sacklunch

If it makes you feel better, for those of us that don't have a religious affiliation this truly is all we have. If I don't get into a doctoral program my options are 1. teach high school or 2. work at Walmart. I'm sort of joking...but then again...I'm not.

Took the test a 3 or so years ago, score was very average. Studying now to get a high(er) score for doctoral admissions. I may have to take a year off if I don't score well enough in the next coming months. If it comes to that then I will do what I must do...but man I hope I don't have to waste a year of my life studying for a test like that.... The good thing about the new test is you can take it as many times as need be without having schools know the number of times you took it. So, if I have to take the damn thing 5 times, so be it. I just signed up to retake it next month and I will continue, once a month, to take the test that many times until I score well enough (as my finances allow me!).

Not applying this season...but I have thought about this quite a bit for the (inevitable) failure of doctoral apps. I'll likely, at first, be a bit out of my mind, then once the storm settles I will begin again: study for the GRE, yet again, and teach for a year, perhaps, and of course cast lots to Dionysius, or whatever god I fancy at the time. Hopefully none of us have to go through any of this...

True enough. Though I think the number is still infinitely lower than the number of white Christians interested in studying some aspect of Judaism/Christianity. In short, Sarah is right on. Just let them assume you're Muslim and it likely will not hurt you (and may help)!

It may help, honestly. HDS, I'm sure, receives more Muslim applicants than a lot of 'divinity' schools, but still the fact remains that there are far fewer folks applying in that area (esp. that are Muslim). I wouldn't even mention your faith in your app, unless of course it has a bearing on your prospective research.

Too soon. Wait until summer.

It depends on your specific subfield, of course, but as many have told me in my field (ancient Judaism): languages, languages, and languages. You clearly have started early, which will serve you well in the future. You should have a pretty competitive application, I imagine (GPA great, ect). You might consider starting earlish to study for the GRE. With a good score I see no reason why you wouldn't be competitive for places likes HDS. cheers

I assumed so much about Morgan; the other students are also working with him. They accept ten or less MA students a year and everyone receives 50% tuition. So it might not be enough for you. Although, if it helps I will say I am incredibly happy with the program. It's strange it doesn't get more applicants, considering the degree only requires ONE CLASS and then the rest is up to you. Not only that, but because the religion dept. is much smaller than most divinity schools you have much better access to top scholars in our dept. I have found those scholars I'm most interested in have been much more likely to offer their support (ind. studies, ect). Whereas when I was at BC, for instance, there was just too many people and the professors naturally were less likely to work with individual students (as any large divinity school). I'm in a completely different field, but my classes (HB/OT) have like 3-8 graduate students in them...compared to many other places with 20+ (some intro courses I have heard can have more than 50 at other div schools). cheers *edit* also, one of my good friends in the cohort is also from UMASS (studying modern atheism, also working some with Morgan).

I'm not entirely sure what program you applied for at Duke, but if it helps there are a couple people in my cohort (MA - dept. of Religion) that are studying material culture/art history. So it seems to be a pretty good fit for such studies. Good luck!

It is strange, but most of the MDivs I know do not have great funding. They are one of the less-funded divinity programs out there (of top schools). Strange.

I have spent quite a bit of time looking at doctoral student CV's on academia.edu to get a sense for a competitive application. And honestly it seems like the vast majority of folks did not present (at least not at any AAR/SBL conference) before entering their programs. I wouldn't worry about it too much, though as someone said above, it certainly will not hurt you. Though I have heard from scattered sources throughout the years that certain schools almost prefer a naked CV, since they want to more or less mold you in their own way. Having a ton of presentations might make you seem a bit too focused (though I admit this seems a bit unrealistic). best

You have confirmed everything I have ever been told. It's good to hear it again, and again, just to make sure we are doing as much as possible to secure a good FIT!

I remember way back when applying to Fordham, too, and I think they were one of the last (if not the last) to finally get back to me. Strange.

I have had professors (two) in the past with HDS' ThD. Have no worries, it is the exact same degree (for academic purposes) as the PhD.

Thank god(s) for the Jesuit's “liberal-revisionist agenda"!

His list is rather shortsighted. But I guess he does qualify the list as "theological' schools, whatever that even means these days.

Haha I'm also confused. Oh well.....so yeah....happy Valentine's day??

You mean only interesting at the SBL when everyone gets drunk.

Good to hear. I wouldn't worry mate .

Good point. I was not clear enough. I mean that when I translate such texts I don't read them with any purpose to fulfill my own faith. My point is merely that I don't consider reading ancient documents critically (which, as you say, includes the attempt to better understand the 'theological' context of the translator(s)) theology. Again, anyone else reading (religious) ancient Greek documents does this very thing (historical-critical); yet no one would dare call it theology. cheers

Agreed! Much of my training has been by the Jesuits (undergrad and first masters) and I am very grateful for their scholarship. And it goes without saying that I deeply respect anyone that does in fact study theology. It's just not for everyone.

Inasmuch as I am able, I think so. Someone studying classics rarely finds this a problem. It's strange that no one thinks twice when someone says they are in graduate school for, say, ancient Greek history. Folks don't normally respond with questions about which god(s)/goddess(es) they worship. I guess it also depends on what you define as "theology." If you mean systematics or ethics, then yes. Again, someone studying ancient Greek ethics or philosophy isn't generally confronted with such a problem. They attempt to reconstruct whatever the text most likely said in its original context. Similarly, I think this is possible in the study of religion, whatever the tradition you happen to be studying. Of course, living in a culture where folks practice that particular religion muddies things. But, for instance, when I am translating stuff from the HB I literally don't ever think about its 'theological' meaning (much in the same way I wouldn't reflect on characteristics of Dionysus in the Bacchae). cheers

It's funny how it's just assumed everyone in the 'religion' section studies 'theology.' Maybe I'm the freak? I detest theology, to be honest (haha). I study the bible for the same reasons folks study any other ancient document: historical value. Either way, we are in America, and I get that the vast majority of graduate students in religion are faithful Christians, but alas, it always strikes me as a bit odd when folks assume someone must be interested in theology to study religion. cheers

Indeed. I think Yale's is comparable to Harvard's, yet New Haven would be substantially less to live in.

It actually does; so good on ya! I have been into cars most of my life (from my dad). I used to be mostly into mr2s, but since moving around for different schools i've had to resort to driving a camry . You?