Harvard Divinity School HDS (MTS, MDiv, MRPL) - Fall 2026

[alyosha1607]

Hi everyone! I didn't see a thread for fall 2026 admissions at Harvard Divinity School, so I thought I'd start one where we can share in our collective anxiety, waiting, anticipation, mourning, and/or celebration.

In previous years, I've seen invites for interviews go out starting on the last Friday in January, with new batches of invitees getting invitations each successive Friday throughout February.

How is everyone feeling? Any insight or updates for the rest of us?

Best of luck to everyone :)

[Rellee]

Only applied to this program which is kind of silly so, guess I'll see if this paid off

[prayingmantis]

I applied to the MDiv program, and I got an email on Monday (1/12) saying they've started reviewing my application! A little shocked because my last name is kinda far down in the alphabet, but maybe they're just really on it? Lol

[Nouwen2025]

Thanks for setting up this thread! I submitted my application in the first week of January and got an email to set up an interview a couple of days ago. Is an interview a good sign? I can’t tell if everyone gets an interview but it definitely made me so excited!

[alyosha1607]

3 hours ago, Nouwen2025 said:

Thanks for setting up this thread! I submitted my application in the first week of January and got an email to set up an interview a couple of days ago. Is an interview a good sign? I can’t tell if everyone gets an interview but it definitely made me so excited!

Hi Nouwen! Getting an interview is a fantastic sign! If you've been invited for an interview, then they definitely must have liked your application. Let us know how your interview goes! Which program did you apply to?

[CrazyLuke]

 I just got application is completed email and the financial aid application. MTS applicant 

[FutureDreams]

On 1/16/2026 at 4:58 AM, Nouwen2025 said:

Thanks for setting up this thread! I submitted my application in the first week of January and got an email to set up an interview a couple of days ago. Is an interview a good sign? I can’t tell if everyone gets an interview but it definitely made me so excited!

Congratulations on the interview! What program are you applying for and how long was it from application review to interview invitation? 

[Nouwen2025]

11 hours ago, FutureDreams said:

Congratulations on the interview! What program are you applying for and how long was it from application review to interview invitation? 

Thank you! I thought I had submitted the first week of January, but it was actually the last week of December. Then got the request for interview Jan. 15. There were two days on the calendar for scheduled times, so I had the interview this week!

[prayingmantis]

8 hours ago, Nouwen2025 said:

Thank you! I thought I had submitted the first week of January, but it was actually the last week of December. Then got the request for interview Jan. 15. There were two days on the calendar for scheduled times, so I had the interview this week!

Did you apply for an MDiv or MTS degree?

[Nouwen2025]

14 hours ago, prayingmantis said:

Did you apply for an MDiv or MTS degree?

MDiv! You?

[Rellee]

Just got my interview invitation! MTS applicant! Sent mine in January 2nd! Woo!

[FutureDreams]

2 hours ago, Nouwen2025 said:

MDiv! You?

@Nouwen2025 What is your background? What drew you to apply to the Mdiv program? I'm so excited for you and hope it works out well! I think an early interview is likely a good sign!

[Nouwen2025]

34 minutes ago, FutureDreams said:

@Nouwen2025 What is your background? What drew you to apply to the Mdiv program? I'm so excited for you and hope it works out well! I think an early interview is likely a good sign!

I tried to reply to you but it didn’t go through. Hope this one does!

For my background, broadly, I am working in my career field (edu), and I have a master’s from a state school. Is this what you mean? I was drawn to the MDiv because I want to move into a different level of service to my community and HDS’s program is truly the best! I want to get in SO deeply and I am praying so hard I get accepted (with funding, bc I can’t go without funding, lol). I am so excited for you, too! What is the program you’ve applied to? I’d love to know more about your background, too!

[Rellee]

Jk I thought I submitted mine in Jan too, but I submitted mine last week of December! My last letter of recc came in Jan 2nd. But I submitted it the 25th of Dec.

Edited January 23 by Rellee

[alyosha1607]

On 1/22/2026 at 10:50 AM, Rellee said:

Just got my interview invitation! MTS applicant! Sent mine in January 2nd! Woo!

Congratulations!! When is your interview scheduled for? Let us know how it goes!

[Rellee]

Just had my interview! Oh my gosh it went by SO FAST. They really tailored the questions to my application so it felt very customized. Def re-read your own materials you submitted. And also, talk fast lol. I barely had enough time to fit everything I wanted to say in hahaha

[FutureDreams]

Congratulations! I hope you get into the program! How exciting  

[Nouwen2025]

On 1/26/2026 at 1:19 PM, Rellee said:

Just had my interview! Oh my gosh it went by SO FAST. They really tailored the questions to my application so it felt very customized. Def re-read your own materials you submitted. And also, talk fast lol. I barely had enough time to fit everything I wanted to say in hahaha

I agree with this! That’s exactly how I felt, too!

[wuminglvren]

I received notification that my application was complete on the 1/20 (I submitted on the deadline 1/5), but haven’t gotten any information about an interview yet. Fingers crossed! Best of luck to everyone~

Edited January 28 by wuminglvren
Typo

[ER2026]

Hey! Anyone on here applying to other divinity schools or seminaries, too? 😎

[FutureDreams]

1 hour ago, ER2026 said:

Hey! Anyone on here applying to other divinity schools or seminaries, too? 😎

I have extensively researched other programs - there are a few I am considering. It is more difficult when you come from a multi-faith perspective as many of the top schools are single-faith based. While others exist, I believe Harvard has the best program for multi-faith students.

Edited January 30 by FutureDreams
typo

[ER2026]

2 minutes ago, FutureDreams said:

I have extensively researched other programs - there are a few I am considering. It is more difficult when you come from a multi-faith perspective as many of the top schools are single-faith based. While others exist, I believe Harvard has the best program for multi-faith students.

Completely agree about the lack of multifaith divinity schools. Have you researched UChicago? They also have a multifaith program. 

[FutureDreams]

5 minutes ago, ER2026 said:

Completely agree about the lack of multifaith divinity schools. Have you researched UChicago? They also have a multifaith program. 

I have researched them! I am not sure Chicago is the right fit for me geographically (I have a strong support system if I move to Boston). There are a few online programs I am also considering, none of which stand up to the caliber of HDS for sure. 

[alyosha1607]

I think we probably all got the same "Next Steps" email today, but for future readers of this thread anxiously awaiting their decisions in future application cycles, the email said "HDS Admissions will send interview invitations to select candidates throughout February and early March."

Has anyone else gotten an interview request yet, aside from @Rellee and @Nouwen2025?

[Rellee]

Seems they're sending interview requests on Thursdays. Got my invite Jan 22nd. One of my good friends applying for the MTS got his on Jan 29th. Someone else in the thread got theirs Jan 15th! Hold tight for Thursdays through Feb - March!