My Stats

Boring really, but just to get it out of the way, for anyone interested, below are some of my stats.

On the timeline through this point:

• I was last in school summer of 2001.
• I only decided to take this leap in spring of 2009.
• In late August/early September I learned the GRE was a new requirement of one of the schools to which I am applying. None of the other schools require it, but I *really* would like the opportunity to study at the school that does require it.
• One school requires a college research paper. I know I wrote at least one really good one, but due to the time I have been out of school, I have not been able to find it. I also haven't been able to locate the instructor I had for that class to see if he might have it.

On the schools:

• I am applying for the M.Div program (Master of Divinity).
• I am applying to four schools: two particularly "prestigious schools," one school for reason of denominational affiliation, and one school that is the oldest theological school in the nation (very historic!).
• The two "prestigious schools" have an early January deadline for applications. The other two schools have a rolling admissions systems, but I plan to apply to all schools around the same time so that I can compare offers.

On my chances, from an academic standpoint:

• I graduated as an undergraduate with a 4.0/4.0 GPA. I received a few academic awards along the way.
• I went to a small university that isn't particularly well-known and isn't in any way prestigious. However, it was a private university rather than a public college.
• For financial, communting, and other reasons, I did some of my coursework at two different community colleges (at one, I received a 3.8/4.0 one term due to a B in one class) and at a public university.
• I don't have a language or humanities background, which will be a factor made in the considerations of at least two schools.
• Most schools ask for two letters of academic reference, and I only have one. I believe it will be a very strong one, but full department turnover at my alma mater has made getting a second letter an insurmountable task (hunted and hunted, but failed to locate my other professors).
• I have two (actually three for schools that require four total letters) professional letters of reference that I believe will be strong.
• I have terrible test anxiety and don't do particularly well on standardized tests. That combined with lack of lead time for studying, I think adds up to poor GRE propsects (though I pray otherwise).
• I really believe I would thrive and do best in a highly challenging academic setting, if that counts for anything.

A little on my life:

• I am married.
• I have two very young children.
• I work full time and pick up side jobs to make my finances work out.
• I am a night owl.