sacklunch

I'm curious, do you think being of a certain faith helps your chances getting into a school? For instance, being from a smaller, less represented group, such as Jewish, Eastern-Catholic, ect...does this help you? I'm also curious, if one identified as an atheist or agnostic, do you think this would help you at more liberal schools? best

I have encountered a similar reaction from other grad students in history, and honestly even fellow classmates in theology. I guess it makes sense, since many of the grad students in theology are doing something fairly "practical" while there are less of us (me) doing it for purely academic reasons. Also, as a previous poster said there are a lot more divinity/religious programs, while few of them seem to be "worth a damn"...I don't know much about history, but it makes sense there would be much more well respected programs. I am curious if we can take this discussion a bit farther. What/how does history differ in its methodology from "academic theology?"

Well, at least in theology there are a ton of people who have master's degrees, mainly because there is a surplus of people who want to pursue ministry, ect. On the flip side of this, there are those, like me, who have purely academic interests. What ends up happening is unless you went to a really really good UG school with great stats, you are not likely to get into a PhD program without a masters of some kind. Again, it is likely different for other fields. I am also speaking from my experience at more "academic" schools, whereas I'm sure you might be able to get into a PhD program at "John Smith Seminary" with just a BA (guessing). It is odd, though, that other fields such as history do not offer funding (grants or loans) for a masters. I know, for instance, here at BC some guys doing their MA in philosophy, but paying out of pocket, since they don't offer funding. I'm sure the history MA is similar here. best

Your chances seem good, or at least you are competitive enough to apply. I am curious though, do many phd applicants in history do an MA before a phd? It is really common in theology, so I assume it is similar in history. Also, your GRE scores are pretty good. Sure, they might hurt you, but I doubt it.

PM'd you.

I'm applying for a transfer to Yale Divinity School, and I would love for someone to give me some pointers on my SOP. I have a general outline now, with a maximum of two pages. Anyone willing to take a look?? best

I did poorly on the GRE too, near what you got, and it didn't seem to matter much. Also, your GPA is slightly higher than mine! How many of those programs require the GRE? Most of the schools I applied to didn't require it, although the one I eventually went with did require it.

pm'd you.

Sorry if I wasn't clear. I'm applying to transfer into another masters program (Yale Divinity, MAR), from my current masters program (BC, MTS). I have been told they will want to know why I think transferring is important, ect.

I'm a first year masters student, who is applying to a different program. I am actually pretty happy with my program here, but feel I would be better suited for a PhD elsewhere. How exactly should I address this in my SOP? best, -Nick

SLU? I didn't think they had an MTS?

I came early and took two grad summer courses .

That helps a lot, thanks!

Just curious how many of you have heard, or are, doing two master's degrees before a PhD? I'm currently doing an MTS right now, but I am unsure if I will be able to get into any competitive programs once I'm done. Would it be a terrible idea, aside from the cost, to get another MTS/MA/MAR before applying to doctoral programs? If it matters I'm doing biblical studies at BC now, specifically interested in second temple period/early Christianity. By the end of this MTS I will have 4 years of Greek (with a couple upper level courses at HDS), 2 years of Hebrew, summer intensive course of intro German, and possibly an introduction to Aramaic (not sure if I can fit it in, yet). With this in mind, I had considered applying to Yale's MAR, or a similar program at HDS. How many applicants applying to MTS/MAR programs already have an MTS/MA? Would this help, or possibly hurt you? I at least know one person who is doing this. A friend from BC has an MDiv from Emory and decided to come to BC to get an MTS since she didn't feel prepared, ect., to apply to PhD programs. thoughts? -Nick

Wanting to take the GRE next summer (or even next fall), but would like to get a tutor to drastically improve my score. Any advice, specifically for Boston? I have been slowly memorizing Kaplan's GRE word flash card set, as well as the Princeton GRE book. thoughts?? -Nick

I am considering auditing a class this fall, but I am unsure what this exactly means. I understand you are required to show up to class and participate without actually turning in homework, papers, ect. My question then, is it going to look good when I apply to PhD programs? Is it worth it? thanks

Your scores are similar to mine and I got into some comparable schools. I didn't think some of those schools required the GRE? I don't remember Vandy needing it.

No idea about the number of jobs available, but I know several people who taught religion at Catholic high schools with only a BA. Hell, I have heard some schools hire people with a BA not even in theology. This was in the midwest/west coast.

I was at the HDS orientation dinner/social earlier today, so hello (friend from UG is a second year MTS). I'm doing Greek, Hebrew, and likely a summer course for German (I'm MTS biblical studies). -Nick

So how much total debt would you be taking on? Are doctoral programs in your field commonly funded? If so, I would take on the extra debt.

Anyone else starting this fall??

http://ets.org/gre/revised_general_institutions Thoughts?

I was freaking out about this as well...I already have a couple years of Greek, but I'm starting Hebrew (and continuing Greek) this semester. Good luck!

Just some food for thought. I applied, and was denied, with a similar amount of UG experience. I had a 3.75 (3.9 in majors) with a theo/phil double major. I recently hung out with a handful of Yale Mdiv graduates two weekends ago (I'm already at BC) and they seemed to think it was pretty hard to get in (most of them had pretty high stats, ect). -Nick

UChicago.