Body Politics Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 (edited) Also, if notifications haven't gone out yet, you might weigh the option of sending your POI(s) your writing sample directly, despite it being late in the game. Again, an outsider's perspective. Take with a half-pound of salt. Edited February 1, 2013 by Body Politics Body Politics 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luciernaga Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Before eviscerating UVA, it should be noted that I inquired directly about the writing sample in the interview. It struck me as odd that all of the other programs I applied to all required a writing sample and UVA did not. Unfortunately, despite emailing a writing sample to the admissions office, for whatever reason, it did not get passed along. The POI said that a writing sample would be helpful and asked if I would email it to him directly. Do not despair. I think UVA is fully capable of evaluating your application without a writing sample (I got an interview without mine, apparently). However, if you think it would be helpful, then contact your POI(s) and send one along. Regarding the content of the interview, I can say that it was short and helpful. Essentially, I think UVA wanted to gauge my approach towards studying Scripture and see if it fit with the ethos of the program. They do really interesting things in SIP, but I don't know that it would be a good fit for everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sogdia Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I think luciernaga is on the right track: my take-away from UVa was that they're most concerned with "fit," as demonstrated primarily by your SoP. And I do wonder how important writing samples really are: I can't imagine, for instance, that Duke reads through most (any?) of the writing samples when they've got hundreds of apps for a couple of spots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qaus-gabri Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 (edited) My advisor's advice for my writing sample, "Cite good sources—they're not gong to read it. They just want to make sure you're interacting with the right people and can string together two sentences." ** Perhaps a bit over-stated, but probably truer than I'd like to think. ** This referring to the WS in general, not to a particular program or school. Edited February 1, 2013 by Qaus-gabri Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcb-ing Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I think luciernaga is on the right track: my take-away from UVa was that they're most concerned with "fit," as demonstrated primarily by your SoP. And I do wonder how important writing samples really are: I can't imagine, for instance, that Duke reads through most (any?) of the writing samples when they've got hundreds of apps for a couple of spots. Sogdia is right. At UVa it is all about "fit," and relationships. It really helps to visit and/or to be in touch with the faculty throughout the process. For the administration it may be a numbers game, but for the faculty (who ultimately make the choices) it is not. Most people who are puzzled by the lack of writing sample requirement ask thier POI about it personally, to find out what thier preference is (some want it, others don't). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewalks Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Call from UVA POI today in Historical Studies, American Religion, not a formal interview, but more of a casual checking in--professor telling me what she thinks of my application, and finding out if I am serious about the school. I feel good about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luciernaga Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 My advisor's advice for my writing sample, "Cite good sources—they're not gong to read it. They just want to make sure you're interacting with the right people and can string together two sentences." ** Perhaps a bit over-stated, but probably truer than I'd like to think. ** This referring to the WS in general, not to a particular program or school. I think the importance of the writing sample varies from program to program. The writing sample seems to be less important at UVA. However, I had an interview with another school and a POI had clearly read my writing sample quite thoroughly. Much to my delight, his short feedback on my paper ranks as one of the most affirming conversations I have had about my academic work. I think there is perhaps a hidden benefit to having a good writing sample - it gives you a sense of confidence in your own abilities as a scholar. Being a confident (but not arrogant) scholar can only help your in your SOP and in interviews. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazelMotes Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Not a single theology result has been posted since I posted my SLU one on Tuesday night. I feel like all of the programs got together and decided to tantalize us with a few results and then be silent for a few days. It's like a Jr. High relationship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecotheology518 Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 I guess I'm screwed with my UVA application because I haven't contacted anyone. Also HazelMotes, I'm totally with your assessment of the situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackthesky Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Not a single theology result has been posted since I posted my SLU one on Tuesday night. I feel like all of the programs got together and decided to tantalize us with a few results and then be silent for a few days. It's like a Jr. High relationship. I was literally thinking the same thing. I have such a duality of emotions every time I check this site. On the one hand, I see no theology postings and I think to myself, "Awesome, so the fact that I haven't heard anything is fine because no one else has, either! This means I have not yet been rejected so there is still hope!" On the other hand, I'm practically incapable of regular functioning waiting on results. But hey, good things come to those who wait, right? I think next week we should all start to hear back, though. It seems like the beginning of February is when a ton of committees are meeting or when people are starting to receive decisons. That appeared to be the case last year, anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Body Politics Posted February 2, 2013 Share Posted February 2, 2013 The one who endures to the end will be saved. Body Politics, Yetanotherdegree, marXian and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Theo-Be Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Posting this since I appreciated knowing when other invites went out. I got an e-mail today setting up a Skype interview with the University of Chicago. So much for my theory that I need not worry about nervously checking my inbox on the weekends. ... congrats! does anyone have a guess when bc will come out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la sarar Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Posting this since I appreciated knowing when other invites went out. I got an e-mail today setting up a Skype interview with the University of Chicago. So much for my theory that I need not worry about nervously checking my inbox on the weekends. ... Congrats! What program are you applying to? Divinity School? Which sub-field? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BootsNCastaways Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Congrats! What program are you applying to? Divinity School? Which sub-field? Thanks! Sorry, I thought it said on my profile, but I'm applying to the Divinity School for the NT and ECL concentration in the Bible degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la sarar Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Sorry, I thought it said on my profile, but I'm applying to the Divinity School for the NT and ECL concentration in the Bible degree. Thank you! Is it from the POI or the school? I'm applying to the OT program but I guess both belong to the "Bible" concentration. I haven't heard anything from them yet so perhaps I don't have much chance now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vega maudlin Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 A friend got admitted to Northwestern's religion PhD program - just for everybody's information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
religiousstudiesscholar Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 A friend got admitted to Northwestern's religion PhD program - just for everybody's information. vega maudlin, what sub-field? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vega maudlin Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 vega maudlin, what sub-field? I... actually didn't ask him. If I had to take a guess (and just glancing over the subfields now) I would say Theology and Religious Reflection, but that's only a guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Body Politics Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 My heart skipped a beat when I saw this in my inbox. It ended up just being a form letter letting me know that decisions would be forthcoming, by mail...sometime. Everything is the worst. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackthesky Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 My heart skipped a beat when I saw this in my inbox. It ended up just being a form letter letting me know that decisions would be forthcoming, by mail...sometime. Everything is the worst. The same thing just happened to me! I saw "Loyola" in my inbox and almost had a heart attack. Waiting on snail mail is frustrating. Last year, it looks like many of the decisions for Loyola didn't go out until March and April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndlessAshley Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Just FYI - the UVa admissions committee met for the first time on Friday, and 3 offers were sent. They are admitting 11 PhDs this year, and their next meeting will be Valentine's Day. bondsdw 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecotheology518 Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Any idea if they're going to wait until after Feb 14 to start sending out rejections? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndlessAshley Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Yeah, I'm not really expecting to hear anything before then, but I'm afraid it won't even be as merciful as that! In the words of our secretary, "There's going to be a loooong wait list this year." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qaus-gabri Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Someone shoot me, please. mj0901, Body Politics and Going Insane 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Body Politics Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 Let's just drink bourbon til the results come in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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