grammercie

There is a good discussion of constructive theology in this paper here. http://www.ams-lgbtq.org/Updates/Horst.htm constructive theology and systematic theology are not at all the same thing. I think what wikipedia is trying to say is that constructive theology is gaining a foothold as a valid school of thought. Systematic theology has been criticized widely by people of color and women for failing to attend to its own context.

I applied to 7. It wasn't the application fees that killed me, it was the transcripts to every school, sometimes requiring 2 copies. 7 was just about right.

Unless you have a specific job lined up, go to grad school. You can explore what you want to do just as easily, and you'll come away with a degree at the end of that time. It will be a lot harder to get those references to write the second time around and a few years later, and you have no idea what the pool of applicants will be like or if the programs change or close. There are a lot of threads on here from people questioning whether they are doing the right thing. I think most of us have cold feet or anxiety about starting in the fall, so you're not alone in that. If you have funding, go for it! If you don't have funding, try it for a year and leave if you don't like it. And you can always seek out internships while in school. but that's just my two cents. Good luck!

I don't know a thing about Duke, but I just graduated from PTS in 2009. Would be happy to answer any questions--just PM me.

Check into state health insurance for children. Sometimes they'll cover parents as well. If your wife isn't working, there's a good chance you'll qualify while on your stipend. Here's a link in Texas: http://www.chipmedicaid.org/

I set up a private facebook group. PM me if you want an invite, just need an e-mail. If nobody PM's me before September, I'll delete the group

Hows about start a facebook group and post the link here. Those who want to connect there can without worrying about identities being connected here, and we can connect with each other there individually. I really dislike linkedin, but I am on twitter also.

Declining at Temple University and Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia.

@thisistheyear I was the poster from last week. I just today received my letter, and I'm not too far away. There was no information on funding so I called the department chair who explained the funding process there. Basically, if you don't get one of the few University fellowships, there isn't any. Seemed like a great program, but I'll be at Drew in the fall. Best of luck to you!

I'll be at Drew University in Religion & Society

You have until April 15, so why not take some more time to mull it over? Put the decision on the shelf for a week and focus on other things. Is one of your recommenders someone who would listen and ask questions without judgment while you talked through your concerns? I get what you're saying, but walking away from something you've worked 2 years to get to--a fully funded PhD program? A lot of us have written on the forum about post-acceptance depressions, panics, and second-guessing. Take your time to make this decision, please.

Anyone heard anything recently about Temple admissions?

Another option is to take a couple courses through a local university or college that pertain to your desired major. Do a bang up job in the classes, interact with the professors, and there you have your references. This is what I did after being out of school for 10 years. Not a single one of my undergrad professors could have remembered me. But the professor who taught the extension class was pleased to help me along toward graduate school in a field we both love.

Definitely do not write a check that you don't have cash for. In my state landlords open a savings account with your deposit, so yeah, they cash it.