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If your ultimate goal is to obtain a PhD from a top tier school and University of Chicago is your top choice and it offers an exceptionally good opportunity to be a feeder for a University of Chicago PhD, one of the best programs imaginable, I think there's really only one choice...the University of Chicago. While Wake Forest's award is generous, it's most likely not going to get you to your eventual goal and is, therefore, not an option (if I were in your shoes anyhow). Just my two cents.

If your ultimate goal is to obtain a PhD from a top tier school and University of Chicago is your top choice and it offers an exceptionally good opportunity to be a feeder for a University of Chicago PhD, one of the best programs imaginable, I think there's really only choice...the University of Chicago. While Wake Forest's award is generous, it's most likely not going to get you to your eventual goal and is, therefore, not an option. Just my two cents.

Thanks for you input! That's a good thing to keep in mind as well.

A hearty Congratulations, LateAntique! Wonderful!

That's one of my really big goals. I really hope I'm able to attend my top schools!

That does sound really rough, but congrats on you acceptance to Iliff!

Most Useful: Agriculture Least Useful: Logistics Honorable Mention for Least Useful: Medieval Studies and Classics (My fields)

Wow, the option to work in that type of atmosphere sounds very difficult to pass up, and I really hope you're able to get more funding for it. Best of luck with your decision!

Yeah, I remember you talking specifically about the program's flexibility, which really interests me in preparing for my PhD.

I'm going to be working on this during the summer, and I hope to have a good score. I'm also going to be working on my SOP during the summer. They're all different programs, but they are all programs that appeal to me in one or more of their foci. Appreciate the reply, Febronia, and congrats on your acceptances! You were an HDS MDiv'er right? Yeah, I know my languages probably aren't in perfect condition right now, but I also feel like my proficiencies in Medieval Latin are standout quality for Undergrads, so I hope that those proficiencies overshadow my lack of Greek/Research languages coming out of undergrad. Thanks for the advice about keeping the GPA up, and the GRE. I'll be working on the GRE this summer, and hope to come away with a score I want to send out to programs, even ones that don't require it. My SOPs should be pretty much complete by the end of summer, and as far as my LORs, my pastor will write me an outstanding one! Thanks for your help!

Ladies and Gents, I'd really appreciate your help in letting me know where my time would be best spent over the summer and during the fall strengthening my application for my M.Div. My Stats: Currently Attending: University of Tennessee - Knoxville, flagship state University GPA: 4.0 (Major complete, excluding Thesis) Major: Religious Studies - Honors, Chancellor's Honors Program (Honors College) Minor: History Language Proficiencies: Classical Latin, Medieval Latin (will use in Senior Thesis) Research: 30 page paper on Theological changes in the German Evangelical Church during the Third Reich, will be doing Senior Thesis: Merovingian Hagiography: Sanctity and Political Power (will be presented at the very least at the University level) Extracurriculars: Fraternity President, Founding Father, Secretary, National Governing Council (3 undergrads in the entire nation), Greek Week Chairman, Historian's assistant, Director of Curriculum - Interdenominational Bible Study Honor Societies: Mortar Board, Eta Sigma Phi (Classics), and Order of Omega (applied, interview pending) Ministry Experience: This summer I will be doing an internship at my Church as Assistant Youth Pastor and will help plan curriculum and activities, sitting on major boards of the church and helping in overall direction. (Great opportunity) Perhaps my Director of Curriculum - Interdenominational Bible Study could go here as well. LoRs: Strong: Options between a well-published and known professor who graduated from one of my top choices, Well-published Classicist who can attest to my latin proficiencies, and a Lecturer I took most of my Early Christianity/Christianity in late antiquity classes from, and who I'm extremely close to and has directed research for me previously. (might need help choosing between these, so any input would be appreciated.) Denomination: CBF (I get to choose my MDiv program, not really much oversight) Will apply to (alphabetically): Claremont, Drew, Duke, Emory, Harvard, Mercer, Union, Wake Forest, and Yale (Perhaps a few more) So, what's in the most need of strengthening? What should I focus on? You can tell me what you think my chances are as well. I'd really appreciate it you guys, and I hope my application season next year is as fruitful as some of yours this year!

Agreed, nothing legit ever comes from hotmail lol...

An interesting read. Sometimes I find myself far too concerned with grades to actually learn, and it's definitely a problem with undergrads.

I've been wondering the same thing now for some time. Thanks for asking, so I won't have to!

Best Problem ever...lol! It's going to be a difficult choice I'd imagine.

I wouldn't worry about it, and it might actually benefit you by making you more memorable!

Wow! Congrats to all the Harvard admits! Hopefully I'll be in your shoes next year...

Well good luck, Febronia! It looks like you do have some great offers, and I'm sure you're just over the anxiety of the whole process by now.

I've got a fairly large on that takes up my left shoulder blade. Not a problem to cover up, but I have to watch thin white dress shirts as it shows through.

I'd definitely go for getting the actual language classes under your belt for the next application season, but that's just me.

This is all so exciting as an observer! I probably won't be as excited (nervous will be more accurate) next year when I'm applying. Good luck to all of you!

Haha, very funny

I am - Chi Phi, University of Tennessee. Just curious to see who else is with me.

I'd agree with the "help one develop and change their views on religion in general." Well said.