<p>Hello all. I’m very interested in applying for the MTS program and HDS. I am particularly interested in their field of religion, ethics and politics. I just finished my sophomore year at a community college where I majored in philosophy. I plan to take a year off and go to Israel, and then transfer to Berkeley the following fall. While in Israel, I will be living on a kibbutz and taking Hebrew classes, and after that will be doing various volunteer projects that have to do with the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I could not find much information on what HDS was looking for in an MTS applicant and I would love any advice on what else I could do to strengthen my application. I was also wondering what the average gpa for admits was? And if attending a community college would hurt my chances? Would studying abroad during my junior year also help? And if it did, would Harvard prefer if I stuck to one theme, such as Israel/Palestine, rather than studying abroad in Ireland to study the religious conflict there. I have two more years until I apply and I just want to strengthen my application as much as possible! Thanks</p>
<p>Not to hijack this thread, but, I also have a question about this program, and other terminal Master’s in this field in general-- What are the admission criteria? Is it research experience like the PhD? Or is it more GPA+GRE based?</p>
<p>…Bump?</p>
<p>Did you go on their website? All the information is available there: [HDS</a> - Admissions](<a href=“http://www.hds.harvard.edu/afa/index.html]HDS”>http://www.hds.harvard.edu/afa/index.html)</p>
<p>GRE scores aren’t required at HDS and I think for most MTS programs. From what I’ve read it is mainly based off of letter of recs, statement of purpose, and gpa.</p>
<p>An MTS (as it is termed at Harvard) is a degree mainly for students who wish to teach Religious Ed classes through their denominations, or who wish to take the degree simultaneously with an MSW or other professional degree. (Union, Princeton and Yale call this degree the MA or MAR.)</p>
<p>It is not preparation for a PhD. It is not a path toward ordained ministry. The admission requirements are quite loose. One need never have studied religion before. Nor does one need high GRE scores or GPA. Admission is granted on the basis of one’s (compelling) justification of one’s desire for the degree, and letters of rec that confirm this religious interest. </p>
<p>Do not expect funding of any kind through the seminary.</p>
<p>professor x, your points may apply at other divinity schools but they are incorrect when it comes to harvard.</p>
<p>the MDiv degree is for those who would to like to pursue a career in religious institutions.</p>
<p>the MTS degree is for everyone else, including those interested in applying for PhDs. MTS degree holders have a pretty good acceptance rate for top PhD programs.</p>
<p>Note also that the GRE is required, and grades do matter. Finally, they are pretty good about funding.</p>
<p>dillis: Thanks for your comment. I saw this thread a while back and was pretty confused by Professor X’s comment, because it seemed so different than what my professors and the HDS website have said about the MTS program. They seem very good about funding, compared to many non-funded Master’s programs local to me. They also seem much more interested in candidates who are involved in broad social concerns than those planning to “teach Religious Ed programs.”</p>