rabgogh06

I'm at YDS. I would strongly encourage you to come here. I wouldn't worry about courses as determinative factor in decided where you should go. YDS also has pass/fail classes, so you can always take that if you prefer. But the grading system is not on an A scale anyway. It's H/HP/P. It is rare that any student here would not get into a PhD program, especially if they have that in mind as a goal from the beginning. Feel free to message me if you have any further questions and want insight from a student. 

Don't count on it, though. YDS's financial aid is super tight right now and there's not more money to be had.

As someone in the MDiv program at YDS who has been admitted to a doctoral program, I would second this unless you have any inkling of doing ordained ministry. I made the MDiv work by configuring my electives carefully and developing relationships early on with faculty, but the MAR is more concentrated in fields with less work required outside of them. MDivs have to take preaching, a required church history sequence, an internship with practicum, ministry classes, a broad curriculum in general, etc.
 
Just for the sake of numbers, I know of three MDivs at YDS who applied to doctoral programs, and all three were admitted (two to their top choices).
 
And switching into the MAR concentrate is dependent on whether the faculty in that area approve of your switch. I know plenty of people who have done it.

I'm at YDS. I would strongly encourage you to come here. I wouldn't worry about courses as determinative factor in decided where you should go. YDS also has pass/fail classes, so you can always take that if you prefer. But the grading system is not on an A scale anyway. It's H/HP/P. It is rare that any student here would not get into a PhD program, especially if they have that in mind as a goal from the beginning. Feel free to message me if you have any further questions and want insight from a student. 

I've officially turned down an offer from Brandeis - I hope this declination opens up an offer for someone who is still waiting.

Strangely enough (to an outsider), having a doctorate from Emory, as an American, will set you up better than one from Oxford. It is extremely rare to get funding at Oxford, along with its relatively high acceptance rate (I have never known an American to be denied from Oxford...we are cash cows), make their degrees 'questionable', or so I've heard. Unless you're European, I've been told, stay away.  

Just for the record, I do not go to UT. That was just what I was told last year when I was waitlisted. 

I can confirm that UT is around $14k with tuition and health insurance (as a TA). You likely won't live like a king or queen, but it's a pretty reasonable amount for Austin.

Last year they were offering a little bit over 14k in stipend + full tuition + health insurance. The stipend was dependent on working as a TA or RA.