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ChristoWitch87

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Everything posted by ChristoWitch87

  1. Hey all, the title of my post is largely self explanatory. I'll break down my question(s) as follows: 1. Do these topics belong to Communication, Political Science, or both? 2. What scholars/institutions are big in these fields (even better if they work in the intersection of them)? 3. What sort of education preparation is desired in a PhD applicant in these fields? I am particularly interested in the use of various media platforms to disseminate religious extremist narratives (ISIL, Al-Qaeda, Iranian Shiite Extremist Proxies, etc) and their relative efficacy. Closer to my theological roots (Currently a candidate for ordination and beginning my M.Div next year) I am also interested in preaching and liturgy as a social phenomena and how the experience of them changes based on media platform (Ex: does a church goer feels as connected to their congregation by watching an online feed of the liturgy as they do if they attended personally? How does this change based on whether or not the feed is live or after the ritual's conclusion, whether or not its their home church, etc.). If I decide to do doctoral studies I will have a BA in Philosophy/Math, two graduate degrees in Religion/Theology, and one in Public Policy by the time I apply. What can I do to set myself up to be competitive? Thanks in advance!
  2. So... I was looking at prior results for Union and found that depending on year people sometimes got offers as early as the second week of February. Which is to say I am going to start obsessively start checking my email and these boards somewhere around Wednesday XD
  3. Honestly man, other than your pedigree (small denomination U vs. say a top 20) you're basically the ideal candidate for a lot of these schools. Your GPA is high and your degree reflects broad preparation for what you intend to study. You make sense as a pre-PhD MTS/MAR candidate. I think you will get into at least 6, possibly as high 8 or 9, of the 9 schools you applied to, and at least one of the big 3 (Harvard/Yale/Oxford) you listed. Going forward I recommend retaking the GRE when you go up for a PhD. Your score is more than good enough for MTS/MAR programs, but getting your verbal to a 165+ and your math to a non red flag (150+) would get your from competitive to a near sure thing. I applied to Union and Harvard as well, so maybe I'll see you. If you end up picking Yale feel free to ask me q's (MAR 11')!
  4. Yea you're definitely fine. You did your HW on schools, did the right preliminary steps (school visit, dean sit down, etc), and your denominational affiliation and research goals make sense. I'd say 90%+ for YDS, 80% UTS, 70% HDS, Duke 50% (I will probably get some disagreement here but I actually think this is your toughest sell. They more than the other schools mentioned are more deeply entrenched in a mainline protestant identity and I think from what you've said its your least easy fit unless you know something I don't!).
  5. I am a YDS alum (MAR 11') and from my experience going through the process YDS loves personalized/school-specific SOPs. Among other considerations, they want to know a person's reasons for applying are about more than "it's an Ivy". This works and I think it will definitely help, especially since you worked at the school. If you don't mind my asking, what is your faith tradition? Fit matters as well. I am a UU and actually decided not to reapply to YDS because Union or HDS would work better given my goal is ordination (or a UU seminary, if both of those places ding me). If you fall within mainline Protestantism or liberal Catholicism YDS would probably be a great place for you!
  6. I speculate you will get into at least 2 of the schools you mentioned. Which of those it will be will depend to some degree on fit. I agree with what prior comments have said that you have more than enough distance from your last degree that your GPA should be secondary. What they will be concerned with, and with all of us applying with some work experience behind us, is that we can actually do the work. Your (very successful sounding) public service background should do a lot to that end. What will seal it is a strong, well written SOP. If you have that I think you will get into at least 2 of the schools that perceive themselves to be a good fit for you. I speculate UTS and Harvard, in which case I hope to see you as those are the schools I applied to!
