Anticipating Divinity School Admissions

[JonesSJ]

Finishing up my M.T.S. this year. Just received word that my MA.T. is fully funded for next year!

Edited February 24 by JonesSJ
Grammar

[DavidX]

On 2/24/2025 at 3:53 PM, JonesSJ said:

Finishing up my M.T.S. this year. Just received word that my MA.T. is fully funded for next year!

Congratulations! Where at?

[JonesSJ]

9 minutes ago, DavidX said:

Congratulations! Where at?

Thanks! SMU, which is where I am currently. I also realized I said MA.T. when technically it's a TH.M, but still. 

[BRapplicant]

On 2/24/2025 at 2:00 PM, DavidX said:

I only applied to one, so I am extra nervous about the response.

Hey guys. Also waiting on YDS MAR here. After being rejected by UChicago MA Div, I worry about YDS outcome since it is a much narrower space for laying out a proper research proposal, but I wish to believe I was able to accomplish that. Also had to cut many parts of my writing sample. Overall, I believe I have a well thought out reason for applying, clear research question, proficiency in ancient languages such as Greek, Latin and beginning Hebrew. Contacted the head of the department who seemed to like my ideas. But then again, that happened with UChicago as well. Should I be hopeful or start coping with defeat? Do I stand a chance?

[DavidX]

20 hours ago, BRapplicant said:

Hey guys. Also waiting on YDS MAR here. After being rejected by UChicago MA Div, I worry about YDS outcome since it is a much narrower space for laying out a proper research proposal, but I wish to believe I was able to accomplish that. Also had to cut many parts of my writing sample. Overall, I believe I have a well thought out reason for applying, clear research question, proficiency in ancient languages such as Greek, Latin and beginning Hebrew. Contacted the head of the department who seemed to like my ideas. But then again, that happened with UChicago as well. Should I be hopeful or start coping with defeat? Do I stand a chance?

IDK about your chances, but that's also something that happened to me a lot. The professors would tell me how much they liked the things I wanted to write about and then I wouldn't get in or hear anything from them. I wish you all the best. Maybe we'll both be at YDS next year

[BRapplicant]

14 minutes ago, DavidX said:

IDK about your chances, but that's also something that happened to me a lot. The professors would tell me how much they liked the things I wanted to write about and then I wouldn't get in or hear anything from them. I wish you all the best. Maybe we'll both be at YDS next year

Indeed my friend. It is disheartening. I also hope we both get in! Where else did you apply or have applied thus far if you don't mind me asking.

[DavidX]

4 minutes ago, BRapplicant said:

Indeed my friend. It is disheartening. I also hope we both get in! Where else did you apply or have applied thus far if you don't mind me asking.

Chicago, stanford, yale, and notre dame I think. Denied all not even a call back, so I applied for the MAR at YDS and I guess we'll see.

[BRapplicant]

4 minutes ago, DavidX said:

Chicago, stanford, yale, and notre dame I think. Denied all not even a call back, so I applied for the MAR at YDS and I guess we'll see.

Divinity MAs in all these schools? Or Phds as well? I tried HDS also but one of my recommendations didn't come in time so that messed me up. I have been out of school for some time and getting recommendations is kind of hard. It would have been nice to at least have a chance to interview. I had gotten into the MAPH program at Chicago but couldn't afford. I thought that would count in my favor, but it didn't. I really (naively) thought Chicago was a "clear shot" 

[BRapplicant]

1 minute ago, BRapplicant said:

Divinity MAs in all these schools? Or Phds as well? I tried HDS also but one of my recommendations didn't come in time so that messed me up. I have been out of school for some time and getting recommendations is kind of hard. It would have been nice to at least have a chance to interview. I had gotten into the MAPH program at Chicago but couldn't afford. I thought that would count in my favor, but it didn't. I really (naively) thought Chicago was a "clear shot" 

Did any of these schools offer you any kind of feedback? Did tou get in touch with admissions at all?

[DavidX]

20 hours ago, BRapplicant said:

Divinity MAs in all these schools? Or Phds as well? I tried HDS also but one of my recommendations didn't come in time so that messed me up. I have been out of school for some time and getting recommendations is kind of hard. It would have been nice to at least have a chance to interview. I had gotten into the MAPH program at Chicago but couldn't afford. I thought that would count in my favor, but it didn't. I really (naively) thought Chicago was a "clear shot" 

They were all PhDs. When I didn't get into any of the doctoral programs I was encouraged to do an MAR at Yale, so I applied there. The best advice I've gotten has been from setting up meetings with professors and telling them what I wanted to do and seeing if they could/would give recommendations. I thought I had a few clear shots (one being chicago too) and they didn't work out.

Throughout my application process most programs are not very forthcoming with advice on what you could have done better. I've had some professors who I had been in constant contact with essentially go ghost after applications came in. Maybe my stuff was so bad they were disappointed and thought the conversations were not worth it any more or something. IDK. I never spoke with admissions except for the MAR because I've just been applying to PhD programs.

Also, I forgot that I applied to UPenn (PhD) as well.

 

BUT!!! From what I understand Yale Mar decisions should be out next week! So, fingers crossed.

Edited March 6 by DavidX

[BRapplicant]

6 minutes ago, DavidX said:

They were all PhDs. When I didn't get into any of the doctoral programs I was encouraged to do an MAR at Yale, so I applied there. The best advice I've gotten has been from setting up meetings with professors and telling them what I wanted to do and seeing if they could/would give recommendations. I thought I had a few clear shots (one being chicago too) and they didn't work out.

Throughout my application process most programs are not very forthcoming with advice on what you could have done better. I've had some professors who I had been in constant contact with essentially go ghost after applications came in. Maybe my stuff was so bad they were disappointed and thought the conversations were not worth it any more or something. IDK. I never spoke with admissions except for the MAR because I've just been applying to PhD programs.

Also, I forgot that I applied to UPenn (PhD) as well.

I hear you man. Same feeling I get here. Was mu stuff really that bad? I tried scheduling an interview with YDS but have not yet been successful. And Yale was much narrower in their allowance of space for SOP and writing sample which I had to cut chunks of it. Hopefully it still acceptable. The prospects of MAR are really cool, but I don't know at this point of my chances after getting canned by Chicago. Gonna try to stay positive. God bless you brother. Wish you all the best

[DavidX]

28 minutes ago, BRapplicant said:

I hear you man. Same feeling I get here. Was mu stuff really that bad? I tried scheduling an interview with YDS but have not yet been successful. And Yale was much narrower in their allowance of space for SOP and writing sample which I had to cut chunks of it. Hopefully it still acceptable. The prospects of MAR are really cool, but I don't know at this point of my chances after getting canned by Chicago. Gonna try to stay positive. God bless you brother. Wish you all the best

Yeah, the SOP and writing sample length had me scrambling. I had to cut well over half of my pages down to make it to where I could turn it in. Stay positive. Again, hopefully we'll both get in and can laugh about this over a beer in August. God bless you as well. I'll be praying for you

[jmsquared]

Hey all, I also applied to HDS (MTS) & YDS (MAR) and I’m in the waiting game alongside you. 

[DavidX]

Yale decisions are out

Edited March 15 by DavidX