4minutemile
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Posts posted by 4minutemile
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I am interested in applying to TOP programs such as MIT, Berkely, Stanford, etc. Do I have a chance with my 2.8 undergrad GPA?
Do you mean that you want to only apply to top programs? I don't think that would be wise for any student, no matter the strength of application. Are there lower ranked schools that have faculty who match your interests? I think you should definitely ask yourself, for lack of a better way of putting it, how badly do you want a Ph.D.?
I would really like to think that my high grad GPA and extenuating circumstances could overcome my low undergrad GPA but I have my doubts. I feel that my background for the fields that I am applying to is perfect and that I have a desirable application except that undergrad GPA...
I am going to be very honest here and I hope this doesn't sound rude: there is a fine line between discussing "extenuating circumstances" and getting into a competition in suffering. I would advise you to be cautious about depicting your circumstance, tragic as it may have been, as the type that is insurmountable. If for no other reason, you cannot be certain who else is in your applicant pool whose application is being read alongside your own.
There is an excellent article floating around about kisses of death in the graduate school application. You may want to check it out. While no program can discriminate against you for mental health issues...well...yeah, I wouldn't put it in my application.
It is enough to simply address the issue, but, in my experience, it is best to place the overwhelming focus on your background and accomplishments.
I am trying to avoid generic advice such as "get good recs and get published".
The recommendations will be a key point for you. You ideally need someone who has supervised many graduate students and who can address your ability and commitment to become a professional scholar.
I wouldn't pay attention to the publication advice, though. In fact, I find there is a disconnect between the amount of people giving this advice and the amount of people actually having publications before entering graduate school.
Also, if you got a 790Q on the GRE, I wouldn't take it again. I don't think there is a statistically significant difference between a 790 and 800, is there?
Rather, I was wondering if anyone can provide any evidence of people they know who have been accepted to top schools with circumstances like mine?
I was.
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For the SOP, I recommend strictly focusing on research interests and accomplishments, qualifications to conduct future research, and, most of all, program fit.
Even though it is popular, I do not generally believe the bildungsroman-style SOP is useful. However, in your case, you have quite a GPA jump and it may be worth addressing how you came to such greater academic performance.
I strongly recommend that you draft a brief statement of research interests and contact potential advisors. Getting the fit question right is, in my opinion, the single most important step in the application process.
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This is obviously a perception, but even among the profs at my school there has been a pretty steady response that "you may find Harvard to be a stifling place," since I tend to be one to push theological boundaries.
Stifling? Hmm...it may be more stifling for someone who does not push theological boundaries. But even that would be a major stretch.
PS It's also worth pointing out that there is a slowly building push back against the Ivies. What that will become in the long run, I don't know, but there appears to be a steadily growing movement to seek those who have not been "molded" by Harvard, Yale, etc.
Do you have any actual specifics on this movement?
Regardless - congratulations to the OP - I'm glad you could pull the resources together to attend your top choice!
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Congratulations to all the HDS admits! It seems like an eternity ago that I was accepted, even though it was just last year (on a lucky Friday the 13th no less).
If anyone wants to talk about HDS or living in Boston/Cambridge, feel free to give me a shout.
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I'm thinking about applying to some MTS and/or PhD programs but I'm wondering what my chances are:
Undergrad: UCLA (BS Biology) GPA 3.0
Grad: Talbot School of Theology (MA, New Testament) GPA 3.91
GRE: I haven't taken it yet, but from my friends that have taken it, I doubt I will get anything below 1400 (this is not to sound cocky, I'm just familiar with standardized tests)
I'm wondering if I need to do another masters or do you think my chances of getting into any top-tier NT departments in the US are good?
You'd probably be best served by getting a MTS from a top school before applying for Ph.D. - that is, if your goal is a top department. I really hate to be discouraging, but, as your application now stands, even with a very high GRE, I think a top tier Ph.D. slot is a stretch. The questions, of course, become the old ones: (1) do you consider top-tier to simply be the top-5 US News and World mainstays or do you consider top-tier to be based on factors more specific to you and (2) how badly do you want to get a Ph.D. and whether this top-tier status is a deal-breaker. If so, I'd suggest, quite frankly, aiming higher than a 1400. That all said, I'd say your chances at a top MTS program are very strong and, especially if you beat a 1400, I'd feel confident that you'd receive a good deal of funding.
Good luck!
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Anyone apply for the 16 month program? Or have any information on when people usually hear back, etc.?
Congrats! I was asking for my sister who was accepted last Thursday as well!
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Anyone apply for the 16 month program? Or have any information on when people usually hear back, etc.?
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What does one do with a Harvard MTS degree? I know most intend to apply to PhD programs, but say that you don't, or take time off from school after the MTS... what does one do?
I wouldn't go as far to say that most go after a Ph.D. True, there are many, especially those who frequent these forums. But there are also many who enter community organizing and development, environmental advocacy, nonprofit management, public policy, consulting, and the administrative side of higher education.
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I will be attending Harvard Divinity School for the MTS. I'd be more than happy to share stats, etc, over private message, which I'm sure I'll be checking during next year's cycle. Best of luck to everyone.
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anyone received their real-mail version of acceptance w/funding and visiting day info? i'm trying to plan the trip!
(also, the visiting day is tuesday, april 7, not the 8 as the online version mistakenly said - i checked w/the admissions office)
First, congratulations on your acceptance! I just received my official letter with financial award (full tuition and fees), but I am local. It also contains info on the visit day (with the correct date). I'm probably going to visiting day, but that all depends on work, unfortunately.
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Just sent:
"The Harvard Divinity School Admissions Committee is finalizing the process of reviewing applications.
Admissions decisions will be available online beginning at 5:00 PM DST - Friday, March 13, 2009. To learn your decision, please log into your online application at that time.
In addition, a hard copy of the letter will be mailed to the address on file. Admitted students who completed all necessary financial aid paperwork will receive their financial aid award letter in the mailed admissions package.
Thank you for applying to Harvard Divinity School!
Best wishes,
Office of Admissions
Harvard Divinity School"
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another question on this. since mar 15, the date we're supposed to hear for mts/mdiv, is a sunday, do you think that's actually true? or is it more likely to be the 14th (sat) or 16th (mon)? this could help my sanity considerably, if anyone has any insights.
In past years, it seems that we might get the decision from HDS on Friday...this year, the 13th. But maybe I'm just being wishful.
Has anyone called admissions?
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Yes, mine says that it is "under review", and has for the last couple of weeks. I think they just instituted this process this year (where it says "under review" for completed applications), because last year mine just showed "complete" until March 15th, where I then received the link to my rejection letter, and I don't think that anything showing on the online app NOW are indications of acceptance/rejections. Though I must admit, I was really excited to see it change, and then I had to remind myself that it wasn't indicative of anything except my app being complete.
Well, I'm a little worried. Mine simply reads: "Submission Status: Submitted Submitted Date: 1/20/2009 Application Status: Completed on 1/29/2009."
Do you think I should try contacting them to find out what's up?
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I'm waiting for the MTS as well. The email says, "Admissions decisions will be made available via the online application by March 15, 2009."
Wow, this is going to be a long two weeks. Did you get the "application is under review" status on your online application? Mine still simply says that it was submitted and is complete.
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College freshman wanting a general idea of what the heck I need to do!
in Applications
Posted
I like Squawker's advice. Let me add: make sure to take (at least) a couple of classes that allow you to indulge interests beyond your professional goals. It will help enhance your application by making you more well-rounded and it will help enhance your life by making you more well-rounded.
Best of luck.