So who just applied to YDS?

[Tahuds]

I know I just did! I'm wondering how many of us here are...

[phoskaialetheia]

I did, to the concentrated MAR in Judaic Studies. Are you applying to the comprehensive program or one of the concentrations?

[Tahuds]

I did, to the concentrated MAR in Judaic Studies. Are you applying to the comprehensive program or one of the concentrations?

I'm applying to the comprehensive program. Which may be a mistake but I want to get a broad base and focus in a second masters.

[phoskaialetheia]

I'm applying to the comprehensive program. Which may be a mistake but I want to get a broad base and focus in a second masters.

You're probably smart to do so. Now that the application is out of my hands I've been wondering whether I should have applied to the MARComp first and decide whether to concentrate after a semester or two. I think the competition is a little less fierce for Comp admissions from what I've been told.

[Trin]

I was considering it, but when I met with their admissions rep last fall, she told me "save your $75" and not apply, because I was a strong fit for HDS. We had been talking about how I mostly work outside the Christian context and thought of YDS as largely focused that direction. She agreed with me.

Even more amusing was the Candler rep, who said in his presentation that they have a wide range of denominations represented -- "the entire spectrum of Baptists and Methodists." Hee!

[Thanks4Downvoting]

I did! MDiv.

[Tahuds]

I did! MDiv.

Based on your stats that you have posted in other threads I'm totally sure you'll get into all of your schools, and YDS handily.

[Thanks4Downvoting]

Based on your stats that you have posted in other threads I'm totally sure you'll get into all of your schools, and YDS handily.

I'm very cautiously optimistic. This waiting game might be the death of me, however.

[Thanks4Downvoting]

Also, I remember reading your SoP, Tahuds. I was impressed. I'm sure with what I've learned through your other postings, you'll be selected for your MAR. I'm curious, if you care to PM me, which college in northern Georgia did you go to, if I remember correctly. I have friends at Shorter.

[Dillskyplayer]

Hi,

I'm new here. I applied to a hand full of THD/PHD programs with a Hebrew Bible concentration and three M.Div programs as a plan B. So far, I've heard back from Candler, but I'm waiting to see what kind of scholarship money they might give me.

I'm hoping that YDS is a possibility - I think they'd be kesils to turn me down!

The only thing not working in my favor, perhaps, is that I have accrued a significant chunk of debt from my MA and MTH programs. In terms of chronology, an MTH (not MTS is grad-- MTH is a post-grad research degree) I'm doing things abit anachronistically if I end up getting admitted to an M.Div program versus the PHD/THD programs that I want to do.

I'm just hoping places like YDS don't see my debt and say, "This guy had his shot, he blew X thousand dollars and still is in school X years later!" Next!

=[]

[dev35689]

Hi,

I'm new here. I applied to a hand full of THD/PHD programs with a Hebrew Bible concentration and three M.Div programs as a plan B. So far, I've heard back from Candler, but I'm waiting to see what kind of scholarship money they might give me.

I'm hoping that YDS is a possibility - I think they'd be kesils to turn me down!

The only thing not working in my favor, perhaps, is that I have accrued a significant chunk of debt from my MA and MTH programs. In terms of chronology, an MTH (not MTS is grad-- MTH is a post-grad research degree) I'm doing things abit anachronistically if I end up getting admitted to an M.Div program versus the PHD/THD programs that I want to do.

I'm just hoping places like YDS don't see my debt and say, "This guy had his shot, he blew X thousand dollars and still is in school X years later!" Next!

=[]

Two things:

1) I highly doubt any admissions committee would have access to your financial aid history. Even if they did, they would only be looking at it AFTER they admitted you in the chances they happen to provide some form of need-based aid.

2) Why would that ever factor into their decision? If anything they would ask whether another Master's-esque degree would do you any good at this point. Why would they care how you chose to fund your education? I don't think you have anything to worry about. Now if YDS were offering mortgages....that's another story.

Edited February 1, 2011 by dev35689

[Dillskyplayer]

Two things:

1) I highly doubt any admissions committee would have access to your financial aid history. Even if they did, they would only be looking at it AFTER they admitted you in the chances they happen to provide some form of need-based aid.

2) Why would that ever factor into their decision? If anything they would ask whether another Master's-esque degree would do you any good at this point. Why would they care how you chose to fund your education? I don't think you have anything to worry about. Now if YDS were offering mortgages....that's another story.

=]

True!

[Thanks4Downvoting]

They'll consider your past debt after they admit you, and primarily for scholarships. Don't give it too much thought.

[sacklunch]

Anyone know when they let people know? I thought it was March 1st last year??

[Dillskyplayer]

March 15th! Hang in there.

[Phenomenologist]

I just applied, to the MAR in "Philosophical Theology / Philosophy of Religion."

Is this a competitive one? I hope not -- whoops!

[Dillskyplayer]

I just applied, to the MAR in "Philosophical Theology / Philosophy of Religion."

Is this a competitive one? I hope not -- whoops!

It is a competitive program. With good grades, relevant recommendations/recommenders, languages, and a nice CV you should be fine. I think people psych themselves out with programs with big, bad, names like "Yale" and "Harvard" --- they're not as ridiculously difficult to get into as a lot of people think that they are. In one of the classes I am teaching I have a few Harvard/Yale Divinity School graduates, and their Hebrew/Greek stinks the same, they make just as many dumb mistakes, and write just as poorly as anyone else that you could imagine! They've just got a nice school name to slap on a resume/CV and some nice networking connections to name-drop. Graduate school is what you make of it, no matter where you are!

