Fall 2021 Religion PhD

[CafeConGabi]

1 minute ago, crossroadsph said:

Yeah, every rejection does sting. But at least you’ve got two pretty good choices! Congratulations.

Ohhhhhhhh! 

I didn't mention anything about Univ of Denver, did I? 

Well, lemme just say that UCLA has been courting me like crazy while Denver hasn't put in the same effort. This feels weird tbh. Like, aren't you even a little excited for me to come to y'all's campus? ?

I didn't get the advisor I asked for and the funding feels light. I'm feeling iffy about Denver now. Mm, less confident. 

[crossroadsph]

Just now, CafeConGabi said:

Ohhhhhhhh! 

I didn't mention anything about Univ of Denver, did I? 

Well, lemme just say that UCLA has been courting me like crazy while Denver hasn't put in the same effort. This feels weird tbh. Like, aren't you even a little excited for me to come to y'all's campus? ?

I didn't get the advisor I asked for and the funding feels light. I'm feeling iffy about Denver now. Mm, less confident. 

Oh dear! In that case, I’m just glad that one school is making the effort and I’m not too sure about the other, given what you told me. 

Good luck with your decision.

[CafeConGabi]

44 minutes ago, crossroadsph said:

Oh dear! In that case, I’m just glad that one school is making the effort and I’m not too sure about the other, given what you told me. 

Good luck with your decision.

Thank you! What an exciting time to be alive! ?

[Pierre de Olivi]

Rejected from Chicago! Honestly, after two "virtual visit weekends" and having some great conversations with faculty and students at Harvard, I'm almost relieved!

[rcase2350]

Has anyone heard back from the University of Florida yet?

[hindia94]

17 hours ago, TylerJarvis said:

Oh that’s a bummer for me then haha. Congratulations to you though!

Thanks! It might be worth dropping them an email just to check what your status is though?

[hindia94]

17 hours ago, CafeConGabi said:

Ohhhhhhhh! 

I didn't mention anything about Univ of Denver, did I? 

Well, lemme just say that UCLA has been courting me like crazy while Denver hasn't put in the same effort. This feels weird tbh. Like, aren't you even a little excited for me to come to y'all's campus? ?

I didn't get the advisor I asked for and the funding feels light. I'm feeling iffy about Denver now. Mm, less confident. 

I found UCLA very enthusiastic and welcoming too (NELC in my case though)

Certainly made it easier to make up my mind!  

[TylerJarvis]

16 minutes ago, hindia94 said:

Thanks! It might be worth dropping them an email just to check what your status is though?

I emailed them about a week ago and they said they were still finalizing and that they’d send out results by the end of March. So I’ll just assume that’s a no. And then if something changes, it’ll be a pleasant surprise. 

[CafeConGabi]

Just now, hindia94 said:

I found UCLA very enthusiastic and welcoming too (NELC in my case though)

Certainly made it easier to make up my mind!  

`Right???/

[KungFuKenny]

Official rejection from UChicago yesterday. Didn’t really sting since I’m used to it at this point ? lol. No official word from Vandy yet but I already know what’s coming. At this point I’m shifting attention to the one MTS application I put out. I’m hopeful about that one but worried about funding. Will follow up on the MTS page.

[_Athena_]

56 minutes ago, KungFuKenny said:

Official rejection from UChicago yesterday. Didn’t really sting since I’m used to it at this point ? lol. No official word from Vandy yet but I already know what’s coming. At this point I’m shifting attention to the one MTS application I put out. I’m hopeful about that one but worried about funding. Will follow up on the MTS page.

Best of luck to you!

[thiscalltoarms]

Well, I just accepted my offer of admission to Fordham in Systematics. Declined my acceptance to Drew. Writing an email to my mentor at Drew was and is heartbreaking. These are such complicated decisions, decidedly not fun. Sigh. 

[zwinger]

So, I was rejected by all my applied to schools this year. However I got a publication in a peer review journal 
(heythrop) after the fact. How much does a publication in a respected journal help with applications? Just trying to figure out plans for strengthening my profile for next year

[sayf]

Anyone here get into BU GSAS Religion?

