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Hello GradCafe-verse, I’m in the process of sending off applications to grad school for my MDiv. I wanted to begin correspondence here with other applicants for Fall 2020 or current MDiv students. ALL VOICES WELCOME! My intentions are not to wear a collar, in all reality, but to work in NGOs, nonprofits and public policy for social justice and global conflict transformation. Right now, I’m planning on applying to Emory/Candler, Yale, Duke, Boston University... as they all offer an MDiv with the particular focus I’m looking for. Right now, I’m not certain these are the only places to which I’ll apply. They are certainly my top choices. I’m coming in with an average GPA but an impressive CV (I attended a liberal arts school). Hoping to begin correspondence with you all!

I am currently trying to decide between Yale, Harvard and Duke, and I have the best tuition package by far from Duke. My question is whether the classroom experience is as rigorous as it might be at Harvard or Yale-- assuming Harvard and Yale classroom experiences are all that rigorous. Does anyone have any insight?

Has anyone here attended or know much about BU's School of Theology & Ministry? I'm looking to apply to their M.Div program next Fall, but I haven't found anyone who really knows much about it. The vibe I've gotten is that its pretty top tier (although not ivy-league tier) for divinity schools/seminaries. I know they have a reputation for providing substantial funding as well, but I haven't learned much besides that. I'm interested in the study of theology/philosophy and would be looking for a program that could increase my chances of getting into a funded PhD program. Any thoughts?

Hello Everyone! I'm looking to apply to some M.Div programs next Fall (2019) and need some advice regarding what schools would be a good fit and what my chances would be of getting into them. I've spoken with a couple of professors at a few different schools, but I'm hoping that this forum could help fill in the gaps. My criteria are the following: 1) Generous funding (*highest priority) 2) Solid academic reputation that would increase chances of getting into a funded Phd program in Theology/Historical Theology 3) Not hostile to conservatives (I'm a progressive evangelical of sorts) 4) Not evangelical (I'm really interested in more mainline theology--Neo-Orthodoxy, Post-liberlism, etc.) 5) Not in Texas or Florida : ) Relevant Info on Myself: B.A. - Pastoral Leadership & Biblical Exposition - 3.8 GPA M.A. - Executive Leadership (Business) - 3.9 GPA Research Interests: Contemporary/modern theology, existentialism, theology of Karl Barth/Emil Brunner, nature of Christian revelation, pneumatology Career Goal: professor, writer, pastor Current Career/Experience: Completed two ministry internships, substitute teacher at a high school, currently head of sales and marketing for a small start-up Current Church/Theological Affiliation: I'm attending an evangelical Presbyterian church (EPC), although my theology aligns much more with mainline Protestantism Programs I'm Interested In (order of interest): 1) Princeton Theological Seminary 2) Yale Divinity School 3) Boston University School of Theology 4) Candler School of Theology 5) Union Presbyterian Seminary

