sacklunch

You are a stronger person than I. Perhaps I should be rooting for you to attend my alma....so yes, go to BC instead...YDS sucks...

I was wondering the same thing. It seems like an easy decision. Yale's MARc is better than almost any other degree because it lets you take exactly the courses you need to 'ensure' a spot in a doctoral program. Even if I had to take more debt on I would consider it over against any other (reasonable debt, I should note!).

Congrats! I hope to see you this fall!

Strange that even HDS is feeling the recession. I had a couple friends at BC who gladly denied at HDS/YDS because more money was offered at BC. Though, if the fit is better it may be worth it to go wherever, as long as the debt isn't crushing. Also, if you do end up not going to HDS, but another BTI school, you can quite easily take up to 50% of your courses at any of the Boston schools (includes of course HDS).

I'll be in Baltimore this fall for the national conference, for whatever that's worth at this point.

I didn't mean a course specifically on text-criticism (who does even? maybe UNC-CH), just that they have scholars there are who text-critics. In my field, at least, Ulrich is one of the top people in the world. It certainly is one of my top choices...me and everyone else.

I assume from your profile you are applying to ND's ECS? If so, there is plenty of opportunities to get into text-criticism there....maybe better than most places. As for which places are 'the best?' It depends on what subfield you are in, but honestly many of them are overseas. Americans seem to be, on average, more interested in theology. Even all those interested in biblical studies seem to be more interested in theology. The only reason I have heard is Europeans are just more secular and approaching biblical material as an atheist/agnostic leaves little besides text-criticism. Meh? It is a shame I'm not more proficient with German...I would much rather go abroad.

I was told long ago in UG that, generally, Protestant schools are less likely to hire Catholics (or those with degrees from Catholic schools), while Catholic schools are more likely to hire Protestants. Having attended two flagship universities of both sides, I can say this seems to be the case. Though, attending one of those 'top' universities, regardless of affiliation, will likely not limit your job prospects. The only exception may be some of the more conservative schools (the above post mentioned Southern Baptists). But chances are if you are attending a more mainline uni you are not planning on ever teaching at such an institution. cheers

FWIW, those of in the dept of Religion (MA) can take any number of our courses in any dept as long as they are related to 'religion.'

Everyone accepted (of the 8-9) receives 50% tuition. No one gets more/less.

YES. I have heard the same thing from numerous professors. You can read all the secondary material once you finally graduate. You will not be able to access all the languages (as easily) once you are gone. FWIW, when I'm done with my MA at Duke I will have a substantial amount of Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Syriac, Latin, and German. I have made it my number one priority to spend a ton of time on the language component, in part because it is essential I think in getting into a top program, but also because I want to work within text-criticism.

I would wait, unless you want to get started on some of his/her work early on. Regardless you might email them just to let them know your enthusiastic about working together.

You may consider doing a joint MA/JD degree (religion/law). Off the top of my head I know a lot of universities do this, especially ones that don't normally offer terminal MA's. WashU (in St. Louis) comes to mind, well as a lot of other top schools (I think Emory does, maybe Duke, too). best *edit* Also, I imagine this would make you a pretty competitive applicant, seeing that there has to be like...two (?) people a year who apply for those dual programs.

I'm surprised. I looked at the results earlier and thought to myself that you would know by now!

Anyone want to claim the Marquette CJA spot(s)? Will you PM me? I have a couple questions (not applying til next season)! best