In sum, give the best application you can. Have a plan B. And leave the rest up to the higher powers that be! The Baals of YDS! =]

[Phenomenologist]

Yeah, I'm not terribly psyched out or anything. Since the above commenters were saying the "comprehensive" program was less competitive than the specialized programs, I was just curious if the "philosophy of religion" concentration in particular was competitive (as opposed to Yale Div broadly speaking). Any thoughts on that note -- that concentration in particular?

[sacklunch]

Yeah, I'm not terribly psyched out or anything. Since the above commenters were saying the "comprehensive" program was less competitive than the specialized programs, I was just curious if the "philosophy of religion" concentration in particular was competitive (as opposed to Yale Div broadly speaking). Any thoughts on that note -- that concentration in particular?

From what I have been told they take half a dozen or so applicants in each concentration. No idea how many people apply for that concentration, but I imagine not "too many."

[Dillskyplayer]

From what I have been told they take half a dozen or so applicants in each concentration. No idea how many people apply for that concentration, but I imagine not "too many."

If you don't happen to get in, do not fret. I was advised my first time around when I was applying for MAs to apply for the M.Div programs -- as they are sometimes easier to get into -- and then transfer from MDIV to MAR during year 2. By and large, classes will ultimately be the same your first year no matter what the program, lest its Children Youth and Family ministry! (or so it has been in my experiences)

Edited February 22, 2011 by Dillskyplayer

[Phenomenologist]

I was advised my first time around when I was applying for MAs to apply for the M.Div programs -- as they are sometimes easier to get into -- and then transfer from MDIV to MAR during year 2.

That's a really good idea . I'm not terribly fussed about not getting in anywhere, my backup school is a shoo-in. (I'm not excited about my backup school, but it'd open relevant doors.)

[Phenomenologist]

Does anyone know (1) how many people apply to Yale Div for the MDiv and MAR programs, and (2) how many people are accepted out of that number who apply?

For example, as I understand it, about 100 people apply to Duke's MTS program, and about 300-400 people apply to the MDiv program at Duke. Of those who apply, 50 are admitted into the MTS, and 150 into the MDiv.

Any insight on these numbers for Yale Div?

[Rajiv]

Does anyone know (1) how many people apply to Yale Div for the MDiv and MAR programs, and (2) how many people are accepted out of that number who apply?

For example, as I understand it, about 100 people apply to Duke's MTS program, and about 300-400 people apply to the MDiv program at Duke. Of those who apply, 50 are admitted into the MTS, and 150 into the MDiv.

Any insight on these numbers for Yale Div?

This might not be that helpful, but the year I applied (2009) there were something like 550 total applicants (to YDS as a whole), and a little less than half got accepted. I'm not sure how the acceptance rates vary with the MDiv and MAR programs, but I think they usually try for an incoming class that is more or less evenly split between the two. I've heard that the MDiv program is slightly easier to get in to, but again I'm not certain.

If you're applying to one of the concentrated MAR programs, then this probably doesn't mean much. I think the way it works is that the admissions committee first accepts people into the MAR program at large, and these semi-admitted applications are forwarded to the advising faculty for the specific concentration. So it's possible to be admitted for the comprehensive MAR but not be admitted to the concentration. It's sometimes possible to switch into a concentration after you enroll, though.

If you have any other questions about the YDS, let me know!

[phoskaialetheia]

This might not be that helpful, but the year I applied (2009) there were something like 550 total applicants (to YDS as a whole), and a little less than half got accepted. I'm not sure how the acceptance rates vary with the MDiv and MAR programs, but I think they usually try for an incoming class that is more or less evenly split between the two. I've heard that the MDiv program is slightly easier to get in to, but again I'm not certain.

If you're applying to one of the concentrated MAR programs, then this probably doesn't mean much. I think the way it works is that the admissions committee first accepts people into the MAR program at large, and these semi-admitted applications are forwarded to the advising faculty for the specific concentration. So it's possible to be admitted for the comprehensive MAR but not be admitted to the concentration. It's sometimes possible to switch into a concentration after you enroll, though.

If you have any other questions about the YDS, let me know!

Interesting. It's always nice to hear something from a student/alum!

I have been meaning to ask an insider, how do YDS MAR students typically fare in PhD placement compared to similar programs?

[Rajiv]

Interesting. It's always nice to hear something from a student/alum!

I have been meaning to ask an insider, how do YDS MAR students typically fare in PhD placement compared to similar programs?

I'm not entirely sure, to be honest; I guess it depends on the concentration. I'm in a pretty non-traditional one as far as YDS goes (Asian Religions). 2 of us applied to PhD programs this year and we both got in to our top choices, so I guess that bodes well. If you're interested in doing a concentrated MAR, it's important to remember that you have the resources of the larger university at your disposal. I take half of my classes at the Divinity School and half "downtown" (in other words, not at the Div school - for me, it was mostly at the Dept. of Religious Studies, but people do other things as well). You have much more flexibility in terms of how you design your course of study in the concentrations, since it's mostly up to you and your advisor (I think everyone has to take two bible study classes and 4 semesters of language, but the rest is open). This helps when it comes time to apply to PhD programs, since you'll have completed coursework and written papers that are more in line with your interests. Of course, it's also helpful that you'll be able to get good letters of recommendation from well-known faculty. This is not to say that the Divinity School alone doesn't provide enough opportunities to do this, but it's something to keep in mind.

So, I guess, to sum it up - I'm not sure how it compares to places like Harvard or Chicago, but you wouldn't be closing doors that would otherwise be open by going to YDS.