Featured Article: Last Minute Application Tips

02 Thursday Jan 2020

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Applying, financial aid, How to Apply, Recommendation Letters

Post by: Kate Hoeting, MTS ‘21, Graduate Assistant in the HDS Office of Admissions

A snowy scene outside 60 Oxford Street on HDS’ campus
*Photo courtesy of* KATE HOETING

Hi everyone! We hope you’re already having a great start to the year 2020. Since many of you are wrapping up your applications for the January 8, 2020 deadline, we thought it would be helpful to re-post an article from last year called “Last Minute Application Tips.” The article answers some questions you may have about the application as the deadline approaches.

As always, please email our office at admissions@hds.harvard.edu if you have any last minute questions or concerns. We’re excited to get to know you all through your applications!

Admissions Staff: What We Wish Applicants Knew

17 Tuesday Dec 2019

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Advice, ambassadors

Editor’s note: As the application deadline draws closer, please enjoy these short excerpts from staff members at the Office of Admissions talking about what they wish applicants knew.

Kate Hoeting, Graduate Assistant, MTS ‘21

When I was applying to HDS, I barely knew about the marvelous HDS Admissions Blog! I promise that I’m not just plugging the blog because I’m the blog’s editor—it really will help your journey through the application process. On the blog, we publish everything from student reflections on life at HDS to nuts and bolts articles about the application requirements. Go ahead and click around!

Julia Reimann, Graduate Assistant, MDiv ‘22

I wish more applicants knew about the Ask Students email. Run by the graduate assistants, this email is a great way to connect with a current HDS student and learn more about the opportunities to engage specifically in programs relating to each student’s individual interests. Simply send us a note including your name and interests and we will do our best to connect you to a current student with similar interests. Current students can be a great resource when it comes to learning more about HDS and what life at HDS is like.

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How to Apply: Writing Sample

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

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Applying, How to Apply, writing sample

Post by: Kate Hoeting, MTS ‘21, Graduate Assistant in the HDS Office of Admissions

This article is part of our “How to Apply” series, which answers common questions about the application process and includes these articles:

Since the writing sample is a new component of the application this year, I’m adding this article to the series to walk you through guidelines and best practices. We know that the writing sample can be an intimidating part of the application process, but remember that the requirements are open-ended on purpose, and always feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have.

What does the admissions committee look for in a writing sample?

The writing sample serves to demonstrate your academic writing ability. You may choose to submit:

An excerpt of an academic paper in any subject area within the humanities or social sciences
An adapted piece of professional writing
An original work that is based upon a topic that you are interested in studying here at HDS

The writing sample should be 1,000-1,500 words long and give the admissions committee a sense of your strengths in writing, research, and/or critical analysis.

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How to Apply: Test Scores

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

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Applying, GRE, How to Apply, Test Scores, TOEFL/IELTS

Post by: Kate Hoeting, MTS ‘21, Graduate Assistant in the Office of Admissions

This article is part of our “How to Apply” series, which answers common questions about the application process and includes these articles:

In this article, we walk through the requirements and best practices for the TOEFL/IELTS and the GRE. Please note that the GRE is optional for all applicants!

I. TOEFL/IELTS

Is the TOEFL or the IELTS required for me?

All international applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS, unless you attended an undergraduate institution where English was the sole language of instruction (e.g. a school in the U.S. or the American University of Paris). Even if your major or all the classes you took were taught solely in English, this policy is based upon the entire institution’s medium of instruction.

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How to Apply Series

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

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Advice, GRE, Reapplication, Recommendation Letters, Statement of Purpose, Test Scores, TOEFL/IELTS, writing sample

Post by: Kate Hoeting, MTS ‘21, Graduate Assistant in the HDS Office of Admissions

Hi everyone! If you’re planning to apply for the 2020-2021 school year, we hope this blog has been helpful in getting you ready for the January 8, 2020 deadline. Last year, our Graduate Assistants created a wonderful blog post series called “How to Apply” that will walk you through each aspect of the application process. This year, we went back and updated the old articles to reflect this year’s requirements. Here are the articles in our “How to Apply” series:

Remember that during this busy period for those of you applying in this cycle, the Admissions Office is happy to help! Email us at admissions@hds.harvard.edu or ask_students@hds.harvard.edu.

HDS On the Road

13 Thursday Jun 2019

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Advice, Events, Recruitment

Post by: Mikaela Allen, Master of Theological Studies ’19, HDS Office of Admissions Graduate Assistant

Fall is peak recruitment season for Admissions teams everywhere, HDS included. While our full schedule will not become available until later this fall, our office is getting a head start in the Pacific Northwest in late June. If you in the area and want to connect, click here for more details and to register.

*Preparing materials for recruitment. Photo by Mikaela Allen.*

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Last Minute Application Tips from a Current Student

07 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Advice, How to Apply, Waiting

Post by: Tessa Steinert Evoy, MTS 2020, HDS Office of Admissions Graduate Assistant

This time last year, I was right where you are, making that difficult decision to finally press the submit button. Were there things I was forgetting, last edits I should have made, did I upload the wrong version of my statement of purpose? These were all questions that I asked myself before submitting. Looking back a year later, I wanted to share some last tips with you before you press that button. Continue reading →