cr615

Admitted to Iowa!

Admitted to Iowa!

This is not a super annoying question. I think we all share similar anxieties about being good enough for admissions to graduate programs. I can speak from my experience someone who was admitted to HDS, but ultimately decided not to attend and instead pursued an M.A./PhD program.  I don't know what happens behind close doors during admissions committee meetings. My response is based on my own application experience and on conversations with admissions and students. 
You are right that applicants to HDS are already a self-selecting group. I don't think you need to worry about taking courses at a community college or local university unless your grades in humanities classes were particularly weak. Your GPA is adequate for HDS but not stellar (I say this with all due respect, speaking from the imagined perspective of someone in admissions). Therefore, I think shooting to have a verbal score on the GRE of 160+ will boost your chances. I truly do think HDS takes a holistic approach to the admissions process, so if you can demonstrate that you have a compelling reason or pursuing an MTS and an interest in religious studies, that will count for a lot. Make sure that it is well-written. I am assuming that the "unrelated" field you majored in was a non-humanities field. Consequently, they will want to see that you can write well. 
It seems that you have a sincere desire to go into religious studies. Highlight that and explain why! Best of luck!
I want to be clear that this is just one person's perspective based on going through the application process at HDS and being admitted. But then again, much of what we do on this forum is purely speculation. 
 
 

Man. I'm looking through the 2018 PhD admissions cycle thread for religion and it seems like at this time this year there was a lot more activity both in terms of posting and interviews. Maybe that is a sign that it was a down year for applications? Pure speculation.

Hey! I live in Skinker Debaliviere. I have also visited friends in U city north of Delmar by WashU. 
I think both areas are similar in terms of crime (this is my very unscientific perception/experience). You wont be exposed to violent crimes in these areas. However, due to the high residential density and the fact that they are adjacent to "tougher" areas, both neighborhoods are targets for crimes such as car break-ins (very common in Skinker Debaliviere) and the occasional robbery. I have not had any issues myself, but I do hear about these crimes often. 
You are right about north of Delmar having a bad reputation. It is, in fact, a low-income area with a high-crime rate. However, I don't think the "Delmar Divide" applies north of Delmar near WashU/The Loop because there are so many students, businesses, and families in the area. 
 
Here's what I will say about Skinker Debalieviere:
 
I like living here because its nice and close to the park. There are two cafes in the area, but they are only open in the morning and they are nothing to rave about. Although the neighborhood is close to CWE, its not necessarily walking distance. We don't have a good restaurant or bar to walk to, which is a bummer. Now, that being said, you have Forest Park that you can walk to, and there are always people walking their dogs in the neighborhood (if you area  dog owner). 
 
If you are looking for a neighborhood that has bars/restaurants you can walk to, the i would say U City is a better bet. If you want a quieter, perhaps more walkable neighborhood, Skinker Debaliviere is your bet. 

I don't think the M.A credential necessarily improves your chances on its own. But I think going through an M.A will help you grow as a scholar and applicant. I felt pretty good about my applications, and got into my preferred program. I'm in my 1st semester, and already I have learned so much and improved as a reader, writer, thinker, etc., and think about how much better my applications could have been if I was applying at this point. 
So, if you don't get into your preferred PhD program and end up going M.A dont' go into it thinking that the M.A credential will be the difference maker on its own. Go into it with the mindset that the process of getting that M.A will make you a better applicant holistically. Your writing will improve. Perhaps you can retake the GRE with so much more practice reading. You will have an even clearer vision of what you want to study. You will have a new pool of recommenders that taught you at a higher level.