ma uchicago divinity school MAR YDS

[BRapplicant]

Hi all,

Anyone waiting for UChicago and/or YDS?

I am applying for the MA at both. Does anyone know whether Yale conducts interviews for MAR program? 

I was accepted into the MAPH progran at Chicago last year but wasn´t able to enroll because of funding. Due to research interests, I thought the Divinity School was actually a better fit. Consulted and confered with a few Professors including the Dean who seemed somewhat "enthusiastic" about my research projects and interests. Have a 3.5 GPA, I think a well rounded and specific research question in mind. I also think I have a good/decent writing sample with a novel and interesting topic at the intersection of philosophy and theology. I am trained in Greek, Latin, German and now beginning Hebrew. I recently contacted Chicago and was told they do not conduct interviews for the MA and that we should expect an answer within the next week. Don´t know if Im thinking too much but seemed "cold"? 

I don´t know what to think now. I really thought I had somewhat of a good shot but not sure anymore and growing anxious. Maybe I was wrong but tried to do everything during the application process, make myself "known" or something like that. No idea about the chances of Divinity School. Does anyone think a previous acceptance into a different program (MAPH) can play a role here? Any thoughts in general?

Also, same thing for YDS but have not heard about any interviews either. 

 

Thanks everyone. Best wishes to all.

[QWER___2]

Hi! Thank you for creating the post. So, did you apply to UChicago divinity this year? I saw that the results were released for some people.

[QWER___2]

Did anyone receive a rejection letter?

[xypathos]

5 hours ago, BRapplicant said:

Hi all,

Anyone waiting for UChicago and/or YDS?

I am applying for the MA at both. Does anyone know whether Yale conducts interviews for MAR program? 

I was accepted into the MAPH progran at Chicago last year but wasn´t able to enroll because of funding. Due to research interests, I thought the Divinity School was actually a better fit. Consulted and confered with a few Professors including the Dean who seemed somewhat "enthusiastic" about my research projects and interests. Have a 3.5 GPA, I think a well rounded and specific research question in mind. I also think I have a good/decent writing sample with a novel and interesting topic at the intersection of philosophy and theology. I am trained in Greek, Latin, German and now beginning Hebrew. I recently contacted Chicago and was told they do not conduct interviews for the MA and that we should expect an answer within the next week. Don´t know if Im thinking too much but seemed "cold"? 

I don´t know what to think now. I really thought I had somewhat of a good shot but not sure anymore and growing anxious. Maybe I was wrong but tried to do everything during the application process, make myself "known" or something like that. No idea about the chances of Divinity School. Does anyone think a previous acceptance into a different program (MAPH) can play a role here? Any thoughts in general?

Also, same thing for YDS but have not heard about any interviews either. 

 

Thanks everyone. Best wishes to all.

Pretty sure Yale Div releases all decisions on March 15th. Not sure on interviews, I wasn't interviewed but was accepted. Granted, that was more than ten years ago at this point.

Chicago Div's non-MDiv programs are extremely competitive. Their MAPH program is one of their cash cows that they accept a large percentage of applicants to with next to no funding for any student. I think their most generous offer is about 1/3 off of tuition. I don't think you need to worry about the MAPH acceptance, most turn it down unless they're desperate. 

[BRapplicant]

1 hour ago, QWER___2 said:

Hi! Thank you for creating the post. So, did you apply to UChicago divinity this year? I saw that the results were released for some people.

Hey, friend! Yes, I saw that too. I didn't get a response so I am pretty sure a rejection is on its way at this point as they send acceptances first. I thought I had a competitive application. I guess I thought wrong. 

[BRapplicant]

13 minutes ago, xypathos said:

Pretty sure Yale Div releases all decisions on March 15th. Not sure on interviews, I wasn't interviewed but was accepted. Granted, that was more than ten years ago at this point.

Chicago Div's non-MDiv programs are extremely competitive. Their MAPH program is one of their cash cows that they accept a large percentage of applicants to with next to no funding for any student. I think their most generous offer is about 1/3 off of tuition. I don't think you need to worry about the MAPH acceptance, most turn it down unless they're desperate. 

Thank you for the reply. Much appreciated. I actually thought I had a good application overall and had all the necessary requirements. I don't know if they are true, but kept seeing acceptance rates of up to 50% for Chicago Divinity. And my personal guess was that YDS would be tougher to get in? At this point, I don't know anymore. I am applying to the Philosophy/Theology MAR there. Care to share any thoughts on my chances at YDS? Thanks in any case, friend. 

