diaduit90

I do want to continue onto a PhD program although I'm not completely settled yet on what I'd like to study later on. I'm really attracted to the center for reconciliation at Duke and I would love to live in a college town. I'm thinking Duke is going to be a good bet so now it's going to really boil down to housing and access. Atlanta is a great city although for Emory I'd be commuting at least an hour each way on public transit. Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.

Actually turns out I could get subsidized loans for the first year to cover the cost difference.

So the results are in- Duke has offered me acceptance for their program. As far as funding goes I'm being offered roughly the same price for tuition (Loans will cover that for both schools. Duke is offering a mix of sub and unsub, Emory is only offering unsub loans) and Emory is giving me a yearly $9,500 grant while Duke is giving me a $5,500. Duke does have paid internships (usually done during the summer and generally between 6-8 grand). Emory requires unpaid internships. It would seem that the first year at Duke would be rough and I'd have to work a job (I'm also planning on doing a little fundraising) but the summer internships would give me some padding. So now I'm trying to decide if the reputation of Duke is worth the extra effort/money: I do plan on continuing my education afterwards. What do you all think?

I was accepted into Emory's (Candler School of Theology) Mdiv. program for this fall. Orientation starts some time near the 18th of August and I'm already in the area (crashing at a friend's house until I can figure out housing). I found out yesterday by the admissions department at Duke that I am the top candidate on their wait list for their Divinity school (same program). The program starts around the same time. Duke is really dragging out the process and I haven't received any type of acceptance package or anything. I really want to go to Duke but I'm going to need to start signing school loans and a lease pretty soon. Does anyone have any advice or tips?

Yeah I'm pretty concerned about Fuller's lack of Fin Aid. I just found out I've been wait listed for Duke.

I'll check out Princeton's website. Thanks!

I was looking into Fuller's M.Div program, seems they just changed their requirements (I read a few short summaries of the changes, but I don't fully understand the consequences of the changes to the program). This brought me to a new question, would it be more beneficial for me to apply to their M.Div program or their MAT program? Seems if I choose the right electives, I'm actually getting more out of the M.Div program, but I'm still looking into it.

Hi everyone! I just wanted to update the conversation a little bit. I've gone on ahead and applied to Duke, YDS, Emory, Fuller. I should be hearing back from Duke this week and Yale comes up shortly after that.

Does this mean they will be sending out emails on Saturday?

I'm waiting too! I was told notifications could start any time between yesterday and (I'm assuming) next week.

If I were to take a few years off, what should I be doing in the mean time? Is there anything that would bolster my chances of admission later?

Thanks everyone for the feedback! Are there any resources for SOP's I can look at? Or any other suggestions as far as persuading the admissions for these schools? As for my GPA unfortunately I'm not sure there's a trend like what abrasaxEos is suggesting. Actually I feel like I was just constantly slammed, for example I had a really rocky Soph. year and I decided to really commit Junior year, but two weeks into the first semester the suicide happened. I spoke with my adviser and asked if I could take time off (authorized withdrawal) , but because of budget cuts to our program he said I wouldn't be able to get back in when I was ready to return. So I just soldiered through.

I do plan on continuing to doctoral work. Would a school like Vanderbilt even consider me? And if so, is there anything I can do to increase my likelyhood of being accepted? (For example would the optional interview be good for me in this situation?)

The church I attend currently is Non-Denominational so I'm pretty flexible as far as denominational ties. I'm rather interested in the New Perspective on Paul but mostly I love New Testament studies in general. I'm willing to apply out of state (currently in California) if necessary. I suppose the only type of school I'd like to avoid is a school with a very monolithic faculty (for example Masters Seminary is some what known in my area for being conservative Reformed and nothing else). I appriacate the breadth of opinions and ideas at Fuller for example, although I'm not sure I could get in with my grades. Perhaps because of this a Div school would fit more my style, although I know very little about them.

Hi guys! I'm currently in the process of discerning grad schools and I'd like to check out Div schools/Seminaries. The problem is my undergraduate experience was riddled with personal problems ranging from a suicide in the family (in my own house none the less) to taking care of my mom as she went through chemo. This left me graduating with a 2.85 (major/core GPA should be a little higher) in Religious Studies from California State University Northridge. I have a great letter of rec from the department chair of my program, and the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Area Director of the Greater Los Angeles Area (not to mention the regional director potentially). Are there any suggestions as to schools I can apply to that might accept me or any tips on applying with a low GPA? My goal is to pursue a degree pertaining to Christianity and if possible specifically New Testament (although I'm flexible as I've also considered a Masters in Theology). Thanks so much for the help/insight.