More on PhD Preparation

Last week I was a panelist at the orientation for Candler School of Theology, Emory University. The title of the session was “Academic Aspirations and Beyond” and it was put together for the students in the MTS and ThM degree programs. I was asked to talk about pursuing a PhD, but since I’m a first year PhD student I primarily addressed the preparation and application process—especially from the perspective of a Candler student.

I’ll repeat here some of what I said, since I think it might be applicable to others interested in applying to PhD programs, but keep in mind it was tailored for students at Candler School of Theology.

During my first year, many of the MTS students were shocked to learn how competitive PhD programs are, especially at universities in North America. There are usually far more applicants than there are spaces. This makes the application process a crap shoot and is very frustrating. But the limited space in graduate programs is also slowly correcting the over-saturated job market, so it’s not all bad. Because programs in religion, theology and biblical studies are so competitive, prospective applicants will want their applications to be cooking on all four burners, so to speak. And it’s helpful to start thinking about one’s preparation as soon as possible; with only two years of coursework, MTS students are generally only halfway done with their degree by the time they begin applying.

So what does the application process entail? It’s more than just good grades. As applicants you will want to demonstrate that the courses you took reflect a strong preparation. You will need to write a statement of purpose which demonstrates to the school why it’s a good fit for your academic interests and how you will contribute to the program. You will need to submit a polished writing sample of about 15 to 20 pages and strong letters of recommendation. Also, you will need to prepare for the GRE and do well on it (everybody’s favorite part of the application). Most of these are things that you can work on during the masters program.

For instance, coursework. If you’re applying to PhD programs, you will want to demonstrate that the courses you have chosen are good preparation for PhD work. One of the strengths of the MTS program at Candler is its flexibility, but don’t let that become a trap and only take classes on topics that interest you. In this regard, you will want to know what your strengths are and refine those, but also know what your weaknesses are and go out of your way to fill some of those gaps. For example, my undergraduate major was Classics (dealing with the ancient Greco-Roman world) and most of my courses at Candler dealt with the ancient world in one way or another. My adviser really encouraged me to take an in depth course on one theologian to show that I can work in the realm of theology and not just historical-critical subject matter. I took a course on Aquinas and although it was a difficult course for me in many respects, I think it was beneficial for me because it helped me to think about things differently. Also, since I studied the Greco-Roman world as an undergraduate, I tried to make a point of learning more about the Jewish world during my time at Candler, which was a huge benefit. So yes, allow the MTS curriculum to be catered to your interests, but be mindful of other areas even if it’s not necessarily fulfilling a degree requirement.

Think outside the Candler class schedule. As a part of Emory University, there are many good opportunities for Candler students. You can set up directed studies with Candler faculty members, take courses in the Graduate Division of Religion, other graduate departments, or language courses at Emory College, such as German and French. There are some limitations, but don’t let the class schedule stifle what you want to study.

Talk to faculty. You all will have an adviser assigned to you who will work with you on selecting classes—take advantage of those periods and actually ask your advisers for advice. You’ll find other faculty members with whom you’ll share interest; utilize their office hours. Consider becoming a research assistant as part of your work study. If you’re thinking of doing a PhD you will need a few recommendation letters, and so more one-on-one face time with faculty members will help them be able to assess you and write letters for you. Of course, no one likes a sycophant, and so be genuine.

There are a number of resources out there that talk about the application process and what goes into it. There are several blog posts on the subject. Also, the Grad Cafe forum was very helpful for me, especially during the waiting period after all the applications were submitted. You can always talk to other graduate students and pick their brains, but let me stress that your best resource is going to be the faculty members in your area. They know much more about the process and what the graduate programs are looking for than the graduate students themselves.

My final advice for entering MTS students is not to stress too much about the PhD thing during your first year. Enjoy the program. Don’t neglect the religious life on campus; make friends. Try to strike that balance between school work and your social life and your experience will be very fruitful and enjoyable.