Liora
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Posts posted by Liora
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Said I was one of Three Marquand Scholars. Shaking, unbelievable.
Congratulations on this huge honor! Definitely well deserved.
In other news, I'm another Duke MTS applicant who has not received a phone call. (I saw someone had mentioned that earlier.)
I think I'm headed to Claremont... so this wait is a little easier. My thoughts go out to all of you who are developing ulcers!
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If I understand correctly what "problem" you're referring to, it's not a problem at all. Just because they give you a number doesn't mean it's set in stone--it just means that whatever they end up giving you, it can't be less than the amount specified in the letter. This ultimately works to your advantage. The schools that have asked me to keep them abreast of other funding offers have both offered me specific monetary amounts already but have said that those numbers can be negotiated if I get a more generous offer.
I suppose that makes sense. I was operating under the assumption that once the offers were out that funding would be difficult to change.
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It's officially March...I'm not sure how I feel about this.
Gulp!
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Okay, so problem number two is that YDS offers their scholarships (generally) simultaneously with their acceptance letters.
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Great! What are you presenting and what is your undergrad institution?Maybe we can check out eachother's sessions for a little IRL grad cafe support!
I'm from Truman State, by the way.
I'm from TSU too! I went to NCUR last year.
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Congrats on your other full funding offer, though!!
Thanks! Isn't it strange to think that this time next month we'll probably know where we are headed? Or at least have a better idea...
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Hello!
I am looking for a summer program in philosophy with a good acadamic reputation and available scholarships (cause can't afford high course fees). It should be either in Europe or in the US. Thanks for your help!
St. Olaf Hong Kierkegaard Library: http://www.stolaf.edu/collections/kierkegaard/programs/summerfellows.html
(Best summer of my life!))
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The OP is posting about MA programs which are typically 1) unfunded/poorly funded by the program in theology and 2) much less selective but retain huge applicant pools. So any individual applicant is less meaningful to the program as they are taking courses not teaching or serving as a research assistant. No need to put a bad taste in anyone on the admissions committee's mouth by being presumptuous enough to ask MA programs to compete for you based on funding before they've even admitted you.
I see what you mean. I definitely don't want to come off like an assuming prick.
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I just received full funding to one program and was wondering if I should alert the two other schools of this. I'm thinking about calling and anonymously asking someone in admissions what the procedure is for that sort of thing.
My gut feeling, however, is that it's totally not okay to do this. Though I've heard different opinions from various people.
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Cool! Liora, what was your writing sample on? I'm curious what other applicants did. Was yours in a topic of "philosophical theology"? Mine was an exposition of Derrida's deconstruction, and its application to the Protestant notion of "sola scriptura," with its oppositional binary of "scripture versus tradition."
I used a snippet from my summer research project: "The Problems of Faith, Pathos and Poetry in Kierkegaard's Fear and Trembling." Looking back, I wish I had spent more time on it but oh well. Your project sounds interesting. I read Derrida a LONG time ago in an aesthetics course but that's about it. Best of luck to you over the next two weeks! (Maybe we'll be classmates?)
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He said in the OP that it was the comprehensive (non-concentrated) MAR.
So scattered when I wrote this! I actually am applying for the concentrated MAR. Philosophical Theology/Philosophy of Religion specifically.
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Shalom, shalom!
Foremost, just take a moment to breathe. Things will work out the way that they are supposed to work out! With respect to M.Div and MAR/MA programs and such -- you're "stats" so-to-speak, sound competitive. Understand this too, most of these programs, because they are masters programs versus doctoral programs, aren't going to be furiously selective. Even the "top tier" schools, which, unfortunately, are usually only considered "top tier" because they have a decent undergraduate school or a name/legacy (Harvard/Yale) aren't going to be furiously selective when they pick people for these programs. For doctoral work? Yes. For masters? Well, can you make the 150 student or so cut? It sounds like you've got some competitive stats, so, I think so. And here's something else to consider. You're fresh out of undergrad? Yes? These programs WILL change the way that you write when you become a masters student. They know how college students write. Heck, I teach a lot of first year M.Div and MAR students and I know how THEY write. So I wouldn't sweat the SOP too much. The SOP is an important component, because it is YOUR voice in the admissions process, but if you're worried about writing style or anything, don't be too scurred!
What makes a strong candidate?
Strong undergrad liberal arts background from a four year program with good grades (anything 3.5+ UG)
Well rounded service record
Recommendations from someone reputable
No criminal background/can pass a background check
What makes you a stronger candidate?
Better grades
Actual relevant recommendations, as in, someone who is directly connected to the school of your choice
Relevant memberships, clubs, associations
GRE scores
Languages
Field experience
What is not expected of you as an INCOMING masters student?
Publications
Presentations
Teaching assistantships
Tutoring
Publication experience (working for a journal)
Fellowships
Recommendation from a leader in your discipline
Internships
Thank you! This was quite helpful. Also, I wrote this post way too late in the evening to be fully comprehensible. Sorry for its frenzied nature and grammar mistakes!
I can tell already that I'm going to be addicted to this site...
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Wish I had found this forum months ago. Oh well.
Anyway, I was wondering if you guys could estimate my odds for getting into Yale's MAR program. Also, any information/thoughts regarding YDS is appreciated. I've read everything on here and it's starting to worry me how competitive their comprehensive MAR is.
I honestly didn't stress out too much over my writing sample/SoP. Again, now I'm worried that I should have given them more attention.
Okay so here's how I look on paper: (hope this doesn't sound braggy?)
4.0/4.0 GPA at a respectable liberal arts university
Summer Fellowship at the Hong Kierkegaard Library
Six conference presentations - two on Kierkegaard (central research interest, could you guess?)
Member of Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa
Participated in an archaeological dig in Bethsaida, Israel
Co Founder of Students for Middle East Peace
President of Art of Living Yoga and Meditation Club
Volunteer art teacher at a local elementary school (do they care about stuff like this?)
and a winning smile?
Ugh, so stressful. I'm also applying to Duke's MTS and Claremont's MA in Philosophy of Religion
Speaking of Claremont, does anyone know anything about their University Scholars Award Program? I'm interviewing there next week. Ray of hope in this season of waiting...
2011 Theology Application Results!!!
in Religion
Posted
Thank you for posting this. I think you've helped me make my decision.
Found out the other day that I received Claremont's University Scholars Award. (tuition, housing, and 750$ monthly stipend) -- My heart is torn because I'd love to work with Amy Laura Hall in Durham but there's no way Duke will come close to matching that offer. Claremont will be great though. Philip Clayton is an amazing scholar.
Wish that I could say that I didn't care about the YDS admission -- but I'm still so curious!
Haha, just got a phone call from Duke in the middle of writing this. I'm in! (No word on funding.)