Need advice for MDiv application

[Donstantine10]

Hey all,

This is my first post on here so not sure what to expect in terms of response, but any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated.  I am planning to apply to multiple MDiv programs this year for entry in 2017 and would like some feedback on ways in which I can improve my application.  To give context, I am applying to Duke, Yale, PTS, Chicago, HTS, Covenant (St Louis), Redeemer (Dallas), TEDS and Gordon-Conwell.  

I received my undergraduate degree in physics from the University of St Andrews (in my native Scotland).

I have received numerous scholarships/awards in physics including a year long ambassadorial position at Georgia Tech.  

I have significant experience volunteering with charity organization and within the church community.  

Basically, my question is, how can I make my application standout?  Would beginning to learn Greek and Hebrew be a significant advantage?  Obviously I'm coming from a rather unusual background and so I hope you'll understand my confusion/uncertainty.  

Also, of the Divinity schools I've mentioned...could you possibly rank them in terms of how liberal they are (1 being the most liberal, 5 being the most conservative).

Thanks in advance!!!

[Rabbit Run]

What degree are you applying for? If you're doing an M.Div. you're chances are likely in the 50% ballpark at Duke, Yale, Chicago, HTS (Harvard Divinity School I assume?) and PTS. An M.Div is meant to accommodate people coming from non-theological academic backgrounds as well as people who studied Religion in undergrad, so by no means think of your Physics background as a detriment (I know at least 3 people here at PTS who majored in Physics). For an Mdiv at least I think your major in the sciences WILL make you standout in a positive way. Beyond that, I'd emphasize in your statement of purpose your volunteer/charity experience. I won't bother with trying to learn Greek or Hebrew unless its something you want to do, is an ordination requirement that you want to get a head start on, or if you want to do a PhD in Biblical Studies. 

Depending on what you mean by liberal and conservative, in my judgement Chicago and HDS (if you meant Harvard) are the most liberal; TEDS, Gordon-Conwell, and Covenant are the most conservative; and Duke, PTS, and Yale are in the middle (with Yale the most liberal of the three). I'm not familiar with Redeemer.

Good luck!

Edited December 31, 2015 by Rabbit Run

[Donstantine10]

Thanks for your reply Rabbit Run.  I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and provide me with some insight.  I'm interested that you suggested my chances are likely in the 50% ballpark.  I'm curious what makes you say that?  And relatively speaking, does that mean you think I have a good chance compared to most or a poor chance compared to most?  (Don't worry about telling me a poor chance- honesty is the most helpful input to my cause right now )

I see you attend PTS- that's one of my top picks, so I'd love to ask you a few questions related to that.  I actually applied to Duke a few years ago and got accepted but circumstances meant I couldn't attend (Still living in Scotland) and as it turned out, the scholarship offer was 33% which wouldn't have been enough for me to attend anyway.  I am wondering if you have any insight on what differentiates the lower % scholarship students from the high (75-100%) scholarship students?  There must be some distinguishing factors.  Even given the subjective nature of applications, there must be commonality between your peers that have high % scholarships? 

Also, what made you choose PTS?  Did you have a few offers to choose between?

Thanks for your feedback on the liberal to conservative spectrum of divinity schools and seminaries. 

Cheers

Edited January 11, 2016 by Donstantine10

[Donstantine10]

And yeah, I'm applying for the M.Div.

[Marcion]

I go to Yale Divinity if you have any questions.

[Rabbit Run]

3 hours ago, Donstantine10 said:

Thanks for your reply Rabbit Run.  I really appreciate you taking the time to respond and provide me with some insight.  I'm interested that you suggested my chances are likely in the 50% ballpark.  I'm curious what makes you say that?  And relatively speaking, does that mean you think I have a good chance compared to most or a poor chance compared to most?  (Don't worry about telling me a poor chance- honesty is the most helpful input to my cause right now )

I see you attend PTS- that's one of my top picks, so I'd love to ask you a few questions related to that.  I actually applied to Duke a few years ago and got accepted but circumstances meant I couldn't attend (Still living in Scotland) and as it turned out, the scholarship offer was 33% which wouldn't have been enough for me to attend anyway.  I am wondering if you have any insight on what differentiates the lower % scholarship students from the high (75-100%) scholarship students?  There must be some distinguishing factors.  Even given the subjective nature of applications, there must be commonality between your peers that have high % scholarships? 

