phoskaialetheia

When I applied last year I was offered 50%, which seems to be their standard package, with a few outstanding apps getting full funding. I know a few others who were offered half-tuition, and know that full funding is more rare and haven't heard of anyone getting an offer less than 50% or anything other than half or full tuition. They may be out there, but that's the impression that I get. The ones getting full funding seem to fit the profile you might expect: really good numbers, a lot of language coursework, etc. I'm not sure what tuition will be like next year, but it may be worth keeping in mind that while I thought 50% wouldn't be viable with their notoriously high tuition rates, my acceptance letter also bore the surprising news that tuition across the board would be reduced from around $50k to around $30k (as I recall). So while the $15k a year a standard funding package would entail is slightly more than what you might pay at other comparable institutions, it's a lot less than the untenable rates their AM program had developed a reputation for, and the degree may be well worth it if your interests dovetail with strengths in the program (which are many). The option to petition in-house for PhD admission has to be worth something as well. Also, cost of living may be appreciably more reasonable than some alternatives, especially if you are looking at programs in Boston or NYC. I remember being surprised at the relatively low rent in the area. Just something to consider. Best of luck with the application season!

I stumbled across this while trying to find out about safe neighborhoods: http://spotcrime.com/ct/new+haven not sure how accurate it is, but it is a little disconcerting. Looks like East Rock is the place to be.

At least some PhD rejections and waitlist decisions are apparently out: The University Of Chicago Divinity SchoolPhilosophy Of Religion, PhD (F11)Rejected via E-mail on 22 Mar 2011A23 Mar 2011 The University Of Chicago Divinity SchoolReligion (History Of Judaism), PhD (F11)Rejected via E-mail on 23 Mar 2011A23 Mar 2011 The University Of Chicago Divinity SchoolPhilosophy Of Religions, PhD (F11)Rejected via E-mail on 22 Mar 2011A23 Mar 2011 The University Of Chicago Divinity SchoolPhilosophy Of Religion, PhD (F11)Wait listed via E-mail on 19 Mar 2011A19 Mar 2011 The University Of Chicago Divinity SchoolReligious Studies (History Of Christianity), PhD (F11)Rejected via E-mail on 15 Mar 2011 ♦A18 Mar 2011 Whoops, sorry about the formatting. It looked better before submission

I had the exact same question before applying (in fact I asked it on this board). Apparently not that important for programs at div schools, but I'm not sure about MA programs in religion/religious studies departments. My quant score was terrible, but I got in everywhere I applied (MAR and MTS programs), albeit not with more than 50-75% funding. Of course it's impossible to know how much of that was due to other parts of the application. Languages, good fit, and solid letters cover a multitude of sins, but generally I would say it doesn't matter except in the context of distinguishing between those two hypothetical candidates among whom all other qualifications are equal.

Great!! See you there! I hope you find a way to make the finances work out. I may have to take some loan money too, even with work study and a spouse with a full-time job. At least we aren't entering a second completely unfunded master's like some have to do. Debt is butt-ugly, and I respect your healthy aversion to it. Next year in New Haven!

So I think I have finally decided to accept Yale's fairly generous offer. It kills me to turn down some of the other offers with their associated opportunities, but the fit and financial aid both seem to be calling me to New Haven. Now I just have to turn down offers. I'm putting it off due to chronic indecision. Does anyone know if Harvard, Chicago, Vandy, or Candler have waitlists at the master's level? If so I will do this soon so my spots can go to the anxious waitlisted asap.

For sure. I'm just saying that unless you get full tuition plus stipend towards living expenses, you are going to have to come up with that no matter where you go, and you aren't likely to get low/no interest loans for anything but tuition. Good luck, though. I hope GTU comes through, but it looks like PSR offers only part tuition merit and 30-50% need based aid, although tuition is cheaper. Also, the Bay Area is more expensive than New Haven. Good luck with the decision. For what it's worth, what I keep hearing from my professors is that as long as you can keep MA debt to less than 50k, it is typically doable, provided that the loans are subsidized/low interest federal loans and you don't do an unfunded PhD after. I know each situation is unique. I hope you can find a way to make something work for you.

But tuition is only 20k, so most of the loans and work study are for living expenses, healthcare, and the meal plan ('board fee'), aren't they? Most places only give scholarships and loans towards the cost of tuition and let you figure out how to cover living expenses and fees yourself. So effectively, you could just take some of the offered loans (probably the subsidized part) to cover the rest of tuition, decline the rest, and pay for living expenses yourself and you would have the same as a 70% scholarship/tuition remission offer anywhere else, and you won't have the full debt to worry about unless you need it to cover rent etc. It's actually a pretty generous deal.

Indeed, I realize that Yale's Department of Religious Studies is fantastic. I am particularly excited to take some courses down the hill with Dale Martin, Steven Fraade, and others in the Rel. Studies Dept. I believe in the response you were quoting I was answering someone's question about what GDR stood for. With Chicago I was talking more about who confers the degree, and since their Div School and Religion Dept are one and the same, the distinction doesn't apply. Sorry about the confusion. I think at this point, I am 90% certain that I will choose Yale over Harvard, Chicago, Vandy, Emory, and Durham. It kills me to turn down offers at some of these programs (I honestly think this is the hardest part of deciding--having to shut some doors), but I am too excited about the fit and opportunities available at Yale to not go there. The Judaic Studies MARc is my dream program at the MA level.

Graduate Department of Religion, as opposed to a Divinity School. And thanks for your thoughts on Chicago, it's definitely appealing. We'll see if Yale comes through with decent financial aid.

Good luck with the decision! What kind of program at Brown? I spent a term at Brown, and I loved it. It's a great campus, and students really are generally very happy there. Congrats on the offer, and I hope that whichever of your wonderful options you land on, things will work out for you!

Thanks for the heads up. That is very good to know. It's particularly encouraging to know that the dean is very supportive. I've heard that Klauck is a Mensch as well, just a decent human being. The program is very appealing. I will have to let the dust settle and think hard about my options. Thanks again for the very relevant information.

I have a tough three-way choice between Yale, Harvard, and Chicago. Yale is the perfect fit for my interests and faculty compatibility, but Chicago div has the strength of a GDR, has perhaps the best PhD placement and among the best New Testament programs overall in the country. It comes down to overall strength versus personal fit. Harvard is in the running because I love Boston, and if I strike out in PhD applications, the name may open other doors in other areas, plus it has one or two people I'd like to work with as well. It will be easier once I get Yale's funding, but for now should I go with personal fit, professional marketability, or contingency options?

I just heard from Chicago as well, just a shade after midnight central time no less! I am in as well! And they just significantly reduced their tuition rates to around normal div-school levels, so the 50% remission offer is pretty tempting, especially considering their in-house petition to the PhD program and high PhD placement rates... Maybe I'll see you in Hyde Park!