Hi, I have a question about the Admissions Process for Divinity Schools. My situation is a unique one (yeah, I'm sure this is the first time you've all heard that on here) anyway, I'm applying for the MTS/MaR at HDS, YDS, VDS, Union and Wake Forest Div. My undergrad GPA is 3.89/4.0 - INR My grad GPA is 3.96/4.0 - Religious Studies I battled Depression and sought treatment when I was 18 years old and right out of high school (I also had other personal and family problems going on during that time including a family member who was dying of cancer, etc.) and that coupled with immaturity was a disaster. I did not focus on school nor did I ever imagine myself continuing on to graduate school. It just wasn't on my radar. I finished my AA degree with a 3.4 and I never gave it much thought. Things began to turn around in my life, and I transferred to a state school and eventually graduated with my BA and a 3.89 UG GPA with a degree in International Relations and a concentration on Middle East and Central Asian Studies. I'm graduating with an MA in Religious Studies this May with a 3.96/4.0 from the same state university. I pursued an Abrahamic Religions Track, but the degree itself although an MA with graduate coursework was still very generalized and I did not feel specialized (enough) or prepared for the PhD application cycle which has already passed for this year. It's partly my own fault because the program was not specialized in my area of interest nor did it have any notable faculty that was (my major professor specializes in South Asian religions and my thesis was on Iraq). I did not have the opportunity to take languages in the department like Syriac, Coptic, Classical Arabic, etc. because they were simply not offered. I'm pursuing a second Masters degree with the intent that I will be more competitive for PhD Programs, to be around more faculty and other students in my area of interest(s), and improve my language skills in Arabic. I'm a female, I'm a dual national of the U.S. and Iran. I have a background in Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish and French (and 1 year of Greek of the New Testament) which I hope to further build upon. Most of my language skills come from my background and personal pursuits (not academic transcripts) although I have taken up to intermediate Arabic in my Undergrad and 1 semester of Greek in my Grad transcript. I began my SoPs with my fieldwork experience in Iraq working with various minority communities (IDPs and refugees) which became the absolute highlight of my graduate career. My MA thesis explored the transformative role of ritual for the Yezidi Community in the aftermath of the Sinjar Massacre by the Islamic State. But I realized while I was in Iraq that whether I want to pursue doctoral studies or NGO work in the future that I absolutely need to improve my language skills which will be my #1 priority in future years to come. I decided to apply to an array of various programs (some of which are "better" fits than others) just to keep my options open. My real question is that I mentioned my Depression in my SoP. I wrestled with it for months and I rewrote the Sop several times. I framed it in a sort-of-way like "I've struggled with depression, but I maintained a 3.96 Grad GPA." I was hoping that it would be viewed as a positive, that I've made significant progress in my academic pursuit and personal life and I overcame my difficulties (and grew up in a sense) which I felt at the time was honest. Then after I submitted all of my applications, I started googling it and I realized that I might have made an awful mistake even mentioning it in the first place. Many forums and threads even labeled it as a "Kiss of Death" which I'm sure goes along with the fact that most people view mental illness as an excuse and it is still highly stigmatized. I've been worrying about it ever since. I only wrote a few sentences about it and I figured that divinity schools might be more forgiving and compassionate (perhaps I thought wrong and honesty is not what they want). At the same time I feel that it's human to go through these kinds of struggles, life's a journey and I have to forgive myself for what I was going through when I was 18. That's the way I see it. But then again, I'm a person with too much compassion if that's even possible? .....and, if AdCom is going to throw out my application solely because I brought up that I struggled with mental illness at one point, well that's not a place I would want to be anyway. For a job application or interview, I would see it as pointless and detrimental to bring it up because the bottom line is about being able to get the job done. But because I'm applying to Div Schools and because the academic journey should be one where you are constantly learning, re-making yourself (especially when you're so young), and progressing I feel that it's a bit different. For me, I find inspiration and courage in stories of hardships where people turn it around. After all, should higher education only cater to those who hail from highly privileged backgrounds or those who never had to overcome significant challenges in life? I'm also not framing my struggles with mental illness as an "excuse" (as if it were an excuse anyway) for a poor transcript, but I framed it more like I have good GPAs but I have improved and I hope to continue to do so. Ive already submitted all my apps. But any thoughts and (constructive) advice/comments for future reference or to simply ease my mind?

Hi everyone! I was accepted last week into BU's MTS program at the School of Theology. I am beyond excited and know this school is a great fit for me - however, like every other student applying for grad programs, I applied to HDS as well. According to GC and Google info, they don't release their admissions until March 15-16, which is a week after my acceptance deadline for BU. I asked my current professor if I should accept the offer - he suggested i accept BU and later reject if I get into HDS, but I feel that asking for an extension would be better since I would still possibly want to take classes at BU through the institute. How would I ask for an extension without sounding like it's not my top pick? I would be very happy at BU so it is a top pick for me, but I don't want to put all my eggs in a basket before I hear back from HDS. I want to make sure I make the best pick financially and long term. Thanks!

The Guardian just released their 2017 global rankings for theology/divinity/religious studies last week. I was curious about people think about these types of rankings and how much stock we should put in these. Even though they're not particular to people's sub-fields, they do give a general sense of these schools' reputation. Do you also think that these rankings inform which schools you would consider applying to (whether for a Masters or PhD?) https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/mar/08/qs-world-university-rankings-2017-theology-divinity-and-religious-studies

Anyone else applying to Divinity at Chicago this application season? If so, how's your application coming along? Also to others not applying but have in the past, any word on funding? Everyone knows tuition is impossibly high and that funding is not very hopeful, but if you have or anyone who has received funding, have any idea on why they might have been awarded it? I'd be grateful for any info you might have. As for me, I'm an A.M. applicant with a background in Religious Studies.

First time poster so please be nice I have some questions about the MTS program at Harvard Divinity School: 1. Is the GRE required/recommended? Is there an “unofficial” cut off? 2. How flexible is the curriculum for the MTS program? Can students choose pretty freely or are all the classes selected for you? 3. Are there any current students at HDS who would like to share their thoughts about the school? 4. How easy is it to get financial aid? My family is not poor but they for sure won’t give me a dime so without financial aid I can’t attend. 5. What are my chances of getting in? I have a 3.92 GPA from a top 50 public school. Double major in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies + senior thesis. Letters of recommendation should be good. Thank you!

Has anyone heard from their respective theology schools of choice about acceptance and scholarships? I'm hoping this forum will help all of us future seminarians blow off steam during the waiting period... Not that I'm stressed or concerned or anything... YIKES!