The Million Dollar Question (or, "So What's Next for You Margaret?")

I applied to Wesley Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological. And, you might very well wonder why.

I chose not to apply to Earlham School of Religion (for reasons that would probably take too long to explain now, but which I would be happy to post about in the future), so I was forced to look at seminaries outside of my denomination.

As I began my search for the right seminaries to apply to, I quickly found that seminaries fall into four basic categories (of my own making :)):

1) The Places Margaret Would Not Go (these seminaries were disqualified immediately because they required that students sign contracts saying they wouldn't have sex outside of marriage. I objected because this discriminates against Queer persons- or at the very least is thoughtlessly hetro-normative. Also, I wasn't about to go three years without sex.)

2) Places That Are Only Really Suitable For People From One Denomination (I really can't go to a seminary that is only for Episcopalians)

3) Career Seminaries (There are LOTS of seminaries that fall into this category. They emphasis hands-on experience to prepare you for the ministry. Very often the people who go to these seminaries are older and are looking to become ministers as a second career, because of this the level of education is a little bit more basic, and doesn't assume any previous knowledge of religion. Often classes are held in the evenings, and in many cases most students commute to campus, rather then live in campus housing. The emphasis is all on the practical, the hands-on, and the basic knowledge you need to be a pastor.)

4)Seminaries For Academics (This category would include all of the seminaries where academics are emphasized. Many people who are not planning on going on to be ministers, but who instead plan on entering academia as a professor go to these seminaries. Although the hands-on preparation for ministry can be found, the emphasis is on learning, studying, and 'preparing the mind')

Wesley Theological falls into category #3 and Princeton is (naturally!) a prime example of category #4. I chose one from each intentionally. I knew that I wanted the practical experience and knowledge that I would get from a category #3, but I was worried about being bored (I will be graduating in May with a BA in Religion). Category #4 seminaries really get my blood pumping and look super exciting, but I worry about not being as well prepared to take up a pastorship after I graduate.

So, I chose one of each. I chose Princeton because I have a wonderful professor here at Earlham who got his PhD from Princeton, and he encouraged me to apply. I chose Wesley because it was Methodist (and I have warm fuzzy feelings about Methodists), and also because it is in Washington DC where my Significant Other is attending graduate school.

Now you know. :)