soitgoes

And PhD decisions!

And by religious studies do they mean the committee on the study of religion?

Worst thing is, I live in another time zone and I wake up twice at night to check! ? looking forward to a good night’s sleep.

You are most welcome. It's my first time, too, and it's such an opaque process. One needs all the advice one can get!

In my case, the questions on the writing sample were always regarding how it connects to my interest in pursuing further doctoral research. In one interview, three people from the religious studies department interviewed me at the same time (all with different areas of expertise). It was a quick 20 minute interview and it began with "tell us about your research interests." Unfortunately, I did not prep to answer the question so I stumbled my way through it. I was accepted to the program and the faculty said my interview was excellent. Perhaps I am too critical. Regardless, what I do know is that had I prepped for that answer, it would have been even better. So, make sure you have some sense of how to move about larger questions like "tell us about your research interests," "why did you pick this project?" "what methodologies interest you? regions?" "why us?" "do you have any questions for us?" Each of the questions, including the last one, is an opportunity to give professors information about yourself. You can choose to discuss your writing sample on your own, without them asking for that information: "And that's why I submitted the writing I did, because it shows x, y, z." It will help them connect the dots. (Also don't assume that they will remember your writing off the bat. Get a feel for whether they do). These faculty members asked me briefly about why I chose the writing sample I did. My sample was also a paper I wrote for a class; I did not edit it, and it was marginally related to my area. Knowing this, I made sure to have a narrative ready on how to help them connect the dots between my sample and my interests: "I chose the writing sample because I enjoyed the subject, it's related to theme x, y, z, which I hope to explore as a graduate student." Just have a narrative ready for how the paper reflects your interests and capacity. I do not think they will push for a detailed discussion of the paper. They may not even have read it throughly. In another interview, which was done by my potential advisor, he had already read my file carefully. He asked very specific questions about my background, courses, language preparation. I could tell he was trying to fill gaps in his picture about me. He asked me about my writing sample: why did I choose a paper that's peripheral? Isn't even in my area of studies? Why didn't I choose a paper that reflects my language skills? The paper was interesting, he said, but he was wondering about these questions. So, I gave an answer, linking the paper to my interests and he was content with that. I also told him I could submit other papers if he was interested. And he said sure, and I submitted two other papers and some translations. I think it answered his concerns and I was accepted into that program. So I would say: yes be ready to give them answers about the paper but, more broadly, be ready to connect it to your current interests and really explain your thought process in choosing it. How maybe writing that paper influenced your future decisions or interests. The questions they will ask you will be specific to your context, and the gaps they feel they have in your story. Try to think about what they're really asking you to explain, given the questions they have already asked you. Think about your narrative, what information professors have on you, and what gaps they may need to address. Anticipate those—but don't sweat it, and don't over prepare either! Super long answer, and perhaps not what you're looking for but there you go!

My bet is we will likely hear mid-week. It wouldn't make sense for them not to just tell us on Friday if they were going to wait until Monday. Haha...this is my anxiety logic.

Yes, I was referring to the PhD programs.

I’m with you all on this. Waiting to hear from Harvard (Committee), Chicago (Divinity), and Yale (Religious Studies). All three schools let people know either exactly today or close to today last year. I’m hoping at least one of the three says something—anything! The wait is actually quite a bit worse with gradcafe because I’m now expecting something today while in reality a response is not at all guaranteed!

Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this (question is coming from an Islamic studies applicant): what's the difference between religious studies programs and NELC? For example, I applied to chicago divinity and there's also NELC. Same with Harvard's Committee on the Study of Religion and NELC. Is one more prestigious? Does one lead to better jobs? Does it matter?

Thank you, @avidnote. I don't think I'll be facing any political trouble going to and fro from the Middle East to the US because I'm not Middle Eastern (I just grew up there). But I agree that UK/Europe would have been a good option. Europe's proximity to the Middle East creates greater ability to travel back home. Alas, I chose not to apply there because I prefer the American PhD model (2-3 years of coursework, then 2-3 years of dissertation writing) and I have done much of my schooling there already. Moreover, as I have no familial ties to Europe, the thought of studying there didn't really enter my mind. I ended up applying to PhD programs in the US and those are now the options available to me. Others who have yet to apply for PhD programs and face similar worries as me should heed your advice.

@gls2814, thank you kindly for your response. I read it out to my family (we are trying to navigate this situation together) and we all agreed that your response read as if you were one of my closest friends, giving balanced advice. Often I find that my American friends tend to stress "follow your dreams," and my international friends stress family cohesion (with exceptions). As I am a child of both worlds, it's always confusing to hear such differences in opinion. But all your questions call for further introspection. In particular, I will need to reflect on whether I may feel resentment. I'll be visiting the programs I've been admitted to in early March. I think that your last point will come into play then: can I envision myself spending 6+ years in this or that place? How does it make me feel? I actually do think that emotion plays a big part in how we make such decisions because it's often through relying on emotions that we decide how to prioritize one pro/con over another. It seems like you're going through something similar. If you need an ear, I'm here. A thousand thanks, kind stranger.

Hey, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on how to think through this dilemma: I applied for PhD programs this Fall. I've heard back from 2 of the 5 schools I applied to, and I got accepted at both (one of which is a top 3 school in my area of studies). So, it's safe to say I have good options in front of me. I'm excited about the prospects. My family (parents, siblings, extended clan) all live in the Middle East. I've lived away in the US for the past 6 years, while pursuing undergrad and a master's degree, and only moved back 7 months ago. If I choose to pursue a PhD, that would mean living away from them on another continent for the next 6 years, if not more (considering that I will be beholden to the job market). I deeply love my family, and I find deep joy in living with them. Should I not go the PhD route, I can work in my family business, which is doing exceptionally well, though as a career I would much rather prefer grad school and eventually an academic position in the humanities. So what to do? Career or family? Of course, I know that with such little information, it's difficult to assess. But if you've been in a similar position and have some advice to offer, or even if you haven't, please let me know. Thank you!

Don't worry!

Yale (Religious Studies) does interview. I had an interview a few days ago. I cannot claim they interview everyone they are interested in, but that's not to say they do not interview.

'Twas me, and thank you, but I continue to hold my breath. I applied for Islamic Studies. Do not worry (too much) if you have not yet been contacted. From what I have gathered from their website, initially each subfield works independently. Wishing you all the best.