Boolakanaka

This 110%. Schools sift through hundreds of applications to find what amounts to the 2-10 best students to give fully funded offers to. Why on earth should they care about someone's work status during prior degrees when they are committing hundreds of thousands of dollars in stipend aid to one candidate per specialty?

@wilsonrg With all due respect, xypathos is not only very respected on the board, but moreover and to the more germane point, his response provided answers that were spot on and lucid. Perhaps it was not in the tone or inflection you desired, they were nonetheless entirely accurate. A tad bit of advice and counsel, the academy is a long arduous road, filled with much more disappointment than success, and if this blunt but totally on point assessment already rankles you, perhaps you need to rethink your attitude as you go down this incredibly long path....

I have to say I was taken back by this rather sweeping generalization and conflation that because one works there is somehow a space to rationalize that less than stellar grades are not just OK, but somehow a curated outcome. Further, this assertion that folks who do have money or support are the ones that are leading the pack academically —that borders on a pithy trope—but moreover just not accurate,
Excuse me if I come off a tad tart or terse on this topic, but I’m a old school cat, well past the prime of life, (mid 50s) and for every degree I received, and there are many (BA, JD, LLM, MA) I always worked—there was just no way about going at it, than having to study and work at the same time. 
The struggle is real, but not uncommon or particularly rare just  to you young fella...

@wilsonrg With all due respect, xypathos is not only very respected on the board, but moreover and to the more germane point, his response provided answers that were spot on and lucid. Perhaps it was not in the tone or inflection you desired, they were nonetheless entirely accurate. A tad bit of advice and counsel, the academy is a long arduous road, filled with much more disappointment than success, and if this blunt but totally on point assessment already rankles you, perhaps you need to rethink your attitude as you go down this incredibly long path....

@wilsonrg With all due respect, xypathos is not only very respected on the board, but moreover and to the more germane point, his response provided answers that were spot on and lucid. Perhaps it was not in the tone or inflection you desired, they were nonetheless entirely accurate. A tad bit of advice and counsel, the academy is a long arduous road, filled with much more disappointment than success, and if this blunt but totally on point assessment already rankles you, perhaps you need to rethink your attitude as you go down this incredibly long path....

I'm fine with you being upset with what I wrote. I could've sprinkled some sugar on it and beat around the bushes, but you need someone in your corner to tell you the hard truth. You clearly didn't have that someone this cycle.
I worked full-time in undergrad, as a line cook and pantry chef. Plenty of people before you, your classmates, and future students worked full-time and still slammed out high grades at probably every university in the US/world. You're nothing special there.
More than five schools work on continental philosophy and religion. That's just poor planning.
If you want to be in a competitive philosophy department you need a M.A. in their field. You can get in to a PhD program without an M.A., your chances are higher than 0% but not by much. If you haven't seen it yet, the PGR (Philosophical Gourmet Report) is considered the preeminent ranking system but it also has a fair share of detractors. Recently Brian Leiter (founder) stepped down from running it and that's for the better - they have a solid Advisory Board in place now. Dailynous.com is also a top site to learn about the field itself, what prof is moving where, where the leaders in the field think the next hot subfields will be, etc.
The people in the Philosophy forum here at GradCafe are far better equipped to handle philosophy questions. I can direct you to some funded M.A. options but they'll know even more. If you're wanting to do a PhD in Religious Studies (or Theology) with a focus in philosophy of religion, I can certainly help there.
My intent was not to hurt your feelings but to simply tell you the truth, nothing more, nothing less.
EDIT: Thanks for the kind words @Boolakanaka!

@wilsonrg With all due respect, xypathos is not only very respected on the board, but moreover and to the more germane point, his response provided answers that were spot on and lucid. Perhaps it was not in the tone or inflection you desired, they were nonetheless entirely accurate. A tad bit of advice and counsel, the academy is a long arduous road, filled with much more disappointment than success, and if this blunt but totally on point assessment already rankles you, perhaps you need to rethink your attitude as you go down this incredibly long path....

