sacklunch

Coffee, Any thoughts on the "Taking two years to complete the MA" found here: http://divinity.vanderbilt.edu/degrees/graduate/gradtwoyears.php I'm still a bit confused? Maybe I'm reading it incorrectly, but it recommends taking 6 hours + a 0 credit course (for financial aid reasons)? But how many courses would you actually take each semester then (what shows up on your transcript?)?

I visited Yale and got the impression they are more conservative with the training offered to MDiv students. While I did get into Vandy's MTS, I don't have much comparison since I didn't visit the school. However, I know two guys from VDS and they seem to be fairly 1. liberal and 2. smart. I obviously don't want to associate liberal folk with being smarter than conservative ones, so take my comments how you will.

I met a professor at the 2008 SBL here in Boston. I also know of others who have scheduled meetings at both the SBL and AAR. It seems pretty common.

You might also consider an M* in theology/religion. It will give you a chance to beef up your languages over two years. Then you could always move over to classics or history?

Excellent advice Sparky. Thank you!

Makes sense. Thanks!

Hey ya'll, I'm currently in an MTS program doing biblical studies planning to apply for another masters and possible PhD (maybe 2 or 3 really great schools) this fall. Basically my MTS has been sort of a post-bac., giving me more language exposure, as well as a handful of advanced seminars that have honed my interests. My questions are: 1. Do you think I need to mention why I want another masters? I know quite a few doctoral students who have two master's degrees, so it seems reasonable to get another masters, but I am unsure if I need to address this in my SOP. Since I have spent a considerable time taking languages courses, I have had less time for courses that really delve into primary sources. 2. Should I address my less than stellar GRE scores? I am still waiting for my scores from the revised test, but judging from what they gave me as a preliminary score I suspect they won't be amazing. I have spoke with some who say mentioning might help your app, but then others say why mention a weak point of your application. thoughts? thanks!

I used to worry about this until I had several profs send me emails there were almost unreadable. I wouldn't worry about it too much . And yeah, don't read your SOP after :'(

Your scores are fine, I wouldn't worry about it honestly. Go ahead and apply for the MDiv without the languages. I'm assuming a lot of their accepted applicants have minimal (applicable) language experience (many of my MDiv friends did not before coming).

I didn't get a clear idea from your previous posts about your comfort level at non-SDA institutions. As I mentioned before, BC has a very large and well ranked systematic/ethics/church history faculty (make sure you check faculty at both the BC department of theology and the graduate school that offers the MTS/MDiv, "school of theology and ministry." Although honestly the large majority here is Catholic (no way!). Then again it seems most divinity schools have one large flavor, with the exception maybe of HDS since everyone seems to say they hunt for diversity. Also, more information about what type of systematic theology you are interested in would be helpful. If you came to BC, for instance, you might not enjoy the thoroughly Catholic approach. If possible, speak with current students in the program for really detailed information. good luck.

So it seems. I have much more than the minimum and I fear it might not be enough. Many of the bible doctoral students at my school have intermediate/advanced in at least Greek, Hebrew, and Latin, and of course the usual German or French reading comp. I sat down with one of the bible doctoral directors and asked what the first thing they looked at. Not surprisingly it was language ability. Then again, I have two friends that got into good PhD programs last season who didn't have a ton of languages. One, doing ethics (sexual) had relatively none (gasp!) and the other (Liturgy) I think had only a bit of (church) Latin and a year of Greek.

There might be two other reasons why an MDiv would be beneficial (note that I have no interest in ministry): 1. It will give you more time to sort out your languages, if need be. You sound to be in pretty good shape for many PhD program's language requirement. You will likely have to add some reading comp. in German and/or French. I have several friends who did the MDiv because they didn't have enough language skill before coming in. So basically it gave them three years to reach up to the intermediate/advanced level in Greek, Hebrew, Latin (and some Aramaic, Syriac, Coptic, ect). 2. The economy sucks right now. I think I read that something like 1 in 5 professors actually get tenured. If it is hard as you say in the SDA community to get into a pastoral role, then it might not be a bad idea to get the "legit" degree, just to cover your bases. Quite honestly I don't know if even two years is enough to prepare someone for a doctoral program. I even did theology in UG and I feel a bit overwhelmed by what some of these doctoral students know. Though it does seem more and more doctoral students come in with multiple masters. good luck!

As Sparky said, the MTS/MA/M* is usually a two year degree, not one. Most of the schools you listed will require you to take pastoral classes as part of the MDiv (HDS might be the exception). If you have no interest in doing so, which it sounds like you don't, then apply for the MTS/MA route instead. And if you later decide you need more coursework to prepare you for a PhD there are other opportunities for 1-2 year theology graduate work beyond the MTS (ThM at some Canadian schools, cert. programs, ect.). good luck.

Just my opinion, but I don't think HDS has a very strong ethics faculty. I'm not in ethics, but this has come down to me through a lot of fellow students who are ethicists (and looking at their courses they don't seem to have anywhere near the number we have). You might consider BC's MTS, since we have tons of ethics/systematics profs. I applied to 10 schools and I think only one required an interview. Most likely you won't have to worry about it. Your old crummy grades might hurt you for some of those reach schools, but honestly you have a good shot at several of your options if you submit a well polished SOP and writing sample. Concerning languages, you will no doubt need French and German. Biblical languages will depend on what kind of ethics you want to pursue. You can worry about that when you get into a program. One of my good friends just graduated from my program (she did sexual ethics) and got into a funded PhD program without having really any languages (a little French). good luck, mate.

Agreed. That is a fantastic score (frankly I'm jealous).

While the OP didn't really flesh out what it means to "love Jesus," I think we all "got" what he/she meant. It might have been a generalization and imply that anyone outside the "evangelical" tradition does not, then, love Jesus. But I don't think the OP meant it that way. Who cares? We know what he/she means. Give them advice, or leave the thread.

No, although I'm curious how does financial aid work for American students? Not to jack your thread or anything, just curious if they offer competitive scholarships/free money.

Makes sense, thanks a lot for the information. I might consider applying for a second masters in the ECS if they allow diversity. I am looking for programs that combine classics/theology, and strangely enough there are only a handful I have found. thanks mate

The website FAQ for MA in early Christianity says: What time period is most focused upon in courses offerings? The program is focused on the early Christian period (roughly from the 2nd century through the 5th in the West or from the 2 nd through the 8 th century in the East). How true is this? I would consider applying, but that is later than my area of interest (broadly Second Temple).

Any idea how many KU takes each year?

I grew up in Kansas City and had/have a lot of friends in Lawrence. It's a cool town and is obviously cheap (college town). I was also considering applying to there. Notre Dame would be fantastic, but don't they take like 2-3 people a year? If so, that has to be one of the most competitive programs out there, no?

It can't hurt to put on your application. Though I wouldn't focus on it too much if it doesn't pertain to your proposed area of study, ect.

Doesn't sound too bad, although a bit terrifying . I emailed Vivante about admissions questions (says she is the grad director on the site). What emphasis are you in? best

Great info, thanks! I'm considering applying for their MA program (ancient history) and I'm curious: how much language does a typical student have before arriving? I have quite a bit of Greek (among Hebrew, ect), but only a year of Latin. I emailed one of the professors there about this, but haven't heard back yet. I was unsure if 1 year of Latin would be considered enough. The website says (for ancient history) to have one advanced (Greek covered) and intermediate level of the other -- but was unsure if this applied before being admitted, or acquired during your time there. thanks mate!

This one seems helpful: http://classicaljournal.org/MA-programs.php