Yale Div: Post-Biblical Judaism M.A.R.

[evanhill]

Hello. I'm applying to Yale Divinity this fall for the 2nd temple/early rabbincs course of study. John Collins, of course, is the attraction for me. My biggest strike against me is that I currently attend Moody Bible Institute (I have jumped the 'conservative ship'). I'm a Biblical Languages major however, so I will come out having taken 3 years of Greek (koine, although will have read some secular papyri, Ps. of Sol., etc.), 2 years of Hebrew (however, a total of 19 credits), and a directed study in Aramaic (1 yr). I've done large amounts of extracurricular reading in 2nd temple studies (specifically DSS studies and pseudeprigraphical reading), have been involved in the arts here, have been a tutor in Greek and Hebrew, and have participated in homeless ministries. I will have graduated with roughly above a 3.9, and what promise to be some very helpful recommendations.

I'm debating on whether or not to take the GRE for the program, and am searching for a good topic for my writing sample. I'm thinking something in DSS/Enochic studies. Does anyone have any idea what sort of applicants apply? Any thoughts/helps/hints/wake up calls? Any other programs that would be recommended? I'm currently looking into U. of Michigan, with Boccaccini, a program at Groningen (Garcia-Martinez), and a maybe a 1 yr M.St in Judaism during the Greco-Roman period at Oxford. My operative philosophy, as you can see, is 'Go big or go home.' But am I aiming too high considering my undergrad?

[Postbib Yeshuist]

You should have a chance to explain Moody in your statement of purpose. It might even help, as schools like Yale like some diversity in their program. Recommendations, grades, writing sample and statement of purpose are where you'll shine. Go ahead and take the GRe too. FInally, contact someone at Yale, like, tomorrow. Start making contacts early.

[evanhill]

Actually, I traveled to Yale during my spring break of this year, which just so happened to be theirs as well, and met with Dr. Collins. What advantage does such a connection have?

[Sparky]

Mostly, it shows interest in the school--that you're not just dashing off another application "for the heck of it" or "because it's YALE, dude." Also, however, it gives you a chance to check out not just whether you would be a good fit for the program, but also whether the program is a good fit for you. (And likewise for the prof with whom you'd want to work. It's good to find out if the two of you just don't click, or if s/he is always busy and doesn't even have time to speak on the phone, etc). I'm really grateful for this, actually--it saved me a nice $105 on a Harvard application fee I didn't pay. But this is likely more important for a PhD program than an M*. I didn't contact any of the MA programs to which I applied, although technically one did contact me, and I was accepted to all of them. For a PhD it's critical, though.

It would be nice if you could get a rec from the prof who has been tutoring you in Aramaic, to show that you legitimately know the language and aren't just the usual "language super-autodidact" who wouldn't know how to decline a Latin noun if one fell out of the sky and landed on her head.

Maybe also look at Emory and UChicago? Second Temple Judaism is, um, not my area of specialty, but I was thinking those had several people there doing work around that area. As a master's student, it might be more important that you have a range of classes to take in your specialty, than an individual prof who matches your interests perfectly.

[redreverend]

I think your stats sound good. It's not terrible that you went to a conservative school. I also have a similar background at a conservative school with the same GPA and was accepted to Yale Divinity with 75% tuition covered, though I ended up going somewhere else. (I also submitted a GRE score)

If you can take the GRE and achieve a good score, it will help you greatly.

Also, just email the profs you like and see what they think about your bio and interests. Most will respond within a week.

Overall I think you have a decent chance of getting in.

[evanhill]

Thanks so much for all of your helpful responses! One more quick question: I was speaking to a recent Ph.D grad who attended Durham. He seemed to think that due to issues of funding, there may be a higher probability of being accepted to a British school. Comparatively, what are the differences in admissions between Ivy Leagues and an Oxford?

[Postbib Yeshuist]

My understanding (from a professor I had who taught at Cambridge and now here in the states) is that British schools tend to want a more "deliberate" focus (i.e. learn the big names, learn them all and learn them well), whereas she said U.S. schools allowed for a "less focused" approach. Basically, she thought that the U.S. allowed a student to innovate in their research at the expense of depth and breadth, whereas Cambridge gave immense depth and breadth at the expense of innovation. Of course, this was based on a 10-minute conversation where the Cambridge comment was a "for example" type statement. I never followed up on it, so hopefully someone else will swoop in and either confirm or correct my comment.

PS She had NOT taught at an Ivy League, so her comment might have simply been a "Tier 1 compared to the rest" statement (I was NOT at an Ivy League), and she mistakenly cast it as U.S. vs Britain.

Edited September 17, 2010 by Postbib Yeshuist

[evanhill]

Redreverend,

What program did you apply for at Yale? Also, if you don't mind (you can message me as well), what sort of scores did you achieve on your GRE?

<br><br>Postbib,

That's an intriguing summary by your prof. For some reason, it always appeared to me to be the inverse: that British schools were more interested in fresh, new, innovative studies (hence their typical interest in thesis proposals early on), and that American schools were more geared towards a more conversant, breadth-oriented education.

<br><br>Thanks guys for all of your help! This site is a fantastic tool, and everyone I've encountered is incredibly kind and helpful. <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>

Edited September 18, 2010 by evanhill

[Sara S.]

I just saw this quite old post and could not help but comment. I too am a Moody Alum who has moved to a more progressive place (though mad props that you are still there and a progressive!) and applied to YDS for Fall 2011 (MAR-concentrated ethics). I am actually currently an MTS student at the Boston University School of Theology, and so applied to transfer to Yale. I did not find Moody to be a hindrance in getting into BU, which is a mainline Methodist seminary and quite liberal in orientation - in fact, I got a full ride and a stipend. I also, however have work experience and an MSW, so it is not the exact same situation, but I find that in many of these schools there is sort of an unspoken "evangelical affirmative action." In fact, YDS in their most recent brochure chose to highlight the evangelical student group. So take heart and say 'hi' to Mr. Milco for me. He is my fav.

