How Does Admissions Process Work for Yale's M.A.R. Concentrated Programs?

[cadences]

Hi All,

 

Have some questions on Yale's MARc that I hope you can help me with. I came across some posts that said (I think) admissions to the MARc was largely determined by whether one's POI in the divinity school is willing to accept you as a student. Is this true? If so, then how does this make the admissions process different from that of other schools? Should I contact my POI first before even thinking of applying? And how many people make it into each concentration per year? Does the senority of your POI determine the success of your application then?

 

Sorry for the slew of questions, but I do hope someone can shed some light on the process Thanks!

[sacklunch]

Yes, the POI (from what I was told) reviews your application and makes the decision. I think they take maybe two or so for each concentration? 

[cadences]

Yes, the POI (from what I was told) reviews your application and makes the decision. I think they take maybe two or so for each concentration? 

 

Thanks, jdmhotness. So, that means the handful of specialists for each field each takes on one MAR student per year? That's almost as exclusive as doctoral studies...

[sacklunch]

I think it may be comparable. I applied to Yale MARc in Second Temple Judaism and was denied (Collins runs it). I think they took two that year (2011). One of the accepted students I met on here then and he was pretty damn impressive (I think he already had several years of Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and German when finishing his UG). At least for that concentration, Collins said he wanted his students in the program to be able to read unpointed Hebrew texts, which isn't terribly demanding of someone with enough Hebrew, but near impossible for someone with minimal ability in the language.

 

In short, if you end up applying to the concentrate make sure you are a great fit. I would also plan on visiting Yale and doing some ass-kissing. That or meet up with the POI at a conference. Otherwise you may run the risk of being denied and end up not going at all. I wish I would have just applied to the general MAR, looking back. Though had I been accepted it would have been pretty great. 

 

On the flip side, you may consider the program I'm in now (Duke's MA in Religion) - we only have to take one required class for the two year degree; the rest is up to you. So it has the same appeal as the MARc, in that you can take exactly what you need and none of the 'fluff' (that MTS degrees normally require).

 

cheers

Edited March 6, 2013 by jdmhotness

[cadences]

I think it may be comparable. I applied to Yale MARc in Second Temple Judaism and was denied (Collins runs it). I think they took two that year (2011). One of the accepted students I met on here then and he was pretty damn impressive (I think he already had several years of Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and German when finishing his UG). At least for that concentration, Collins said he wanted his students in the program to be able to read unpointed Hebrew texts, which isn't terribly demanding of someone with enough Hebrew, but near impossible for someone with minimal ability in the language.

 

In short, if you end up applying to the concentrate make sure you are a great fit. I would also plan on visiting Yale and doing some ass-kissing. That or meet up with the POI at a conference. Otherwise you may run the risk of being denied and end up not going at all. I wish I would have just applied to the general MAR, looking back. Though had I been accepted it would have been pretty great. 

 

On the flip side, you may consider the program I'm in now (Duke's MA in Religion) - we only have to take one required class for the two year degree; the rest is up to you. So it has the same appeal as the MARc, in that you can take exactly what you need and none of the 'fluff' (that MTS degrees normally require).

 

cheers

 

Thanks, jdm! That was really helpful.

[AbrasaxEos]

Having done the MARc at YDS in Hebrew Bible, I can echo what jdm says for the most part.  Though, I had never met John Collins prior to applying (I did email), and I only had Hebrew really.  I could read unpointed texts, but I actually didn't have a single other language coming in.  I know that the program has gotten a bit more competitive since I was there, but I think I was 1 of 2 from something like 30ish applicants from what JC told me.  It does depend on whether the profs think you'd be a good fit for the program, though I do think that it is not just one single person - I mentioned a few people on the faculty that went outside the HB classification that I know showed that I was interested in the larger picture that YDS offered. 

 

So, I would email a few people with whom you are interested in working.  Don't be an obnoxious person who starts the email with "Hello Prof. X, I have taken ten years of Hebrew, Ugaritic, Akkadian, Greek, and Middle Egyptian, and have worked in the Ashmolean collection as an assistant curator while taking a full course load in ancient culture, during which I have maintained a 4.0 gpa..."  They don't care about that right now.  Just mention your interests, ask about their interest in your interest and how the MARc program might benefit your future study, etc.  They'll see your preparation when you apply. 

 

Finally, know that the MARc is competitive because it is impressive when you go to apply for PhDs.  I did a Hebrew Bible MARc and was applying for Ancient Christianity programs, and it hardly seemed to matter.  Folks know that the MARc puts you through the paces with language and coursework.  Obviously one's PhD applications include more than simply a previous degree, but I came from a no-name UG, studied an unrelated area and somehow managed to get into 4 of 6 programs (with one waitlist and one rejection) in Ancient Christianity.  I think the MARc had something to do with it.

[TTG49]

Hi cadences,

I don't have any special inside knowledge, but yeah I've heard the process is something like what you outlined. I just got accepted for the MARc in Bible, and I didn't meet any faculty or really talk to anyone except a couple of the admissions people, so while I'm sure it would be great to visit or try to meet the faculty, or get in touch with them early on, I wouldn't say it is something that's absolutely necessary.

[cadences]

Right. Thanks so much for responding, AbrasaxEos, ttgannet! I think I have a better idea of what to do come application season.

 

Cheers!

[JMyers]

I applied to YDS's concentrated program in Eastern Religions.  I got a call today from admissions and they said that the faculty in that concentration was unsure of whether or not I was prepared for it, so they wanted to admit me to the general MAR and he said I could then transfer into the concentration after doing a semester of course work.  So apparently that's how it can work sometimes...

[taycross]

For those who were accepted to the MARc program, did you receive an email or phone call from the POI once accepted?

[VictorEremita]

For those who were accepted to the MARc program, did you receive an email or phone call from the POI once accepted?

Ok here is what I've got so far: an email from Doreen Generoso in the financial aid office congratulating me on my acceptance to YDS and informing me that I've been awarded a scholarship. I'm currently in Germany and have no way of knowing whether admissions has called me, and my application status online still reads "submitted." Furthermore, the email from Doreen is titled "Yald Divinity...."; have I fallen prey to some sort of joke? The email looks perfectly legitimate, otherwise, although it doesn't mention the degree I applied for - MARc philosophical theology. Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Sort of freaking out here.

[taycross]

Ok here is what I've got so far: an email from Doreen Generoso in the financial aid office congratulating me on my acceptance to YDS and informing me that I've been awarded a scholarship. I'm currently in Germany and have no way of knowing whether admissions has called me, and my application status online still reads "submitted." Furthermore, the email from Doreen is titled "Yald Divinity...."; have I fallen prey to some sort of joke? The email looks perfectly legitimate, otherwise, although it doesn't mention the degree I applied for - MARc philosophical theology. Has anyone else experienced anything similar? Sort of freaking out here.

 

I received the same exact email from Doreen Generoso with scholarship information. If you go to your admissions profile and open it, there should be a message under the heading "Status Update" that reads, "An update to your application was last posted March 15, 2013." Click "View Update" to read your official acceptance letter.

 

Hope this helps.