Postbib Yeshuist

Mine was for Religion, but I'd be happy to share if you want. I'll wait for a response before I put it up, tho.

I think I would side with Vandy too (of course, I grew up in NC, so I'm partial to the area). It has a solid rep and cost of living will be significantly less than at BU.

An STM will absolutely help. Much like a Th.M., it is a "second level" masters. There's a good chance you'll be expected to do some work at the PhD level and, provided your grades say strong, it can significantly enhance your prospects. That being said, an MDiv from Duke is nothing to sneeze at, so you might be able to go straight into PhD from there. An STM, however, would give you a little more time to settle in on a topic and there's a chance some of it might transfer to a PhD program, especially if you do them both at one institution and "roll" into the PhD

$35,000?!?!!? #$@%^*

With all due respect, what makes you think you can get a job? If you don't have one lined up, you are now in line behind hundreds or thousands of other graduates (both current and decades old) who had apps in months ago, some of whom have years if not decades of experience. I don't say that to be rude so much as to make sure you know what you're getting into. This is *the* worst job market in decades. In fact, your grandparents may not even have seen it this bad. I can promise you one thing, flipping burgers at McD's will be no way to figure out what you want to do than grad school. And I would almost put money on you flipping burgers in a month, unless you have something sweet lined up. Again, sorry to be harsh, but please make sure you know what you're doing and not just that you've got the cold feet we all do right now

Dropbox works with PC's too. In fact, it's a great way to bridge the gap if you use Macs at home and PC's at work, for example.

For those who don't know about it, Dropbox is a "cloud" storage setup that can be a lifesaver for those doing research. It's a free (or paid, depending on your storage needs) service that provides you with 2Gb of online storage that works exactly like a USB drive (except no plugging in). You can download a program for your local computer(s) that will stay in contact with the server and keep everything synced. The program can be installed on multiple computers so that a file saved on one is automatically uploaded to the server and then downloaded to a second computer when you fire it up. Some benefits: All files stored locally as well as online, so if you're away from the internet, you still have the files locally. 30-day version tracking (pull up that version of your dissertation you wish you had from from two weeks ago). Keep important files backed up. NO NEED TO EVER CARRY A USB DRIVE AGAIN!!! So anyway, this thread will be for people to get referrals which increase their storage. Post your referral link here and we'll let karma do the rest. (If you hit the max storage from referrals, please remove your link so others can share the love). Mine: https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MjE2MzM5 PS for the referrals process to work, you will need to provide an e-mail address that the other person can see, so be aware. If you don't want to do this, but want DropBox anyway, just go to www.dropbox.com

I'm a fan of OmniFocus, iStudiez Pro, Oxford Dictionary of English, Evernote and Dropbox. Omnifocus = To Do Manager with a Mac "desktop" program. iStudiez Pro = Class and assignment scheduler. Keeps all my stuff off my "generic calendar" ODE = Duh Evernote = Note-taking program that syncs to a cloud and keeps desktop versions synchronized as well DropBox = Cloud storage that synchronizes any computer you want locally (i.e. if the computer is offline, you still have access to your files and they are synced with the cloud on next login). Without those 5, I'd be lost. PS If you anyone hasn't up for Dropbox, do you mind following this link to help me get some more storage?

Here is Brite Divinity School's description of the purpose of an MTS. It's a little amorphous, but as someone w/o an MTS, I can't comment much further. I do know that most of our MTS students are planning on continued education. The Master of Theological Studies degree is a ... degree for persons who do not plan to be ordained. The degree provides a basic understanding of theological disciplines for those who plan to engage in further graduate study, or for those who wish to acquire a general theological education at the master's level. The M.T.S. is an appropriate degree program for (1) lay persons who seek to enrich their theological understanding; (2) persons who seek to enhance the theological foundations of their church leadership; (3) persons who wish to examine and develop religious and theological perspectives on their life situations; or (4) persons who plan to use the M.T.S. degree as preparation for further graduate study. According to ATS standards, the M.T.S. is not a degree in preparation for ordained ministry. Normally those seeking to prepare for ministerial vocations pursue the M.Div. or M.A.C.S. degrees at Brite.

Yes, that's true, but since your post title was "questions about PhD" I assumed that's what you were asking about. For MTS you will probably be able to get out without any modern language requirement at all, though if you hope to be competitive for PhD programs, you would do well to get one locked down and start on a second.

I think you meant "normal" or "expected," not "normative." The latter typically deals with behaviors that are encouraged/discouraged (e.g. heteronormative prohibitions against sexual intercourse at some seminaries). None of your questions really speak to this. 1. Most programs will expect reading fluency in at least one "modern" language and will test you in August before you matriculate. Beginning competency in a second is often encouraged and you cannot count on the school helping you with much beyond possible refresher courses. 2. No such thing. Your financial package might make it free, but they will gladly charge you $20-30k the next year to come back if your grades drop below a given mark. 3. Any program worth giving $75 to will. The GRE is not always required for MTS/MDiv programs, but expect it for PhD.

Edward Said Orientalism Culture and Imperialism Foucault History of Sexuality and most importantly... Kate L. Turabian A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses and Dissertations

Alas, Chicago is not my kind of town.

