fin56

Thank you so much for writing back @theophany! This is immensely helpful. I have a few follow up ideas/questions: - Duke's religion program (Grad) is super hard to get into - I am pretty skeptical about my admission there. I love the idea of the ThD program, but was told by a prof that it didn't measure up to doing a PhD, even if I went to England. Is this true? What is the Duke ThD reputation? - I have thought about the MPhil issue in going to the UK. That's why I thought the YDS idea would be good. I think I could maybe go there through ISM, then go on to the UK PhD. - Do you know anything about the ITIA reputation at St Andrews? @Mocha, thanks to you as well. I am writing on this forum for exactly that kind of straight talk. - I am interested specifically in doing work on the theological implications of naturalism and Anglicanism in R.S. Thomas' poetry, based in the influence of Coleridge and his idea of primary imagination. However, I am willing to research other poets and interests if a professor were willing to work with me. I still feel very open. - I have no interest in pursuing my other interests (writing and professional ministry) while doing a PhD. I will probably serve on a monthly basis at a congregation nearby, and at the divinity school (if I go to a school with one attached). I just meant long term writing/serving is where I might end up... I don't know what God has in store! I take the point well though that research is the priority. I am on board with that in applications and while a student (and beyond, too!). Obviously I agree that personal poetry in a PhD project is riduclous! I was simply trying to share a larger image of who I am. Any further thoughts? Much obliged. Fin56

Greetings! I am seeking advice as I venture into the world of further education. I am applying next fall and have a few ideas I would love to run by this forum. Please excuse the blunt nature in which I present this information, but I have no persons currently whom I can casually run these ideas by who are "in the know." The application: - I have a BA (top tier) 3.67 in English, M.Div (middle-tier) 3.65. I have excellent letters of recommendation from notable professors and an interesting/well-rounded resume, no publishing yet and no GRE score. I am also ordained. - Long-term, I see myself as a poet-pastor-scholar, serving in one or multiple of the following options: congregation, theological/seminary education, professor track, writer. I hope to publish regularly for academic and community audiences. I have a strong SOP. - Language-wise, I have Latin, Koine Greek, Spanish, and can minimally read French. I will be taking intro German next year before beginning a program. - Strong writing sample edited by professors. - My area of interest is the intersection of poetry and theology in the 19th and 20th century in the US and UK, with particular emphasis on a few poet-priests. While I am considering still a few programs in English, the religion departments are more suitable for the questions, teaching, and community I seek. I am thinking of applying to the following PhD programs: Definitely: Duke (religion and modernity) Cambridge (potential supervisor) St. Andrew's (potential supervisor) As well as perhaps (though I know less about these programs): UNC-CH Stanford Union Cornell Brown Columbia Emory Oxford Harvard Princeton UChicago UVA Vanderbilt Notre Dame I am also seriously considering going to Yale Div for an STM and getting a solid PhD application together there while I am actually in school. Does anyone in the ether have any basic feedback for me? How might I best BEGIN the process of moving toward graduate school? I am beginning to find supervisor contacts at these schools, but must admit I am greatly intimidated by the whole process. Nevertheless, I venture forward! Warm regards and many thanks. -Fin56