nicklac

Hello all, This is my second post and I am curious about getting into Duke Divinity School's Master of Divinity degree. I was interested for the longest time in Harvard Divinity, but since they started to require the GRE, I have since gone back on applying there. I do not have time to take the GRE from now until the app is due in early January. This being the case, what can you offer me as to the admissions of the M.Div. program at Duke? How hard (or simple) is it to get into the program? The only thing that hinders me is that I don't have that strong of a GPA. They seem to be the only school that explicitly states what minimum GPA they are looking for (2.75). Right now, I am currently at a 2.5-2.7 from previous terms. I am finishing up my final year at my school, and I will have an increased GPA by the time I leave. What do you suggest I do in regards to a low GPA and getting in? Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that I am going into military chaplaincy and have been serving in two churches over the past nine years. The only reason I started serving in another church is because I moved to SoCal to attend school, and found a good church out here. I have been influenced by N.T. Wright, and I feel the environment that Richard Hays and Stanley Hauerwas put on is the type that I am looking for in ministry preparation. Do help, I need all the help I can get! Oh, I'm also not UMC, I am from the Independent Christian Churches/Churches of Christ movement. I'm also applying to Fuller Theological Seminary (Pasadena, CA) and Princeton Theological Seminary (Princeton, NJ).

Thank you very much for your insight! In response to your question(s), I am still in the B.A. and will be completing it in the next year. I haven't broken away from the college I am currently attending. I am not sure the GRE will be an option as I am completing a lot of work this year. For the past three years or so, I have been studying the New Testament and have written solid exegetical papers using historical critical methods and literary styles in order to understand the whole Bible in a modern context. I will submit one of the papers I have written for my professors. As for the writing sample, I will include one of those exegetical papers I have written. I have mentioned in the Statement of Purpose (SoP) that I have had some academic shortfalls (they state on the admissions website that any inconsistencies must be noted in the SoP). I will get those who will write the letters of rec to mention that I am capable of engaging in theological discussion. I sure appreciate your feedback in this process! Again, my biggest fear is that I will be looked as not able to engage like my fellow students. They have certainly proven themselves academically, and I am trying to improve my academics in this final year in my B.A. Thanks again!

Hello there, I am new to this forum and I have a couple questions concerning Harvard Divinity's M.Div. I am trying to figure out just what kind of GPA they are looking for (or in the ballpark of looking for). I'll be quite honest with you, as I was looking around this forum at the various responses, I noticed that you all are better students than I am. I cannot even compare my GPA out of embarrassment! I am in the process of completing my B.A. in Biblical Studies (graduating in May of 2010). In the upcoming fall 2009 semester, I will be applying to Harvard Divinity School for the M.Div. program. They insist that there is no set GPA, however, mine has hovered around 2.5-2.8. You'd probably laugh at me now... "what's a 2.5 student talking about Harvard for?" Well, I have high hopes because I've invested a lot of time at two churches over the past 9 years. Do you think I have a shot? My senior pastor is an alum from Harvard Divinity (MTh) and is writing a recommendation for me. Please enlighten me with your thoughts and opinions. If any have experience with Harvard Divinity's admission process (i.e., for the M.Div. program), please share. I welcome your honesty in this admissions process.