sacklunch

South Bend is very likely one of the worst places one can ever live. If not for their fantastic program...and their stipend...no one would ever live in that cold, dark, nightmare.

FWIW Brown is loosing several of its key players. They are still listed on the website, but I'm certain they are not taking students. I was told they are not taking students in NT at all currently, too.

Makes sense. And, yeah, I can sympathize with why this would be an issue. This was at a flagship Catholic school/seminary, so I do think some of your points are relevant. Then again I think most of the folks there knew this coming in. Because these are not the types of questions many Catholic seminarians care about asking (or think are relevant), it complicates things (as you said, you did not mean this as a universal for div students). If you are conservative, go to a conservative divinity school. I think that is basically the take home message here. Of course, as you said, divinity schools should be training practitioners. What these folks 'practice' widely varies. If they are more liberal, as the bigger names generally are (I use liberal here loosely!), then someone who is more theologically conservative might find a better place to study. I mean, let's consider what the mainline divinity schools claim theologically: Catholic (liberal BC, sorta liberal ND), Methodist (Duke, Emory...Yale??), liberal-noneswithprioraffilations (Vandy, Chicago, Harvard). They are all pretty damn liberal, eh?

Agreed about folks being exposed to both sides. I'm still not entirely sold on how one would go about this...but I'm not a Christian, so perhaps that's why! I do sympathize with these issues...and I'm admittedly often perplexed by people on both sides. I know some folks who, if their concept of this sacred 'text' were to be shattered, their faith would be completely lost (a more common concern at Duke, I think). On the other side, I know a lot of liberal Catholics who quite frankly could not care less about Jesus. Some of my closer Catholic seminary friends have no issue with Jesus just being some dude. No divinity required. This, even for me, seems a bit bizarre. But, being exposed to such disparate Christian points of view has made me much more sensitive to issues of religious identity. While I don't agree with my friends on most of these issues, I am constantly reminded that (religious?) experience evokes all kinds of meaning, from all sorts of places. Some find it in their text(s), others simply in the company of others. What binds these groups together? Shit if I know. But perhaps we are asking the wrong questions. Perhaps what is important is that we acquire meaning from all sorts of places, and that, I think, is good enough.

These are relatively modern (American) Protestant concerns. So what if the Bible doesn't 'hold up'? If we begin by assuming that it is some authorial, holistic 'text', then historical-critical methods are basically moot. It's interesting (not bad,of course) how such concerns are serious problems for so many young Protestants. What are 'traditional' exegetical methods? There is plenty of evidence to support that many early Christians did not hold the Torah to be actually written by Moses. Why should Christians only accept the canonical NT? Why should they adhere to old-ass Catholic standards (or why would they even want to)? I guess if Prots believe it is all set up that way from God....well, I guess you're right. How does one search for divine meaning? I have no firsthand experience with YDS, so you may very well be right!

I'm not sure what your language experience is like, but I imagine getting into one of those programs would be really difficult without at least a masters. The people I know in some of these NELC programs have one, oftentimes two masters. I could be wrong, and it is certainly worth it to apply! CUA has no money. They are not offering any funding for Semitics, Religious Studies, and ECS this year (I contacted all of them recently). I'm not sure about MA programs, but I imagine they would be funded after doctoral money was given out. You might consider applying to an MTS or an MAR at somewhere like Harvard or Yale. They usually offer some good money, sometimes full rides + stipend. Though I imagine you would have to adapt your interests a bit when applying to get those scholarships (i.e. be unique).

I have never studied any of the above interests (I'm in religious studies), but from what I understand there wouldn't be a lot of opportunities in that field after getting a PhD. Getting the PhD, of course, is another story altogether. I also wonder where you would study such things (I believe there is a lady at UChicago that does something along those lines...?). On the other hand, law school may be just as (according to some people) foolish. I know people who are having a hard time finding work with their JD, and I have heard it's basically like that for everyone. In short, I don't think there is any safe option these days. Petroleum engineering or medical school! Those may be the only degrees that offer secure job placement after graduation these days. Rant aside, go speak with a trusted professor. Even if they are in philosophy, they can guide you in the right direction, since they know your academic interests. And, if you are at a school with good professors and resources and you get the chance to stick around for another major, do that. Depending on what field you decide to pursue (if any), you will likely need to brush up on certain areas that will likely keep you out of good MA or PhD programs (e.g. languages, methods, research, etc.).

When people stop down voting you know it's all over...

I don't think they will care, especially at the MA level. Your verbal score is fine, and your writing is obviously great. Most of the MA programs, even at the 'big names', are not as concerned with GRE scores simply because they are not as funded (or at all). I would bet you get in.

