Divinity / Theology School Info Help

[Estudiamos]

I have applied to Duke Divinity School, Princeton Theological Seminary, The McAfee School of Theology and Union Theological Seminary. I will also be applying to Drew Theological School and the Candler School of Theology (Emory). I am fairly familiar with information about most of these schools, however, I am having difficulty proving the credibility of the McAfee School of Theology. I have an interview scheduled for the second week of Feb, which I will undoubtedly find out more information, but I would like to hear from former/ current students and fellow applicants. I must admit that I have had difficulty finding information on rankings of Divinity/ Theology/ Seminaries and have been basing my searches on the schools where professors at the above mentioned schools have received their degrees. (As well as programs I am interested in and institutional mission statements) I have searched the faculties of over 20 divinity schools and seminaries and have not found a single McAfee graduate teaching at a seminary(outside of McAfee itself). This is important as my goal is to go into to chaplaincy and teach after doctorate. Any information would be helpful.

Hopeful Seminarian

[ddsdevil]

Hello,

I'm not a student at McAfee, but one of my former pastors went there for seminary. McAfee is a seminary associated with Mercer University (my pastor went there for undergrad as well). Mercer is in Macon and I believe McAfee is in Atlanta. My pastor had a very rewarding experience there and recommended it. He's now a UMC minister, but he went into seminary as a baptist. (McAfee is associated with the Cooperative Baptist Church; It has recently disassociated itself from the Southern Baptists).

I guess it depends on why you want to go. Mercer is an great school, but it doesn't have the name power as others. I know of someone who's doing their PhD at Baylor and went to McAfee so it's respected academically. However, if you see your future in academics, I'd recommend the others you listed probably before McAfee. Another school in the Atlanta area is Columbia Theological Seminary. It's more popular than McAfee and would probably open more doors for you. Walter Brueggemann also teaches there.

Good luck!

[Estudiamos]

Hello,

I'm not a student at McAfee, but one of my former pastors went there for seminary. McAfee is a seminary associated with Mercer University (my pastor went there for undergrad as well). Mercer is in Macon and I believe McAfee is in Atlanta. My pastor had a very rewarding experience there and recommended it. He's now a UMC minister, but he went into seminary as a baptist. (McAfee is associated with the Cooperative Baptist Church; It has recently disassociated itself from the Southern Baptists).

I guess it depends on why you want to go. Mercer is an great school, but it doesn't have the name power as others. I know of someone who's doing their PhD at Baylor and went to McAfee so it's respected academically. However, if you see your future in academics, I'd recommend the others you listed probably before McAfee. Another school in the Atlanta area is Columbia Theological Seminary. It's more popular than McAfee and would probably open more doors for you. Walter Brueggemann also teaches there.

Good luck!

Thanks for the heads up on Columbia Theological Seminary. About Mercer, you would be a great help since you know a graduate. I recently read an article by one of the instructors that hinted at their beleif in gay marriage. This is an important matter for me as far as the school being Baptist seminary. Have you heard anything about this view from the school?

[JMR0408]

You know, you might also check Brite Divinity School at TCU in Fort Worth, TX - shameless plug, b/c I'm a MTS alum. Brite's faculty is stellar (across the board, but especially in biblical studies and theology). Also, I want to throw a word of caution to your concern about 'credibility'. If I were you, I would focus more on finding a place with colleagues and faculty with whom I feel comfortable rather than focusing on the name on the sign out by the street. In other words, do well FOR YOURSELF. The name of the school doesn't matter as much as your own drive to do good work. Keep that desire at the forefront, and you'll be fine with getting into a PhD program from any school. Anyone who tells you differently (i.e., the name on the school's sign IS everything) has a pretty small view of the world, in my opinion.

p.s., I don't know if you were placing positive or negative emphasis on the faculty member at McAfee being pro-gay marriage. If you were, you might like to know that Brite has two quite open tenured faculty members and is very welcoming of all. I hope that helps.

[JMR0408]

You know, you might also check Brite Divinity School at TCU in Fort Worth, TX - shameless plug, b/c I'm a MTS alum. Brite's faculty is stellar (across the board, but especially in biblical studies and theology). Also, I want to throw a word of caution to your concern about 'credibility'. If I were you, I would focus more on finding a place with colleagues and faculty with whom I feel comfortable rather than focusing on the name on the sign out by the street. In other words, do well FOR YOURSELF. The name of the school doesn't matter as much as your own drive to do good work. Keep that desire at the forefront, and you'll be fine with getting into a PhD program from any school. Anyone who tells you differently (i.e., the name on the school's sign IS everything) has a pretty small view of the world, in my opinion.

p.s., I don't know if you were placing positive or negative emphasis on the faculty member at McAfee being pro-gay marriage. If you were, you might like to know that Brite has two quite open tenured faculty members and is very welcoming of all. I hope that helps.

Forgot something... funding is usually pretty good at Brite. I haven't known anyone there on less than 70% tuition scholarship, even during these hard times.