
academiccricket
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Everything posted by academiccricket
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Yes. I've heard resoundingly from people that the M.Div is easier to get into. Period. :-)
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If I had my choice, I'd choose YDS out of all of them. They have everything I want in their M.A.R. program, including a prof. that does what I want to eventually do... It would give me two/three years to gain a lot more experience in terms of publications/presentations (in addition to raising my GRE score), and get stronger letters of recommendation. However, HDS would be easier for me personally, because my fiance is a Ph.D. in the NELC department at Harvard, and we are "settled" here. It would be nice to work in Lamont library or Widener without having to sign in as a guest every single time. :-) I could also cross-register through NELC, and that would be great. The other major impact is funding, as I have yet to hear what the funding (if any...) CUA offers, and if I don't get funding for a Ph.D., it simply isn't worth it. So, all I need is just one between the two programs. I'm really hoping that next week is a good week for me. :-)
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I don't know what it takes to get into an MTS, but I can speculate. Wanting to work with the lay community while pursuing an academic interest, as seen in the personal statement, I think is extremely important. Fit with faculty interests/school's tradition (for example, right now it seems that HDS is big on liberation theology and/or feminist studies) plays a role as well. Undergraduate GPA is key, but if you have above a 3.5+, I think you can breathe easier than the rest. Most people I know in these programs don't submit GRE scores. People in the program seem to have a strong language background (my former housemate at HDS worked in Arabic before going to HDS, and others had Intermediate Greek/German/Elementary Biblical Hebrew). I don't necessarily think this is required to get into the program, but it certainly will make your app stronger. As for the competitiveness, HDS "by the numbers" looks easy to get into in comparison with other programs (according to petersons.com, it is roughly about 40%). However, you have to remember that the QUALITY of the applicant pool is significantly higher, so it is pretty tough competition regardless. ---- If it helps, I'm applying, and my profile is: M.A. Jewish Studies (from a small, unknown school), concentration in Hebrew Bible - 3.7 B.A. English, B.A. Religion (from small, liberal arts school) - 2.72 (I worked full-time and put myself through college, so this was a particularly tumultuous time for me). GRE: 1190 (verbal: 590, quant: 600)...definitely not enough to counter-balance my train-wreck of a ugpa. Typical school-given awards: excellence for Bib. Studies, Dean's List, etc. Presented at an international graduate conference at Trinity College, Ireland, with my thesis on gender roles and the Jacob cycle. Adjuncted an upper-division religion course and English 101 (for a semester) at a small, liberal arts college. Languages: Modern Hebrew (2 years), Biblical Hebrew (4 years), Midrashic Hebrew (1 year), Biblical Aramaic (1 semester), Akkadian (1 year), Attic Greek (1 year) Worked on an archaeological dig with Harvard NELC in Ashkelon, Israel for the full 2008 season. ---- I don't feel like I stand a shot because of my ugpa/GRE. We'll see in a little over a week. All the best of luck to everyone applying! :-)
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2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
A friend of mine applied for the MTS at Duke Divinity School...he says that he knows someone on the adcom there, and that they haven't met yet. That's what I've heard, but then again it is all second (third) hand. -
I probably would, though if all your application materials show "complete" on your web application, I wouldn't sweat it too much...they got 10+% more applications this year, and judging from the 600+ applications last year, that's a lot. They probably just didn't go back in and change it, and has no bearing on whether you are accepted/rejected. Mine shows: Submission Status: Submitted Submitted Date: 2/1/2009 6:57:00 PM E.S.T. Application is under review Application Status: Completed on 2/11/2009 3:50:00 PM ---- Though I've spent the last year "making myself more competitive" by going on Harvard's archaeology dig, presenting at an international conference, and auditing a language class through the NELC dept....I fully expect to get the boot again.
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Yes, mine says that it is "under review", and has for the last couple of weeks. I think they just instituted this process this year (where it says "under review" for completed applications), because last year mine just showed "complete" until March 15th, where I then received the link to my rejection letter, and I don't think that anything showing on the online app NOW are indications of acceptance/rejections. Though I must admit, I was really excited to see it change, and then I had to remind myself that it wasn't indicative of anything except my app being complete.
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I'm waiting for the MTS as well. The email says, "Admissions decisions will be made available via the online application by March 15, 2009." Last year, they said they would do the same thing (March 15th). When I went to the admissions office that day, they told me they'd release the info at 5 pm on the 15th via the web application. So, I wouldn't be surprised if "by" March 15th really meant MARCH 15th this year (obviously, I did not get in last year...) Who knows? I think YDS said they were going to release their admissions info around that day too. Either it will be a great second week of March, or a really awful one. Any bets? :-)
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2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
FINALLY. My first acceptance: Catholic University of America, Dept. of Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures. I received a call from the graduate school wanting updated transcripts since I was "admitted". No word from the Department on funding or anything else. This will make waiting a little less stressful. -
I don't think there is really any other way to break this down any further, and this year there were more applicants than last year. So, who knows what the stats will be? You're already accepted to Duke - take a deep breath and relax until March 15!
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Anyone else only have rejections so far? Please tell me I'm not the only one :-)
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2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
After seeing the Harvard NELC results, I emailed the chair of the dept., who promptly emailed me the rejection I've anticipated. Harvard was my top choice (as I've been auditing a class in the dept. for the past year) and "best fit"...so, best of luck everyone. I'm now waiting until March 15, when my plan B of another Masters program comes a-calling (or following this trend: doesn't come a-calling). -
2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
Last time I checked (last year), Hebrew College wasn't officially part of the BTI. Although they work with ANTS and students between both colleges can cross-register, I don't think BTI students can take courses at HC. I studied at HC and wasn't allowed to take courses through the other colleges in the BTI. -
2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
I was rejected from a Ph.D. at UW Madison in Hebrew & Semitic Studies today...which stung a bit because it was one I considered a "safety." This is going to be a long February / March. -
It was a mixture of being a creative and a mooch. I paid a deposit for a room on a campus partnered with my school (my school didn't have dorms), where I stayed until I got a really crappy job to pay the bills. Then I slept on a friend's floor on a futon mattress for a couple months while writing my M.A. thesis, saved enough money to go to Israel for the summer, and came back and did it all over again. I now have a decent-paying job and share a triple-decker, but for awhile there...it was certainly rough.
