Vanderbilt Divinity School Admission 2024

[Angelmnz]

I’m currently a student at a conservative evangelical university, majoring in Ministry Leadership this December.

I’ve been considering what my next steps will be and what school would best help me to pursue my passion of theology, ministry, and public service.

Vanderbilt Divinity School has been at the top of my list. An interdenominational setting and progressive leaning are attractive to me. 
 

Some others I am considering:

Chandler School of Theology

Yale Divinity School

Iliff School of Theology

What I am concerned about is that my GPA isn’t the highest: 3.1. I lament that I’ve struggled at times throughout my undergrad for several complicated reasons I won’t go into here.

Seeing as I’m soon to graduate, I won’t have very much to list on my resume apart from some work I’m proud to have done as a student participating in a collaboration between a national non-profit and the university, with the goal of making theological education more accessible to Latinx students.

Finally, I have the challenge that I did not approach many of my professors or relate with them too closely. I’m sure I can secure a few solid letters, but it’s going to take me some time.

With all of these concerns laid out, I’d like to hear whether my efforts to strive for Vanderbilt, or any of these schools, are worthwhile or realistic. Can I do anything to bolster myself as a strong candidate moving forward? Or is it safe to say I’m setting the bar delusionally high?

Any feedback is appreciated, and please be honest. Grateful!

Edited November 3, 2023 by Angelmnz

[xypathos]

What degree are you eyeing at Vandy? Their acceptance rate for the M.Div is really high. A 3.1 isn't that bad, I attended Vandy with classmates with much worse GPAs from online diploma mills. If you're also Latinx it might be open you up to some diversity scholarships. VDS, and Nashville, is extremely expensive and even 50% funding is quite rare.

I think you'll equally be competitive at Iliff and Candler. Yale is hard to pin down since GPA matters more but I'd say you have a 33% shot at worst.

[kor_to_nola]

I'm a current student, and I work at one of the offices of VDS. I'm happy to help you. I'm also happy to tell you our recent funding packages have been higher than before. Give me a personal message.