Also, what made you choose PTS?  Did you have a few offers to choose between?

Thanks for your feedback on the liberal to conservative spectrum of divinity schools and seminaries. 

Cheers

Yeah, I said 50% because thats generally the acceptance rate of the "big name" M.Div. programs (Duke, PTS, YDS, HDS etc.). I'm not certain what its like at TEDS or Gordon-Conwell. Relatively speaking it sounds like you have a strong chance from what you've said (for instance, you've been accepted to Duke in the past).

For PTS, basically everyone gets 75% while PC(USA) students get 100%. Being Presbyterian is thus the main commonality (only about 33% of the student body is Presby, so don't let that scare you away. There are other ways to get 100%: some get 100% as part of a merit based fellowship. The bottom line is that PTS is LOADED. Tuition is relatively very inexpensive even if you had NO financial aid. Therefore, even with the 75% tuition offer you'd only be paying like $2,500 a year in tuition (plus housing/fees of course). I am happy to tell you more and answer your other questions via PM. 

I did have other offers to choose from. I was accepted to Yale and Chicago but was rejected from Harvard. The biggest reason I chose PTS was money. YDS was my first choice, but the money made it a no brainer. I'm very happy here.

Edited January 12, 2016 by Rabbit Run
Typo

[Donstantine10]

@Marcion thanks for commenting.  I guess my first question is similar to what I asked Rabbit Run.  Can you see any commonality between the students that have high scholarships?  What distinguishes them from the students with lower % scholarships?

I'm also interested to hear why you chose Yale.  Did you have other offers?  I've just recently moved to the US (I am from Scotland and moved here because my wife is American), so I have a lot of learning to do with respect to different schools and their programs.  

@Rabbit Run About to PM you now- thanks again for your advice on this post.

[Marcion]

@Donstantine10 I am from Australia, there were a lot of things that jarred me but most of it is the same. I was offered a roughly 75% scholarship from Yale in the MAR program. Pretty much everyone I have talked to you got about that as well in the MAR program. I know two people who got full rides and that was because (so it seems) they had impeccable GPA scores and glowing letters of recommendation but they also came from stellar undergrad schools such as Bard and Harvard. I have not met a single M.Div who got a full ride. Most of them seem to have gotten 50 to 75%. If someone dig, I do not know them but then again, I do not really hang out with many M.Div students. 

In terms of why Yale, it was for two main reasons. I got into Emory, the University of Kansas, Claremont, Missouri, Duke Divinity. Despite Yale being one of the more expensive schools, they offered me the most in terms of funding. So that was a good sign. They also had an amazing ground of faculty members, scholars I had been reading for years and wanted the opportunity to work with. But not only that but Yale's brand name really called me as well because.. well it's Yale! In terms of getting into a solid Ph.D program, I knew all of these factors were going to really help me.

In terms of the Divinity school its self, we are removed from the main campus, which has its pros and cons. We are a small community of all different sorts (Christians from all dominations, other religion faiths, as well as non-religious people as well). The Divinity School is still Christian and is not as pluralist as somewhere like Harvard, but it does welcome a variety of people. There is a divide between the MARs and the M.Divs, not a serious one, just generally they take different classes. What is also great is that you can take classes "down the hill" at the main campus, including the Humanities department, Law School, and more. One of my mates who is an M.Div who wants to focus on Human Rights is taking a class at the Law School and loves it. Our food is also pretty decent at the cafeteria (you get $500 a semester to spend via your tuition on your student ID card). New Haven is an interesting place to live... there is a huge wage gap in the city, and while Yale is stunning, go down a few streets and you will be faced with horrific poverty (can be a bit jarring). The cost of living is high here as well but not as high as other places.

I am still happy with my choice.