The DivEx Experience in the Eyes of Two Past Participants

Ciarra Choe, MTS ’25

DivEx profoundly impacted my life by offering more than just a program to connect with other diverse individuals. It provided an opportunity to delve deeply into HDS’s rich academic and community resources in real time. This experience was enriched by the exceptionally welcoming Admissions Team and their (dope!) interns. Along with other HDS community members, they were passionate advocates and knowledgeable guides who went above and beyond. Whether it was answering nuanced questions, sharing personal insights, or fostering a nurturing environment, their efforts were instrumental in creating a sense of belonging and community for my cohort.  

This program was especially valuable as I came with a specific set of academic aspirations and interests. DivEx didn’t just affirm these goals—it illuminated new pathways and methodologies by which I could deeply engage and invest in my interests. Discerning how my academic pursuits could align with HDS’s unique offerings was nothing short of transformative, setting a foundational stone for my educational journey ahead. This ranges from the flexible nature of the MTS degree, to the deeply pluralistic course offerings reflected in the HDS community. 

If I had to choose a main takeaway from attending DivEx, perhaps candidly, it’s that HDS is the place I could let my “inner academic child” run wild in ways I could never have imagined! 

Hunter Rhoades, MTS ’25

Hi! My name is Hunter Rhoades, and I am a first year Master of Theological Studies (MTS) candidate in Religion, Ethics, and Politics. I am also a Fall 2022 Diversity and Explorations (DivEx) Program alumnus! At the request of our extraordinary HDS Student Assistant Representatives team, I’d like to offer a few thoughts on my experience and takeaways from it (spoiler alert: it’s awesome and you should totally apply, as evidenced by the fact that I ended up here). 

Now, even though you are probably reading this post because you already know what DivEx is and are starting to write your application, you may also have many of the same questions I had — Am I “diverse” enough? Do I even have any business applying to anything with the label “Harvard” on it? Perhaps most of all, what do I stand to gain from DivEx, even if accepted?

When I first found out about the program, it showed up as a flier in my inbox, the result of subscribing to the admissions mailing list. I initially dismissed it, thinking that I wouldn’t have a chance. I was on the fence about graduate study anyway, and after I submitted the application I put it out of my mind. Ultimately, It was a shock to be accepted! But it turned out to be the most valuable thing I did all year. 

While takeaways from DivEx may vary, I personally appreciated the overall opportunity to have the best preview of HDS possible. Not only did I get to meet some of the faculty (and was able to actually speak with professors that I knew could help me grow academically) but I also met many of those who would become my future classmates (including fellow DivEx participants!), and the staff that makes the place such a special environment. In short, it was confirmation that my personal and professional goals were a good fit with what HDS has to offer (and also got to see that there is SO much more to do here than one could consume in a lifetime!). It was also a really neat opportunity to see that not everyone at this institution is strictly traditional. I came to the program as a slightly older student from the frozen tundra of Alaska. And while I was nearing the end of college at the time I attended DivEx, I was still relatively fresh off of an eight-year stint in the professional world. While I thought these features were relatively rare in the milieu of places such as Harvard, DivEx was a chance to spend quality time with others who also had personal qualities that set them far outside the bounds of what might be called “traditional,” with each one having a truly unique story, journey, or background. But HDS showed us that as different as we were, we all had the same incredible academic potential as well as the ability to take the seats that we earn. 
Ultimately, DivEx was a celebration of our differences and also a practical opportunity to see how we could contribute to the fabric of the university because of those differences. It is also a chance to preview the environment, workload, and opportunities that come with being here. So, if you’re on the fence about applying to DivEx, don’t hesitate!