ER2026

Oooo! I would also definitely be looking to go international. What US school would you be seeking?

I feel so lucky for this, truly! If money weren’t a factor (which it is for me because I don’t have generation wealth or any wealth, lol), where would you go?

You are just a breath of fresh air with your positivity and kindness!

Thank you for sharing! Yes, I absolutely feel this way, too, and I am definitely weighing all of the options. I really appreciate the academic and theological/theoretical lens that is so present at UChicago and I am so fortunate to have so many great options. But I am like paralyzed by the fear I won’t make the right choice! Lmao! Also I am generally 25% intimidated by the intense academic environment at UChi lol.

Hello, friends. I need help as I am super stressed about this decision making process and I need advice from likeminded people. Can you please help me discern between these programs for MDiv? UChicago - Full Tuition and very generous stipend, Princeton Seminary with full tuition and smaller, but still generous stipend, and Harvard with full tuition with no stipend. Please help meeee! ❤️

This sounds like me! I have an MA in Literature and am in the admissions cycle for my transition to religious studies. I chose to apply to M* program because my desired outcome is to work in some ministry context, but I think it would be very difficult to get into a PhD with my having no academic experience in religion. I'm basing this off of the level of questioning asked of me in interviews and visits, and if your goal is a PhD, I would either pursue one in literature and concentrate on religion/culture or go the M* route for a later religion-related PhD. If that's similar to your goal, I would recommend a master's program of some sort. Many schools have great funding for M* programs in Divinity, which is such a blessing. In my interviews, I provided context for how my background in literature will support me in my transition to religious studies, and it seemed to resonate, as I've only received acceptances so far. I have taken no classes at all in religion and that did not seem to hinder my application process, but I do have a lots of mutual aid, community organizing, leadership, academic and professional awards, a couple publications/presentations etc., that I think helped my case as to how I can be a successful student in the transition. If you are planning to apply to something like an MDiv which are usually 3-4 year programs, I think these kids of things can really help you to show that you are a compelling and competitive candidate. I don't have any experience applying to MTS programs or similar, but I know that there are all sorts of concentrations/classes at the universities in which I've applied that make some schools much more exciting to me than others. University of Chicago, for example, has many courses and concentrations in things relating to culture, media, etc., and it is my top choice for this reason. Their program is absolutely incredible and you can take classes in the broader university that suit your independent interests. My advice to you would be to have a strong sense of purpose and to really understand why you want to transition to religious studies, what career outcomes are desirable, and become generally familiar with what programs are like so that you can find one that best suits you. It has been one of the most stressful, but fun and exciting, things I've done in my adult life! Let me know if you have any questions!

Agreed, my offers from other places were so much more generous. I am going to try to negotiate but otherwise I will probably just take another offer that is a better financial fit for my family. I am planning on explaining my situation, stating my offers from other schools, and then asking for an increase. We shall see if that works!

I'm so sorry that you were experiencing so many difficult health issues, and I hope you're feeling much better now! No, it sounds like you have a really great offer and will likely get lots more! Where are you considering going? I agree--don't sit out and try again! Maybe it is meant to be at the places you've applied/been accepted to!

Yes! Admissions to Brite, Princeton, and UChicago with tuition to all and living stipends at two. Still awaiting Yale and Harvard! How about you?!

They are out and I'm so excited! Does anyone have insight on the pros and cons of UChi Div?

I'm sure it is!! I emailed a couple of days ago, and they gave me an extension for the time period that I asked for! I just essentially said "I'm considering other options and financial aid opportunities, would it be possible to have an extension for X number of days" and they emailed me back the following day and granted the extension!

Would anyone be willing to either comment here or private message me about their thoughts on other schools? My top is UChicago or Harvard, but I have a great offer at PTS and based on my interview at Brite last week, I think I will have a strong offer there, too. Does anyone know anyone, have personal experience with, etc., any of these schools? I appreciate the lower cost of living in Fort Worth, and I appreciate the strong faculty and aid I've received at PTS, but UChicago and Harvard are my top. Friends who have graduated from PTS are very gung-ho for PTS and dislike both Harvard and UChicago and I would love to hear more from someone who disagrees. Lemme know! I appreciate any help and guidance!

Hello, all! I need some advice. I have applied to a few universities for an MDiv. So far, I have been accepted to one with generous funding and a full tuition scholarship. However, I have to let them know if I will accept the offer or not by March 1, when all other universities of which I'm applying won't release decisions until mid-March. Here are a few options I've brainstormed, but I could use your help parsing through them and what they might look like. 1) I can ask the university to provide an extension for an acceptance as I await other schools. 2) Ask my other schools about their decisions and explain the situation, hoping they might feel implored to give me the decision, or perhaps a wink-wink, early. I feel the most practical is to ask for an extension, but I don't want to offend them or misstep here. Please help me by providing your feedback, if you've tried either of these options, or if you have any other ideas. I am grateful to you for your help!

You've got lots of great schools that you've applied to! Congrats on your acceptance at Candler! Keep us posted on how things go!

Do we know any info from anyone about how likely admission is if you get an interview? The waiting is giving me major anxiety lol.

Mine was on requested on a Thursday, too. Praying for all of us!

Completely agree about the lack of multifaith divinity schools. Have you researched UChicago? They also have a multifaith program.

Hey! Anyone on here applying to other divinity schools or seminaries, too? 😎

Admissions, not submissions 🥲

I am curious about what schools we have applied for, what your interviews and visits have been like, and eventually, our admissions decisions! I know I have gained great comfort (and probably extra anxiety) from reading previous years' posts like this, so I thought we could start a central one here for our various admissions talks. I have applied to: Harvard Divinity, UChicago Divinity, Princeton Seminary, Yale Divinity, and Brite, all for MDiv. I have had interviews with Harvard and PTS, and a visit to UChi.

Hey! Which schools did you apply to this cycle? Any news?