Anyone applying for programs in rabbinic literature/Judaism in late antiquity programs? Could be nice to hash out some of the field-specific details (different programs, reqs etc)... already lots of info for people who do bible/theology on here so thought I'll start a thread for us.
After talking to a bunch of people, programs I'm definitely interested in are Yale, Princeton, and Columbia, but I want to add more since I know it's hard to get into these places. My undergrad actually has a nice program also but the fact I've already went there rules it out for me. I want to do some traditional Talmudic text work but also look into broader context and maybe engage in literary theory. I was told by a couple of people that Berkeley isn't really taking students... though I don't know officially (and the west coast might be challenging for me for personal reasons).
My Hebrew is native level and I think I have decent Talmudic skills... but I don't know exactly what's the required level for entrance in these programs? It's not like there's a subject GRE for Kiddushin... Some people seem to come with a lot of Yeshiva background (including rabbinic ordination), while some don't. Also what other languages are required normally? I have some Greek but I wouldn't say it's on the level of, say, classics graduate school.
Anyway, was wondering if anyone on this board is interested in these or other related questions... I know in a way we compete but I think the more info we have the better!
