Hypothetical: Rejected from MTS, apply to MDiv before deadline (same AY)?

[Guest]

I know this is a silly question and that the likelihood that anyone has ever done this is slim, but here it goes.

I'm pretty determined to get into Duke and realize I limited my chances by applying to the MTS (they only have ten more students in the MTS program than in their ThD!). I have no regrets but I recognize that they have to reject many qualified candidates in choosing a class so I know not to take it personally. But, it dawned on me that Duke's final MDiv deadline is Apr. 1. Given that Duke announces MTS decisions around March 15, if I could arrange an application by Apr. 1 do you think they would actually take me seriously or would I be an automatic reject?

As I have thought about it I am probably a better candidate for an MDiv anyways since I want to stick around one place for at least 3 years so my wife finishes her part time masters, so I get the chance to enjoy the fantastic faculty in other areas of study more thoroughly beyond what I would do in a specialized MTS, and so I can be trained for ministry and develop myself with an extra year of study. An added bonus is definitely the financial aid available to MDiv students. All this is to say I do have a rationale that goes beyond merely wanting to get into Duke; I would try to switch to an MDiv even if I was admitted as an MTS student for the reasons mentioned above.

Thoughts...

[Balatro]

There's only one way to find out, really.

You've really got nothing to lose and it might save you from having to reapply all over again next year.

EDIT: People do get in at the last second, to address your primary concern.

Edited March 3, 2012 by Balatro

[11Q13]

First thing I would do is call them up and find out if it's possible for an MTS student to switch to MDiv after they've begun. It's really simple to do here at Harvard so I would wonder the same for Duke. If you do get rejected, then yeah, don't think it would hurt to apply to the MDiv, they may not even remember your MTS app...

[MsBOOM]

I say go for it!