Yale or Princeton?

[penelope]

Anyone heard anything from Yale or Princeton? It feels like we keep getting closer everyday. It seems like from the archives that they started contacting people around this time until the beginning of March.

[Sinope]

I'm a master's student in religion at Yale. As I understand it, departments decided whom to nominate last week, but the admissions committee -- this week, I believe? -- decides whom, out of those nominations, to accept for PhDs. So, don't be worried that you haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully it'll happen relatively soon.

[penelope]

I'm a master's student in religion at Yale. As I understand it, departments decided whom to nominate last week, but the admissions committee -- this week, I believe? -- decides whom, out of those nominations, to accept for PhDs. So, don't be worried that you haven't heard anything yet. Hopefully it'll happen relatively soon.

Thanks for the reply! In a world of unknown, it is nice to have some inside information. Do you know if the department of religion does a recruitment weekend?

Just curious. Here's hoping we all hear something soon!

[cavedan]

Feb 20 is the day the Yale Ph.D. committee is meeting, I was told. In the past there was an open house day or something like that for admitted students, I think around April 11th? Anyway, hopefully we'll know soon.

[waitingtoexhale]

Thanks for the info on Yale, Sinope and cavedan. I am waiting to hear from both Princeton and Yale, but I'll admit that I'm less hopeful after being put on the alternate list with Duke.

[Plutarch]

I think Princeton will meet this week, if they have not already. As for Yale, I am not sure.

[penelope]

I guess Princeton didn't like many of us. It wasn't a good match, so I can understand the rejection, but now I am getting really nervous about the other two schools. How is everyone feeling? Anyone get an acceptance?

[Prayingforacceptance]

Well, I did not get into Princeton. It was the best match for me but they were not in total agreement with my assessment. I did not apply to any other place and know that my Ph.D. ambitions have reached their demise. I am remarkably at peace with the decision. I had an outstanding application with great recommendations from some of the top scholars in the discipline of Religion. I had a great writing sample, solid GRE scores and a solid undergraduate and graduate record. There was nothing more I could do to distinguish myself to the graduate admission committee at Princeton. I am thankful for their consideration and review of my application and for the process. It's certainly a punch, but not knockdown. And I will go on as God would have me to go on not fully knowing where "on" leads to but be thankful that God has not forsakened me.

Congratulations to all those who not only got into Princeton University but also to other Ph.D. programs.

[mconsul]

you should ask god for the application fee back.

[waitingtoexhale]

Prayingfor acceptance:

Did your professors, particularly those who wrote letters for you, suggest looking at other doctoral programs? Princeton's program is indubitably top-notch, but there are other excellent programs that may fit your interests. The odds of getting into certain schools are just so slim, despite an impressive application with all the trimmings. Last year, Yale's incoming doctoral class was 8 and Duke's was 7, and both schools annually receive 200-300 applications. And Princeton notes on its website that they only take 5-8 doctoral students every year. The National Research Council rankings (1995) for doctoral programs in religion list 38 schools, and their research parameters (such as a minimum number of doctorates awarded) excluded many other schools: http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area10.html

[thekidisalright]

There's a acceptance post from Yale on the results search, and a friend of mine also got in (she didn't post, and I don't think she will). Considering they only admit like . . 8 students, I wonder if everyone who got in heard today. This doesn't look good.

[penelope]

Yeah, I am feeling pretty negative. I hope there is still a chance. Did your friend say if it was an email from a prof or the graduate school. At least the waiting is almost over, and we can move on.

[thumbnail72]

eskidd,

Would you mind giving us a few more details? Which concentration did your friend get in on? Did she find out today? Also, what search results are you referring to where someone said they got an acceptance? Just curious. Thanks.

[cavedan]

Ok, I've finally calmed down enough to post my results.

I got accepted today to Yale's Ph.D. Ancient Christianity!!!!!!!

For the record, I heard via a phone message and email from a prof., and an email from the registrar. Counting the other acceptance posted, plus eskidd's friend, yeah I'd say it's likely that most/all of the acceptances went out today =/

Also while I was busy running around screaming (on the inside, at least), I got an email acceptance from Brown as well (Religion in the Ancient Mediterranean, email was from director of graduate studies). It was a good day, especially seeing as I'd gotten rejections from Harvard (Th.D. NT/Early Xtny) and Princeton (Ph.D. Religions in Late Antiquity) the day before.

Ok, I will now spend the rest of the month taking long, deep breaths. And sending my best wishes to everyone still waiting...

[waitingtoexhale]

Cavedan, congrats on Yale and Brown. Enjoy the spring, whenever it gets here.

[samsarictraveler]

Cavedan-

Congrads on getting in Yale Religion! I'm most likely heading there myself in Asian Religion.

[purplepepper]

Hey guys,

Is anyone thinking of heading to Yale or Princeton for East Asian religions? If you are, could you PM me? I have the envious, but extremely difficult task of choosing between the two for art history. But since I'm interested in religious art, I'll probably get to work with the religion people too. Just wondering about anyone's impression of both or either or, since I really haven't had a chance yet to speak with religion faculty.

Thanks!

[samsarictraveler]

I'm headed to Yale in Asian religion, and while I do south asia, I know the faculty. The religion deparment's east asia person is Koichi Shinohara, who is quite good (he primarily works on religious biography and other types of religious narrative in both China and Japan). Phyllis Granoff the south asia person also would be usefull to talk to since she knows east asia very well (and has even written a bit on east asian art!) At Princeton, as you probably know, the name in East Asian Buddhism is Stephen Teiser... he would certainly be a wonderful person to work with. In terms of who has a better program in EA, certainly Princeton. But you should mainly focus on which is the better art history program for you; both departments will easily be able to give you in religious studies.

[whakare]

Samsaric,

have you heard from Columbia yet?

[samsarictraveler]

No, but I doubt I was accepted.

I work on Purana (both in Sanskrit and Tamil), and of course Jack Hawley does Moghul era northern Bhakti... I only only applied because I admire his work so much.

[whakare]

yes, possible...but considering the acceptances you have, you must be a strong applicant. Hope they have a second round.

[purplepepper]

I'm headed to Yale in Asian religion, and while I do south asia, I know the faculty. The religion deparment's east asia person is Koichi Shinohara, who is quite good (he primarily works on religious biography and other types of religious narrative in both China and Japan). Phyllis Granoff the south asia person also would be usefull to talk to since she knows east asia very well (and has even written a bit on east asian art!) At Princeton, as you probably know, the name in East Asian Buddhism is Stephen Teiser... he would certainly be a wonderful person to work with. In terms of who has a better program in EA, certainly Princeton. But you should mainly focus on which is the better art history program for you; both departments will easily be able to give you in religious studies.

Hey thanks for that. Oy, I just don't know what to do! the art history departments at both places, to me anyway, are almost the same, and I'm just looking for some way to be able to distinguish between the 2. Princeton has such big names in East Asian religions, and the other thing that I heard from talking to a student, is there is a great prof. who does a lot of ass kicking when it comes to reading classical japanese and such. which is great. my prospective advisor at yale on the other hand is such a huge force in the field. How are you supposed to decide?

Thanks though Sam, for your post, it's helpful!