Averroes MD

But, I do know of someone who completed the residency requirement of two years and then relocated. 
I had initially thought I would do the same but I realized it would have really shortchanged my PhD experience.
Also, this is advisor dependent... mine would never have signed off on something like this.
EDIT: I'm in religion... not history

No.

Unless it's a free masters, run away; even it's free, you should probably run away. I followed a similar path (two terminal M* degrees, another on the way to my PhD), though I had a higher average. After I got into and finished a top-ranked PhD. I understand the feeling of failure if you do not continue. I remember that feeling well; it kept me going for years. And now I'm transitioning out of academia because there are no permanent, tenure-track jobs. Well, there are a few, but with hundreds of people applying to one job, the odds are stacked against you. Nearly all the people I know who finished a PhD at a top program in the last few years are making the same transition. For whatever reason, no one at the top M*/PhD programs really discusses the reality post-PhD (I'm a postdoc at an R1 now - I am still in the loop). And no one on this forum does because most are applicants/hopefuls. I suggest you make that inevitable transition now, rather than ten+ years down the road. Good luck

This is crazy. You should post this on all social media and publicize. Unacceptable. 

This is very important advice and goes against the common but outdated line. 

Yes and no. Frankly, the reputation of one's adviser has little bearing on one's success securing a tenure-track job. Most scholars don't know (top) scholars outside of their (sub)field and most schools only have specialists in one subfield. So there are few times when an adviser's reputation will matter (e.g. when you apply to a top program, at which point you are applying against hundreds of others). In my opinion, it's far more important that you find an adviser who supports you, respects you, etc. (one would think these would be givens, but, unfortunately they're not). 

So one covered tuition and the other one? I'm presuming from your tone that it was worse.
Anyway, absolutely do not take out loans for a PhD, even just to help augment living costs.
You're not the first to decline an offer and try again next year. You can go work for a year, try to hop into a one year program, etc.
I'd also suggest reaching out to your POI at the school's and/or the director of graduate studies for the department. Explain your situation and see what they have to say. Odds are they won't have more funding for you, but they might have resources and/or suggestions.

UChicago. Broader training, more well known in the States, and may be more marketable if you want a job in American academia one day. Would also offer more teaching experience. 

I feel that. This is my fourth application cycle, and I’ve learned a lot along the way, and added a second masters in the mean time too. I finally have my first fully funded (and stipend) acceptance this year.
 
I got an acceptance with only 25% funding in year 2 and balked. Two waitlists in year 3. I’ve been on grad cafe but mostly as a lurker, and I can confirm that this is a place of expectation and sorrow. Less triumph than relief. And so, where we could be competitive, it feels more honest to be in solidarity. Even in acceptance I feel a bit of grief that isn’t easily dismissed, a specter of fear and rejection haunting me, haunting us. 
 
So I suppose I want to say something like, learning and grieving on the grad cafe was essential to my journey. In year 1, I lurked because I viewed it as competition. But here after many years of tweaks, of rethinking my path, of fighting and pushing to find my voice beyond what I was capable of in year 1- it’s not about competition but slow growth and grinding through cycles of doubt in creative ways. Maybe I’m just becoming a constructive Whiteheadian. Though that might also be one of my mentor’s fault. 
 
oh, and yes, I got my BC THEO reject today...

Contingent employment and NTT employment typically does not affect how your research is seen by others since most people are aware of the state of the job market. One of the top prizes in early career scholars for SBL The Achtemeier Award was given to a contingent faculty this year. However, most of these positions have a much higher work load for less pay than TT and Tenured jobs. Less money and less job security makes it harder to do research and have continued research progress, especially if the schools you become connected to don't have a great library section in your research area. 
The terminology varies from department to department. Mine only has instructor for PhD Candidates who are getting teaching fellowships beyond their fifth year. No lecturers. And everyone else is some from of Adjunct or VAP. 
To my knowledge a couple Post-Docs is fine, but after that I'm not sure how that would look of if post doc committees would be ok with hiring someone on their 5th post doc. 
The key thing to do is let departments in your area know you are there and open to taking on a course or two at their institution if anything opens up. You might end up taking on a medical leave or a sudden departure (someone leaves right before the semester begins) teaching load for a semester. Posting a job and doing a long hiring process for an adjunct is a lot of work for a little payoff. Many times departments will hire those who they know are open to doing the job without ever posting a position. 

