HinnehMahTov

Thanks for all the (great) advice! One clarifying point: a closer look at the department's structure showed me to be somewhat wrong. Technically they both teach in the same department, in which NT and OT are considered different "emphases." So it really would be applying to two professors in the same department. I'll be reading the fine print about the departmental regulations, but even if it's permissible, I'll need to do some more work to figure out how it would be perceived. I'm sure I'm not the only one paranoid about what "they" (whoever "they" are) would think of my every step! I'll be spending some time tracking down their publications and (hopefully) finding some recent students to chat up. And Yetanotherdegree, I think those are all excellent things to be pondering -- I'll add "soul-searching" to my summer to-do list!

I've spent some time this summer narrowing down my interests, and in the process I came across an interesting quandary. (I'm being intentionally vague about some of the details -- apologies up front!) One of my top choices for schools (UK-style, supervisor-intensive program) has two POI's in two different departments (one NT, one OT). Both are accepting applicants this fall, and there is a significant overlap in their research interests (though obviously with different emphases). The overlap in their interests happens to cover my area of interest, which is relevant to both OT and NT studies. So theoretically, I could do work under either. From what I know about the two of them, I would be happy to work with both. The professors in my M* program have all affirmed by ability to work with either in this area. My difficulty, of course, is trying to figure out how/where to apply. I'm assuming that it would be frowned upon (if it's even possible) to apply to work with both -- I need to choose one of the two. Were you in my shoes, how would you go about making the decision? What sorts of questions would you be asking yourself?

Thanks for that link, YAD. I found it really helpful! And good advice, Kuriakos -- wouldn't have thought of that, but it's obviously a great tip.

I'm applying to doctoral programs in HB/OT this fall. My interests are in Semitics, philology, translation issues, and wisdom literature (Job). I'm spending the summer narrowing down my list of schools and prep'ing for the GRE on top of finishing up my masters.

I'm shooting for an early September test. I'm using a combo of Kaplan and Manhattan stuff. Today I took my first diagnostic quiz on the verbal section -- around 80%. Math . . . well, math won't be that good. Not even close.

Wow -- thanks for all the feedback! It's all very, very helpful. Wela isn't the first person to advise looking outside a narrow focus on Semitics due to the job market. For that reason, I've been looking into the possibility of working on Qumran literature (especially targumim). In my head, that would let me indulge in plenty of language work (especially Hebrew, Aramaic, and LXX Greek) while also qualifying me to do more than parse verbs. So I've been seriously considering Notre Dame, where VanderKam and Ulrich both teach and where a more generalist program is offered. With that added, does anyone have any more suggestions or advice?

A last-minute opportunity to co-write an article with one of my professors has come up. I'm applying this fall for doctoral work in HB/OT, and the article would be finished in time to put it on my C.V. However, I'm also doing a fair amount of coursework this summer (eight hours) in addition to studying for the GRE and taking care of my kids part-time. I'm concerned that making time to work on the article wouldn't be worth the cost if admissions committees aren't too impressed by that sort of thing. Does anybody have an idea as to how much weight a co-authored paper would look on an application?

I'm looking to apply to doctoral programs in Semitics with a matriculation of fall '14. I came to the decision to apply very late in my master's program; consequently, I'm late to the game in researching schools and advisors. As I'm sure most of you can imagine, I'm feeling very ignorant and overwhelmed by the application process, and seeing as I have no idea what I'm doing, I would welcome any advice I can find! The relevant (as I imagine it) background is as follows. My interests are broadly in comparative Semitics -- I just plain love learning languages, and I'd love to end up teaching them one day. I also have a real love for the text of the Hebrew Bible, though my passion for theology is secondary in terms of research interests. I have a solid background in Hebrew, Greek, and German; I also have a semester of biblical Aramaic. I'm married with young kids, and we've decided that funding is a must for our situation. I'm currently studying for the GRE and talking to anybody and everybody I can find who might have something worth my consideration. I was glad to find helpful lists of good programs here and Would anyone add any schools to what's written there? Better yet, does anyone know of any programs that sound like they might be a good match for someone like me? As ambiguous and unhelpful as this plea for help may be, I'd appreciate some input from those who have been here and done this. Thanks!