Jump to content

ChristoWitch87

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    71

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Everything posted by ChristoWitch87

  1. ChristoWitch87
    One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet that seems obvious to me; your denominational affiliation should be a serious factor if you are going into ministry. If you are Wesleyan/Methodist of any stripe, or theologically conservative, Duke is the obvious choice. (Though there are enough at YDS that you would have some community). If you are Episcopal or Congregationalist, YDS has formation programs specifically for these traditions. I would not recommend HDS for ministry unless you are UU in which case I'd say God bless but last time I tried to do that in a UU setting I was accused of being insensitive to the humanists (90% joking, 10% salty). Best of luck!
  2. ChristoWitch87
    What runningit said, a Th.M or STM is the norm after an M.Div. Most of those programs require a thesis or an extended paper as well which is valuable for obvious reasons if you are set on getting a Ph.D.
  3. ChristoWitch87
    Hey all, so I am currently finishing my M.Div at a small (ATS accredited) denominational school in the Northeast. Because I had an MAR already, I was able to transfer a significant amount of course work and will finish in 3 semesters. The only hiccup is that my ordaining church tends to look for about two years of internship + CPE. Now, I may be able to get some of this waived for prior experience (seven years service in the army, part of it as a chaplain assistant, returning as a chaplain) but if not I am looking at a gap year between graduation and ordination. Since I will be interning (likely unpaid) during that time, and have the GI Bill, getting a one year follow on degree would actually be a financial help rather than a burden and I would like your thoughts on schools and programs that would have value for ministry as I don't intend to do a Ph.D. Options I've found: Boston University (STM in religious leadership) Brite (Th.M in Pastoral Theology and Care) Yale Divinity School (STM, their site encourages people preparing for chaplaincy and I earned my MAR here) I am also willing to consider non divinity school programs that would be pertinent and can be completed in a year. Or I could save my GI Bill (2.5 vs 1.5 years left) and try to work on top of interning. Thoughts?
  4. ChristoWitch87
    What has already been stated; Duke and Wake Forest. Fuller as well perhaps (for fit, don't know what their funding is like)?
  5. ChristoWitch87
    The current Air Force Chief of Chaplains has a PhD from there. I was sort of wondering how one earns a doctorate (D.Min aside) while simultaneously being full time military. I'm torn, I have no problem with people self financing if they can but I think this should be the exception rather than the norm. Not to mention the market saturation it causes.
  6. ChristoWitch87
    It does. It will matter slightly more for MTS/MAR programs (because they assume intent to teach and research in most cases) but even in these cases I don't see it as more than a tie breaker. Also if you have church involvement and good ECs you may want to consider an M.Div. You have a lot of time to think on that though.
  7. ChristoWitch87
    I agree that it will matter at the absolute highest levels of academia. That is to say, if OP is dead set on getting an M* from HDS, then a PhD from HDS, so he can teach religion at Harvard, then sure, an Ivy UG matters. But I think it affects the calculus the most for that last part; teaching at an Ivy. Getting into one for an M* it won't matter much, for a PhD it will matter a bit but more as a tie breaker. I think if an adcomm is looking for a guy for a PhD in NT, they will take the unknown UG with a good M* and 3 years of Greek all A's over an Ivy UG with less focused training. Now, are there some candidates who have all those things going for them? Sure, but for the reasons you posted not as many as we may think. As an aside, I think the reasons for this phenomena are generational and socio-economic. I imagine the children of Ivy UGs (there are exceptions) probably grew up with more specific expectations in terms of profession and earnings. First generation college students tend to have a more untouched concept of the American Dream (get a degree and it will work out). I also think Ministry is for some people a way to change the paradigm of their family legacy. Military service, ministry, and to an extent law among a few other professions come with a fair amount of social capital that can help reverse negative generational trends. This and a more personal understanding of suffering probably explain the low and middle class, non-elite backgrounds of those in religious and ministerial vocations even at elite schools.
  8. ChristoWitch87
    That's borderline criminal.
  9. ChristoWitch87
    Also, take up your prof's offer on independent studies; that is the stuff good LORs are made of.
  10. ChristoWitch87
    If you were going for law or business, or even a field where direct from UG to PhD was normal I would be more willing to consider options B or C, but religion works different. Ministerial jobs are middle class for a lot more education than is normally required to be middle class. The process isn't as competitive and prestige-driven as other professional programs. Also the type of knowledge that you need to succeed in a religion PhD is so particular that you can do fine with an unknown UG if you have other factors going for you (learn languages!). My Recommendation, as someone who went from Tier 2 state to YDS is this: enjoy the free ride, learn a language or two, volunteer or find a social justice niche, and go to a top Divinity School for your MTS/MAR. Your masters level training will be the main point of interest for PhD adcomms. Save your money now and break the bank on HDS/YDS/Chicago later. Unless you are looking at a major leap up (to an Ivy or t20ish) the UG distinction won't matter much.
  11. ChristoWitch87
