Do I have a chance at Yale/VTS?

[kacei]

Hi, I am applying for an M.Div at YDS and VTS. I have an undergraduate 3.37 at Gonzaga, and my degree is Religious Studies with a minor in Classical Civilizations. Although I am trained in my coursework for the M.Div program, I am wondering if I even have a chance at YDS with my low gpa. I have also worked at Episcopal Church Camps for 5 summers, and have spent quite a bit of time working with the church in other avenues. I have also had a few jobs here and there. Part of why my GPA is lower is because of Hebrew (in which i received a b and a b-) and soon Latin (i'm looking at a C+ there)... But overall, without Latin, I have As and Bs in Religious Studies.

Courses I have taken/will take: Old Testament, New Testament, Feminist Christian Doctrine, History and Teaching of Christianity, Principles of Christian Morality, Theological Anthropology (a graduate level course, received an A-) Classical Hebrew I & II, Latin 101, Judaism.

Thanks for your thoughts!

[diazalon]

I am a student at YDS, and I have little doubt that you can be admitted with those credentials. Its worthwhile to come by the school for a day if you can, but really - do not worry about your GPA. If you have Latin, Hebrew, biblical studies introductions, and all your theology classes, you 're a shoe in.

[unacclimated]

Diazalon, would you say this is the case generally for YDS? Or just the MDiv? I'm applying to the MAR comprehensive program with a gpa around the same area 3.3 and I'm wondering if it's worth following through with the application. I have mostly completed the application, I just need to pay and get my last recommendation in. I have some very strong recommendations otherwise, I performed exceptionally in some classes but sort of bombed in a few due to some unfortunate incidents. By exceptional I mean the kind of student that professors discuss amongst themselves because of some paper or presentation I have completed. I'm just not the student on the Dean's List. During my first two years, I was still figuring things out. In one case, I walked in late for an exam that was worth 50% and was not allowed to write it resulting in a failing grade. It was macroeconomics of all things. I ended up retaking it and getting an A-

 

That sort of stuff is obviously pretty painful to look at a transcript but I hope I still have a shot.

[diazalon]

Absolutely, with no doubt apply. If your writing is up to par and your recommendations are good, they will let the GPA slide. I have seen people get in to the MAR with much less preparation than you might expect, on the basis of recommendations from well known scholars in the field. If there is something on your transcript of which you are particularly embarrassed, mention it in the application somewhere and explain why it was a one-time thing. 

 

Don't let your GPA get in the way. I was around that range when I applied.

Edited January 20, 2013 by diazalon

[sacklunch]

Be warned to not apply to the MAR concentrate. I think they only accept one or two (anyone?) each year (per subfield).

[unacclimated]

I have heard something similar about the concentrated program. I dread getting my last recommender to send my YDS rec. He sent in my HDS one, I don't understand why he couldn't have made it more general or interchanged Yale for Harvard and sent it in at the same time. My recommenders have given me several weeks of bad anxiety and a few small heart attacks I have at least two very strong recommendations. So I feel like I have at least a decent shot at either school. Thanks for the advice.

[sacklunch]

No worries! I was denied the Second Temple concentrate with fairly good (I thought) stats, plus I think it was a pretty damn decent fit. But, yeah, it seems like most decently qualified folks get into the MAR general (and esp. the MDiv).

 

cheers

[Therewillbeluke]

My understanding is that if you are rejected for your concentrate you are then considered for the comprehensive. Can anyone confirm/deny this myth?

[Darry]

Hello all, 

 

i have a similar question in terms of YDS admissions. I graduated from a small liberal arts college with a 3.87 in English/Philosophy (with a emphasis on theology/religious study). I am currently a Cultural Studies graduate student at an Ivy League school, focused on religion. However, the problem is that I do not have an extensive training in religious study because the majority of my academic focus has been interdisciplinary (religion and literature/religion and culture). So, what are my chances of being accepted to YDS and what should I do to prepare a competitive application?

 

Thank you!

