NT PhD ... Hopefully

Right.

The rep from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School told me their ThM offers funding.

Right. I applied for the PhD. The grad director told me, essentially, that the committee felt my MDiv preparation was not sufficient, and that the ThM would serve as a bridge to their PhD program. Barring something else, that sounds like it's going to be the plan. Still waiting on official word from others though.

No, no word on funding. TEDS told me they do offer up to 50% funding for the degree. I also have a little GI Bill money left, so it might not be too expensive.

Thank you again for your responses guys. I appreciate it.

Hey thanks. I just looked and their application cycle isn't complete until April 15. Do you know how long it takes for them to make an admissions decision. Essentially, is it too late this year to expect a reply by March or April (I read they have "rolling admissions"). Thanks.

Hey thanks for the responses guys. I would add that I do seek a Theological/Seminary setting, per one of the responses.

So I would really appreciate some comments and advice, if you guys don't mind. I applied to PhD programs in NT this year. I will graduate with my MDiv this spring, so I just have an undergraduate and MDiv. I have been rejected at SMU, waitlisted at Baylor, and have yet to hear anything from others except TEDS. The grad director called me and advised me that the committee felt I needed more preparation. Therefore, TEDS offered me a spot in the ThM program, which would lead to the PhD. I know that most will have more than one grad degree so I am thinking getting the ThM would be a good move, especially for future applications. Any advice on the ThM? Good move? Better prep? Stronger applicant next time round? Etc?

Sorry my friend. I know the feeling.

Denied at SMU. Even though it was not my first choice, it still bummed me out.

What, may I ask, is your sub-field?

Hey buddy. The preview weekend is, according to the email I received from Baylor, the second weekend in Feb.

Hey good to see a fellow NT applicant. Congrats on getting the interview at Baylor. Good luck!!! (I also applied to Emory, Baylor, SMU)

Where are all the NT folks???

Hey thanks Maccabeus. Best of luck in your endeavors as well!

The POI would be Joel Green. Can't think of many I would rather work with for Luke-Acts. I appreciate your comments. Thank you. Again, at least for me, somethings have to be taken on faith (including future job prospects). Five years ago I was laying on the floor of a jail cell, puking my guts out because I was an oxy addict from my injuries in Iraq. I was looking at a 7 year prison sentence for doctor shopping. I spent 9 months in long term jail, without seeing the sun or sky during that time. Now I'm reading Ancient Greek and Hebrew, lol, graduating with honors from a splendid little MDiv program. Go figure. I guess what I want the most is not an assurance of future employment, I'll leave that to God. What i want is to attend a program that equips me for the advanced study of NT. The rest, I'll leave to the creator. Thanks again for your response!

Hey "inprogress," I appreciate your comments. Thanks for responding.

I have seen that as well. It seems that both Fuller and TEDS are on that list. I guess guys it is what it is. I don't have the pedigree or the time available to try and get into a TT program (getting a second MA for example) again. Since this is the religions page I might add that sometimes we just have to step out on faith. Despite what worldly promise might be negated. However, I take scholarship seriously, so I feel drawn to a mixture of both service to the church and to the academy. If that means Bart Ehrman turns his nose up at me, so be it.

Hey thanks Abdelazar. I was curious, aside from the funding question, what about reputations: Fuller, Asbury, Trinity?

Thanks menge.

Hey, thank you "wantingtogetinsomewhere" and "menge." I appreciate your responses. It's good to vent right, lol, and this is mildly cathartic. I would add that I am not at a Southern seminary, rather a divinity school at a Baptist "associated" university, though most of my professors are "pre-fall" Southern Seminary. As to SMU, one of our MA/MDiv students got in there last year and is focusing on the Gospel of Mark. As for Baylor, many of the professors there are Southern trained, and Baylor is a Baptist school, lol. But I know they draw from many traditions. My mentor in seminary recieved his PhD under Parsons not too long ago. We recently got another OT graduate from Baylor, both of these got their MDiv from Gordon-Conwell. I hate the stigma that just because one is a Baptist, one is a uber-conservative fundy. My view is that being a Baptist makes me free from any doctrinal fundamentalism. I know UNC was a stretch, I was hoping for the MA-PhD track. I also realize Emory was a stretch, but what the hay. I thought about U.K., but I used up my GI Bill getting a second undergrad and MDiv. Good advice though. I don't think my wife would let me drag us to Scotland, lol. Does no no one have any thoughts on Fuller, Asbury, or Trinity??? One thing I have going for me is a rather large pension from the VA (for very nearly getting my ass blown off in Baghdad). Plus my wife has a full time job anywhere in the continental US, as she is a computer programmer and can work remotely (she has already been assured of keeping her current position). Therefore, I am in a better financial position than many of you whipper snappers, lol. Thanks again for your responses. Good luck to all!!!

I also have been a long time lurker. I have failed to post previously because most applicants on this sight seem so much more estimable than I. MDiv 'er (3.88) at a medium sized, moderately conservative, Baptist University in the south. So - so GRE (162/146/4.5; I know ... the math is embarrassing). Decent languages though, 18 hours Greek, 9 hours Hebrew, 4.0. Applied to NT PhD programs this season, of which I am not confident of acceptance: Baylor; SMU; Emory; Chapel Hill; Fuller; Asbury; Trinity Evangelical. Distinguished (moderately so) military record, including two years in Iraq. Don't know if that helps me or hurts me though. Lol.