sacklunch

Well most courses that use translations would (usually/obviously) move much more quickly through the material. From my experience, courses that require all the primary readings in the original language are more focused on philology (I prefer this). I wouldn't worry about it a whole lot. Taking a class/several on a subject before diving into just reading the primary sources is very useful. Jumping into a very specific course (obviously) limits the material studied and without some broader context can be a bit confusing (for me at least). And don't worry about not doing all of the language work in undergraduate. Most folks come into their (first) masters without Hebrew. cheers

If you have had a bit of Hebrew you may ask the prof to do an Aramaic course and then study the DSS while in the class. I remember in my first Aramaic class we read some DSS (though we had to have 2 yrs of Hebrew).

Ugh. Not terribly surprising. Has anyone else heard this?

^Well said! What you said about visiting scares me a bit though....I have heard so many opinions on visiting I don't know what to think anymore. I was planning on visiting some of my top choices, but perhaps this is not a great idea!? I was planning on going to SBL this year, so maybe that would be a better option....thoughts? Anyone else?

Greetings! I'm applying to doctoral programs this fall in religion/ancient Near East. In several instances I am applying to different departments at the same university. I am just curious how my SOP's will look to the different departments, if for instance there is some crossover with the faculty. I'm assuming it would be foolish to apply to two different departments with the same SOP, correct? But should it be COMPLETELY different? Should I make a fresh SOP in case some of the faculty sees both? I'm just a bit confused on how to proceed! best

No. You are totally fine.

I was told Ulrich was not taking on anymore students...anyone else hear this?

I mentioned it in my recent post...but it went 'ok.' I scored around 85% verbal (still waiting on writing), and shit quant (no way!). I will likely take it again, just for good measure, though I'm not terribly worried....I can only devote so much time to the thing, and if I don't get accepted into a program because 85% isn't good enough...then so be it? I guess if it isn't good enough I can apply again next year after more studying. How is the prep going?

Hello! I will be applying for doctoral programs...finally! Tentative list: JHU, Oxford, Wisconsin-Madison, Marquette, Yale (Religion), Vandy (GDR), Brown, ND (theology), Catholic (Semitics), Michigan (Near Eastern), Toronto (Near Eastern and Religion), Loyola Chicago, UChicago, Harvard, GTU, KU-Leuven.... Just retook the GRE and will likely take it yet another time (scored 85% ish verbal....want 90+!). I'm applying for OT/HB programs, mostly interested in LXX, textual criticism, reception/import of classical language/culture into LXX (and its various recensions), but also Syriac literature, DtrH, ect. I'm about to head off to Middlebury's German program for the rest of the summer...and then finish up my second year at Duke. About it!

Retaking this coming Monday. I am planning on taking the thing five times this year (max) to ensure my 'best' (which is still going to be lower than 'great'). The great thing about the new test is you can send in individual score sets without them knowing how many times you have taken the thing. I suppose this is good, though it may cause me to retake more times than necessary...

I knew there was a reason I hung with Catholic schools so long....

Both, if you can. I have been doing this with German for the past month without too much trouble. Spend like an hour a day on the GRE and then continue with the Latin. Hell, even spend half an hour and it will help. I have been using this for the verbal: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1479216925/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Also, this is one of the better/comprehensive sets I have used: http://www.amazon.com/Manhattan-Strategy-Guides-Edition-Instructional/dp/1935707981/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370543293&sr=8-1&keywords=manhattan+gre The latter includes a verbal book(s) but the former is WAY better for practice verbal. Good luck!

The first link you posted has more than enough helpful comments from recent graduates of top Semitics programs (Brandeis, JHU, ect). As for which is the best? That largely depends on your specific interests. As in any field search each program and find the best fits. Then apply accordingly!

