Program Strengths

[theory9093]

Hi, 

Anyone have thoughts on the reputations/strengths/weaknesses of these departments of religion? Santa Barbara, UNC Chapel-Hill, Rice.

(I know determinations of 'best program' are relative. I'm searching for impressions of the departments, reputations they have within the field, insider-info, etc.) 

Best regards, all.

[marXian]

It really depends on what you're studying. UCSB and UNC are both very solid graduate programs in general (don't know much about Rice), but what you want to study really matters because while Program A may have a better reputation overall than Program B, if there is a rockstar POI at Program B who is really the best in his/her field, then overall program reputation just doesn't matter as much.

[AEscalante1]

On 2/26/2016 at 7:13 PM, Sphereology459 said:

Hi, 

Anyone have thoughts on the reputations/strengths/weaknesses of these departments of religion? Santa Barbara, UNC Chapel-Hill, Rice.

(I know determinations of 'best program' are relative. I'm searching for impressions of the departments, reputations they have within the field, insider-info, etc.) 

Best regards, all.

@Sphereology459

I would add that a part of your question is also with whom you are planning to study. I can only echo what marXian has said, but add that qualifying feature. Maybe to help get a better answer, could you clarify your question: what is your intended concentration and with whom would you like to study? etc.