[QWER___2]

27 minutes ago, BRapplicant said:

Hey, friend! Yes, I saw that too. I didn't get a response so I am pretty sure a rejection is on its way at this point as they send acceptances first. I thought I had a competitive application. I guess I thought wrong. 

actually, i saw someone who was rejected from MA in Islamic studies, which is a field of study offered by the divinity. I believe they have sent out both acceptance and rejection letters so far. Don’t worry too much about it

[BRapplicant]

28 minutes ago, QWER___2 said:

actually, i saw someone who was rejected from MA in Islamic studies, which is a field of study offered by the divinity. I believe they have sent out both acceptance and rejection letters so far. Don’t worry too much about it

I hope you're right. I actually emailed admissions and although they weren't able to share any precise information, my feeling was that it didn't go too well. Are you applying this year?

[QWER___2]

3 minutes ago, BRapplicant said:

I hope you're right. I actually emailed admissions and although they weren't able to share any precise information, my feeling was that it didn't go too well. Are you applying this year?

Ohhh i see. Yee, for some reasons, i am uncertain why they release the results so early and it isn’t even March yet haha. I have a (positive) feeling that they look at application based on different area of studies as admissions host meetings with professors who are part of the respective field, like Islamic studies/religious ethics. They might still be reviewing applications since it’s not March yet, or it is the case that we are now being compared with people who submitted their applications after the priority deadlines.

But i hear you though. I just pray that we did well!

[BRapplicant]

5 minutes ago, QWER___2 said:

Ohhh i see. Yee, for some reasons, i am uncertain why they release the results so early and it isn’t even March yet haha. I have a (positive) feeling that they look at application based on different area of studies as admissions host meetings with professors who are part of the respective field, like Islamic studies/religious ethics. They might still be reviewing applications since it’s not March yet, or it is the case that we are now being compared with people who submitted their applications after the priority deadlines.

But i hear you though. I just pray that we did well!

You might actually have a point that I wasn't considering. However, I actually did submit my application by the priority deadline of Jan 6 (I believe). Man, I hope you are right and that we both get in. Rooting for you!

[QWER___2]

11 hours ago, BRapplicant said:

You might actually have a point that I wasn't considering. However, I actually did submit my application by the priority deadline of Jan 6 (I believe). Man, I hope you are right and that we both get in. Rooting for you!

Thank you! We got this!

[unrelatednamechange]

Edit: nvm

Edited February 28 by itsjafer

[BRapplicant]

2 hours ago, unrelatednamechange said:

Edit: nvm

 

14 hours ago, QWER___2 said:

Thank you! We got this!

So i got canned man

best of luck to you! 
 

the weird part was that my letter of rejection was signed by three different faculty besides de Dean from areas totally unrelated to what was applying to. I specifically applied to Philosophy of Religion and was rejected by Jewish and Islamic Studies, Near Eastern Languages and Civilization, and Jewish History.

 

is this normal?

 

 

[DavidX]

I hear that YDS acceptance letteers won't go out until midway through march

[BRapplicant]

On 2/27/2025 at 7:31 PM, xypathos said:

Pretty sure Yale Div releases all decisions on March 15th. Not sure on interviews, I wasn't interviewed but was accepted. Granted, that was more than ten years ago at this point.

Chicago Div's non-MDiv programs are extremely competitive. Their MAPH program is one of their cash cows that they accept a large percentage of applicants to with next to no funding for any student. I think their most generous offer is about 1/3 off of tuition. I don't think you need to worry about the MAPH acceptance, most turn it down unless they're desperate. 

Hi xypathos, sorry yet another reply, but I saw a note from from another thread. I have just been rejected by UChicago Div. Really upsetting and was not expecting it. Do you think I stand a chance at YDS? My gdp is 3.5 from a previous Masters. I am an international student. I think personally mu strength was my SOP which has a clear academic research question, well thought out reasoning with sources and all. My writing sample I think also to be a serious academic paper that speaks to theology and philosophy from a phenomenological perspective. I exchanged emails with faculty from the focus area of interest who found my topic to be "fascinating". I don't how much I can think of that. But also contacted other professors one from Latin America Christianity who said liked my project but was going on leave. The funky thing about Chicago is that my rejection letter was signed by a professor completely alien to my specified area of research. Plus admissions there gave a mild feedback that to be "seriously" considered for divinity school I needed to address some issues. Was my application not taken serious? I mean, given a 50% acceptance rate, I don't think my application was not that bad! Any tips or advice for YDS? Anything I could do in the meantime? Greatly appreciate! It seems as though this acceptance rate they could give me shot!