@wilsonrg With all due respect, xypathos is not only very respected on the board, but moreover and to the more germane point, his response provided answers that were spot on and lucid. Perhaps it was not in the tone or inflection you desired, they were nonetheless entirely accurate. A tad bit of advice and counsel, the academy is a long arduous road, filled with much more disappointment than success, and if this blunt but totally on point assessment already rankles you, perhaps you need to rethink your attitude as you go down this incredibly long path....

@wilsonrgI suggest you look at the breath and content of many many of his past posts, it’s both extensive and highly comprehensive and accurate on the topic of the study of theology/religion. As well, look at the institutions at which he matriculated—equally impressive—in total, all of it speaks for itself. But, please do what you think is appropriate it with the information.

FWIW, I think you made the correct decision.

Can you be more specific on American religions? If it's reception of Buddhism in America, for example, that makes quite a difference.
Doesn't Stanford only keep like one American Religion student at a time, maybe two with a brief overlap? On the one hand, probably a fair amount of attention to your work but then how many faculty do they keep on in that area to help form you?
My gut says go to Columbia. When I think of Stanford, they're renowned for the Buddhist studies, not American religion (IMO). I'm also firmly rooted in east coast culture so I'm biased. Being in NYC as a grad student and the resources available to you, I don't know if I'd pass that up.

Since you can make Yale work financially, I would say there’s no reason to go elsewhere. I know Harvard’s financial offer is alluring, but I’m fairly confident Yale will set you up best for doctoral studies.

From an affordability level New Haven, is much cheaper to both live and navigate than Boston. I actually prefer New Haven over Boston, especially if you are going to have to live, say 30-40 minutes away. At YDS, it’s very conceivable that you might be just blocks away from the school ....

@Calmly_WaitingIn short, it’s illegal and a federal violation (I’m an attorney). Further, if you had to withdrawal by your own accord for the pregnancy, federal law requires that you must reinstated following your leave without penalty. Both title IX and the ADA have specific legal instruction and accommodation for your situation. That said, what happens on the retail level can be quite different and stark.....but you have very specific legal protections.

@Calmly_WaitingIn short, it’s illegal and a federal violation (I’m an attorney). Further, if you had to withdrawal by your own accord for the pregnancy, federal law requires that you must reinstated following your leave without penalty. Both title IX and the ADA have specific legal instruction and accommodation for your situation. That said, what happens on the retail level can be quite different and stark.....but you have very specific legal protections.

No, that's either impossible or inefficacious. I mean was she even counting meal prep?  
But seriously, I've done 90-hour study weeks (with breaks, of course) when I was studying for the bar exam. I even experienced "car sickness" from reading all day. For me, that amount of study would be unsustainable, but for a few months, it was fine (and it was well worth it when I saw my name on the list of people who had passed).

Just to place in perspective, and while not entirely analogous, my wife did a combo MD/PhD, and there were some portions, in both programs, that eighty plus hours a well were the norm. Now, there was a portion of her training on the MD side where that was for a prolonged period, like for almost a year. Certainly, it would be dishonest and pollyanish to say it doesn’t take a toll, on a variety of levels, physically, mentally, on relationships, on loss of many activities, and just that period of her life. It was a six year program, plus she did a 4 year residency and subsequently a two-year sub-fellowship, but if you asked her, not only would she say it was doable, but she actually loved it.
I can only surmise that there are some folks just cut of another cloth and meant for such grueling paces...

If you are or think you will largely remain in the field of theology (I admit I'm not entirely sure what that means), then PTS being more "seminary-y" could be a good thing; my experience is Duke Divinity is more or less similar to PTS in that regard. Duke's Graduate Program in Religion (PhD) is a different animal entirely; there is room for interest in 'theology', but most of the subfields (my own included) have absolutely zero interest in 'theology'; we consider ourselves historians, classicists, etc., but most of us, as most folks in religious studies PhD programs elsewhere, consider 'theology' something unfit/inappropriate for non-seminary degrees. But, really, my .02 is put most of that out of your mind. Your interests will certainly change wherever you go; and not only that, but the job market is so hilariously bad in all subfields of higher learning in the humanities that there is no real way to prepare yourself. Excluding money et sim., you should just go where you feel comfortable. In the end, the academic route will probably not work out for you, just as it will likely not for myself and most others; but you might as well be happy and enjoy your learning environment while doing so.

