HazelMotes

I'd echo marXian's advice. If you are sure that you want to do academia only, then do an MTS or MA. If you want to leave the door open for ministry and other things, an MDiv can really be of help. An MDiv just takes longer, assuming that you do good academic work during your MDiv, you can get accepted into a PhD program straight from it (I did). Another thing to consider is if you want to teach at a confessional liberal arts college or seminary. An MDiv can help you on that account for a number of reasons. It shows that you are theologically well-rounded and pastorally trained (therefore more attuned to the needs of those seeking to serve in parishes). On the undergrad level, assuming you have a 75-90 hour MDiv, it qualifies you to teach in a broader area. For example, when I finish my PhD in historical theology I could be hired by a smaller school who might also need me to teach occasional undergraduate courses in Scripture. Since I have 36+ graduate hours in NT and OT, I am qualified to regularly do that (accreditation requires that regular profs have at least 18 hours in the field in which they are teaching, I believe). Schools to consider as you hone your interests: Yale Div., Duke Div., Boston College, Notre Dame, Marquette, St. Louis University, Princeton Theological Seminary. (I know several people recommended HDS. I wouldn't go that route personally.) It might be a good idea to look at a place like Fuller seminary for a MA degree. They have a solid reputation at a lot of bigger schools and can be a nice transition from a more sectarian school. I am in a top historical theology program (fully-funded) at a Jesuit school (studying 19th-20th century). I went to a very conservative Bible college. I do not feel that it hurt my chances. In my experience Roman Catholic schools appreciate people who come from conservative Bible colleges, because they have a strong foundation of biblical content and context, which really comes in handy when your reading people like Origen, Cajetan, Luther, and Barth. It is important that you demonstrate that you are a committed student and open to learning from other perspectives. Dedication and sincere openness are really what it takes. (and some kind of idea of what you're interested in, but that applies more for PhD than MA.) Best of luck! PM me if you have any questions I can help with.

Just noticed something.... Maybe if I had ordered something in that fifty minute window...

Mostly it means that you do their laundry. Sometimes their yardwork. It is hoped that you will learn through osmosis. It's an innovative educational strategy.

This makes absolutely no sense to me. I understand that the job market is horrible and most of us will just take what we can get, but how can it not make a difference to you? The two contexts have vastly different approaches and aims. I just don't understand how you have no preference.

I know. But, for some reason I was reminded of my high school relationships while reading it. Strange.

At this point, I am a true connoisseur of rejection letters. As of this morning, I can confirm that Notre Dame's is one of the best specimens that I've seen. Timing: 2/10 (awfully late) Delivery: 5/10 (email to check website) Wording: 10/10 Pure rejection poetry.

SMU theology rejections have been mailed. I can empirically confirm this.

Thank you so much for the information! Do you (or does anyone else) know if additional offers are still going to be sent out by Marquette. I heard from a friend in the program that he didn't get his (partially funded) offer until a week after the fully-funded offers went out. And yet, goodbye I above says that he or she received an offer without funding from them already this year (albeit in a different area than my friend and myself). I guess that I'm just asking if anyone knows if there is still good news (even if it's not the best, fully-funded, news) to come out of Milwaukee.

I will add my voice as someone who would like to know about how Marquette's waitlist works.

If I don't get a viable (i.e. funded) offer I'm going into the wilderness where I will live in a cave and work on my manifesto.

Well, it appears that Marquette has sent out offers for systematic theology, historical theology, and NT. I guess they all went out at the same time. Damn. It's been a shit week.

Historical theology. He's interested in patristics.

A friend of mine just received a call informing him that he'd been accepted with funding at Marquette. Apparently those offers are going out today (or at least some of them). I'm thrilled for him. Meanwhile I am burning a hole in my phone with my eyes.

Congratulations on your acceptance! I'm not sure how the program works there. I was the one who posted that on the results. I received an email from the program director who said that I was in the first waitlist slot for ISET program with a Theology concentration. Are you an Ethics concentration?

Word on the street is that Marquette will be sending out offers this week, at least for their top candidates. Does anyone know what is up with Baylor? I interviewed and haven't heard anything yet. I am not feeling great about it since there's been at least one acceptance in theology posted (and a few postings without subfields).