitstance. I am married with three kids; one in college and two in intermediate/high school. So I still need to 'produce' for my family in the near future. Also, my wife will work (provided she finds a job when we move) through the first couple,of years and keep our family economically sane. I truly appreciate your comments about my chances. Even though I am an 'old man' (I guess...by this site's standards at least) and have been around the block a few times, I still feel as anxious as a high school senior. I had forgotten how stressful it was. I don't know how I am going to survive the wait till the schools answer in a couple of months. This site has been a godsend.

11Q13: thought it pretty self-explanatory; sorry. I was asking the more experienced members here my chances for admission at those schools. My anxiety level is pretty high. Thanks!