  7. I've noticed that there seems to be a trend among M.Div programs towards joint degree programs like those that can be found at most business and law schools. This seems especially pronounced with programs offered at universities where options are readily available. Are any masters applicants this year applying for a joint degree? If so, what made you decide on the additional time (and possibly tuition) investment? Common dual degrees I've seen: M.Div/JD: When you defy all conversational convention and dedicate yourself solely to the two topics that are taboo to talk about (religion and politics). M.Div/MSW: I don't know much about MSW programs but this intuitively makes the most sense to me. Given that my own future occupation (Chaplaincy) is so counseling-intensive is this advisable? M.Div/MPP: Least practical (on the surface) one I've seen but also the most interesting. Probably similar skill and problem sets that an M.Div/JD would be interested in. M.Div/MBA: I like the idea, but it seems like overkill. I do think seminaries/divinity schools would benefit from additional non-profit management and/or church administration courses. Any interesting ones I've left out? I met a YDS MAR Alum who did an MD after graduation but it was not a hybrid program. I would also fathom a guess that someone out there has attempted a M.Div/Psy.D combination.
  8. I am just lurking here (prospective M.Div) but man, congrats on UW! In this field ANY PhD acceptance is huge given the hundreds of apps that come in for a few spots.
  9. I looked at the website. It said they can't verify by phone or email and that they will reach out to us if they need anything additional. Did anyone who has already finished the financial aid application receive a reminder to complete it? I sort of want to check my status on that seeing as I did.
  10. Yea, based on the results section of grad café HDS seems very uniform in providing its decisions around March 16th. Also I think you are likely right. I am a re-applicant (from 2009 granted) but I recall only going green right around the time they would have actually been looking at applications.
  11. I'm an M.Div applicant but mine say the same thing. I speculate that won't go green until they actually begin to review our documents for admission.
  12. GPA: 3.74/4 GRE: 166v/162q/4.5w GRAD: MAR in Theology, some follow on coursework in psychology. Applying to M.Div programs to pursue military chaplaincy. Schools Union Theological Seminary Harvard Divinity School Best of luck everyone!
  13. If you have any experience in this regard, what would you say are the primary differences in how adcomms look at M.Div vs. MTS/MAR/MA applicants? My gut would indicate that the M.Div process is perhaps more holistic whereas MTS/MAR/MA vetting would focus more narrowly on GPA, clarity of research interests, perhaps GREs, etc. Also, how different are the admissions percentages of these programs? While my own path is clear (M.Div) due to a desire for ordination, would it perhaps be advisable for those with more compelling soft factors than GPAs who've decided on an academic career to prove themselves in an M.Div rather than an MTS/MAR/MA (especially if they can get into a more prestigious M.Div)? How are M.Div degrees viewed when applying to PhD programs?
  14. I recently had a phone call with admissions at Union (had to track down an LOR). They said "four to six weeks from the submission deadline". There seems to be a bit of variation by year for when people receive news from them. Hoping its closer to four than six!
  15. I like what Hartford is doing, but they don't have a stand-alone M.Div. Wasn't aware of Auburn, looking at it right now! But Yea I definitely want ATS accreditation. Very difficult to get picked up for military chaplaincy without at ATS accredited degree. Thank you!
  16. Thanks for your reply! YDS was an option, I did well there and had a good YDS-based LOR. I got about halfway through the application though and realized it wasn't the best fit for me anymore. Like Duke, its a different sort of liberal (still very much a Mainline/Christian as opposed to interreligious sort of place). Also unless things have changed, very few UUs there! I will look at GTU and Claremont, going to PM you a question as well, many thanks!
  17. Hello all! So the main reason I am posting this is because given my denominational background (UU-Pagan) and the interfaith nature of my ministerial goals (military chaplaincy) there are very few places that provide a good fit for an M.Div program (my top priority was finding a place that was interreligious with a decent UU representation). I've applied to HDS and Union so far and was wondering how you thought my profile would be received at those places. I earned an MAR in Theology from YDS before joining the military where I have been enlisted-side Special Operations for about 5 years. UGPA: 3.74 (Philosophy and Math) GRAD: MAR from YDS (GPA Uncalculated), Non-Degree graduate coursework in Psychology from a local state school while serving (4.0) GRE (for HDS): 166v/162q/4.5w Work Exp: One year teaching high school religion and history, 6 years enlisted military as a paratrooper and later on in special operations. Career Aspirations: There is a serious need for liberal-Christian and earth centered faith representation in the Chaplaincy and I want to be a part of that. Languages: Persian (Farsi and Dari dialects)-Intermediate, 1 year of Greek back at YDS If any of you know a place where I could be a good fit (2 schools doesn't feel like enough) that would also be appreciated!
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