Divinity School Decisions (UChicago, HDS)

[yuanzhu]

Just got an acceptance to UChicago Divinity's MA program with 50% funding. So pumped!

My question is thus- As I wait out decisions from HDS (I applied to the MTS program), does anyone have any insight into the competitiveness of these two programs as far as admission goes? Does getting into UChicago (plus funding) bode well for HDS, or is it considerably more competitive getting in to Harvard?

 

Just for background, I've also gained admission to Columbia for East Asian Languages and Cultures and Oxford for Tibetan and Himalayan studies. Regardless, my interests center around Buddhism in Western China.

[Safaliy0]

Hi Yuanzhu!

 

I got accepted to UChicago yesterday as well with 50% funding! My area is in ethics in Islamic philosophy. I also applied to HDS and am waiting to hear back from them. I think that UChicago is more competitive than HDS. From what I have read on this forum, HDS usually gives very good scholarships (up to 90% in some cases) but the cost of living in Cambridge is much higher than in Chicago! I was wondering if it is possible to negotiate the financial aid package, maybe after having some additional acceptances? For example, if I get accepted to HDS with 90% funding, could I call UChicago and ask if they could raise the award a bit? Maybe some current students can give advice about this? 

 

Congrats on your acceptances! I formerly studied anthropology so I am familiar with area studies programs (although for the Middle East) and just from my own opinion, I think Oxford is the best of all the schools you got accepted to. I think in terms of future career possibilities, an Oxford degree will really open many doors for you! 

Edited February 25, 2014 by Safaliy0

[yuanzhu]

I honestly have no clue about negotiations... probably wouldn't hurt to try, though!

 

I'm hoping that Harvard comes through as a yes, if only to give me some more options and leverage. I e-mailed and they said that decisions would come out mid-march, so I'm thinkin March 14th (second friday in march) is pretty likely.