    Yes, and in addition to that, interests change over the course of a masters. You may find your secondary interests have become your primary ones by the time two years is up (part of the advantage of having a diversity of classes). You are correct in that it is definitely a more Christian place than HDS. A very liberal Episcopalian/Catholic, welcoming, sort of Christian, but Christian. There are more qualified voices than mine to comment on what follows but I speculate if about 50% of your MTS/MAR is directly related to your PhD specialty you should be good to go.
  12. ChristoWitch87
    First off, congrats! Good problem to have if there ever was one Since your financial aid is identical I think the tipping point has to be deciding which program situates you better for a PhD at schools you would pick right now. Your main perk for YDS was the uniqueness of the program, however you actually wrote more about topics you would only find in a committed Jewish studies program. My information is a little dated (YDS MAR 11') but from what I experienced there I think it would be vastly easier for you to do some Second Temple stuff at Harvard than it would be for you to do anything on Kabbalah and/or Maimonides at YDS. Also I would expect YDS' Second Temple program to be very much in conversation with early Christianity. Nothing wrong with that, but your interests seems more in the spectrum of Judaism. If your choice in PhD topic reflects this, the MTS from HDS will make more sense. As an aside: I think there is a lot of research to be done on how the Second Temple period informed the eventual formation Kabbalah. Random Internet guy votes HDS!
  13. ChristoWitch87
    This is a brutal dilemma professionally... I got into Union Theological Seminary and while the conversation is continuing it looks like they will not allow me to transfer any of my prior MAR work, which means I would require a full three years study (perhaps with loosened course requirements). I also interviewed at a (ATS accredited) local seminary in driving distance from my hometown that would transfer half their program requirements and let me finish in 3 semesters. Factors - Ministry oriented, possibly military chaplaincy - In early 30s, young enough that I can do the full 3 years, old enough that I feel the difference Pros for Union Academically much better known In NYC In the rare position that my finances are better there (GI Bill would net me about 1500 a month more at Union) Cons for Union THREE YEARS when I have two years of doing this already. (my goal is was/is to try for 4 semesters) gobbles up three of the four years of my GI Bill Pros for Local Seminary 1.5 years, both in terms of return to workforce and GI Bill use Hometown (networking for local churches, I could get politically involved quickly) I interviewed with them. Nothing but good vibes on a personal level Cons for Local Seminary Much less likely to get into a Ph.D program if I choose to go that route Hometown (double edged sword, NYC has appeal) The school is struggling (which is why I haven't named them here) in terms of recruiting and finances. I'm really at a loss guys.
  14. ChristoWitch87
    ISM is way outside my expertise (My MAR was in Theology, focused on Patristics) but from what I saw it was one of the most difficult. That said, a lot of folks who get dinged from their concentration of choice get picked up for the comprehensive (warning: old info, 2009-2011).
  15. ChristoWitch87
    I think you need a new denomination. Just saying.
  16. ChristoWitch87
    Not sure if this is still the case, but when I attended it was fairly common for MAR applicants to be accepted to the comprehensive track if YDS wanted them but lacked the spots for a specific concentration.
  17. ChristoWitch87
    Just curious, because I see a mix of MDiv and MA programs on your list... do you have ANY and I mean ANY inclination towards ministry either now or in the future? Because if so, get the M.Div. As someone who got an MAR and now many years later is going back for an M.Div (that may or may not allow some credits to transfer in) I will say spare yourself the potential logistical and financial headache and get the M.Div. Plenty of M.Divs go to great PhD programs, especially if you utilize that extra year right to get strong LORs, study languages, etc. If not, I would just go with whichever of Union or YDS gives you the best financial aid package as both have excellent placement in PhDs (though, given I am a YDS alum who will be heading to Union this Fall I admit I am a tad biased).
  18. ChristoWitch87
    I got dinged as well man, and I felt good about my app too! Just not meant to be I guess. You still have a very good chance at YDS (at my last rodeo I was an admit at YDS, waitlist at HDS, people sometimes split between the two for reasons only adcomms know)!
  19. ChristoWitch87
    Anyone else psyched to hear from HDS this week?
  20. ChristoWitch87
    Based on prior years I'd say with 99% likelihood we will hear between the 12th and the 16th of March.
  21. ChristoWitch87
    Just got my admit letter to Union's M.Div program!
  22. ChristoWitch87
    Congrats!!! I really, really, hope that (informally) extends to invitees as well. Because I would've tried to work a deal with the Army had I known that lol (for what its worth I gave them my current duties as the reason I couldn't attend). XD
  23. ChristoWitch87
    Congrats! I'd still hear what Yale and Duke have to say though. It was a while ago (09-11') but my aid from Yale was generous. If nothing else you may be able to leverage offers against each other for better funding (not sure how common this is in Divinity schools, a lot of my classmates from undergrad did this going into other professional programs).
  24. ChristoWitch87
    Jan 15 (+ a late recommender on the 16th -.-). Hope you're right!... Though, like Thomas, I would prefer seeing to believing.
  25. ChristoWitch87
    Nope! When did you complete your application? (Not that I'm scared or anything O_O lol)
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

  I accept