rafnow

I'm going to Emory in theological studies. Congrats to everyone for surviving the process.

sbyoda02- It really sounds like you answered your own question. You have funding at BC, you "think you'd be happy there and learn a lot", your interests tie in with BC. I don't think you'd have any problem going from an MTS at BC to a top PhD program. I got accepted into a top PhD program with an MDiv from a PCUSA seminary -- BC is almost certainly more highly regarded for academics. I'd say go where you're comfortable, where there's a good fit, and where you're funded (!).

Someone posted that they got an acceptance email from UVA *today*, so who knows what's going on there.

Has anyone *not* heard back from UVA yet? I know a few people posted results. I emailed the grad secretary on March 5 and she said all the decisions had not yet been made. I'm really not holding out hope here; I have other options. I'm just looking for closure.

UC Divinity School has several (five?) ministerial fellowships (tuition + stipend) that they give out to incoming MDiv students. At least they did when I was there 14 years ago. (God I'm old.)

I don't really know anything about BU's process, but I've got to think not having heard from UVA is not good news. I think someone posted that they had received an acceptance to UVA by phone last month. Maybe the rest of us are on a waiting list, but I expect they're just taking their time kicking us to the curb. But who knows? I wouldn't mind being wrong.

Is there anything that can happen at Pitt that would change your mind? If that's even remotely possible, then I'd take the visit. If there's absolutely no chance of that happening, then I'd probably cancel.

Re: UVA, a previous poster said they emailed Sara Adams and inquired about admissions status and were told they had not been accepted. (At least that's my recollection.) I emailed her as well, and just today got an email saying that only initial decisions about the PhD and MA programs acceptances and waitlist have been made, and that the faculty are still deliberating and should have finalized their decisions in the next few weeks. Then notifications about acceptances and declines will go out via US mail. Nobody has been declined yet. (This is pretty close to a direct quote.) I fully expect not to be admitted at UVA, and I'm okay with that, but I'm trying to sort things out. Anyone had any contact with UVA?

I'm not Stud. Theol., but I'm pretty sure he was talking about John Thatamanil (sp?).

I think SMU has a pretty good reputation in theological circles, and has a better-than-average placement record.

Good advice. Thanks.

Thanks for the advice. The problem is, one of the reasons the school is "lower tier" is because it's a young program. They are just now graduating their first class of PhDs, so there's no placement record. This is problematic, I know. Then again, there are Harvard PhDs who can't find jobs. Remind me: why are we applying to PhD programs in religion?

I have dilemma. I've been accepted to a "lower tier" school, but one that has a unique program in my area of interest and several significant professors in that area. I'm also effectively "waitlisted" at a "higher tier" school, but one that doesn't really have anyone specifically working in my area (though they are open to my project). But the "higher tier" school has told me it will be the middle of April until they know whether or not there's a slot for me. I don't know if I want to keep the "lower tier" school (or my family!) waiting that long. Sorry to be so cryptic about all this. Anyone have any thoughts?

[quote name="Louiselab

It seems good numbers only get your foot in the door. Then you've got to get someone interested in your project. Maybe a sharper statement of purpose with a more clearly defined project/question/methodology would help.

I expect the statement of purpose would carry more weight because it demonstrates the all-important "fit" (or not). But I could be wrong.

I think someone earlier in this thread said Virginia would be sending out letters late February / early March, so we should know pretty soon. For what it's worth, I was in a PhD program for two years, left and spent seven years with the macaroni and cheese (and work and family, etc.), and now I'm looking to return. The macaroni and cheese years haven't been so bad.

I think the new NRC rankings have been pushed back several times and now are due out "early Spring", but I could be wrong.

The NRC ranking of doctoral programs in religion had Claremont at ~20 and Iowa ~26. That's more than 10 years old now, so things may have changed. I think Iowa does have a pretty good reputation in certain areas. All depends on what you're trying to do.

I expect everyone has a different opinion on this. I think Claremont is a solid second-tier school, but not in the first tier with the ones you mentioned I've also heard funding can be an issue, but I could be wrong.

Excellent, thanks. Now if only we had some news to post...

Thanks bgk. Give 'em an inch they take a mile... Any chance we could get a little "religion" tag underneath the "humanities" thread like the other disciplines get (on the main forum page)?

Tiny suggestion: there's a semi-active "religion phd" thread underneath "waiting it out." Maybe that could be moved to the new "religion" subthread under the Humanities category.

Sorry, Sarah. Life is suffering indeed. Michigan's too damn cold anyway.

I've had a 9 year layoff between my masters and my PhD applications. I don't think it makes a huge difference, especially if you're accumulating relevant experience during the layoff. But I have had a couple of professor/friends comment on my age and suggest that it could be an issue with some programs (though they consider this unlikely).