The application cycle for 2027 is open! We’ve gathered some insider tips and tricks from our Admissions Graduate Assistants to keep in mind before, during, and after your application process.
How do I prepare to open an application?
Start your journey by looking into your options. Research the programs we offer, explore our website, and take some time to think about which program might be the best fit for you. To help you get an overview, we regularly host webinars where you can learn more about the CSTM and our master’s programs. While researching your options we advise you to consider your genuine interests, heart, and instincts. The right fit matters, both to you and to us. We want to see our students thrive doing something they love.
Consider, too, what unique and authentic perspectives you offer. Why would your presence here enhance life at the CSTM? We want to know how your path has been shaped as we seek to understand how you can grow in and through your studies. You should feel not just allowed but encouraged to share about your life experiences and any particular interests you might have. We invite you to enter into this discernment process with a willingness and readiness to engage in all of these questions and those that may arise throughout the application process.
How do I move through the application process?
Getting started can easily feel like the hardest part of the application journey. Rather than looking at the application process as one big mountain you have to climb all at once, we advise breaking it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Take it one stage at a time, and remember that you don’t have to figure out everything in one day.
After having researched your options and discerned what program is the right fit for you, it’s a good idea to begin thinking about your personal statement. Ask yourself: What do I have to offer to the CSTM community, and what can I learn from it? What are my passions, experiences, and perspectives? What is it that is driving me to pursue a graduate degree in theology? These are important questions worth spending time with as you begin to build your essay.
Letters of recommendation are an important component of the application process. When thinking about who you might ask to write your letter of recommendation, consider people who you feel have a well-rounded knowledge of you as a student, professional, or minister. This might be a professor or mentor. For applicants who have been out of school for a significant amount of time, recommenders should be familiar with the applicant's professional competence, so you might choose someone like a former supervisor. It is important to consider recommenders who can speak authentically to your experiences.
Ask your recommenders for a letter of recommendation early in the process so that your recommenders have as much time as possible to thoughtfully construct their letter. When the time comes to ask your recommender, it can be helpful and polite to have a conversation with your recommender, sharing why you want to study at the CSTM. Sharing your why can help your recommender write a stronger letter. Throughout the application process, stay in communication with your recommenders, checking in on what they might need from you during their writing process. Finally, be gracious to your recommenders, as they are helping you complete the application process!
What are the next steps once I’ve submitted my application?
Though your application is now finished, the process is still underway! We invite you to continue the conversation and spirit of discernment even after clicking submit. Take time to reflect on your hopes and goals for grad school, noticing what feels like a right fit. As you wait for an admissions decision, we encourage you to also reach out to our Admissions office at any point. We offer a variety of resources to help in your discernment journey including webinars, campus visits, or even something as simple as a phone call with one of us!
We hope that you found these tips and tricks helpful. If you’re curious about learning more to kickstart the process, we invite you to join us for one of our upcoming webinars to hear about our individual degree programs, or join one of our “Ask Me Anything” sessions to hear directly from our GAs. Talk to you soon!