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Absurd'sTheWord

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  1. Absurd'sTheWord
    First time PhD applicant. Applied to: Boston College, University of Memphis, University of Kentucky, Baylor University, Michigan State University, Marquette University, Saint Louis University, Purdue University. Good luck to all
  2. Absurd'sTheWord
    I have a BA (2014, Philosophy & Religion), MTS 2017 (2017, Theology & History), and I will graduate in May with my MAR in Philosophy from a Top-tier Divinity School. I am applying to four Ph.D. programs in religious studies (Yale, Vanderbilt, Syracuse, Brown). Interests include the history of modern philosophy (Kant, Kierkegaard), contemporary philosophy of religion, moral theology, and 19th-C American religious thought (specifically Second Great Awakening). Best of luck to others applying out!
  3. Absurd'sTheWord
    Muse2019, as a current student at YDS, I can assure you that YDS is a great fit for “nones.” When I visited as a prospective student I was surprised at the diversity of the religious community, and (frankly) that visit won me over. I’d definitely recommend coming to admitted students day to get a feel for the atmosphere. @muse2019
  4. Absurd'sTheWord
    I applied to one school and found out yesterday I am on the waitlist. What are the odds of getting moved up on a waitlist? What should waitlisters do in the meantime? What is the timetable? In other words, how long might this draw out?
  5. Absurd'sTheWord
    Any idea of how long I will have to wait to find out? How long does this waitlist purgatory last?
  6. Absurd'sTheWord
    I got waitlisted. How long will it take before I hear about whether or not a spot opens up?
  7. Absurd'sTheWord
    What happens if we don't hear something from YDS today? Is that a sign that we've (I've) been rejected?
  8. Absurd'sTheWord
    Haven't heard anything yet, but this gives me hope that word will arrive soon. Congrats on your acceptance.
  9. Absurd'sTheWord
    I decided to take the day off and wait by the phone/computer. Couldn't sleep last night. How is everyone else passing the time?
  10. Absurd'sTheWord
    I applied to the MAR in Philosophy. I am interested in both analytic and continental philosophy of religion, as well as the history of philosophy and historical theology after Kant. Thus, I felt that YDS offered something unique to my particular interests in both philosophy and theology. I wasn't trying to pitch anything really profound in my SOP, and my writing sample wasn't a hardcore analytic piece. My advisors encouraged me to be thorough and honest and not to try to "blow them away" with something profound. I tried to be honest in my desire and intentions in the program. Don't know if that advice was correct, but I guess I will find out tomorrow! Any school doing contemporary theology will--to some extent--interact with Continental philosophy. Also, I don't buy into the myth about Yale necessarily being partial to analytic. I met two really cool Yale MAR Philosophy students doing work in Phenomenology, if that makes you feel any better. Best of luck to you!
  11. Absurd'sTheWord
    Does anyone know (generally) what time we will find out tomorrow? I will not have internet access for a significant period of the day. I would like to know when I should slip out and check my mail.
  12. Absurd'sTheWord
    No big deal or anything. Just my future hanging in the balance. I literally won't be able to sleep tonight.
  13. Absurd'sTheWord
    I hate to be a Debbie-Downer, but I am sure there are many frustrated (qualified) applicants receiving rejections. I am curious as to what your backup plans look like. Perhaps your "Plan B" could inspire someone here who is despairing or unsure of the next step. -How do you plan to move forward overall (vocationally, emotionally, etc.)? -If you've received a rejection letter, will you continue to pursue religious studies and/or theology on your own time? -If your target schools aren't an option, are there other programs you are interested in? -What outlets are available for you to engage your desired course of study outside of a university/Div school setting? What would those outlets look like (ministry, tutoring, something creative, etc.)?
  14. Absurd'sTheWord
    Don't know what my chances are: I only applied to YDS this go around. The anticipation is killing me.