Great thoughts. Thanks folks. I will try to keep those in mind when tailing my SOP for the program. Since the program is, from what I understand, much more interdisciplinary - riding classics, religion, and history - I'm hoping I can get away with possible worries that I'm not trained in 'history.' I suppose I am a bit unclear on what the difference is sometimes. I have never done 'theology', and I consider all my work in biblical studies to be purely historical-critical, in much of the same way classicists speak about their texts. I suppose this shouldn't be terribly surprising...we are working in the same periods! I did take a couple upper level history classes in college for fun (e.g. ancient history, medieval history), so perhaps doing well in those 'history' courses will show promise. Anyways, thanks mates <3

Hey ya'll, I'm normally over in the Religion section. I'm applying to mostly religious studies and near eastern programs this fall, but was advised to apply to UMichigan's interdepartmental program in Greek and Roman history. I am also applying to UMich's Near Eastern Studies program, but figured I would go ahead and do both in hopes of getting in at one. I am mainly confused on what sorts of things I need to emphasize in my application to a history program. Perhaps this belongs over in the SOP section, but I'm also wondering about my overall application as a 'history' person. Do they expect me to have a good idea of a dissertation (they do not in my field)? Briefly, about me: BA - religious studies, philosophy (magna cum), MTS (2 year academic degree in mostly classical languages, biblical studies, etc.), and now current MA (2 year academic religion degree). I have quite a bit of language training: 5-6 years classical Greek, 3-4 classical Latin, 4 years classical Hebrew, 1 year Aramaic, 1 year classical Syriac, 3 years German. And since I am in my fourth year of graduate work already a decent amount of advanced seminars presuming a lot of language heavy work, and so on. Anyways, I am mainly trying to get a feel for what folks are expected to have coming into programs like this! thanks friends!

IT'S ALMOST TIME.

Masters or PhD? That area is very broad. Give us some specifics. Language training, etc.

Good to know, thanks! I have heard mixed opinions over the years of getting doctorate abroad. It seems to work out well for some folks, either way!

Red, where are you looking? And how are you dealing with funding?

Those are still pretty broad areas. Honestly just browse through the 'top' programs and see if anyone suits your interests. How much Hebrew/Aramaic do you have? That may largely determine where you go, too. <3

Jewish Studies is a very very broad field. There are faculty in 'theology' departments (a term usually used by western Christians) that have plenty of great people who work in Jewish Studies. As far as random stereotypes that come to mind, Brandeis and HUC.

Agreed. They also seem a lot shorter, ya?

I too can't imagine getting into a competitive history program without fluency in Arabic. Though religious studies programs may be more relaxed on this requirement. I would suggest contacting potential advisers and just asking them. My initial thought is you will likely need another masters. Not because you don't have enough Arabic, but because you don't have a degree in history, religious studies, or philosophy. Then again, I could be totally wrong. There are plenty of people (I think?) who study the early Islamic period, focusing on Jewish or Christian stuff, that I doubt are at a fluent speaking level. Unless there is a lot of modern scholarship in that field in Arabic, I doubt it's necessary. From my own field, I know people that study Syriac texts within the same time period and I'm fairly sure many of them do not have fluency in Arabic.

If anyone is interested in going and needs a room to stay in let me know. A friend and I booked a room that has a pullout couch that isn't being used. It would only be around 85 bucks for all three nights! We will be there Friday the 22nd to Monday the 25th. Shoot me a PM if anyone decides to go last minute and wants a room (we are nice!).

For what it's worth, I have been told that Duke's MA in Religion is offering several full scholarships from here forward (before those admitted all got half tuition). The program has traditionally only accepted half a dozen or so students a year, so this will likely make it much more competitive. The program basically allows you to craft your own 2 year degree, and unlike most MTS degrees you only have to take one required class and the rest is up to you (can take classes in other departments easily, too). Anyways, figured I would let you all know since I don't think the website says anything yet.

Seems to be right. My adviser has been part of a committee to hire a new faculty member (I'm at a 'top 10'), and has told me the elaborate process of getting a job at a top school. The candidates for the position have all had to, among other things, fly here and give several lectures to students and faculty. I know two of the three people are PhD grads from Princeton and Brown, FWIW. I imagine it would be pretty difficult to get in without having the 'right pedigree'. On the other hand, it seems like some people can get lucky. Or, perhaps it's not luck at all, but more being in a less popular field. For those of us in biblical studies...I imagine we are going to be fighting for jobs at the local high school.

I, too, have heard a lot of good things about Magoosh. If I don't get in this year I will def. be retaking using their resources.

Sorry if my post wasn't clear! I don't at all mean to say that U Chicago is not competitive because of this. Far from it! We all know it is one of the most competitive programs around. My point was merely, who gives a rat arse what other people think outside of your subfield. We all work in fairly specific areas and the fit varies accordingly. For some, U of Phoenix may be a better fit than Chicago!

^Agreed. This kind of "Starbucks cool factor" is unproductive. You could very easily walk into any number of Starbucks and tell someone you were getting your PhD at U Chicago and many people wouldn't know it from U of Phoenix.