camelears

Congrats! Looked back on past forums and it looks like they normally don't release financial and merit with admissions decisions.

I concur with this. I was interviewed at about the same time. I don't think I nailed the interview, however I am also my harshest critic so time will tell. To the point about why schools choose certain applicants over others: I received an interview at HDS, however other people on the forum who have not received an interview but have applied to other schools that I have, and heard back from thus far, have received better offers than me. So, this process is quirky. Who knows what individual schools want.

yes I interviewed for VU

Also, they, Duke, will offer need-based grants.

Wish Vandy would release decisions already. It is Thursday and they suggested they'd do it this week. ?

Duke released decisions. I got in. It was one of my top picks, but they offered little funding. I'll have to see what else comes in from other schools and my external scholarship apps.

The waiting game is starting to get to me. Haha. I have been pretty relaxed up until this week. Another applicant mentioned that some schools said decisions will be released sooner than March 15th. I didn't apply to the school in question, but I am wondering what other schools are planning. Just starting to get anxious and wondering if anyone has heard back from their chosen schools. I have heard from two schools, both were a few weeks ago.

I am inclined to believe they have not completed interviews. I have read the profiles of people on this forum that have and have not completed interviews as well as the short bios people have provided. Additionally, I know my own qualifications, obviously. Considering all that, I think that most people are equally qualified and I have been expecting them to post that they have received their interview invitations. I think this upcoming week will show people receiving invitations for next week.

I agree with this statement. They want background and if that background influenced your religious or spiritual stance then I think it should be included and appreciated.

Pretty sure PTS says on their website that interviews are either required or highly recommended. I think it is required. So, it is probably a good sign.

I seriously considered applying for only MTS/MAR since I think, think being the key word, I want to go into academia. However, I did MDiv for most of my schools, but one. Does it hurt too bad if religion was only a minor and not a major? I had majors (somewhat) nonrelated to religion, political science and philosophy. Obviously there is overlap between philosophy and religion. I think you will get in for sure with what you have posted.

They said interviews will take about 6 weeks and we are only in week 2ish. I agree, plenty of time left. Good luck everyone!!!

I knew before applying because it says so online. I received my interview invitation before any general email that they would be conducting them, I think- I checked my email and unless I am mistaken or deleted something. On monday, when you got your email, I got one titled "while you wait." That gave a general timeline and mentioned interviews. Is that the email you received?

I just realized the morning you received the email about interviews is the day I did my interview. Also, to add to my last post, I was expecting them to start sending out emails around mid-late February. I was shocked it came this soon. So, I think there is still plenty of interviews to be done.

I have an update on this matter. I received the email to interview over a week ago. I completed my interview about a week later. The calendar only showed a few slots left. Maybe they update it periodically as they add those they want to interview. The impression I got was my interviewer is doing interview stints for prolonged periods. I think they had just completed one and I had to leave so they could do another. I have been operating under the assumption that if you don't get an interview offer you don't get in because they have said that interviews are required for MDiv applicants this year.

Hello All, I am currently a senior at a smaller college in the South. I am planning on getting my MDiv. I have a double major. My GPA is about 3.75. I just had a bad sophomore year, other than that I have always had A/A- grades. My extracurriculars are slim. None at school. I had to work full-time. So, I couldn't be on campus when extracurriculars we're happening. I did do an internship with a church and other volunteer work. I am interested in women, feminism, and gender studies within the church. I want to go into ministry but also have a school that focuses on academic aspects too. I know my academic recs will be solid. My religious leader one should be pretty good as well. I'm wondering how bad the extracurriculars and lower gpa will affect my chances at more competitive schools. I am looking at alot of schools and would appreciate any help I can get in knowing what my chances are for the more competitive ones. The schools I am looking at that are harder to get into are HDS, YDS, VDS, PTS, Duke, BU, and Union. Thanks for any advice!

Hello All, I am interested in applying to Harvard, Yale, Chicago, Vanderbilt, Oxford, and Cambridge Divinity school for masters. My overall GPA is 3.6- It's a 3.9 in religion. I didn't go to a well known college. It's relatively small (I have heard this can count against me because sometimes professors are more lenient with the grades at smaller institutions). Anyhow, I am wondering what my chances are for these programs. I know the GRE isn't needed for some of the programs, I haven't taken it yet but am pretty confident I can get 99% in verbal. I will flat line with quantitative though. Not sure how writing will pan out. Any advice would be appreciated. I will have one great professor recommendation, others not sure of- none will be bad though. Also, I am interested in expanding my knowledge on religions besides Christianity, that is what has been covered the most at my school- have heard grad programs like this.