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I have also had issues contacting Union via phone. They've also told me contradicting things about the application process in person vs. via email. I'm also getting the "your status cannot be viewed at this time" message. Glad I'm not alone! Good luck in your application process!

Applied to three M.Div. programs -- BU, HDS, and Union. Haven't heard back from any of them yet. A little nervous about BU because I know some other M.Div/MTS applicants have heard back already...

Does anyone knows when Boston University School of Theology releases M.Div. decisions if they were submitted by the priority deadline? I know most other schools release them by March 15, but BU's website seems to imply that they notify financial aid candidates by the end of February. Just wondering because they're my top choice and I've had several offers for rooming in Boston. Thanks!

Thank you xypathos for the helpful response! Glad to hear that the GPA isn't killing my chances.

Hi all, I'm applying to several Master of Divinity programs that have a deadline of January 15/17 (Harvard Divinity School, Boston University, Union). While I've had my statements written for a couple months now, I'm starting to seriously overthink my statements as I re-read and refine them in the final days before submitting. My GPA is quite low (about 3.25, but grades improved during my last 2 years) so I'm really trying to make sure my statements are as convincing as possible and that it's clear that I believe I'm a good fit for each school. I was originally planning on applying for MTS/MA programs as I am interested in eventually pursuing a doctorate and not ministry. Yet, when I visited BU they informed me that the M.Div is a suitable degree for doctorate preparation (HDS and Union confirmed this as well), as the extra year provides more time to develop research interests, connect with faculty, develop skills through field education, etc. I have a very strong interest in social justice and interfaith work, and I'm framing my statements to emphasize that I want to study in a school that has strong commitments to social justice and interfaith dialogue/ecumenical relations. I'm emphasizing my past experiences and how I hope to study the intersections of social justice and faith and religion's role in the public sphere. But where I'm running into trouble is explaining why I feel the M.Div. is the better option. Across the three applications, I've mentioned the following reasons for applying for a M.Div.: 1) The extra year allows me to complete field/contextual education that will help me better understand and develop my research, 2) The skills used in ministry will make me a better professor academically (BU mentioned that they believe professors who have training in skills commonly used in ministry are better lecturers and are better at forming interpersonal relationships with students) and would be beneficial personally in my activism work, and 3) I'd develop deeper connections to faculty with the extra year. I got a bit worried when a HDS admissions said one of the biggest reasons for rejecting an applicant was because they thought they were in the wrong program, hence why I've decided to include these reasons in my statement. Are these reasons appropriate to mention in my statements? And are they persuasive enough to the admissions board that I'd be a good fit for an M.Div. rather than MTS/MA?