Harvard GSAS has a 3-strike rule: you can only apply 3 times in your lifetime. If you apply to 3 different departments in one go, for example, that's 3 strikes.

Personally, I don't like the rule. 

Hi there.
Harvard Divinity School no longer has a PhD program and there is no such thing as Columbia Divinity as far as I know.
To be very honest, I think your chances at a fully funded PhD program in religion are just about nil. 
But, that's OK! I don't mean to discourage you but basically alert you to the fact that you need to first get a master's in the study of religion before thinking about a PhD.
Additionally, based on your major, it seems that your master's degree was from UChicago's Graham School (equivalent to Harvard's extension school). I think it can come across as misleading when you say UChicago full stop, although maybe others disagree with me here. Whatever the case, all of this reinforces what I said about the need for a master's degree in the study of religion. This is not just so you can stand a good chance of admission but also to learn about the basics of the degree program... Most importantly of all, you will get a better idea of if you really do want to traverse this path to begin with.
Your knowledge of Sanskrit is definitely a huge plus. You should use the extra time to learn another language as well. French or German is good, or another research language. 
Finally, you should be aware of how grim the job market is.
Having said all that... Good luck!

Hi there.
Harvard Divinity School no longer has a PhD program and there is no such thing as Columbia Divinity as far as I know.
To be very honest, I think your chances at a fully funded PhD program in religion are just about nil. 
But, that's OK! I don't mean to discourage you but basically alert you to the fact that you need to first get a master's in the study of religion before thinking about a PhD.
Additionally, based on your major, it seems that your master's degree was from UChicago's Graham School (equivalent to Harvard's extension school). I think it can come across as misleading when you say UChicago full stop, although maybe others disagree with me here. Whatever the case, all of this reinforces what I said about the need for a master's degree in the study of religion. This is not just so you can stand a good chance of admission but also to learn about the basics of the degree program... Most importantly of all, you will get a better idea of if you really do want to traverse this path to begin with.
Your knowledge of Sanskrit is definitely a huge plus. You should use the extra time to learn another language as well. French or German is good, or another research language. 
Finally, you should be aware of how grim the job market is.
Having said all that... Good luck!

You talk about Oxbridge as if it's a real university lol

Thank you for your congratulations! I think I am leaning towards UPenn more at this point due to the presence of Jamal Elias, who has done a lot of truly inspiring work on Islamic visual culture. Georgetown seems to lean more towards Islamic law and Arabic Linguistics, but I could be mistaken. Plus, UPenn's manuscript collection and focus upon material studies in general seems like something rarely put to the forefront by schools, and I really would love the opportunity to gain strength in that field. Let me know if this seems like an accurate appraisal of Georgetown though, it's so close to home for me that it'd be a very convenient place to attend.

As faculty, here is how prospective students contacted me:
started emails with Dr or Professor, not Miss/Mrs/first name. Formality throughout. Full signature so I know who you are helps. I’m writing because I’m interested in University X doctoral program in History.  Explain interests and research experience in 3-5 sentences. Then one sentence explaining why you’d like to work with me. now here comes the tricky part. In general, al. This would suffice to put you in the POI’s orbit, even if they don’t respond. However, it’s better to have some question along the lines of “I wonder if you are accepting any advisees” but not like that. You could say something like, “ I wonder if you find this research compelling and you think it might be a good fit for your program”. Then, you are inviting the other person to respond.  Now, typically, assistant professors don’t take graduate students, unless they are close to tenure. I will always advise everyone to write to senior POIs, they might suggest contacting the junior one you are interested in working with.  if a POI suggests talking over the phone, do so. Sometimes it’s easier for profs to squeeze a 15-min phone call between classes than writing an email.  It is not a bad idea to attach your CV. 

