jgrant1118

I'm in biblical studies and I've heard similar thing to what those professors said. Though the majority of positions in the US are held by US PhDs, Toronto, Cambridge, and Oxford all have representations in major programs.

That is rather interesting. I wonder if it depends on where you get an overseas PhD? Any thoughts on Canadian PhDs? Toronto and McGill are both top 50 universities in the world. Maybe both top 25.

Some more thoughts...I read a forum elsewhere dealing with the same subject. There was some rather interesting perspectives. Their thoughts are that the specificity of the UK programs leaves you "unprepared" when compared to a US PhD who had comprehensives. Though a UK grad may be better prepared to carry out independent research, they are less able to teach basic Fresh/Soph level course. I don't know if I agree with this as my professors were more than able to teach intro level courses. However, one UK grad, though not a UK citizen, had many UK teaching offers. Interesting!

So, I am wanting to start a discussion about the pros and cons of various programs in the US and outside the US in the UK and Canada. There are many things to consider as I'm looking into programs in all three countries, and I'm sure many are looking into other options as well. The US may have more funding, but is (and, can be considerably) longer. The UK is rather short and is probably best for those who already know their specific interests and are prepared in their academic background and languages, or so I've heard. Canada and the UK don't require the GRE. The US does. The other countries prefer a MA thesis (the programs I am interested in). The US does not. Rather the US wants simply a "substantial" paper about 20 pages. I haven't had a paper that short since I was a Soph/Jr in college. What about jobs? My undergrad professors were varied, though the majority came from the UK. Would I be correct in saying that 95% of jobs are US PhDs? I have seen very few Canadian PhDs in the states or the UK. What are you looking into? Why? If moving across the pond or into Canada is not an issue, why not consider their programs? I'm looking forward to hearing people's opinions!

Thanks for your thoughts, johndiligent. Good luck!

johndiligent, I see you are applying to Toronto and McGill. Those are two schools I am also looking at. What are your particular interests?

Besides an early B and B+ all grades have been A, with the exception of one A-.

Hi all, I am new to this forum and have found many of the topics quite helpful. Now, I would like to get honest feedback on my academic preparation as I prepare applications during this year to either other M.A. programs or Ph.D programs. Any thoughts would be a great help! Here it goes. I earned a B.A. in Biblical studies with a minor in Biblical Greek (5 semesters) from a rather small liberal arts college. My GPA ended there about a 3.2 due to some fooling around my first two years. My final two years saw semester GPAs around 3.6+ but were unable to help me out. Apparently I woke up a little late in my program. I am now working on a M.A. (60 hours) in the Hebrew Bible at a seminary. My concentration is in the language and literature of the HB. So far, my GPA is 3.6+. Upon completion, I'll have 2 full years of Hebrew, 1 of Aramaic, and a semester of Ugaritic. I'll be learning German independently. My interests are rather varied. Besides the Hebrew Bible, particularly the Former Prophets, I have become increasingly interested in Judaic Studies/Rabbinics, though I don't have much formal training outside of the Hebrew Bible. I am also interested in the use of the New Testament as a witness to Judaism in the first century A.D. So, with my background should I apply to another MA or attempt a PhD? I've had mixed opinions from various schools. Some thought from academic peers would be great! Blessings.

Anyone out there know much about HUCs PhD program in Hebrew Bible/History of Interpretation/Rabbinics? This is one of the progams I am looking at but want more info than what the website offers. Anybody have any admission statistics?