Laodiceans

None of the Top Tier schools require an MDiv that I am aware. An MA in Theological Studies is fine. I have an MA from an evangelical seminary and I have been invited to Duke's PhD prospective student weekend (I applied for NT).

@RD_Paul says it is competitive. I know they have a few spots for the ThD though so hopefully you both receive offers! My advice: You have to have interests to be interesting and you have already outlined those in your SOPs and writing samples. So unless they ask you to elaborate on your current research interests, don't talk about yourself. They obviously are already intrigued with your interests so you don't need to beat a dead horse unless they specifically and directly ask you to beat it. Remember that they are looking for students. That is, be teachable and be able to articulate what you anticipate being able to learn from the faculty that complements your previous education (i.e., strengthens the gaps and weaknesses in your previous training). Don't come off like you're already a Dr. Be a student. Also, be personable. They are also trying to figure out who they want in their offices for the next 4-6 years. No matter how scholarly you are, they don't want to invite a jackass or someone who would just be unbearable to sit and chat with. So just be the awesome humans that you are and don't present yourselves as the future scholar you think you will become or think they want. Be a normal human. But again, this is obviously just my advice. Take it or leave it. Add some salt or pepper to it. Or maybe just a grain of salt.

Best of luck! When is it?

Congrats! Same questions I asked above: Do you know if this is a competitive interview? Is it on campus?

Awesome! Do you know if this is a competitive interview? Is it on campus? I didn't know the ThD did interviews. The reason I'm asking is just out of plain curiosity (I somehow won the Power Ball and have been invited to Duke for their PhD preview weekend!)

Good note on your first comment. I am honestly not sure. They have 9 subfields (right?...I don't feel like googling it..), but only 8 invites went out (and 2 of those were for NT) so at least 2 fields have 0 invites this year. I do know that every fields at least gets their top applicant, but perhaps for two fields they either got 0 applicants, or they simply decided that the applicant pool was weak and the top applicant didn't meet their cut.

@RD_Paul @tdwightdavis I applied to both. I was told to by my POI; and Ross Wagner (Director of the ThD) confirmed that it wouldn't be viewed negatively (just make sure your SOPs reflect that you understand the differences between the two programs!). They usually figure that people want the PhD more because the funding is better (and I should clarify my comment from before...I only applied to the ThD last year and was rejected from that). More than likely, I will not even get an offer for the ThD because they will assume that if anything I will accept the PhD offer. This happened to someone else in the PhD program there. They were accepted into the PhD and then was informed in the ThD decision letter that they didn't get an offer b/c the committee assumed that if they wanted to come to Duke, then they (the applicant) would take the PhD offer. Btw, the NT faculty are the "admissions committee" for the PhD. The ThD committee is made up of representatives from every field in the Divinity School (maybe some admins as well?). I will try to find out specifics about ThD funding when I'm there. I do know this (I think): It's was raised to about 15,000/yr. either last year or the year before.

More Duke info: All invites for the (non-competitive) interview weekend have been extended for all subfields. Still not sure when those on the wait list are notified.

Ya. Last year it seemed loaded with folks. Hmm. I didn't find out when the wait list goes out, but my guess is it wouldn't go out until after the prospective student weekend Feb 12-14th. If I find out for sure, I'll put it on here.

I know that there is one other NT person invited to Duke and I know they are for Notre Dame. Who is it? Also, anyone else from other fields in the GPR invited to Duke? It would be cool to connect ahead of time if we could.

No clue. But if I find out I'll be sure to let you all know.

Thanks! (And thank to you tdwightdavis -- I don't know how to quote two people at once cause I'm lame, but apparantly copying/pasting your name tags you) RD_Paul, when I'm there I'll find out everything I can about the ThD process and give you the 411. From what I remember from last year (when I didn't get in), decisions were emailed out late Feb (like the 27th or something).

Thanks! It was from Stephen Chapman. It was personalized. It was sent at 9pm Pacific Time (12AM in Durham).

Although I am very happy to report that I have been invited to Duke's prospective student weekend, I know that is going to be bummer news for some of you to hear. I was not admitted last year so I know the feeling very intimately. But please be happy for me!

Sorry. Wasn't referring to you as trolling. It was exclusively with reference to the two posts on the results page regarding interviews at Duke for NT.

Here's what I know (from a 3rd year PhD in NT): 1) The GPR meeting is tonight. 2) Nothing went out as far as interview invites yet. 3) I expect trolls on FB, Twitter, YouTube, Reddit, etc., but now I know there are trolls on thegradecafe (and in NT of all places!) 4) Mark Goodacre told me that he is hoping they will have 3 spots this year. Last year they got 2. No guarantees though about how many this year obviously.