Thanks for your guidance.
I come from a Pentecostal background but I am also open-minded to other sects. But still, as you mentioned, top tier schools will surely be challenging to anyone. And that's what I'm looking for since I've not got much opportunity to know more about other faiths.
This April I'll get into the third year of my degree. In India, we have only three-year degrees. So, that would be my final year at undergrad university. But I've done many extra electives to gain as many credits as possible so that it can be equivalent to a four year degree in the USA. It is valid in US because my college has a NAARC A grade accreditation.
Actually I have plans of taking chaplaincy and getting into ministry back in India. But apart from that I also wanted to make sure that I also leave an option for PhD. So, I prefer a balanced degree both vocationally and academically.
To be specific about my area of interest, I'm interested in systematic theology. I would also like to do research in comparative theology as I am from India. But these are from the basic knowledge I've gained so far. Hence, I'm trying to do a diploma from any of the accredited theological center in India. I hope that will help me in building a good essay also.