[PhD applications for 2012-2013 chit chat...]

I HAVE GOOD PEOPLE SKILLS!

[MTS at Harvard Divinity School, questions.]

Thanks for the response!

Seems like they are quite generous when it comes to financial aid. Is it entirely need based? As I wrote before, my family is not poor but I am completely independent and come straight out of college. I would therefore need some type of merit based scholarship in order to be able to attend. The alternative would of course be to take out loans which sounds risky given the economy. What do most people in the MTS program end up doing after graduation? I would love to continue to get my PhD so I can teach somewhere.

Financial aid is pretty generous at HDS. Most MTS students go into Academia eventually, though some choose to get out while they still can or wait a few years before applying. If you do not receive a stipend (there are only a few students who do), then you will have to take out loans or otherwise procure other forms of financial solvency. Heck, even with a stipend, you'll probably need to take out loans. In terms of applying for a PhD/ThD, make sure you do well in your first year, and that you develop some semblance of a professional relationship with a few of your professors. It's actually pretty tricky, I think, since on the one hand these professors will be writing your recommendations, but on the other hand, it does not mean that they will simply let you in. Ultimately, just do well and earn respect that way, and if nothing goes the way you want it, consider it a blessing in disguise! (Since grad school isn't, how do you put it, exactly the most lucrative or stable career to consider)

[PhD applications for 2012-2013 chit chat...]

One of my friends was notified for an interview at Princeton nearly a month ago. Yes, that early. My hunch is that it depends on the person in the department, even whether to interview someone or not. Hope this helps!

[M.Div at University of Chicago: How does an applicant's gender/religion/race affect application?]

I'm sorry, if you think being a white male is bad, consider being the "over-represented minority" - Asian men.

[PhD applications for 2012-2013 chit chat...]

Harvard CSR and ThD (since theyre under the same aegis) will be meeting this week as well, I believe. A little bird in the MTS program told me.