  15. Absurd'sTheWord
    I am applying to 12 programs in philosophy this fall. I've received conflicting information from my advisors/letter writers regarding what I should do. I will graduate with a master's in theology in December (4.0 GPA). I already have a BA in philosophy and religion (3.3 GPA, 3.5 major GPA). I ultimately want a PhD in philosophy. About half of the schools I am applying to are MA programs and the other half are PhD programs. A couple of the PhD programs have a track record of accepting students with M* in theology/religious studies. "Professor A" tells me not to bother applying to MA programs because I can earn an MA along the way in a PhD program. He seems to think I can get into a PhD program without doing an MA in philosophy. Although I am flattered, I am aware of the fierce competition in this field and I want to get into the best program possible. "Professor B" (who has an MA in theology and an MA in philosophy) has encouraged me to apply to stand-alone MA programs in order to increase my chances of admission into a good PhD program. I'm trying to be realistic: I am expecting to get shut out of all 12 PhD philosophy apps if I apply without an MA. I have had a steady job for a few years while in grad school, I am debt free, my wife has a killer job in medical field and can get a job anywhere, we are both young, no kids, nothing tying us down. With my current job I can pretty much work from anywhere. Thus, I am willing to do an MA even if the funding isn't stellar (but I am shooting for a funded program, of course). Which professor should I listen to? Should I stick with my gut and apply for some MA programs, or should I go all in and only do PhD apps, in hopes that I get accepted and earn an MA along the way?
  16. Absurd'sTheWord
    I am interested in Kierkegaard. I am applying to both religious studies and philosophy programs in hopes of working with a Kierkegaard scholar. Aside from the above mentioned (which are great suggestions), there are some other notable Kierkegaard scholars in the U.S. in philosophy and religious studies/theology departments. They are not always easy to find, but there are some great S.K. specialists in the States. Here is a list of professors (of which I am aware) in graduate departments of philosophy, theology, and religious studies who specialize in and/or have recently published work on Kierkegaard (in no particular order): C. Stephen Evans (Baylor); Paul Martens (Baylor, Dept of Religion); Noel Adams (Marquette); John Davenport (Fordham); Merold Westphal (Emeritus, Fordham); Daniel Conway (Texas A&M); Michelle Kosch (Cornell); Vanessa Parks Rumble (Boston College); Peter Kreeft (Boston College); Daniel W. Brinkerhoff Young (NYU); David C. Wood (Vanderbilt); Paul DeHart (Vanderbilt, Dept of Religion); Marcia Robinson (Syracuse, Dept. of Religion); Edward Mooney (Emeritus, Syracuse); M. Jamie Ferreira (Emerita, UVA); Gregory Beabout (St. Louis University); Cyril O'Regan (Notre Dame, Dept of Theology); John Hare (Yale); Noreen Khawaja (Yale, Dept of Religion); Mark C. Taylor (Columbia, Dept of Religion); Lee C. Barrett (Lancaster Theological Seminary); Kyle Roberts (United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities); David J. Gouwens (Brite Divinity School); Terrence P. Reynolds (Georgetown, Dept of Theology); Husain Sarkar (Louisiana State University); Gregory Schufreider (Louisiana State University); Sean Turchin (Knox Theological Seminary); Paul Griffiths (Duke University, Dept of Religion). Don't count the U.S. out for Kierkegaard scholarship just yet!
  17. Absurd'sTheWord
    I'm interested in History of Philosophy (mainly Post-Kantian), Philosophy of Religion (Analytic & Continental), Philosophy of Mind, and Kierkegaard. I'm applying to MA and PhD programs in Philosophy: Baylor, Boston College, U of Kentucky, Fordham, Duquesne, Saint Louis University, Marquette I'm also applying to a few PhD programs in Religious Studies that cater to my interests: Yale, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Boston University, Columbia
  18. Absurd'sTheWord
    LOL I didn't mean to get too "preachy." If I had known your criteria for "preparing for a program" I would have spoken to such. Best of luck with your program.
