dr. t

Zotero is my favorite.

You should have as much of as many languages as you can. It's definitely considered important.

Oh, but it's more complicated than that, because, at least at Harvard, the Divinity school is semi-independent. So, this past application cycle I applied for a GSAS PhD (History), a Div school ThD, and a Div school MTS. This also brings out the point that applying to different degrees is generally not problematic. Applying to different departments absolutely is. I think it's a pretty good rule that if there are more than two professors you really want to work with - have as your adviser - at any given school, then you're not nearly as focused as you need to be for PhD apps. At each institution, apply to the department with the professors you most want to work with.

Currently, my task for the summer is the Biblia Sacra Vulgata, editio quinta (Stuttgart).

Submit. The worst thing they can say is no, and presenting is a great experience. If you get accepted, you'll have someone to talk to in sept-oct to do a bit of polish.

Just came in my mailbox. Call for papers here: http://www.academia.edu/3347575/2013_Call_for_Papers Hope to see some of you there, perhaps.

There is no such thing as "reaching too high." Apply to the places you want to go, and that's it.

I've been biking in the city for 3 years with no problems. I do see a LOT of dumb shit. Running red lights is whatever, but I see people doing it at speed (stupid), on the sidewalk (stupid), and salmoning (wrong way traffic, really stupid). If you're new to biking as a way of commuting, this is not the best place to learn, but it's not impossible. You just have to learn to ride as if neither the drivers nor the pedestrians who like to play in traffic (lots!) see you, because they don't. If you already have some riding experience, you'll be just fine.

Depending on your interests, and if you really do want to get an master's first, I'd plug my own program: Master's of Theological Studies in the History of Christianity at Harvard Divinity School. Some great professors, a really customizable degree, and of course you can cross-register as you please. I'm using it to prep for a history PhD but it can go in many directions.

All my recommenders were also medievalists, so they got this and a $10 starbucks card:

I've been around the Div School for a bit in the course of my studies, and I've not even heard of someone doing a dual degree. I couldn't tell you if that's from lack of trying. See you next semester!

In the threads where someone says "I'm moving to grad school and need a car, what should I get", people also don't usually suggest a BMW 3-series as a legitimate option because you can't afford an M.

I have a Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon ultrabook I just picked up in January. 6 hours of battery life and a full charge in 30 min. Weighs 3 lbs, 14" screen. No regrets whatsoever.

Only a little tongue in cheek! It really is a mind-blowing paradigm shift, or at least it was for me.

I have little experience in this aspect. The few times I use the T, I try to stick to the underground trains. Even if you were willing to drive every day, the cost of gas and the cost of rent would probably be equal offsets. Eh, you can walk up Lake St., no? I mean, 20mins, but not too terrible?

You can also take the 71 to Harvard Square and catch the 86 to BC. Dunno which is faster. Morning traffic is pretty bad, particularly going N/S since there's not too many bridges (or good routes) over the Charles. I'd say driving ~30min, on the T, ~50-60min. Were it me, I would not live in Watertown and commute to BC. I'd look at Brighton particularly. Not only does it half your commute, but it makes you much less reliant on the T. The T is slow, keeps a terrible schedule, and is often late. I haven't used it in many years; I prefer to bike in sleet and snow.

I would avoid HU housing. It's pretty expensive for what you get, although it is close if that matters. I know for HDS the school has set up resources to help people find off-campus housing and roommates, I assume GSAS has done the same. There's really nothing to be worried about, aside from the usual level of alertness you should have in any city. There were a couple muggings last year of people walking alone on back streets at 2am with headphones on, and things like that. I've lived in Boston my whole life and have been at Harvard since 2010, so both of you should feel free to PM me.

Whereas I had a V167/Q158/W4.5 and I struck out hard on PhD apps this cycle. With GREs it seems to be a "don't be terrible" thing and you weren't terrible. I wouldn't bother retesting as long as your written stays above a 4.5 or so. I asked a perspective prof how they used the written portion and he said "That's the one that's out of 6, right?"

Hah! No, I mean that what is considered appropriate praise differs substantially from British to American English, and so the letter may come across as less enthusiastic than it actually is.

Depending on your area of interest, I can speak from personal experience that Harvard Divinity School (MTS) offers substantial funding. Total cost for me for 2 years looks around $10k in subsidized loans, for example.

Just to add to some already excellent posts: I was discouraged from applying to international programs for all of the reasons above, plus some concern over recommendations. Bluntly put, British academics apparently do not have the same facility for superlatives that is commonly expected in such letters in American academia.

I was told that the risk to your career was a professor you took to task being on your search and/or tenure committee.

That's not really what I was asking. I have been actively discouraged by multiple professors from doing any book reviews before tenure.

IDK, most universities seem to be charging about that these days, at least from what I've seen. It's insane.

The Antichrist!