Isaac32

What are your specific interests? The gospels? The Epistles? Justification? Apocalypse? I would search through the GTU faculty and affiliate with whatever school has the faculty that best suit your interests.

Does anyone else think my intros are offensive towards the Mormon faith? I am surprised that they might be since one of my letter-writers and two of the people I asked to review my statement are LDS and they only had positive feedback for me.

Well, that aspect of me is white/ European

I thank you for your blunt advice, really. If you don't mind, would you indicate where I trash Mormonism? It was not my intent to do so.

Obviously, my Portugese heritage does not make me Hispanic, but would I qualify as Latino?

Thanks for the input. I suppose I should have mentioned that the MTS program I wrote this statement for specifically said "tell us how you became interested in the study of theology"

I've decided just to post the three different intros I have written up. The SOP to which these intros are attached is for an MTS. 1. I first encountered the study of theology through an undergraduate philosophy of religion course, and became further interested in its study through research accompanying my personal faith exploration and conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy. Although such conversions are common in a modern, pluralistic culture, I come from a devout Mormon family, and my conversion resulted in marginalization and damaged relationships. Disappointed friends and relatives blame my interest in theology and religious studies for this injury and their challenges have become the constant companion of otherwise rewarding studies. However, these challenging questions and criticisms have been rewards themselves as they have required me to better express and understand my own beliefs by employing the tools made available by academic theology. 2. While I do not hesitate to proclaim my love for theology and the history of Christianity, they have brought personal challenges. My initial encounter with the disciplines accompanied an arduous faith exploration, which culminated in my entrance into the Greek Orthodox Church. Although religious conversions are common in a modern, pluralistic culture, I come from a devout Mormon family, and conversion meant marginalization and damaged relationships. Thankfully, I am still invited to my mother’s house for Thanksgiving, and my interest in theological studies has only increased as I have struggled to navigate new social realities. Additionally, questions and arguments from friends and family pertaining to my new faith continually move me to better understand my beliefs as I discover answers to their inquiries. 3. While I do not hesitate to proclaim my love for theology, the two of us have had a complicated relationship. My initial encounter with its study accompanied an arduous faith exploration, which culminated in my entrance into the Greek Orthodox Church. Although religious conversions are common in a modern, pluralistic culture, I come from a devout Mormon family, and conversion meant marginalization and damaged relationships. Worse still, I made my mother cry. And this all happened, or so say my relatives, because of my love for theology and religious studies. On the bright side, I am still invited to my mother’s house for Thanksgiving, and my interest in the study of theology has only increased.

So I am in a bit of a bind. I have shown my first SOP draft to six professors and, just my luck, three thought it was great and three thought my intro was overly personal. For the sake of privacy I won't post the actual text of the intro, but will instead describe my general approach to see what you folks think. In my introduction I essentially explain how my interest in theology originated in my personal faith exploration, which in turn led to familial difficulties and other challenges since this exploration led me to part ways with the faith of my family. Do you think this is too personal?

1. GPA okay, but a lot of applicants will have higher marks. 2.You have languages, which is a big plus if they are relevant to your prospective areas of study. 3. Gre: verbal decent, quant a bit low (but most humanities programs wo't care), AW good. As long as your other application materials are great I think you will have a pretty good shot. Focus on SOPs and writing sample.

Your GRE scores are great, and I wouldn't worry any further about that aspect of your application. If anything hurts you it will be the 3.5 gpa, although 3.5 isn't terrible. I have heard a lot of different things from various admissions committees. Some have told me that GRE scores don't have much weight as long as you hit 160+ on the V and 150+ on the Q, and it is demonstrating fit and writing quality that are key. Others have straight up told me if V and AW are not 90th percentile or higher the application won't even be considered. My stats are 162 V 153 Q 5 AW, Grad GPA 3.9, intermediate level French/Greek/Spanish, and almost everyone I have spoken with has told me my numbers are fine and I should focus on my writing sample and demonstrating that I am a good fit for the departments to which I am applying. Where you are planning to apply is another big factor.

seriously? Their minimum is 5.5 out of 6?

By "good-but-not-great" I mean 163 or less on Verbal, 5 or less on AW. If so, could you explain the factors you think led to your acceptance?

marXian, I just wanted to say thanks for your thoughtful relply. May I ask what school you are currently attending?

Pretty good here. Trying to decide which programs are worth applying to given my numbers (162 V, 153 Q, 5.0 AW, 3.85 grad GPA). I'm aiming for Marquette, but my MA is in history rather than theology which could cut me out of the running for funding. Does anyone have an idea of whether admissions are more competitive at Columbia or Brown? Anyone with scores comparable to mine who can talk about their past PhD admissions experiences (162 V, 153 Q, 5.0 AW, 3.85 grad GPA)?

Two of my top choices, Marquette and Fordham, require a masters in theology prior to enrolling in their PhD programs, or at least that is what I was told by the heads of each department. In addition, a masters in theology would open the door for a lot of other divinity schools. My other worry is that, even if all my application materials are superb, I am coming out of a relatively unknown history program. My study centered on patristics and reformed theology, so at least I have that going for me.

Does anyone have information on which MLIS programs are most likely to fund their students?

I will be applying for religious studies PhD programs this winter and am also looking for masters programs in theology that offer good funding. I am specifically looking for programs with strengths in Eastern Christianity as well as programs I have a shot at getting into. M.A. in History Grad GPA: 3.8 GRE Scores: 162 (V) 156 (Q) 5 (AW)

Hello everyone, Is anyone aware of a resource or database that lists active, Eastern Orthodox theology/ religious studies scholars?