Rabbit Run

The ThM's I know generally apply during their ThM. Though this can be difficult though if you're at a different school than the one you did your Mdiv at as far as letters go.

Yeah, all the Bible people I know have Greek/Hebrew down pat and are pretty good at German (many have been doing one since college). It seems that those who want to do Hebrew Bible often don't do many Exegesis class and just focus upping their language game with Ugaritic, Aramaic, etc.

Yes they do as well. Depends how you learn. The advantage of the Summer courses is that it is set up so you can take two classes in one Summer.

I think you're right on point. German and French are going to be the two you'll need, unless you're doing something like Thomist/Augustinian ethics in which case you'll need Latin. The prep you have planned out seems excellent. It might be more than you "need" to get into a good ethics program, but all you do will make you a stronger candidate. I'm at PTS and most of the PhD hopefuls do intensive reading courses French/German at Princeton University over the summers if you want a comparison.

Based on this I think that Princeton Theological Seminary would be a solid option for you as well. Plus we have the ~money~

Follow the money. Vanderbilt is a great program, but a humanities degree is not worth paying for if you don't have to. I'm also think that as a Catholic, Dayton would be better for your formation, but of course that is a subjective thing.

It depends year to year; for instance this year they took 3 in theology while two years ago they only took one. Point is, I don't think its set in stone whether they take 1 or 2, or 1 in each testament etc.

I'm a student at PTS, the MA(TS) is New-ish. In the past it was a program just for international students, but they're making it into a 2 year MTS like you'd find at any of our peer schools. Hope this helps.

Overall yes, Vanderbilt is in the top tier of divinity schools/seminaries, alongside HDS, YDS, PTS, Candler (Emory), Chicago Div, Union, Duke (I've probably forgotten a biggie). For the particular disciple of American Religious History? Not so sure. Would a MTS from a divinity school serve you better than an MA from a state school RS program? Again not sure, but these are the sort of questions that you should be asking of the particular schools you're considering. Best of luck.

First off, don't beat yourself up: the same applicant can be rejected everywhere one year and be accepted everywhere the next due to whatever factors/politics are determining the committee that year. Second, I'd say work on languages would be a big one. Perhaps you could do a ThM or an STM to get another year of prep down, and more importantly, another year of building relationships (either at your current school or one where you might apply). Most ThM programs have application deadlines much later than their Masters/PhD.

All of those are excellent schools for preparing for PhD work. Basically its going to come down to some equation of money/who you want to study with/life situation.

I think those are all solid choices. All have good reputations and have the potential for good funding.

I applied to GTU for my M.Div. and have several friends from undergrad who have attended. The Professors you want to work with are the most important thing to consider, but another to keep in mind is the availability of housing at each school. San Francisco Theological Seminary is pretty far (I think like a 30 minute commute) from the rest of the schools, might be something to consider.

I think it would be more beneficial to do a one year ThM or STM; why do a first *M degree when you already have one?

I'd suspect its different by degree, but I got into the M.Div two years ago with a lower writing score than that.

Honestly, I think you need to be a little clearer on your interests before we can say which school is better or worse for what you're interested in. For instance, Harvard might not be the best if you wanna study Reformed Systematic Theology, but it would be great for Feminist theology/Biblical interpretation with people like Amy Hollywood and Elisabeth Schussler-Fioerenza. I'd say to start by looking at the big name schools, because they're gonna have strengths in a lot of areas. Look at the people you read and see where they teach/where they were trained for clues as to what schools are good for what as well.

Are you asking about your Statement of Purpose or what your recommenders will say in their letters of recommendation for you? For your statement of purpose I'd say definitely mention the specific faculty that are "home run" as well as a couple more that are maybe less related so that you can show a particular as well as a general "fit." I mean, you're gonna have to have a dissertation committee with an advisor (the home run) and then other faculty, so you might as well show this. As for the letters of recommendation, let your recommenders know why you're applying to each program, which will probably include said faculty. As far as what they actually write for you, well thats up to them.

Starting Fall of 2015 PTS is opening up the M.A.(T.S). (Master of Arts in Theological Studies) to domestic students (previously its just been for international students), so we will *finally have one.

Yeah, the Seminary offers 6 credit Greek and Hebrew intensive courses over the Summer (as well as regular 3 credit per semester Greek and Hebrew over the year), as well as more advanced electives/reading courses in those languages over the year. Through Princeton university you can do intensive French, German, or Latin over the Summer at the Grad School and then whatever language you want basically over the year.

PTS student here, I can confirm the Seow thing, its a sad loss but I think very highly of some of our recent hires (Dewrell in particular). I'm only an Mdiv student, but it looks to me like they take about an equal number of people from PTS/from other programs into the program if that helps.

Aside from the game not being about profit there are no cons, just scan the bibliography for a journal article or one of your papers to see thing.

Yeah, I'd say its realistic. Most of the big name Divinity Schools/Seminaries have admission rates nearing 50% (MTS type degrees will be a little lower than Mdivs though). Be sure to emphasize your experience in humanitarian work/campus ministry in your statement of purpose and also be sure to explain the F in the statement as well. If you want help on the GRE I've heard that McGoosh is amazing. Also, another thing to consider is the Mdiv at HDS. It'll be a little easier to get into, doesn't have a lot of reqs. so its essentially a "MTS + 1 year" in some ways, and theres also more potential funding available. Hope it works out.

I have a friend who is in the religious ed. track at SLU, he speaks highly of it. SLU might not have the name credentials but for certain fields its pretty top notch. My impression is that the BC MTS is still trying to get their bearings since they're a relatively new program. I could totally be wrong about that thought.

Feel free to PM me about PTS. I can tell you that Allison is universally loved by everyone I've know who has had a class with him. I'm not in NT but I was caught between PTS and YDS last year; came down to money for me. Princeton is a very nice town to live it. To be fair, the New Testament department is in a bit of a rebuilding phase right now.