Questions about round 2

[tdwightdavis]

So I have numerous questions. Here goes:

 

I applied to 8 programs for a systematic theology PhD and I've been rejected to 4 of those, officially. A friend of mine was accepted to the one spot at Vanderbilt, so I know that's a rejection. I didn't get an interview at Duke Divinity so I know that's a rejection, so a total of 6/8 rejections. I'm not feeling great about my chances at the last 2, either. 

 

First off, the data. I have a 3.84 GPA in my grad work at a fairly well-respected and rigorous school, a really terrible 2.75ish in my undergrad (I didn't care about education until my senior year of college), 165 Verbal, 145 Math, 6.0 writing on my GRE. Also had 5 conference presentations on my CV. 

 

Is that really good enough to get me into a top program? I feel like my undergraduate GPA is screwing me over, which is unfortunate because it is by no means representative of where I'm at now.

 

Second: What can I do to better my chances next year? Obviously I'm seeking out some publications, but how aggressive should I be in contacting (or re-contacting) potential advisers?

Has anyone else applied a second time after rejections and have any advice to offer?

 

Thanks in advance.

[tsgriffey]

I would contact the POI's at each school and ask where you can improve and, if you do, how likely it is that you could get an acceptance. You mentioned the prof. at Duke saying "you need to be here," so you should definitely at least email he/she and ask: "why can't I be there?" Maybe there was a clerical error

[GREman]

I can tell you with Duke that no one professor can sway the decision of a committee. They don't have a say in who they'd prefer to advise until it's dwindled down to just a few candidates, and even then, it is not the end-all/say-all. Also, it is highly probably that your POI isn't even on the committee, nor even the chair of theological studies.

 

Some things you could do that are intangible but will possibly prepare you for another round: You might try re-taking the GRE for some better Q scores (be careful though in case some schools only consider the most recent score for whatever reason). The main thing is keep up what you've been doing with presentations and publications (hell, I feel like I need your advice on how to do this, I've tried but have done 0 conferences so far). Perhaps study a language or two to have that settled. Keep up with scholarship and tweak your goals so when you apply again it doesn't look like you laid dormant for a year. Worst case scenario: get another masters?

 

Beyond that, I think tsgriffey is right: ask POIs what went wrong and what you can do for the future.

Edited February 28, 2015 by GREman

[Rabbit Run]

First off, don't beat yourself up: the same applicant can be rejected everywhere one year and be accepted everywhere the next due to whatever factors/politics are determining the committee that year.

 

Second, I'd say work on languages would be a big one. Perhaps you could do a ThM or an STM to get another year of prep down, and more importantly, another year of building relationships (either at your current school or one where you might apply). Most ThM programs have application deadlines much later than their Masters/PhD.