Postbib Yeshuist

Maybe, maybe not, but it's certainly true. I think you got a good answer and discounted it outright because it didn't fit with your preconceived notions of reality. I also wonder if some of the schools saw that in your application. Believe it or not, the Top 20's tend to be pretty oblivious sometimes, with the lower schools being a bit more astute because they attract a different type of "talent."

I have heard this before and the explanation (by those who were at HDS and left for elsewhere) was that there is a definite "in" group and that if you don't have the credentials (i.e. family ties), you will never get much from them. This is obviously a perception, but even among the profs at my school there has been a pretty steady response that "you may find Harvard to be a stifling place," since I tend to be one to push theological boundaries. Of course, I've never attended HDS (have no intention to ever apply, either), so this is purely hearsay from those who won't sit in the HDS fan section for one reason or another. Hopefully someone else will weigh in. PS It's also worth pointing out that there is a slowly building push back against the Ivies. What that will become in the long run, I don't know, but there appears to be a steadily growing movement to seek those who have not been "molded" by Harvard, Yale, etc.

Next week should be the week. For many schools, today is the deadline, so allow a few days for mail and things should start rolling next week. Very nice! Congratulations

I think the only person who can answer this is your husband. I would suggest sitting down and basically telling him what you said in this post. Use "I language" (I feel, I perceive, etc). Tell him this is serious and you really feel like he's dismissing your accomplishments, and possibly even insulting you. If you approach it from a "this hurts me" angle, his reaction should tell you a lot. If he again dismisses your perspective, there are some deeper issues at work and you might consider counseling. On the other hand, he might genuinely not be aware of how his reaction affects you and a good, honest talk will help him understand.

I'll be starting this Fall at the ripe old age of 37.

Phone calls are not "official" unless they're recorded. E-mail and paper at least have a verifiable trail. "No decisions over the phone" is a fairly common policy.

Might be wise to meet with a lawyer on that one...

I know one thing: if they really did forget my app, and I paid with a credit card, I would call and dispute the charge as one big F U back. If I sent a check, I'd write the director of the program (not the department) and ask for my $80 back (I'd also CC the Provost or President or whoever). EDIT: Just saw yo got your money back. Still, I would still have done what I said above

It will be hard to fix an amount that you'll need upon arriving. I would suggest that you come with $100-150 in cash max (in case you get robbed, for example) and then carry a credit card. The card will cover you much more in the event of an emergency, and you can restrict your spending with a card just as easily with cash if you watch your receipts. I attended College of Charleston (in SC) back in the early 90's for undergrad and on-campus was most certainly cheaper than off, though it was undergrad housing, so much less physical space "per dollar." If you intend to live off-campus, you will more than likely need first & last moth's rent, and then utility deposits, etc. On-campus housing has the benefit of just going on your tuition bill. I strongly recommend that you call your institution in advance and see what their arrangements will be.

THANK YOU for that advice! I've been able to get 12 pages in the past 6 days alone. SO good to be back into the swing of it.

I feel your pain. I even tried to start registering for classes the other day and the e-mail I got back was "please wait until June." June? JUNE?!?!?! I spent a freakin' half year of my life getting in and I have to wait TWO MORE MONTHS TO REGISTER?!?!?! Yeah, it's definitely tough. One thing I'm doing (once I get my thesis finished) is beginning a summer reading list that I hope will get me a bit ahead of the curve for classes this Fall. I'll also start working on my second language. Nothing else I can do until they get my orientation package to me in, you guessed it... June

Thanks for the follow up. I'll look into Modern Hebrew as well. Ultimately, I may have to decide on which language is "less complex." It is good to know that Ancient and Modern Hebrew are not necessarily interchangeable. That will help me avoid the mistake of taking Biblical Hebrew and then just thinking I can make a few changes and be up to speed

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll be meeting with my advisor in late May/early June and will bring this to his attention. He's encouraging me to do either MSa or Modern Hebrew (would the latter be any easier/harder?) so hopefully he'll be willing to help me bend the rules on the deadline.

That's an EXCELLENT idea. I think my current employment probably disqualifies me, but I'll be unemployed come June and will stop drawing a paycheck after August 15.