[AspiringBard]

On 3/1/2025 at 8:20 PM, BRapplicant said:

Hi xypathos, sorry yet another reply, but I saw a note from from another thread. I have just been rejected by UChicago Div. Really upsetting and was not expecting it. Do you think I stand a chance at YDS? My gdp is 3.5 from a previous Masters. I am an international student. I think personally mu strength was my SOP which has a clear academic research question, well thought out reasoning with sources and all. My writing sample I think also to be a serious academic paper that speaks to theology and philosophy from a phenomenological perspective. I exchanged emails with faculty from the focus area of interest who found my topic to be "fascinating". I don't how much I can think of that. But also contacted other professors one from Latin America Christianity who said liked my project but was going on leave. The funky thing about Chicago is that my rejection letter was signed by a professor completely alien to my specified area of research. Plus admissions there gave a mild feedback that to be "seriously" considered for divinity school I needed to address some issues. Was my application not taken serious? I mean, given a 50% acceptance rate, I don't think my application was not that bad! Any tips or advice for YDS? Anything I could do in the meantime? Greatly appreciate! It seems as though this acceptance rate they could give me shot!

Never forget, admissions are a crapshoot in the end. You might've done everything pretty much right, and circumstances outside your control will still result in a rejection. It sounds like you really put the work in! Don't fret.

That said, they gave you feedback? That's incredibly rare, and a good sign. If you address their feedback next cycle, assuming you need to apply again, that could really work out in your favor! Most places will just deny you and never tell you why, so that's honestly pretty cool.

I'm pretty sure rejection/acceptance letters are just signed off by whoever is director of graduate studies/in charge of applications that particular year, which tends to change often and can be anyone at all from the department. I wouldn't expect it to be someone from your specific area of study.

[BRapplicant]

On 3/3/2025 at 2:19 PM, AspiringBard said:

Never forget, admissions are a crapshoot in the end. You might've done everything pretty much right, and circumstances outside your control will still result in a rejection. It sounds like you really put the work in! Don't fret.

That said, they gave you feedback? That's incredibly rare, and a good sign. If you address their feedback next cycle, assuming you need to apply again, that could really work out in your favor! Most places will just deny you and never tell you why, so that's honestly pretty cool.

I'm pretty sure rejection/acceptance letters are just signed off by whoever is director of graduate studies/in charge of applications that particular year, which tends to change often and can be anyone at all from the department. I wouldn't expect it to be someone from your specific area of study.

Hey there! Thanks for the reply. Yes, admissions has been really nice actually granted I was indeed rejected. But hey, there might be a good chance of improving for next cycle. Appreciate tour kind words and thoughts. 

[BRapplicant]

On 3/1/2025 at 11:20 PM, BRapplicant said:

Hi xypathos, sorry yet another reply, but I saw a note from from another thread. I have just been rejected by UChicago Div. Really upsetting and was not expecting it. Do you think I stand a chance at YDS? My gdp is 3.5 from a previous Masters. I am an international student. I think personally mu strength was my SOP which has a clear academic research question, well thought out reasoning with sources and all. My writing sample I think also to be a serious academic paper that speaks to theology and philosophy from a phenomenological perspective. I exchanged emails with faculty from the focus area of interest who found my topic to be "fascinating". I don't how much I can think of that. But also contacted other professors one from Latin America Christianity who said liked my project but was going on leave. The funky thing about Chicago is that my rejection letter was signed by a professor completely alien to my specified area of research. Plus admissions there gave a mild feedback that to be "seriously" considered for divinity school I needed to address some issues. Was my application not taken serious? I mean, given a 50% acceptance rate, I don't think my application was not that bad! Any tips or advice for YDS? Anything I could do in the meantime? Greatly appreciate! It seems as though this acceptance rate they could give me shot!

@xypathos

[xypathos]

32 minutes ago, BRapplicant said:

@xypathos

It's hard to say. What degree did you apply for? MAR and STM applicants are viewed through a different lens than MDiv applicants. Someone coming in with a master's degree gets viewed in a different light than someone without, especially if the MA is in theology or a related field. 

Did the admissions team tell you what the issues were with your application? If so, and you want feedback, feel free to send me a private message. 

I don't think your chances at Yale are "dead" but that depends on what your "issues" are as defined by Chicago. M.Div applicants get a far more holistic review than those pursuing traditionally academic degrees like the MAR, which are meant to feed into PhD programs. As such, they want to see that you've already given very serious thought to your research areas and that your background is suitable to begin that work. 

[BRapplicant]

15 minutes ago, xypathos said:

It's hard to say. What degree did you apply for? MAR and STM applicants are viewed through a different lens than MDiv applicants. Someone coming in with a master's degree gets viewed in a different light than someone without, especially if the MA is in theology or a related field. 

Did the admissions team tell you what the issues were with your application? If so, and you want feedback, feel free to send me a private message. 

I don't think your chances at Yale are "dead" but that depends on what your "issues" are as defined by Chicago. M.Div applicants get a far more holistic review than those pursuing traditionally academic degrees like the MAR, which are meant to feed into PhD programs. As such, they want to see that you've already given very serious thought to your research areas and that your background is suitable to begin that work. 

That is incredibly kind of you. I can provide you with more details and all the process including my research proposal and all that. I just messaged you? Forgive me I am rather new to this site. So let me know to confirm if you are available @xypathos