Meanwhile, we can both fret about admission to YDS )

Sara

Hello. I'm applying to Yale Divinity this fall for the 2nd temple/early rabbincs course of study. John Collins, of course, is the attraction for me. My biggest strike against me is that I currently attend Moody Bible Institute (I have jumped the 'conservative ship'). I'm a Biblical Languages major however, so I will come out having taken 3 years of Greek (koine, although will have read some secular papyri, Ps. of Sol., etc.), 2 years of Hebrew (however, a total of 19 credits), and a directed study in Aramaic (1 yr). I've done large amounts of extracurricular reading in 2nd temple studies (specifically DSS studies and pseudeprigraphical reading), have been involved in the arts here, have been a tutor in Greek and Hebrew, and have participated in homeless ministries. I will have graduated with roughly above a 3.9, and what promise to be some very helpful recommendations.

I'm debating on whether or not to take the GRE for the program, and am searching for a good topic for my writing sample. I'm thinking something in DSS/Enochic studies. Does anyone have any idea what sort of applicants apply? Any thoughts/helps/hints/wake up calls? Any other programs that would be recommended? I'm currently looking into U. of Michigan, with Boccaccini, a program at Groningen (Garcia-Martinez), and a maybe a 1 yr M.St in Judaism during the Greco-Roman period at Oxford. My operative philosophy, as you can see, is 'Go big or go home.' But am I aiming too high considering my undergrad?

[new mexico]

Sara S., i'm curious as to why you are transferring from one master's program to another in light of the fact that you are in a fully funded program already?

[Sara S.]

The biggest reason is because I am trying to prep for a PhD in New Testament ethics and really need to gain competency in NT Greek exegesis; however BU offers no exegesis courses in the original Greek (and hardly any in English) - BU's approach to NT studies is really mostly socio-historical, which is valid but not the area in which I need to gain competency. Actually, none of the Boston schools really have BOTH strong New Testament and Ethics faculty under one roof. Yale, however, has both a great NT and ethics faculty, which is what I have discovered I really need.

Sara S., i'm curious as to why you are transferring from one master's program to another in light of the fact that you are in a fully funded program already?

[new mexico]

Ah, ok. that make sense. have you tried taking courses through the BTI? also, best of luck concerning Yale!

[Sara S.]

Yes, I am sort of a BTI junkee at this point. Taking two classes at BC this semester actually. I could piece something together through the BTI (and will if I do not get into Yale) but my two concerns with this are: (a) I need to build substantive faculty relationships for strong PhD LoRs, and taking one class here and another class there does not facilitate the building of these types of relationships and ( the only BTI school with a lot of course offerings in NT exegesis is Gordon-Conwell, and while I respect the school, their exegesis courses (from what I have heard) do not leave much room for the ethical imagination.

Ah, ok. that make sense. have you tried taking courses through the BTI? also, best of luck concerning Yale!

[Sara S.]

Also, thanks for the 'good luck'!

Yes, I am sort of a BTI junkee at this point. Taking two classes at BC this semester actually. I could piece something together through the BTI (and will if I do not get into Yale) but my two concerns with this are: (a) I need to build substantive faculty relationships for strong PhD LoRs, and taking one class here and another class there does not facilitate the building of these types of relationships and ( the only BTI school with a lot of course offerings in NT exegesis is Gordon-Conwell, and while I respect the school, their exegesis courses (from what I have heard) do not leave much room for the ethical imagination.

[sacklunch]

Sara: I am doing something similar. I'm a current MTS student at BC, applying for transfer to YDS' Second Temple concentrate. I have the same complaints about BC - they are great in some areas, but not wholly for what I want to do, thus the transfer application.

Good luck, hopefully we will see each other this fall, or perhaps at a BTI course if we don't get in, eh?

[Sara S.]

Good to know that I am in good company! Good luck for next Tuesday; I hope to see you in New Haven and not Boston )

Sara: I am doing something similar. I'm a current MTS student at BC, applying for transfer to YDS' Second Temple concentrate. I have the same complaints about BC - they are great in some areas, but not wholly for what I want to do, thus the transfer application.

Good luck, hopefully we will see each other this fall, or perhaps at a BTI course if we don't get in, eh?

[sacklunch]

Good to know that I am in good company! Good luck for next Tuesday; I hope to see you in New Haven and not Boston )

Haha indeed...or perhaps they will release the results early the Friday before? Good luck.

[Sara S.]

Is there talk of YDS releasing decisions early?

Haha indeed...or perhaps they will release the results early the Friday before? Good luck.

[Phenomenologist]

Is there talk of YDS releasing decisions early?

Apparently last year they released the decisions the Friday before the weekend. However, this year with the SNOWMAGGEDON snowstorm, they extended the application deadline from Jan 15 to Jan 18, so they may not finish early.

[TheHymenAnnihilator]

I visited YDS on Wednesday, March 2, and Melissa made it sound like the online admissions decisions will be released late this coming Friday, the 11th. Principally, due to the fact that some of the faculty on the admissions committee will be on vacation the next week. At this point in the game, they just seem to be determining what level of financial aid they can offer the admitted students...

Apparently last year they released the decisions the Friday before the weekend. However, this year with the SNOWMAGGEDON snowstorm, they extended the application deadline from Jan 15 to Jan 18, so they may not finish early.