PS It is worth noting that this is not a language I will need to speak. I need only be able to read and translate with a fair degree of competency.

I made a post on a similar topic in the Religion forum, but it was suggested I'd get more help here. But, before I begin, PLEASE go easy on me. I may or may not have any idea of what I'm speaking about... I will begin a PhD in Religion and Culture at Southern Methodist University (Dallas, TX) this Fall. I am expected to have demonstrated reading proficiency (academic level) in two languages by my second year. Preferably, they should be appropriate to my topic (see my signature), but I will most certainly be falling back on my BA in French to get the first out of the way. The second becomes the "trick"... Given my topic, either Modern Hebrew or Modern Standard Arabic (which I understand is the "common" written language for publication, etc in the MIddle East) would be quite useful. Since I had a bad experience in Biblical Hebrew in seminary (dropped out three weeks in), and since MSA is ?considered a critical language by the US Gov't?, it seems like Modern Standard Arabic will be right up my alley. Of course, here's where the fun begins: I can't find a school within a reasonable radius of SMU that offers anything other than conversational Arabic and I don't think I have the money to cover travel expenses & tuition to a summer program. As such, I'm thinking I might try to talk the program into allowing me two years before testing on my second language and then attempt to learn MSA. Now, before I open up for questions: yes, I am crazy. That being said, is it even remotely realistic to self-teach MSA over the course of two years? I would obviously seek help online, and if a course opportunity came along, I'd be all over it, but I need to prepared for doing it alone so I know if it's reasonable. Thanks in advance (and again, go easy)

Hmmmm. In all actuality, I will be studying only to read, so I wonder if pronunciation will be critical to success? And yes, I was talking about "without a tutor" since I won't have the money to hire one. So will it be basically impossible to pick it up solo? Alas.

There's a lot to be said for trying again with a better idea of what you're doing. A nice package is always a good thing to have, but ultimately you need to be sure you're where you'll be able to finish (i.e. you like where you end up). As for your chances next year, I'm willing to bet they're FAR better than this year, especially given what you've learned. If you didn't get into at least one more school than this year, I'd be surprised. be sure to use the summer to stay in touch with the "right" profs and next year will be much better. I'm sure of it.

Thanks Johndiligent. I have indeed posed this question to my soon-to-be-advisor, but I'm still awaiting a response. Hopefully his response will be something that gives me hope for getting this done in a year

Wow. OK. And yes, I'll post this in the Languages forum (didn't notice it before).

I want to separate this topic out a bit from my other post, as much to keep the information "handy" for future reference as anything. I am considering trying to make the case to my PhD program that I would be best-served to learn "Modern Standard Arabic" as my second research language. Irrespective of whether this an "appropriate" language to study (vs Classical Arabic, for example), is it realistic to teach oneself to read it on a reasonably competent level in two years if there are no classes that can be attended (for whatever reasons)? I don't want to make this proposal to the program only to discover that I've undertaken a nearly impossible task. Thanks!

Decisions on paper submissions for the 2010 annual meeting were supposed to have gone out yesterday. I've heard nothing. Has anyone gotten word?

Thanks for the advice. Thats kind of my thinking at this point as well. The requirement of reading proficiency in a second language by Fall 2011 severely limits my options at this point. I fully intend to work towards competency in Arabic or Syriac at some point, but it will have to be on my own. At this point, my primary concern is meeting the requirements (originally, I was under the impression I had until the start of my 3rd year to complete the requirement, so I felt I had more time to prepare).

No no. I have French. I have to learn a second. I also took a year of Greek in seminary, so I could technically do that. The course at ND does look nice, but I won't be able to make that. I may just have to do greek so I get the req out of the way and then work on something on the side. My research will be almost entirely 19th-21st century, so perhaps I'll be OK until I've had a few years to get some basic proficiency.

Thanks for the response and the congratulations! Yes, I've been working on an advanced master's (part time) while I worked full time and helped raise our son. It's been difficult, but nevertheless rewarding. The big difference between "now" and "then" will be the financial situation. I'll be taking the equivalent of a 2/3 pay cut. So yes, I foresee loans being a BIG part of our lives, lol