  19. Absurd'sTheWord
    I'm in my last semester of my MTS program. Here's what I will offer: 1. HABITS: Don't be a procrastinator...It doesn't work with this caliber of work. Study something from all of your classes everyday (this depends on the structure of your program, of course). You just can't afford to get overwhelmed by your own fault. If you stay on top of your work, the rhythm of your schedule will feel natural. Xypathos makes a good point. Don't kill yourself by doing tons of outside reading on top of full-time work. If you can, keep maybe a couple of books going that supplement what you're studying. If you want to do extra reading, seek out suggestions from your professors. In most cases they will happily recommend extra reading/resources that bring clarity to the subject matter. It's a good way to get to know them and in turn they learn about your interests. Don't be a brown-noser, but get to know your professors and let them get to know you. It's important to have a couple of professors in your corner as you prepare to apply for other programs. 2. OPPORTUNITIES: Take every chance to participate in on-campus events in your department (clubs, guest lecturers, opportunities to present papers). If there's a conference on (ex.) "Interfaith Dialogue," go to it. You don't necessarily have to be very interested in the subject matter, but I guarantee you you'll gain something from attending (networking, research ideas, etc.). If you can study abroad, do it. If you can audit an extra language course, do it. If you can present papers through a conference or symposium, DO IT. This is a small window in your life, so soak up every opportunity. 3. RELATIONSHIPS: Find a handful of people in your class/cohort (if you're an Mdiv student) you can really trust. It's strange: grad theology programs are more like high school than college was. People can try so hard to be something --to fit in or build a reputation as the next prodigy-- that they create for themselves an embarrassing persona. Don't be the guy that's trying to outdo everyone in your class. They all want to succeed just as you do, and hopefully they will become colleagues one day. I'm in a program with a few kiss-ups, and both the professors and students can see through it. Professors are much more perceptive about those kinds of things than you'd expect. Also, be kind and genuine towards the non-faculty staff in your department's office. Just don't be "that guy/girl" that used people for favors/letters of recommendation, sucked up for something, or tried to one-up other students. Be yourself, work hard, and build healthy relationships with the people with whom you are working and studying. 4. RESPONSIBILITIES: Finally, stay on top of your own work/transcripts/thesis, etc. Don't expect advisors to simply guide you along the process and give you everything you need...nobody cares more about your future than you do. You might get 9hrs shy of graduation and find out you never took the course you needed to graduate, and it won't offered again until next year! Stuff like that happens. Also, if you're investigating MA/PhD programs (as I am), do your own research. I've got one professor who is really pushing me to apply to a certain program (and I probably will), but from what I've gathered I wouldn't be a great fit there because of my strong interest in continental philosophy of religion. Take their advice and definitely lean on their counsel, but don't expect them to carry you from A to Z. This is nothing really groundbreaking...just stuff that I wish I'd know two years ago.
  20. Absurd'sTheWord
    Thanks! I really appreciate the input. It has been very helpful! I am considering Yale's MARc (philosophy), as well as a number of philosophy programs (MA/PhD). With my interests being what they are, I would be just as happy studying in either a department of philosophy or religious studies/theology (I have a BA in philosophy and biblical studies). I really would love to do a second master's degree if I can attain funding. The Mdiv programs attracted me because they generally offer that. Also, I am currently serving in a pastoral capacity, and the idea of getting chaplaincy training in addition to my academic training would be a bonus. We will see what happens.
  21. Absurd'sTheWord
    Looking to eventually do doctoral work in Theology/Religion. Here's my situation: I will be completing my MTS at the end of this year from a fairly conservative seminary. I have a 4.0, I've presented three papers at seminars/conferences within my university, and I have three professors who have offered to write letters of recommendation. My particular interests are philosophy of religion (analytic & continental), historical theology (post-Enlightenment) and religious pluralism. I am toying with applying to a second master's program (MA/MDiv) at a top-tier school to improve my application for doctoral programs. I have received a great education in my current program, but I'm also aware of the intensity of the application process. Plus, I'm in a place in my life where I could realistically pursue a second master's. -Would having a MTS (positively/negatively) impact my chances for admission in a MDiv program at HDS, Yale, Princeton, Duke, etc.? -Would any of those MDiv programs likely include any of my MTS coursework as advanced-standing credits? -Would a second master's really make a difference as far as applications are concerned?
  22. Absurd'sTheWord
    I love input from those with cross-disciplinary interests, but anyone is welcomed to chime in. (I am posting this in both Religion and Philosophy forums) I just finished the first year of my MTS (theology) program. As a student with cross-disciplinary interests in theology and philosophy, I am torn as to which schools and field I should apply to for doctoral work in the future. Will one field necessarily restrict me from doing work in another? For example, If I were to get a PhD in philosophy, would I be considered if I applied to teach in theology/religious studies department (or vice-versa)? Depending on who you talk to, any of these thinkers pass as theologians or philosophers: Augustine, Kierkegaard, John Caputo, James K.A. Smith, Richard Swinburne, Gordon Clark, Paul Tillich, Schleiermacher, Alasdair MacIntyre, John Hick, etc. However, it seems that every fields is becoming more and more specialized. With specialization on the rise, does the field in which a student receives a PhD necessarily limit the department in which he/she is allowed to work? At this point I plan to apply to PhD programs in both philosophy and theology, and I'd be happy being accepted to either field for a PhD. I am also able to and open to doing an additional MA or ThM for further preparation. Based on my interests, here are some of the schools I plan to look into: Philosophy schools - Cornell, Baylor, Fordham, Boston College, Villanova, Marquette, Duquesne, Kentucky, USF Theology/Religious Studies schools - Harvard Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, Duke, Yale Divinity School, Vanderbilt, Syracuse Any input on the issue of disciplinary flexibility? Any students at these schools want to chime in?
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