MsBOOM

Just want to pop in and say good luck, everyone! I'll be applying next year (unforseen circumstances - the military doesn't give two craps about whether your spouse wants to pursue a PhD or not... and my hubby and I are being PCSed soon - he's career military).
 
Hope everyone gets great news !

I think a large problem that I've come across on this site (and others) has been an obsession with pointing out one's GPAs and GREs when, in reality, the process is so much more complicated than that (as MarXian) has stated). What I've learned from this go-around in the PhD process is that when it comes to the more elite institutions, what matters most is whether or not your research fits in with your potential adviser(s) and if, in general, you are a good fit to the program. The only way one can go about this is to just email around as much as you can; what's the point in spending money on an app where you know that the prof isn't that interested in your research? 

All the schools I'm applying to are schools who have shown an exceptional interest in my research and whom I've spoken to either on the phone or through Skype (at their insistence). Not one asked me what my GPA was or what my GRE scores were, because at this level, it is more about your potential to succeed in their program and your ability to represent said program well after graduation. Of course, the GRE/GPA does help in evaluating that, but a greater weight is placed on your research, what your previous professors have said about your abilities, who those professors are, your foreign language skills, and any other things that can be attributed to your potential success in their program.  

I'm speaking, of course, only about top, top tier institutions that are inundated with hundreds and hundreds of applications every cycle. Those of you lurkers out there who are put off by people posting their GPAs and GREs: don't compare yourself to them. Think about what makes you unique as an applicant and what you can bring to that university that no one else can. Try to stand out among the herd. It's important to understand that there is no exact formula for a successful PhD application. Rock it. 

Can you just admissions offices and say you are an applicant that is inquiring about the time-frame of when decisions will be made without giving your name? Or do you think they'll ask your name as well?

I'm not sure about how long to wait until after applications are sent in, but if there is a posted estimate as to when the decisions will be made, I would wait about two weeks after said date before inquiring.

I'm not sure about Chicago, but my undergrad advisers in the Religious Studies department did talk highly of Duke's MA. They told me it's a great place to get loads of research experience, and that it's a great feeder-school for PhD's.

Not to high-jack this thread, but I have two technology questions as well:

1. Right now, I have a standard sized HP. I used to carry it around with me on campus all day, but it was unbearably heavy. I use my laptop to take notes during class. I was wondering should I invest in a tiny netbook (doesn't have to be brand-name or anything) to make the trek around school easier? Another reason I'm considering this is because my laptop now takes up major amounts of space in class as well. What netbooks are worth purchasing (without spending too much money)?

2. You guys are talking about software tools such as BibleWorks and the like - are there any out there in Qur'an version?

Wind, I was honestly wondering the same thing -.- it's come to the point that I'm afraid of posting . I have no idea!

I would go with what the faculty are telling you as well. There are certainly "safe" things to publish which vary from field to field and your faculty/advisers will know that and (hopefully) not steer you wrong. My advice was more for those who actively seeking publication without that kind of support since "A paper" does not equal publishable paper.

Well, got in off the waitlist for  Hebrew Union's PhD in Jewish and Christian Studies in the Greco-Roman Period..  Funding offer is half of UCLA's - full tuition but half the stipend - but so is the cost of living in Cincinnati.  Both programs have interdisciplinary coursework established with Classics departments, HUC's with University of Cincinnati.  Both programs are outstanding, although UCLA would have the better reputation.  One can't overlook, however, HUC's strong ties to Jewish communities in several cities and what that might mean for future job placement.  I suppose this is a luxury problem, and UCLA is the safer choice.       

