thekidisalright

I was accepted to Marquette! I just got the letter (via the application) - and I had checked an hour ago (lame, I know) and it wasn't there. Anyhow, they say that they've reviewed my application but can't offer financial aid at this time -- I don't know if that's just standard form letter for "we'll get back to you" or if that means I was accepted literally without aid (c'mon Marquette, don't be ridiculous!). Anyhow, this was my first acceptance!

I just talked to the Graduate School at Marquette (my application was fine!) and the woman I spoke to said that all of the files (including mine) had already been returned--with admission decisions--from the theology department to the Graduate School and that I would hear "literally any day now." To anyone else applying: don't stop refreshing your email. You might miss it!

Has anybody else had problems with Marquette's site? One of my professors was calling every week for a month before they finally posted that his recommendation letter had been received, and now that everything is posted, my application status still says "incomplete" (and I mean, every part of the application listed below says "Received (Official)"). I've emailed both the grad school and the department, still waiting on a response. I was hoping maybe someone else had this problem and it turned out to be a non-problem. I guess there is the offchance that they'll let me know my admission status! (ha! unlikely). -E.S.

Both of my friends who were invited for the interview weekend received an answer last week (one accepted, one waitlisted).

I don't know of anyone at ND for PhD from SLU--most students come from ND's MTS, Duke, Yale, Harvard, or BC/Weston (or from the UK). I would shoot high in applying to those programs (if its not too late). I got into ND's MTS from a rather no-name college and no coursework in theology, so its possible (and not that rare here, either). Anyway, it seems easier to make the transition to a brand-name school at the Master's level rather than for the PhD -- Last year only half of the people applying from ND got into first or second-tier schools, so even then it is a crapshoot. Anyhow, my point is that it is really ridiculously hard to get into the best PhD programs, and I've seen people coming from ND with incredible recommendations, publications/conferences, and 1500 GREs and not get in to top schools, so I would be wary in accepting anything but the best possible master's program you can get into. Find out where students at each Master's program get accepted before you apply.

Cyril's pretty much it, and that's just one of his interests. Rumor here though is that ND is courting Jean-Luc Marion, so things may be different in a year.

Good luck to you as well! Yes, I had heard the rumor, but then asked the faculty and they confirmed. I suppose they can't make it too explicit, or risk being the target of an anti-discrimination suit. Were you asked to interview here? I know ND contacted people a couple of weekends ago.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! It's a wonderful department, on the whole, with lots of funding and an incredible sense of community. However, there is an unwritten but non-negotiable rule about not accepting non-Catholics to Systematic Theology. I'm under the impression that there is a protestant student in now who just, ahem, checked "Catholic" on the application. Anyway, there are many protestants in Moral Theology and History of Christianity and both of those programs seem to be rather ecumenical (faculty include Jennifer Herdt, Gerry McKenny, Randal Zachman, etc.). As far as CJA, many aren't religious. What is your area? I would be happy to give you more (specific) advice as well as put you into contact with anyone (or at least give advice of who is worth contacting). -E.S.

I just found this page, so I'm getting a late start posting here. Broadly speaking, I'm interested in doing constructive theological work via insights from 20th century philosophy (particularly hermeneutics). My interests are centered upon two loci: hermeneutics/theological method and the point of intersection between Trinitarian theology, Christology, and theological anthropology. Anyhow, here's a list of the PhD programs I've applied to as well as my creds: Programs (in order of priority) UVA - Theology Ethics Culture - Religious Theological and Philosophical Studies Yale - Theology University of Chicago - Theology Marquette - Theology and Society Duke - Christian Theological Studies (Rejected) B.A. in Philosophy from Gordon College, M.T.S. from Notre Dame in History of Christianity: GPA 3.75. Recommendations from Cyril O'Regan, Matt Ashley, and Jennifer Herdt. GRE: 1450 (though a relatively low verbal). Koine Greek (advanced), Latin (intermediate), and French (reading). Article published in Lyceum (small journal). I am going crazy waiting and am checking my email as well as this site every ten minutes! -E.S.