2013-2014 M.A./M.T.S/M.Div Application chitchat

[DyingTrades]

Thanks! Still waiting on Duke and Yale, Yale *also* being my top choice;). Best wishes!!

[ashley1987]

Has anyone else applied to Leadership Candler?

[Therewillbeluke]

I'd love to see you all at Yale, but I'm a little surprised that PTS doesn't seem to be getting that much love this year!

[CrisDonlon]

Got a letter from Candler yesterday that is kind of ambiguous, or at least it seems that way to me.  It thanked me for my interest in their MTS program, gave a list of some of the things I will learn and come to value in their program, was told about their two tracks and common courses, then it ends with, "We hope that you will choose Candler as the place to pursue your Master of Theological Studies degree.  We welcome your contributions to our exciting community of faith and learning."

 

So it almost sounds like I've been accepted without actually saying I have been?  The decision letter on OPUS is still not available.  Anyone want to help clarify? haha.

[Hector Varela Jr.]

I don't know...sounds a little pro-forma, impersonal, bland. Better wait for the real thing. Hang in there!

[boywholived]

Got a letter from Candler yesterday that is kind of ambiguous, or at least it seems that way to me.  It thanked me for my interest in their MTS program, gave a list of some of the things I will learn and come to value in their program, was told about their two tracks and common courses, then it ends with, "We hope that you will choose Candler as the place to pursue your Master of Theological Studies degree.  We welcome your contributions to our exciting community of faith and learning."

 

So it almost sounds like I've been accepted without actually saying I have been?  The decision letter on OPUS is still not available.  Anyone want to help clarify? haha.

 

I was called in person for acceptance.  Acceptance call came 2 weeks after application, but I submitted it in mid-November.  What's your area of interest?

[CrisDonlon]

Well I got the acceptance call this morning!  I'll hear about funding in a few weeks.  I'm very excited.

 

My area of interest is New Testament.  What kind of funding was offered to you for their MTS?

[boywholived]

Well I got the acceptance call this morning!  I'll hear about funding in a few weeks.  I'm very excited.

 

My area of interest is New Testament.  What kind of funding was offered to you for their MTS?

 

Excellent, congrats!  The MTS program has been excellent for me, very flexible.  I'm HB, but the NT program is one of the best you'll find.  Dr. Kraftchick heads up the MTS program, so you will have unprecedented access and exposure to him, which can lend itself well to future LORs.  In addition to Dr. Kraftchick, LTJ is quite the celebrity around Emory and beyond.  I don't personally have any interaction with him, but the feedback I hear is really, really great. 

 

Funding was generous, but the MTS program does not have nearly the financial backing as the M.Div program.  My experience is that this is generally the rule and not the exception for what you'll find in most Religion programs.  I should also note that I received additional grant money this year above and beyond what was initially promised.  It was quite the pleasant surprise when I reviewed my student account (I even wrote to verify it wasn't a mistake), though I'm not sure how this will play out in my second year.  

 

If you have any specific questions about the program, feel free to DM for details.

[Therewillbeluke]

Congrats to whomever got accepted for the HDS M.Div

[Switching Geertz]

Congrats to whomever got accepted for the HDS M.Div

 

That's surprisingly early. Was the deadline Jan. 15th? It's not on the website anymore.

[Therewillbeluke]

That's surprisingly early. Was the deadline Jan. 15th? It's not on the website anymore.

 

Yeah, the deadline was Jan. 15; just hoping this means we'll hear back soon.

[Norman G]

Congrats to whomever got accepted for the HDS M.Div

It has to be fake. I was told by admissions that decisions for the MDiv would be made, at the earliest, on the third week of February. I have wondered, after suffering a great deal of stress due to a fake-result post last year, if perhaps the individuals who post false data on the result page do so in an attempt to "stimulate" the admission decisions at certain schools. Whatever the reason, the fake results certainly cause a fair amount of stress.

Edited February 1, 2013 by Norman G

[religioustiger]

Has anyone received funding information from Duke for the MDiv? I know at least six people received 100% tuition. Anyone here willing to claim one of those?

[lhftheology]

I have an interview at Notre Dame for the MDiv program. Any idea of my chances? Do they accept a majority of those they interview? 

[religioustiger]

An interview for a MDiv program? Never heard of such a thing. Also, it is quite strange that not a single posting has been made in the history of gradcafe for Notre Dame's MDiv program. Perhaps you will be the first one. Good luck to you.

Edited February 4, 2013 by religioustiger

[Balatro]

ND does interviews for some MDiv applicants, from what I understand it's for applicants that they're on the fence about and they want to use the experience to learn more about you.

 

This process is so intense for ND because of the resources they offer their students, especially the 100% funding. On average I think they extend acceptances to 13 students.

 

I wanted, badly, to attend way back when but was informed that the program was open only to Catholics. I've since been told that this is no longer mandatory, just incredibly rare that they extend an offer to a non-Catholic.

Edited February 4, 2013 by Balatro

[CrisDonlon]

Has anyone heard from Duke Divinity for the MTS?  Because of certain circumstances, I wasn't able to get my application in until last week, they just completed my application and said they would let me know about admission within six weeks.  Just curious as to what anyone has been hearing.

[DyingTrades]

I just got off the phone with them and they said we should know mid to late February, which is to say, in about 6 weeks;). I'm going to have a heart attack!

[Josh J.]

I received the same email from Duke today as well... Six weeks...

[CrisDonlon]

Well, looks like I'm not behind then.  Good to know!

[religioustiger]

Duke's five-hundred application "rounds" and indeterminate funding/scholarship awarding dates is far too complicated. I was accepted into the MDiv program and they refuse to give me a date by which I can expect to receive funding information. 

[Josh J.]

Just got an email from academia.edu that several people have viewed my page and read my book review in the last few days. Should I take that to be a good sign that the Duke and Vandy adcoms are checking me out?

[Norman G]

Just got an email from academia.edu that several people have viewed my page and read my book review in the last few days. Should I take that to be a good sign that the Duke and Vandy adcoms are checking me out?

 

Certainly isn't a bad sign. I think you are safe to assume that it is probably someone on the admissions committee at these institutions doing a basic google search on you.

[taycross]

Hello fellow antsy applicants,

 

I am wondering if anyone knows the protocol for various programs on financial aid and funding. Is there a separate application that must be filled out to be considered for funding by some schools? This seems to be the case at Yale Divinity.

 

I applied to Marquette M.A., Yale M.A.R., Notre Dame M.T.S., Duke M.T.S., and Fordham M.A. All with concentration in Historical Theology, Theology, or History of Christianity.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Cheers.

[Jcosta]

Hello everyone,

 

I applied (Jan deadlines) for the M.Div. at Duke, PTS, Yale and Vanderbilt.

 

Got into Princeton with full ride offer (yay) and just received an acceptance e-mail from Yale (no info on aid).

 

The aid at PTS is pretty hard to beat, but I'm still waiting out on Duke.

 

Best luck to all!