sacklunch

Glad to see some levity in here. I have plenty of A-s on my record. I'm cool with it.

I think this is more or less standard, especially at schools with less graduate students (since they don't have masters). I remember, for instance, that some of the courses at BC were like what you're describing. One semester when I was shopping around I sat in a Matthew course and there was something like 10 undergrads, 3 masters, and 4 PhD students. I didn't end up taking the class because, like you, it just seemed odd. I don't see how the professor could really engage the students on an equal playing field. Then again, I think courses like that are designed to do a lot of your own research (they did have a Greek reading part of the course for grad students, though). cheers

Any idea what type of scholarships are typical for international apps at Durham?

I think s(he) means that it may be easier, for instance, to apply to the MDiv or general MAR and then once at YDS, transfer into the concentrate program. I wish I would have done this.

I was never contacted about the MAR general when I was denied from the MAR Second Temple concentrate.

No worries! I was denied the Second Temple concentrate with fairly good (I thought) stats, plus I think it was a pretty damn decent fit. But, yeah, it seems like most decently qualified folks get into the MAR general (and esp. the MDiv). cheers

Be warned to not apply to the MAR concentrate. I think they only accept one or two (anyone?) each year (per subfield).

Does anyone have any information about the average funding (if at all) for places like Oxford or Cambridge? I have been told (and their websites reflect) that they are not well-funded. So everyone that applies doesn't receive funding? How is this possible? Someone please shed some light!

Last year a good friend had an interview at Emory (NT) and didn't end up getting a slot. She became an alternate (waitlist) and was eventually rejected. If you haven't heard anything soonish I would expect you will be eventually denied. cheers

Agreed. Mine was sad, too. I imagine that good grades in all of your language courses would prove such an assumption wrong.

Same. I'd like to be able to translate without too much trouble. And yeah, I'm doing HB/LXX. Where are you at?

I assume you're speaking about doctoral programs, yes? If so, many of the doctoral students I have met (mostly at BC, HDS, and Duke) had a fairly low amount of French, with slightly more German. In fact many of them, I think, only had the standard "German/French for Reading" course, without any real conversational coursework. I just finished the "German for Reading" course and I don't think it was nearly enough. I'm continuing onward with conversational in order to beef up my competency (though some schools like Yale offer a full year German reading course). In short, I wouldn't worry about it. Also, I wouldn't worry too much about your BH, since you took the 2nd half of advanced (assuming you did well). Though depending on your interests within HB, programs might want to see some other work in Hebrew (Aramaic, and even Syriac depending on your interests). Still, I imagine you will have more work in Hebrew overall than most of the other applicants. I have only rarely met someone working within HB who had a lot of modern Hebrew (so good job!). cheers

Agreed. You will most likely get into one of the 'better' schools. Depending on your goals you may consider doing a second M*, but that is a couple years down the line. Just make sure you start early on the necessary language work (for your field) and you should be fine. If you're doing biblical studies then you may have to get a second masters just to be competitive (as I am doing now). Or you may find getting a second masters in something closely related (philosophy, classics, ect) is helpful/necessary. cheers

You should be able to study on your own. But, if your uni offers it you may look into taking one of the "German for reading" courses to show formal competency. cheers

In short, you will need a lot more of both Latin and Greek (2 years min. of each, I expect). Get it over with now. You will be kicking yourself for not starting the language work early. In fact, I doubt you would even get into a good classics MA with that low amount of language work, let alone a PhD program. I suspect most classics doctoral students come in with three or four years of each language? cheers

Anything above a 3.7 is likely going to be fine (A- average). I wouldn't worry!

I second your statement about learning the stuff on your own. Not that I don't think it's possible, but I have heard professors speak against it. I think many of them are skeptical of the tools some may use to learn the language (for instance, my Hebrew professors at BC were very skeptical of the commonly used "Basics of Biblical X" books because they were "too easy" and "too simplistic"). best

Good luck! I hope to be in the program with you, but joining in a year later .

Hey there, I haven't completely decided, but the usual suspects apply: Harvard, Duke, ND, Yale, ect. I want to work primarily within Septuagint studies, which is fairly difficult field to find faculty members in, at least in the US. I have a year to figure that out, thankfully! As far as the other schools, I wouldn't really know. I imagine at some point someone who goes/went to BU might come in and offer up something helpful. I honestly have no interest in theology, so perhaps I am projecting a bit! Anyways, back to finals....cheers

No worries. I'm sure others will chime in with their own thoughts. I'll be applying next fall (I'm working on my second masters now), though on the Greek side of things (LXX). cheers

You may very well find your place at such an institution (and I hope you do!), but as anyone will tell you on here, the deciding factor is how well you fit into said program. I mentioned the above because many schools, especially those in the NE, will expect their students to have a thorough introduction to text-critical methods, which includes a lot of language study. Well, my opinion (so take it for what it is) is that passing a master's level language exam is, well, just that and it's not enough. Such exams are not set up for those wanting to get into top doctoral programs. Having passed such an exam does not mean one is competent in said language. Ask yourself this: can you easily recognize most verbs you see opening up your BHS (as in do you recognize them as Qal, Hiphal, Piel, ect)? Have you been exposed to a wide variety of the different Hebrew forms (biblical, late-biblical, as well as Aramaic, and Pharisaic Hebrew)? Such programs are going to want to see the kind of breadth that less than two years likely will not give you. The same goes for Greek (i.e. can you access not only biblical Greek, but some classical/patristic sources if need be?). Again, I don't say this to drag you down. Just know that there are other doctoral applicants out there (like me) who have 2 times the amount of language experience you have. This will work against you. But, as I mentioned above, I think fit will really be the deciding factor. If your competition has more language/coursework exp., but you are a better fit, then you likely stand a good chance. cheers

Well, securing a spot at one of those Boston schools is really about who you can work with. The connections you have might help get your foot in the door, but I'm fairly certain that isn't going to be enough (as I'm sure you are well aware). Also, your language experience is a bit weak, honestly. I don't mean to sound negative, but most of the doctoral students I know at BC/HDS (and by extension, the others too, i imagine) have quite a bit more: usually 2-3+ years of Hebrew and Greek, some Aramaic, Syriac, German, French, et cetera. That is not to say you don't have enough for theology HB programs, but likely not enough for programs rooted in the text-critical/philological approach, which seems to be more or less the standard at schools in the NE (my experience while at BC and taking courses at HDS). Have you considered applying to programs outside of Boston? You may be able to find something with a better fit that focuses less on text-critical stuff best

Two additional things to list might be helpful: (1) what is your specific interest within HB and (2) what does your language exp. look like? best

I was actually walking to class the other day (in Duke's Classics dept.) and saw the flyer for the MA in Ancient Philosophy. So word is certainly getting around! cheers

I second this. I had the exact same conversation with a doctoral student from ND at their SBL reception last weekend.