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First, thanks for the info, Liberation. I'm just learning as I go along. Ryan, I think several Religion departments do such interviews (Duke, Emory, Vanderbilt, etc). I can't speak for all schools,but it seems rather common. Anyone with more knowledge feel free to chime in. And, yes, I agree it is weird that people don't just go ahead and reject you if you don't make the 1/2/3,etc cut. I like Duke's model--it seems like they actually send out most of the rejections first so people can move on with their lives.

Hi, Ryan. This is my first time through the process, but I get the impression that the interviews are the "first cut" of the admission process. So if you did not receive one, I think that means you probably will not be admitted there. On the other hand, if you do receive an invitation that means you have survived the first round. That's just my two cents, however. Good luck with everything.

Oh, did not mean to be mysterious. I received an email yesterday evening for the Preview Weekend (11-13th). Best of luck to all other applicants.

Baylor's preview weekend is the 11-13th of February. Good luck And, at your quote--I agree, I wouldn't wish this process on my worst enemy. (I think I lost ten years on my life last semester because of all the stress!!). And, (although I will be honored at any invitation I receive!) I really don't get why schools don't post their preview weekends earlier, but instead just expect people magically to be free for any given weekend. Luckily (or unluckily depending on the week) I am a full time grad student, so I don't have such work commitments. But, it still is a bit harrowing. Best of luck to all!

To put it eloquently, "ditto", lol. Seriously, one of the pluses (and minuses) of our field is that many Ph.D. programs require or at least strongly recommend an M.A./M.Div., etc. I personally don't know of any current Ph.D. candidates without a masters (I'm at Duke), and could only imagine that those who are the exception were brilliant religion majors who had already studied languages, etc. Just using my personal life and seminary experience as an example, I am a psych / poli sci major with almost zero background in religious studies, am about to finish up my M.Div. and have applied to NT programs. Similarly, many--if not most--of my peers didn't have a religious studies background. While, I'm assuming the breakdown might be somewhat different for M.A.s, it still is more than possible to go the long route (i.e. Masters then Ph.D). YES, it will take a while, but that is the sacrifice that almost all religious studies Ph.Ds have to make unfortunately. Good luck ETA: I would try to be VERY sure, however, that getting a religious studies Ph.D. is your only path. Since your interests seem so interdisciplinary, I would try to take the time to sit down with advisers and professors in prospective fields, and see if there's any other type of program you might be able to apply to more easily, etc.

Hi I received a similar email (although I applied for NT). Do you have any idea how many people get this email (everyone or just top choices?) Of course I was just excited to hear back from anyone, lol. Good luck!

SO glad I found this thread, lol. Two things: 1) Ditto to all those who also have relatives who believe every school in existence since the beginning of time would obviously accept them. 2) I also "enjoy" that look of assessment some people give me when I say I'm applying to NT programs. Often it feels like I'm being scanned by robocop /terminator or something, like people are evalutating if I should be able to get in or not. Then, of course, there's the ever lovely "Wow, that's a tough field" comment--to which I reply in my mind, "Really? Hadn't noticed that and continually obsessed/stressed about it."