Am I the only one who is reading this "Stupid enough for NYC?" Which funny enough could mean the same as "Stipend enough for NYC?" even though I guess the answers have shown that it's not...

I would consider applying a third time and making it a priority to publish something and present it at a major conference where your POI's may be in attendance. Make sure to ping them about your presentation and invite them to attend. (Keep in mind you can even present it before you publish, which enables you to get feedback before submission.) 
Additionally, consider using the year to do language study.
I wiped out the first year I applied to a PhD. The second year I got into the programs in which the POI's attended my paper presentation, and wiped out everywhere else.
If you wipe out a third year in a row, then I think you should start looking at other career options. In fact, you should already have a clear plan in mind for that...
Just my advice, coming from a Religion PhD however...

I would absolutely mention that you have another offer in hand.
Getting into PhD programs is like dating. You want to appear desirable. 


Haha this is some good detective work. I think you might be right about the wording... But who knows? It could just mean that he/she cannot guarantee you a position... I wouldn't jump to gloom and doom.

I would consider applying a third time and making it a priority to publish something and present it at a major conference where your POI's may be in attendance. Make sure to ping them about your presentation and invite them to attend. (Keep in mind you can even present it before you publish, which enables you to get feedback before submission.) 
Additionally, consider using the year to do language study.
I wiped out the first year I applied to a PhD. The second year I got into the programs in which the POI's attended my paper presentation, and wiped out everywhere else.
If you wipe out a third year in a row, then I think you should start looking at other career options. In fact, you should already have a clear plan in mind for that...
Just my advice, coming from a Religion PhD however...

Friends, 
 
I wish you all the best. May you remember that your value is not determined by any acceptance or rejection. I accepted my admission into BC this morning. This forum has been a place of solidarity during this grueling process. See you all around the guild. 

You should be just fine. Masters programs are not that competitive to get into and are more of a crapshoot than anything else. Your ministerial experience should put you over the top, as well as the strong LORs. I bet you'll get into at least two of those programs, as long as no other red flags. 
You might explain your engineering GPA in your essay. I also had a similar engineering GPA (around 3.0), which was in fact above average for my school which is known for grade deflation. I ended up being just fine. Like you I switched to humanities degree, although my in major gpa was something like 3.9. But whatever, you'll be fine. 
Lastly I would actually stick to the big name programs, since it will open more doors for you in the future. 
I hope your ad comm will realize how tough some engineering programs can be and how low the GPAs are in them.   
P.S. What you can do is destroy the GRE. That's what I did to offset my low engineering gpa.

You should be just fine. Masters programs are not that competitive to get into and are more of a crapshoot than anything else. Your ministerial experience should put you over the top, as well as the strong LORs. I bet you'll get into at least two of those programs, as long as no other red flags. 
You might explain your engineering GPA in your essay. I also had a similar engineering GPA (around 3.0), which was in fact above average for my school which is known for grade deflation. I ended up being just fine. Like you I switched to humanities degree, although my in major gpa was something like 3.9. But whatever, you'll be fine. 
Lastly I would actually stick to the big name programs, since it will open more doors for you in the future. 
I hope your ad comm will realize how tough some engineering programs can be and how low the GPAs are in them.   
P.S. What you can do is destroy the GRE. That's what I did to offset my low engineering gpa.

I respect your view. In my view though it’s useful as one data point among many. An otherwise stellar applicant could still get in despite a lower score. 
Also I don’t think many people sit and memorize a bunch of words for the GRE. This is not an effective tactic anyways. Rather, people who score higher in this area tend to be those who read a lot over many long years. Moreover, these are words that an academic should be familiar with. 
Lastly, what’s wrong with a multiple choice exam? Seems pretty objective to me. I think there should be at least one purely objective metric with which to compare applicants. 

Not in philosophy, but I think the GRE and standardized testing in general provides one useful data point and accounts for variances in school grading as well as setting a floor for admission. The point about test prep is not really relevant, since you can buy a used test prep book for like five bucks. That's what I did.
I think it's an unpopular opinion, but such test scores do correlate to intelligence.