I agree. The DU campus was beautiful and the view of the Rockies was absolutely breath-taking. Though we decided in the end not to attend Iliff/DU (got a better offer here in TX), I am still somewhat rueful of a decision that has "cost" us such clean air and beauty. We enjoyed "Denver the City" as well. "LoDo" was very cool and the fantastic educational opportunities for children were something we really enjoyed. Being able to drive for only an hour and be up in the Rockies was a definte plus as well. In the end, had it not come down to money, we would have moved to Denver in a heartbeat. Who knows? Maybe once I finish my PhD I'll be able to get a job there.

Herein lies the problem. It is not the Ivies, but what society considers to be a "cherished reward." I have been lucky to attend institutions that taught that the cherished rewards were found in standing with the oppressed and fighting Power. Perhaps this is why Harvard, Yale, etc are simply "interesting" schools to me, not places I'd ever be likely attend.

Actually, that's what steering committees are for. I imagine it goes something like this: Pile 1: More than 20% below the (arbitrary) GRE+GPA cutoff and did not make contact with a professor (i.e. the trash). Pile 2: Same as pile 1, but did make contact. These apps get a quick read of the SoP by one committee member to determine if they go to... Pile 3: Met/exceeded GRE+GPS cutoff but has not made contact. Read by more than 1 member (perhaps entire committee) to determine if they go to... Pile 4: Met/exceeded GRE+GPA cutoff and has met with a prof who has expressed some measure of interest in the project. These apps are reviewed closely by the steering committee and the top 10% are sent to departments for "final" decisions. This is how I imagine it goes. I'll even go you one step further by estimating what I think the percentage of initial apps are. I'm willing to bet only 10-15% move from one pile to another. Pile 1: up to 50% (every "I've got a BA now, time to apply for PhD") Pile 2: 10% Pile 3: 25% Pile 4: 15% The treatment of the piles may be different for schools with fewer apps (~100), but I imagine the above "pile system" is accurate for the top schools.

Not necessarily. A call or e-mail would be the only "sure" way to know if you're still on the wait list or not.

Yes, people most definitely will (or did) wait until April 15th on Ph.D. programs, and it is perfectly reasonable to do so. Few programs require as much of an investment academically and personally as PhD programs. To "rush" into a decision could have devastating consequences. Furthermore, some are accepted at one institution and wait-listed at another. By waiting until April 15, they are maximizing the possibility that the wait-list will come through and they can decline their backup. To be honest. I'm a little frustrated when those on wait lists expect those who have been accepted to decide "early." I have many choice words that I could say, but that would probably be inappropriate. If someone did well enough to be accepted, they should have every chance they can to be sure it's the right decision. It is extremely selfish to "expect" them to decide any sooner. And FWIW, I say this as someone who was accepted to my first choice off the wait list. Not for one second did I begrudge those ahead of me the time they were given to decide.

Welcome to the world of academia. We will likely do the same things once we're profs.

It's a driving commute, but I want a backpack for walking around on campus (I'd like to be able to park my car and just leave it ).

I'll be commuting 45m (one way) to campus next year for my PhD and need "the best of the best" of backpacks. Since I'll be spending 8h or so each day on campus, I need to be able to carry quite a few books, a laptop or netbook, maybe a change of clothes, lunch, etc. I don't want something so large that everything knocks around on days when I make shorter visits, but I also want room to carry what I need. The more pockets and dividers the better (I'm obsessive about keeping books in good shape). I'm trying to limit the price to $100, but I'll entertain things that are higher. PS It has to be a backpack just for comfort reasons.

For future reference, remember that there is a very large consortium of schools who have agreed that they will not allow students to accept at two places. Had you accepted at Stanford, UT could have terminated your offer and notified Stanford of the "double cross," which might have cost you your admission at Stanford. Sounds to me like you went about it the right way, but accepting at two schools where money's involved can ruin your chances that year. Also, remember that others are on the wait list waiting to hear when people decline. In the end, I'm not saying this to scold you (like I said, sounds like you did it right) but just to warn you of possible future complications should you apply to other programs

Out of curiosity, why are they telling you what your project will be? I've yet to go to a school that told me what I needed to research. I always told them and got an OK from someone who would advise me. I could be way off base here, but grad school should not be about someone else telling you what your thesis is.

Going straight from a BA to a PhD is a relatively rare occurrence. You would be better-served to focus on Masters work first, then on to PhD. Unless you're already shaking up your field, PhD is most likely out of your reach at this point. On the other hand, if you've been published and your work is generating some conversation, you've got a chance. As for an easier school, you could definitely do that... if you want to shoot yourself in the foot. Think of it from an adcom's perspective: "He was making a C at Harvard but transferred to Western Carolina University and made A's. Looks like he quit a hard situation to go where it was easy. No thanks." Just focus on your studies and push for that A. Put your social life on hold and make the grades you think you need. ...or just do what most of us did, which is enjoy college, make decent grades, then get into a masters program and prove to the world you can do good work. THEN PhD

Friend of mine on Drew's wait list just got an acceptance letter. Of course, another friend of mine declined Drew's offer last week. Not sure if this was just a one-for-one or what. Just FYI. PS Brite Divinity School, FTW! We've had 7 PhD acceptances for 4 applicants (2 Drew, 1 SMU, 1 Syracuse, 1 Brite, 2 Iliff)!