[thiscalltoarms]

50 minutes ago, sayf said:

Anyone here get into BU GSAS Religion?

No, I haven’t heard anything. I’ve been assuming the worst and moved on.

[_Athena_]

1 hour ago, zwinger said:

So, I was rejected by all my applied to schools this year. However I got a publication in a peer review journal 
(heythrop) after the fact. How much does a publication in a respected journal help with applications? Just trying to figure out plans for strengthening my profile for next year

Very sorry to hear! I've been there. It's a cold comfort, but this application cycle was unparalleled in its competitiveness, and your results this cycle don't necessarily speak to your merits as a scholar.

I'm sure it doesn't hurt to have a publication in a respected journal. Without knowing much about your academic background, the only advice I can offer is to write a statement of purpose that is focused but not narrow. Be really specific about why you want to attend a particular program, though - make sure there is a direct link between your interests and the interests of faculty members. Strong letters of recommendation are a must - solicit four instead of three, if you can. Make sure your writing sample is the best possible demonstration of the work you would like to do.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

[zwinger]

38 minutes ago, _Athena_ said:

Very sorry to hear! I've been there. It's a cold comfort, but this application cycle was unparalleled in its competitiveness, and your results this cycle don't necessarily speak to your merits as a scholar.

I'm sure it doesn't hurt to have a publication in a respected journal. Without knowing much about your academic background, the only advice I can offer is to write a statement of purpose that is focused but not narrow. Be really specific about why you want to attend a particular program, though - make sure there is a direct link between your interests and the interests of faculty members. Strong letters of recommendation are a must - solicit four instead of three, if you can. Make sure your writing sample is the best possible demonstration of the work you would like to do.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

My references are good, and didn't know about having a fourth. Honestly my GPA is not low but not high (3.6 range), so I kinda hope the publications can make up for that fact. Thank you for all this information! It will be helpful for next year

[thiscalltoarms]

1 hour ago, zwinger said:

My references are good, and didn't know about having a fourth. Honestly my GPA is not low but not high (3.6 range), so I kinda hope the publications can make up for that fact. Thank you for all this information! It will be helpful for next year

Is that undergrad or masters gpa?

[zwinger]

5 minutes ago, thiscalltoarms said:

Is that undergrad or masters gpa?

masters at ptsem (tbh my undergraduate was worse)

[KungFuKenny]

Thought y’all should know since we go way back to like January lol...Just received an admissions offer from Candler school of Theology (Emory) with 75% tuition funding! This was the only MTS program I applied to along with my 4 PhD apps.

[True_hope]

55 minutes ago, KungFuKenny said:

Thought y’all should know since we go way back to like January lol...Just received an admissions offer from Candler school of Theology (Emory) with 75% tuition funding! This was the only MTS program I applied to along with my 4 PhD apps.

 

Congratulations!

[Chicago Guy]

Hi all, I've been actively primarily on the 2021 MTS thread, but for this question your expertise here is more applicable.

I've been accepted to Notre Dame and Yale Divinity's MTS/MAR programs in moral theology/ethics. Funding is similar. I was many years ago an undergraduate philosophy major at the University of Chicago but have been working in investment banking for a decade and am now in my mid 30s. When my masters work is complete, I'm planning to apply for PhD programs.

All of this said, can you please help me weigh Notre Dame and Yale against one another? Which in your mind would position me best for doctoral applications?

Edited March 17, 2021 by Chicago Guy

[zbsrdcdg]

FINALLY got an answer from BC - it was a rejection but dear me what a LONG PROCESS! Not sure what their deal was but I did the interview back in mid-January and they told me they would give me an answer no later than early early Feb. Really surprised - luckily I have accepted an offer at elsewhere in history of religions. Really excited about it since the faculty is wonderful and they are really doing great thing.

 

[Historiaeros]

On 3/15/2021 at 12:19 PM, sayf said:

Anyone here get into BU GSAS Religion?

Yes, I received phone call/interview in January, and received the phone call of notification from my potential advisor at BU on Feb. 18. On Feb. 19, I received the official letter. I hope the information I provided helps. 

[thiscalltoarms]

My BU GSAS Religion rejection came yesterday.