Most of my professors use PC's, but I have a couple that swear by Mac products. Depending on the particular publisher/journal your work (hopefully) ends up in, they will likely have their individual preference for fonts. I wouldn't worry about it a whole lot at this point. Just find something that works well and change accordingly as needed. I know for sure one of my profs uses a Mac and also swears by unicode fonts (he does a lot of editing for journals with lots of Greek), so there has to be some way for them to work properly/easily. Though, again, if you have some sort of easy access to a PC it may be easier!

For Windows I have been using the (native) unicode font on Windows 7. It's super easy to set up and has worked for me quite well for the last couple years. I'm not sure about Sanskirt, but I imagine it is somewhat easy to obtain (it may be already preloaded, but I haven't looked). I have tried to use unicode Syriac in OSX (10.7), for example, with Word and had a ton of problems. I guess this is fairly common and I have come to find out that a lot of folks are having a much easier time with Windows. Also, for Greek I know many are using SPIonic. If you are on Mac you may find it helpful.

Like Abrasax, I have heard from a number of professors that the degrees are not as marketable as the North American 5 year PhD. And of course they are known for garbage funding. This is unfortunate given that may of their programs are excellent. I'm planning on applying, for instance, to Cambridge and possibly KU-Leuven, though I very much doubt I would be able to attend. And even if I could, I'm not sure if it would be a great idea if you want to teach at an American school. Then again, I know at least at Duke there are professors who have European PhD's and they seem to be doing fairly well. So, I guess, my thoughts are mostly hearsay, too.

I think that largely depends on what kinds of courses you take. And perhaps even which professors you take them with. I can't speak about HDS, but I have taken 900 level doctoral courses that were relatively easy, strangely enough, and 300 level undergrad/grad courses that I spent 10+ hours a week doing work for. Either way I suspect it will be much harder than what you have done previously. A general load for one (seminar type) course will be a term paper (15-20 pgs), weekly readings, and usually other smaller assignments throughout (perhaps book reviews, reflections, ect). Much of my coursework has been different levels of language, which is a different type of 'hard' and usually requires a lot of time memorizing. Though, at the advanced level it usually turns back into the seminar type of work, just that you are doing the readings in other languages. cheers

If you want to get a PhD/ThD go to the place that has the best faculty for your interests. That may or may not be what 'ranks' the best, but when you get around to applying that coursework with X professor will help you way more than 'I went to Yale.' Though I understand money is always an issue, so apply somewhat broad and hope you can get some sort of decent package (perhaps apply MDiv for this, if you are religious, or perhaps HDS' humanist track MDiv).

^ Agreed. I have been worried about not having anything really published (one smaller uni publication). But just browsing CV's I have found that many, if not most, doctoral students do not have any publications coming into their doctoral programs.

#2. When you get around to applying the younger prof. may be more likely to take on new students? But really the best thing to do is to speak with the professors and/or your adviser(s).

Going to Middlebury for their German program. I was thinking there may be others from here going? Should be interesting....

Bibleworks or Accordance. Or use something like this (old school and you can find them cheap used): http://www.amazon.com/Readers-Hebrew-English-Lexicon-Old-Testament/dp/0310370000/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1366631523&sr=8-3&keywords=a+reader%27s+hebrew-english+lexicon+of+the+old+testamen

It's kind of hit or miss. Some of the students are from top private (top 10), some are from top public (berkeley, ect), and then maybe 1/3 are from those smaller LAC. Though it seems like most of those last folks have one, two, some three masters degrees (many of those are from top schools). Who knows, it's all about fit as anyone will tell you. So if it's a great fit then apply; if not, you are wasting your time (even if you went to a T10 school). Durham is alright I guess. It's fairly 'hip', as is the entire Triangle, which is a bit maddening at times (cupcake shops, people who just love to talk about their new baking habits, all that jazz). But other than that the area is pretty nice and way cheaper than most other places. And the weather is pretty nice, too.

More likely it means zero funding, as in you would pay tuition, cost of living, the whole deal.

Naw, you will be fine. The only way you would not be able to attend would be if you didn't complete your BA. You will have to send them your transcript once you graduate and AFAIK the admissions office just verifies you actually graduated. You're good.