Instanoodle

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I'll be heading to Jordan this summer as long as I can leave early to make it to orientation on time. As for the sig other, we're older than you give us credit for, and a little long distance is a challenge worth accepting. Thanks again, I can always count on this forum for some sound advice.

I’ll be starting the MTS program at HDS in the fall with a focus on Islam. Although I have no Arabic under my belt just yet, I got into two very different summer intensive programs, and need some advice. One option is the program at a state school near my home, which ends well before I have to schlep my life to Massachusetts. The second is at Qasid in Jordan, which would be great as a life experience in the Middle East (I’ve never been), but it ends the same day I’m supposed to be in Boston for orientation – which my mental capacity is having a hard time grasping, and it means I don’t really have a chance to say goodbye to my life here between quitting my time-consuming job, getting to Jordan, then heading straight to Boston. I think I can make it work, but it sounds like I'll finish Qasid finals and jump right into the HDS course load. Also, I definitely want to study out-of-country next summer. It may be immature, but I was looking forward to being here this summer, spending some quality time with my sig. other, going on a few trips, and spending part of August catching up on the latest and greatest research in my area. However, I’m viewing the next two years as preparing me for PhD program applications and rigor, into which trips to the beach don't really tally. The questions: any advice on which program? Does Qasid as an immersion program give me an advantage in PhD apps? Or do I benefit equally from some R&R/studying/brushing up on French and German at home after the state-run program? While I realize this is more of an internal debate, I’d appreciate some advice from those ahead of me on this path. Thanks in advance and sorry for the run-ons.

I'm trying to gather the same information right now about PhD placement for Duke RS MA, HDS MTS, and UChicago MA to study Islam and authority. Each school has such different strengths and weaknesses, that it might come down to placement. Yuanzhu - what I've been doing is checking where current PhD students at programs I am interested in got their masters.

Well, great news cometh early: I got into HDS MTS. No word in my letter on funding. To all the other lucky ones out there: was there any mention on funding in your letters from HDS on your app page? Great news either way! Now decisions... EDIT: didn't read the whole email in my gmail: Aid decisions coming in two hours - more waiting.

downright cruel. I nearly jumped out of my seat in the middle of a bloody client meeting. My mind went to Spring Happenings... you get admitted! Oy.

In the past week I've gotten into UChicago, Duke (RS, not divinity), and my wildcard school - Boston U (IR/religion) - all MAs with good funding opportunities. My broad interests are in Islam and sociology. If anyone with similar interests is at Duke or UChicago, I'd love to pick your brain as I start the task of making exciting but tough decisions. I'm still putting good energy out there for everyone in limbo! I, too, am waiting to hear back from HDS...

Never mind on my question, all. Problem solved itself!

I have an adcoms question specific to MAs. On 2 apps that asked, I noted that I was planning on applying for a small outside grant and I name the fund. In a stroke of genius I missed the fund's deadline and can no longer apply. This was completely out of character, but that's neither here nor there. Now I have a pit in my stomach that I may have misrepresented myself on my apps and that adcoms may follow up to see if I actually applied for the grant. The point of applying to the grant was to show that I'm willing to put in the extra effort, but now I feel sloppy and scummy. Any thoughts on whether or not I should call each school and let them know that I did not apply for the grant? I'm leaning toward calling at this point. Thanks in advance.

Thanks everyone; I'm new here and having a forum (pun not really intended) where I can pick people's brains has already been immensely helpful. Arabic is definitely the next step, and in the meantime I will focus on finding good fits within MA programs. If you have any more ideas on places/people I should look at, please let me know. Thanks again!

I think I’m looking in the wrong places for PhD/Masters. My interests are in contemporary Islam, ethics, authority and religiopolitical power with a dabbling in masculinity when it fits, focusing on the Middle East. I’ve found great people at U of Chicago, Duke, HDS, and U Texas Austin, but it may be a stretch to get into those programs. A little about me: 3.5 GPA with a major in Religious Studies and a sociology concentration, minor in French and I’m learning German, GRE 166 V. My weaknesses are no Arabic, weak methodology training, and my philosophy is dusty. And I want to put it out there that my heart is in Rels, and every time I stray I get pulled back, so I don’t think I’d be happy in a political science or sociology department, but feel free to prove me wrong. Also, I’d love to continue working in Christianity, so programs with some pluralism are a plus. My question is this – what programs should I be looking at and where do I have a shot of getting in? ANY advice is helpful since I feel so utterly misdirected right now. Thanks in advance everyone.