I think it may be comparable. I applied to Yale MARc in Second Temple Judaism and was denied (Collins runs it). I think they took two that year (2011). One of the accepted students I met on here then and he was pretty damn impressive (I think he already had several years of Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and German when finishing his UG). At least for that concentration, Collins said he wanted his students in the program to be able to read unpointed Hebrew texts, which isn't terribly demanding of someone with enough Hebrew, but near impossible for someone with minimal ability in the language. In short, if you end up applying to the concentrate make sure you are a great fit. I would also plan on visiting Yale and doing some ass-kissing. That or meet up with the POI at a conference. Otherwise you may run the risk of being denied and end up not going at all. I wish I would have just applied to the general MAR, looking back. Though had I been accepted it would have been pretty great. On the flip side, you may consider the program I'm in now (Duke's MA in Religion) - we only have to take one required class for the two year degree; the rest is up to you. So it has the same appeal as the MARc, in that you can take exactly what you need and none of the 'fluff' (that MTS degrees normally require). cheers

Yes, the POI (from what I was told) reviews your application and makes the decision. I think they take maybe two or so for each concentration?

Depending on your interests, MANY people have several degrees to be even competitive at top doctoral programs. I would rather have an MTS + another one-two years of purely academic work. Yes, HDS' MDiv is less pastoral focused, but still, it will require more 'fluff' than someone with 3-4 years of purely academic coursework. Not only that, but you are able to leave and get a degree from a different institution, which offers new perspectives, faculty, ect. This is what I have done and am truly happy with the results thus far. Though, my advice is moot if you are considering some sort of ministerial role.

Hey there, You show your ability to work with the language(s) in your writing sample. I think that will be just as good having taken a class. The reality, I think, is that many students only take those "French/German intensive" courses that last one semester/one summer. This is not enough. You either need to keep taking more coursework within the language, or work with it frequently after in order to gain real skill. My point is I imagine you will be fine. I would list on your CV under languages that you attended an immersion school, also. As for 'wasting time' on the ThM with languages....you seriously have to start now or it will be too late. This late in your academic career it is essential you pick up the necessary ancient languages. I have found taking 'content' courses without the primary languages is, well, not entirely profitable. If you can't access the primary sources then your research will be heavily limited. Your advisor(s) will be the best folks to ask about which language you should start first. But I imagine, just what little I know of your interests, Latin would be more useful? If you are planning on applying for doc programs this fall, again, you need to start soon. I would take the Latin intensive during the summer, then pick up intermediate in the fall (classical), and then begin a year of classical Greek (not koine) in the fall, too. If you do not have your languages in order programs will simply not take your application seriously, I think. Perhaps I'm a bit hard to folks without language work. It has been RAILED into me ad nauseum that one working within any historical period of religion must have a solid foundation in the required languages. If you want more information about what I have taken/my experiences with Greek/Latin/Hebrew/German courses, I would be glad to offer any help; just PM me.

Also an atheist, often working within "theology." I wouldn't worry about it too much. Let's be clear: we are not talking about "John Smith's Seminary." This is Harvard. Anyone working within the field, secular or religious, will understand that their ThD is the exact same degree. In fact many top schools will offer some sort of seemingly theologically motivated degree (eg all the 'theology' departments with plenty of people studying very secular things: ND, BC, ect), yet it doesn't seem to matter much.

Haha: http://cdn.hark.com/images/000/396/552/396552/god-what-the-shit-are-you-tal_clink_large.jpg

Maybe it's the coffee, or the Syriac I'm translating, but my heart freaked out reading this. I HATE that kind of shit....may the gods be with you, mang <3.

I'm not sure where you applied, but I did a quick search of "ThM" on the results section and found that there are no rejections except for HDS (Duke and Candler acceptances). I guess HDS' program might be more competitive. Makes sense, seeing as they are one of the more competitive places for all degrees.

I suspect you will have an easy time getting in. Simple fact remains that very few people even apply to ThM's, in part, because most (all?) are unfunded, but also because a lot of folks end up just applying for another two year degree after an MDiv (I know several, who did an MTS after an MDiv, for example). Even at the 'top' schools (HDS, YDS, DDS, VDS, ect ect) I would very much doubt you would not get in. Of course, having a competitive applicant is key, but I have found that those applying for a ThM generally have a pretty strong application to begin with (and are almost ready to apply for doctoral prgs, but just need a little push).

PhD.