LakeSuperior

Currently at YDS. Can confirm that beginning fall 2023, all students who receive aid will have full tuition covered.

My wife and I (30s) live in New Haven where I attend YDS. Our finances come from her salary, a full-tuition scholarship, and my 10hr/wk PT gig. Even with the scholarship, however, I pay a few thousand per semester in fees, insurance, and other misc. YDS students can live in the on-campus apartments for between $800-1050/month, based on unit size. Those who live off-campus usually have housemates who split rent costs, some even as low as $400-500/month. We don't live glamorously by any means, but we are privileged to have comfortable lives (thanks in a large part to my supportive partner). Many students here depend upon loans for housing and living costs, even while working part time. Okay, I just read that you're considering options for PhD, so I'll add brief observations about Religious Studies students I've encountered at Yale. They live similarly to M* students, though with greater access to stipends. Most I know work at least part time to supplement whatever stipend they have. Many split rent with housemates, yet I've met a few who somehow manage to live alone. Honestly, I don't know how any of them could afford living in New Haven just on a stipend and PT work without taking out loans. If you'd like to chat more, feel free to DM.

Mostly agree with xypathos on the schools. The comment about Duke’s laughing at applicants had me chuckling at its truth. I was accepted to Yale Divinity, Duke Divinity, BU, and PTS last year and feel I can chime in on their current funding. Yale offers many students 100% tuition scholarships (combo of merit-based and need-based) and plan to begin fully funding all students in the next few years. Consider applying to their Institute of Sacred Music, which typically offers living stipends ($5k-10k I think) on top of full-tuition scholarships. Yale is where I settled and will have zero debt upon leaving. Many I’ve spoken to are in a similar place—generous funding and no debt. Of course, that only reflects my experience. Duke offers little beyond 25% tuition scholarships. I managed to receive a 50% offer and even appealed their financial aid office for more, but nothing came of it. Pretty sad situation for a school which could offer so much to ministry-minded folks. BU offered 100% but the cost of living is, well, Boston-level. As xypathos pointed out, a perk is that you’d have the opportunity to study at other BTI schools. Upon acceptance, if they offer scholarships where you write like three short essays (250-500 words each), DO IT. It could turn into easy money for you. PTS… see xypathos’s comment. It sounds like you’re on the right track as far as your school list goes. In case you haven’t already, reach out to their admissions teams for details and contact current students for the on-the-ground reality. I’d be glad to share anything I could offer you.

I appreciate the encouragement and information provided by everybody here. To follow-up, I’ve decided to accept Yale’s offer and begin their MARc this fall. Best wishes to all still making their decisions and/or waiting for results!

@rin__iris I lived in Spokane for a few years until 2019 and really enjoyed my experience, so I'll try to answer your questions. The main thing to keep in mind is that Spokane is smaller than a city and larger than a town, and you'll find modest qualities of each. Most people I encountered were down-to-earth. Just like any place, you can often find like-minded people if you're keen to look for them. Cost of living is very reasonable but has been on the rise because the city is experiencing a boom with folks from CA and western WA moving in. Medical and tech are the big industries, with the rest of the market being service/retail-type jobs. People who grew up and never left Spokane will complain of its "crime" but there's little more than petty theft and the unfortunate issue of addictions among houseless groups--yet nothing in comparison to an actual city. If you're into outdoor activities, you can keep busy all the time with hiking/backpacking, biking, climbing, kayaking, etc. Surprisingly good food if you know where to look, and of course, great coffee. Gonzaga basketball unites the city. Demographics: very, very white. Eastern WA heavily leans conservative and Republican, minus Spokane. There's an increasing issue of white Christian nationalism in the area, including the Idaho panhandle. Many Christian and other religious groups oppose this far right movement, but know that it's a problem. Feel free to message me with any other questions. I'd love to offer suggestions on coffee/food, hiking trails, neighborhoods, etc.

@JDDCould you say more on this?

Thanks for your description. That's also my understanding, in principle. I just wasn't sure if there was a difference in practice, considering how a sizable number of PhD scholars arrived there via an MDiv. My goal is neither formal ministry nor academia, but somewhere in the middle, so either M* could possibly push me that direction.

Near-full tuition scholarship from Yale (94%). Just when I thought I was Duke-bound, here I am reassessing my direction. All said, I'm very grateful. Following on Joey's coattail, I'd love to hear thoughts on how Yale (MARc) ranks for PhD prep compared to Duke (MDiv).

Congrats! Make that two. Funding emails will be out this afternoon.

Anyone hear from Yale yet? MAR results are supposed to be out today.

That's what I've heard, too. I was offered an 80% tuition scholarship from PTS (MDiv) and a generous 100% tuition scholarship from Boston U (MTS). We'll see what Yale (MARc) decides this Monday. I'm torn about my decision because 1. Duke and YDS have leading scholars in my area of interest (ecological theology & ethics) but will probably offer me the least funding, and 2. PTS and BU offered the most funding but have a relatively unknown and/or fledgling presence in that topic.

I asked for more from Duke Divinity based on advice from others. Duke's response was essentially "Here is our list of external scholarships." I know their field education pays $8k-10k per round and I'm thrilled to have been offered a 50% tuition scholarship, but I'm still surprised at Duke's lack of funding compared to, well, many other schools. By the way, congrats to all who are hearing back from Chicago and elsewhere!

Duke just called to congratulate me on being accepted to their MDiv and offered a 50% tuition scholarship! For those wondering, Duke's admissions team is calling accepted applicants today and will send acceptance emails in the afternoon. I'm over the moon right now!

I was thinking the same thing. Pleeeease be tomorrow...

That's fantastic news! Your wait is over ha. Sounds like BU has just been trickling out that scholarship info (they called me last week). @MaryHildegard What attracts you to BU over your other options?