@Calmly_WaitingIn short, it’s illegal and a federal violation (I’m an attorney). Further, if you had to withdrawal by your own accord for the pregnancy, federal law requires that you must reinstated following your leave without penalty. Both title IX and the ADA have specific legal instruction and accommodation for your situation. That said, what happens on the retail level can be quite different and stark.....but you have very specific legal protections.

As a YDS student at least 50% of that term's courses must be YDS courses. Students are encouraged to take courses in other Yale schools and departments, provided they meet your course of study and/or vocational goals. While I was there you only needed the course instructor's permission. There was talk of also adding your advisor's permission but I don't know where that is.
After taking four courses in the same department or school you'll trigger a Professional Studies Committee review. For the vast majority of students you won't need to worry about this, outside of the standard PSC review you'll have as a divinity student that is a mere formality. In the case of a PSC review because of a student taking a lot of courses over in Religion or say Forestry, the committee will decide if the courses you're taking are relevant to your degree and vocational interests. They have the right to block further courses outside of YDS or even "encourage" that you change degrees but this card is rarely played.
On a subjective level: MDiv and MTS students are generally welcomed into RS courses. It depends but the vast majority of faculty will NOT lower requirements or expectations, and they WILL tell you that you're not cutting it and should return to the YDS and focus your energies there. If a professor is taking the time to remind you that the Add/Drop deadline is approaching, read between the lines with what they're telling you. Like a lot of faculty in Religious Studies, they have their own religious beliefs and opinions, and they're also interested in their students outside the classroom. Seize every opportunity to grab coffee with them or chat about the real world. They'll probably ask you some probing questions to size you up and see how deeply you've thought about things. Like anyone else, they're testing the waters before they open up to you and connect on a personal level.
Advanced Yale undergraduates in your courses (it'll happen but it's rare'ish) may have a negative opinion of YDS students, FYI. They know full well that the admissions rate for M* students is drastically higher than theirs and by their standard, you didn't earn your spot. Largely ignore the assholes but most of them are super chill.

Are you just going to insult everyone that tells you something you don't want to hear? Because that attitude won't serve you well in academia or in life as a whole. Being passed over for funding sucks, and you have a right to be upset. But you're not entitled to funding, or an explanation, or mournful wailing from Internet strangers.
Whether you appreciate it or not, everyone in this thread took time out of their day in an attempt to help you. Sometimes helping means telling you hard truths instead of licking your boots and saying you deserve the world. You don't need to take anyone's advice, but you could at least skip the rudeness.

I would also go with Chicago, but one other factor to consider: UofC has a deserved reputation for being a really intense place, i.e. ultra-competitive and cut-throat.
I'm at Northwestern, and in my first quarter of course work, I took a seminar at Chicago with Kevin Hector. It was mostly M* students all vying for Hector's attention for PhD recommendation letters with 3 or 4 PhD students including me. The seminar conversations were always contentious, and there wasn't a lot of room to just "float" ideas out there (because a M* would cut you off demanding that you define a term, explain more, etc.) I did get a lot out of the seminar (we read the entirety of Schleiermacher's The Christian Faith, which is a feat) but it was a pretty brutal learning environment. I have colleagues at NU who did their M* at Chicago and confirmed that that was their experience as well. I did audit a Hans Joas seminar a couple years ago and it was a different experience--Joas was the one cutting people off, demanding they clarify.
All that to say, some people thrive in that sort of environment, and some find it really challenging.
I'm surprised by xypathos' report that all internal applicants were accepted into the PhD program in 2015. It struck me as much more competitive than that. When you visit, I'd try to find out competitiveness by track if possible. It might be that your specific area doesn't have as many applicants as, say, American Religions or Theology, which could further increase your chances of continuing at Chicago.

UTS allows for classes across the street, e.g. Columbia...,,

I just found out that I was accepted to Georgetown's Theological and Religious Studies program! This is my third attempt at Georgetown and my seventh (yes, you read that correctly) application cycle. Never give up!

This is an old thread at this point but for the sake of other older people who might be considering it, fucking whatever. Do whatever you want. I know a bunch of older people who did their PhDs in their forties, fifties, and even sixties, and who are successful and having the best time ever studying what they love. DO IT.