Autobiographical Statement
The three-to-four-page typed, double-spaced autobiographical statement is a critical element in the evaluation of your application. Please consider your response carefully, tending to content, style, grammatical correctness, and essay organization. The statement is a way to introduce yourself to the Admissions Committee. It also will help faculty advisers guide and evaluate your learning experience in your program. With this in mind, write a reflective essay about your life that addresses the following:
MDiv, ThM, and Special applicants:
- Significant life experiences that have affected your view of self, God, and the world. Include references to family members and significant others, courses, and experiences in college, church, service-related activities, and employment.
- Aspects of your background that inform the unique perspective you would add to the diverse and vibrant community that exists at Candler School of Theology.
- Your reasons for applying to Candler School of Theology.
- Your plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.
MTS applicants:
- Significant life experiences that have affected your view of self, God, and the world. Include references to family members and significant others, courses, and experiences in college, church, service-related activities, and employment.
- Academic and other interests that motivate you to engage in theological studies.
- Ways the MTS program at Candler School of Theology fits your interests.
- Your plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.
ThD Applicants: (Note: Statement is to be five-to-ten pages in length)
- Sense of pastoral identity and reflection on pastoral experience in ministry or significant history of service to the church.
- Formation through Clinical Pastoral Education or other clinical experience.
- Your understanding of pastoral counseling as a vocation and academic discipline.
- Your topic of research or special interests that you plan to pursue in dissertation research.
- Academic and clinical interests that motivate you to pursue advanced studies.
- Your plans following completion of study at Candler School of Theology.
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