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Why does awesome stuff happen too late?
academiccricket replied to Rutabaga's topic in Waiting it Out
Email first. I had some schools want a hard copy sent to a specific address, and some schools wanted it via email. -
Why does awesome stuff happen too late?
academiccricket replied to Rutabaga's topic in Waiting it Out
I was chosen to present at a conference after half of my apps were in. Just email the depts and ask to send an updated C.V...most are happy to hear the news. Congrats! -
I did this. I moved to Boston with $200 to my name, am currently auditing classes in my dream dept., etc. Will I get in? Probably not. I was already rejected once, so doubling my efforts in the past year (presenting, adding a research language, going on a summer program with the dept...) and then getting rejected will REALLY suck. All my friends in the dept. are convinced I'll get in...I'm not. My bf in the dept had a 1580 GRE, publications, presentations, and the "outstanding student" (like the valedictorian...apparently) from his state college. My stats aren't even CLOSE to that, and it will be hard saying "no, I actually didn't get in. I have to adjunct and eat more ramen until next year."
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take a gamble: predict your own outcome!
academiccricket replied to frankdux's topic in Waiting it Out
7 applications - my predictions. 2 - on the fence / could go either way (and these are the two I want the most), due entirely to a really great LOR and not really to my stats 2 - acceptances with partial funding (but not full funding) 1 - put me into the M.A. and not Ph.D....with partial funding 2 - flat out rejections -
2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
demondeac, I hear you. So much. I've re-sent transcripts out at least 5 times, and sent two follow-up emails to recommenders. 2 months later, and I'm waiting on one transcript to get to UW-Madison for my application to be complete, and then one LOR to be sent to CUA for my application to be complete. The other five are finished and I am waiting ever so patiently. -
I really don't have anything else to contribute except that I hope I get accepted. I'm not even sure how realistic my chances are at this point (due to my low ug GPA and GRE scores), but it is worth a shot. I'm applying for the Concentrated MAR in Biblical Studies, and my profile is... M.A. Jewish Studies (concentration Hebrew Bible) - 3.7 B.A. English, B.A. Religion - 2.7 (I worked full-time and double-majored. Ridiculous on my part) GRE - v. 590, q. 600 AW - 4.5 Languages: Hebrew - Modern (2 years), Biblical (incredibly proficient...4+ years), Mishnaic Akkadian - 1 year (audit at Harvard) Aramaic - 1 semester German - 1 year Greek (Attic) - 1 Year Taught Pentateuch (upper-division) and Eng.101 at a small (~2000 students) liberal arts college Participated in archaeology dig in Israel this past summer Am presenting a paper at Trinity College in Ireland this February ---
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To which Religion field/discipline are you applying? (Poll)
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
Well, clearly as the only other person who has voted (thus far), I'm in Hebrew Bible but am primarily working within HB to do textual criticism and Semitic philology. I applied to 6 Ph.D. programs and 1 MA, but I just want to have access to academic libraries again! :mrgreen: -
Perhaps it is the schadenfreude... I had two friends say that they could get just as competitive GRE scores as me (as I was disappointed with my mediocre score after studying the entire summer for it) WITHOUT studying...and then, they each failed to break 1000 combined (on their respective tests).
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2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
S&K, I did my M.A. at Hebrew College (in Massachusetts). Fairly small school, lots of knowledgeable faculty though. Jufarius87, From what I've heard, an MDiv is easier (more or less...I don't know if anything in this process is "easy") to get accepted to because you aren't "expected" to have a language intensive background, since it is a more "ministry-focused" degree. I hope that helps ease your mind and nerves. -
2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
I'd say if the "average" is a B+, your 3.35 falls right in line with that. You seem to be a pretty solid candidate, in my opinion and your GREs definitely can help even out your GPA (if that is your concern). I can't imagine a more qualified candidate, but who knows how these things play out, eh? I'm applying for the Concentrated MAR in Biblical Studies, and my profile is... M.A. Jewish Studies (concentration Hebrew Bible) - 3.7 B.A. English, B.A. Religion - 2.7 (I worked full-time and double-majored. Ridiculous on my part) GRE - v. 590, q. 600 AW - 4.5 Languages: Hebrew - Modern (2 years), Biblical (incredibly proficient...), Mishnaic Akkadian - 1 year (audit at Harvard) Aramaic - 1 semester German - 1 year Greek (Attic) - 1 Year My recs are 1) from my M.A. Adviser 2) from a Harvard lecturer 3) from a past-president of SBL / ASOR Taught Pentateuch (upper-division) and Eng.101 at a small (~2000 students) liberal arts college Participated in archaeology dig in Israel this past summer Am presenting a paper at Trinity College in Ireland this February --- I really just want to improve my Greek and do textual criticism. Sigh. I really want this, but I imagine that a 50% acceptance rate means just choosing from an applicant pool of ridiculously overqualified people like yourself. March 15th can't get here soon enough. -
2009 Application: Religion-Theology-Philosophy of Religion
academiccricket replied to demondeac's topic in Religion
Thanks for the info. I've looked at the page before, and petersons.com lists about a 55% acceptance rate, but sometimes that data can be skewed (for better or worse).