Entrance Essays and interviews comprise the final stage of Ph.D., D.Miss., and Ed.D. application process. Students will be notified soon after submitting all application components as to whether they are invited to participate in the entrance essay and interview.
Entrance Essays and interviews are held on select Fridays throughout the year and are administered remotely (travel to campus not required).
You may see the upcoming dates below.
Essay Structure:
For the entrance essay, all applicants receive similar prompts. The purpose of the prompt and essay is not primarily to assess your existing knowledge. The primary goal of the essay is to assess your writing skills and your capacity to construct a logical argument. You are strongly encouraged to connect your response to your intended area of specialization and to the knowledge you gained during your master’s degree. The Admissions Review Committee will primarily evaluate how clearly you write and how well you structure your argument. You will have two hours to plan and to write a substantial essay in response to the prompt.
In addition to the entrance essay, applicants in the Biblical Studies, Old Testament, and New Testament concentrations should also prepare for a language translation examination in the relevant biblical language. Applicants to the Biblical Theology concentration should prepare for a language examination from both Hebrew and Greek. Students taking language examinations should be prepared to translate a section of text and to parse specified words.
Upcoming Essay and Interview Dates
Students with a reasonable possibility of acceptance will be sent a link to register once all application materials are received and reviewed by the Research Doctoral Studies office. Registration will close 14 days prior to each event.