Another update... so apparently it was a clerical error and  I have been admitted to Systematic Theology, the program I applied to. The Mission, Ecumenics, and History of Religions track is jointly administered by both theology and history so I won't be precluded from participation in that! There's also the bonus of my degree being called "Systematic Theology," which is handy because it's what I want to actually teach  

It is too early yet to be looking, but the time is coming soon to start looking. Reddit r/boston is a good place to consult when looking for housing, for tips, roommates, etc. They posted an insanely helpful guide (here: http://www.reddit.com/r/boston/comments/1y4hy9/so_youre_moving_to_bostonlets_make_a_guide/) a month ago with all sorts of words of wisdom. There's also a really good blog entry from The Boston Calendar (http://blog.thebostoncalendar.com/how-to-hunt-for-an-apartment-in-boston/) that goes over the insanity that is finding housing. 
 
Honestly, I haven't heard tremendously amazing things about Grad Housing. It tends to mostly be international students and scholars who need something reliable and won't have the ability to really search for apartments beforehand. Some of the grad housing is basically identical to living in a dorm. Most everyone I know in grad school at Harvard lives off-campus in Cambridge or Somerville. More freedom, more of a distance from campus, etc. Boston/Cambridge/Somerville is too awesome an area to get caught up in the campus bubble, and living off-campus makes that less likely to happen.

Comic sans?!?!

Alex, relax. You're wound up a little too tight. I know the kind of people you're talking about. They're annoying. Seminary is a breeding ground for those types; I know, I've been there. Ignore them. They probably aren't going to get in anywhere. On the bright side, if you do your due diligence and they don't, that'll only benefit you since that means fewer quality applications vying for precious few admissions slots.

In before Perique sets me straight.

Yeah those scores are average it seems for a masters. I was told by several profs, that you want to be around 85% verbal or above, which I was (my writing was mid 90's). 
 
Good luck on that damn test!!!

Unfortunately, I still do not have much closure. I have an offer at Oxford, but am waiting it out to see if I can get in off the wait list at Emory. Chances seem very high, so just keeping my fingers crossed. 

For those that got into HDS and are more than likely going to go there, by all means, if you have any questions about the school, the area, living situations, the like, please do let me know. I may not reply incredibly quickly (I'm finishing out my last semester of the MTS here at HDS... and trying to finish out strong to apply to PhD programs later this year), but I will eventually reply.
 
I made a lot of mistakes coming in and also felt so completely lost my first semester here, so I would love to help those who get so overwhelmed!

Sounds like quite the game plan! Good stuff!!

For those that got into HDS and are more than likely going to go there, by all means, if you have any questions about the school, the area, living situations, the like, please do let me know. I may not reply incredibly quickly (I'm finishing out my last semester of the MTS here at HDS... and trying to finish out strong to apply to PhD programs later this year), but I will eventually reply.
 
I made a lot of mistakes coming in and also felt so completely lost my first semester here, so I would love to help those who get so overwhelmed!

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHH BOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/GUUUUUUUUURLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! 

yay!  congrats! good to know people DO get off waitlists!

Just turned down a life of job security and good pay in clinical psychology for Vanderbilt's PhD in Religion, Psychology, and Culture.

Happy discerning for the rest of you!

religion. No, I'm not hopeful for an admit this season (a little birdy tells me anyone lucky enough to get a harvard admit will go there), and I'm pretty settled in my life abroad; but it does feel much better than a rejection, and my POI was very nice--she basically said, do xyz and re-apply and it will all be good. inshallah.

Harvard GSAS acceptances and rejections will both be released tomorrow - my insider professor just informed me.

Harvard GSAS acceptances and rejections will both be released tomorrow - my insider professor just informed me.

In all honesty, I had originally planned to take a year off anyway (between MTS and PHD). I just decided to change my mind last second (well, I decided in August to give it a shot) and simply apply to my number one choice in order to see what would happen (religious pluralism is a lot of what I've based my entire MTS degree off of, I worked for the Pluralism Project, etc.). It was an almost perfect program, back home, and the like, so I figured I'd try.
 
It's all good. I'll just revamp my GRE studying (I'm sure a lot of my rejection had to do with my scores... they are abysmal), get married (NOW I HAVE TONS OF TIME TO PLAN FOR MY WEDDING! YAY!!!), study the crap out of Arabic, and go with my original list of 5 or so schools.