[unacclimated]

You're correct. The website states, "Applicants to the concentrated MAR degree must have sufficient background in the discipline (undergraduate major or minor) to be accepted into the program.  A student who applies to the concentrated program but lacks the necessary academic preparation may be admitted to the MAR comprehensive."

http://divinity.yale.edu/admissions/master-arts-religion

[unacclimated]

I hate how it says "may", that is part of the reason why I have decided to just go comprehensive. It gives you the option to move into a concentration during the second year, so it's not a huge deal I think. If you are in the comprehensive, your first year course selection probably won't be too different I think. 

Edited January 20, 2013 by unacclimated

[sacklunch]

My understanding is that if you are rejected for your concentrate you are then considered for the comprehensive. Can anyone confirm/deny this myth?

 

I was never contacted about the MAR general when I was denied from the MAR Second Temple concentrate. 

[diazalon]

Hello all, 

 

i have a similar question in terms of YDS admissions. I graduated from a small liberal arts college with a 3.87 in English/Philosophy (with a emphasis on theology/religious study). I am currently a Cultural Studies graduate student at an Ivy League school, focused on religion. However, the problem is that I do not have an extensive training in religious study because the majority of my academic focus has been interdisciplinary (religion and literature/religion and culture). So, what are my chances of being accepted to YDS and what should I do to prepare a competitive application?

 

Thank you!

 

What are you trying to do? That is, why are you interested in YDS?

 

I think, given that you are already a cultural studies graduate student in the league, you should be able to transfer. I would call the admissions office and see what they say. You sound quite qualified.

[diazalon]

I was never contacted about the MAR general when I was denied from the MAR Second Temple concentrate. 

 

Students who the admissions committee find qualified and a good fit for the institution are generally offered another position when they apply, if they do not get in to the concentrate. The dirty little secret is that once you're in, you can transfer from degree to degree with only the approval of your prospective advisor. 

[unacclimated]

what do you mean from degree to degree? 

[sacklunch]

I think s(he) means that it may be easier, for instance, to apply to the MDiv or general MAR and then once at YDS, transfer into the concentrate program. I wish I would have done this. 

[diazalon]

I think s(he) means that it may be easier, for instance, to apply to the MDiv or general MAR and then once at YDS, transfer into the concentrate program. I wish I would have done this. 

 

That is the case. You have to get a faculty member to vouch for your preparation and agree to serve as your advisor, but once you are admitted you can change degrees or concentrations during your time at YDS. 

[kacei]

Hey all, thanks for the advice! I was accepted into the program as an M.Div! Now to wait for Financial Aid packages and other rejections/acceptances... Anyone else receive news?

[unacclimated]

did you apply by the jan 15 deadline?

[indefiniteintegral]

Hey all, thanks for the advice! I was accepted into the program as an M.Div! Now to wait for Financial Aid packages and other rejections/acceptances... Anyone else receive news?

Congrats! Still waiting to hear...

[Therewillbeluke]

Am I correct in assuming that only M.Div candidates have heard and not M.A.R people?

[unacclimated]

in the results section for yds someone has indicated they were accepted to the MAR Comprehensive by phone call on the first. My guess is yds has accepted its favorites out of those who applied as priority. those not already accepted will be likely considered against the remaining pool of applicants. from what ive seen in the past a select few get early decisions if they apply early based on the results history for yds.

[VictorEremita]

Am I correct in assuming that only M.Div candidates have heard and not M.A.R people?

 

I posted this over on the other thread, but perhaps it applies more here.

 

From YDS admissions: 

 

"Thank you for your email!  Some MDIV notices have gone out; most have not.  MAR notices are incumbent on their individual faculty readers, many of whom do not turn their decisions in until close to our internal deadline for them, rendering early notice impossible before March 15th.  

 

You have my sympathies; I remember well how anxious the waiting period can be."

 

[kacei]

did you apply by the jan 15 deadline?

Yes, I did apply by the Jan 15 deadline.