(no subject)
Some time ago I sent a letter to a professor at the University of Texas at Austin asking about the general climate in admissions office at UT. What he had to say in response, sadly, confirmed a lot of what we tend to hear about. I share this here mostly for posterity's sake, and as a reminder that it isn't always safe to be openly Christian in one's professional life.
Dear Daniel:
Thank you for your letter. I'm delighted that you want to become a positive influence in the secular university. Your questions about graduate study in general I can answer; for your questions about the Philosophy Department in particular, I suggest that you also write to my colleague, who is also Christian.
1. "How much less receptive do you imagine the admissions staff at UT would be if my writing were to reflect a desire to actively incorporate my Christian background into my work as an aspiring professor?"
Answer: Very much less receptive. If you want to get in, don't mention this. Of course, you must never lie, but it isn't an obligation to tell them everything, and some secular professors would hold your Christian aspirations against you.
2. "Is UT particularly selective in who or how many prospective students it admits into their philosophy program?"
Answer: Admissions to graduate studies here is quite competitive, and each department has a limited number of open positions in its graduate program. I don't know how many there are in the Philosophy Department, but Professor Koons could tell you that. He might also be able to tell you the average GRE scores of applicants who are admitted.
3. "If I manage to get accepted, I'm sure to be taking some of your courses, so I eagerly look forward to meeting you, perhaps some time in the coming year."
Comment: I would welcome that. Most of my graduate seminars in political philosophy, natural law, and so forth are "cross-listed," meaning that they can be taken either as Government or as Philosophy seminars. As a result, I get a good mix of students from both departments.
4. "I'd also highly value your insight if you're aware of any other questions someone in my position should be asking!"
Comment: You should ask Professor Koons what the Philosophy Admissions Committee looks for in Statements of Purpose. You should also make sure that there is at least one person suitable as a mentor in any program, at any school, to which you apply. I'm sure both Professor Koons and I would be glad to work with you, and there are some other Christian faculty here too.
May God grant you a blessed Holy Saturday and Easter.
Best wishes,
Professor J
University of Texas at Austin
Dear Daniel:
Thank you for your letter. I'm delighted that you want to become a positive influence in the secular university. Your questions about graduate study in general I can answer; for your questions about the Philosophy Department in particular, I suggest that you also write to my colleague, who is also Christian.
1. "How much less receptive do you imagine the admissions staff at UT would be if my writing were to reflect a desire to actively incorporate my Christian background into my work as an aspiring professor?"
Answer: Very much less receptive. If you want to get in, don't mention this. Of course, you must never lie, but it isn't an obligation to tell them everything, and some secular professors would hold your Christian aspirations against you.
2. "Is UT particularly selective in who or how many prospective students it admits into their philosophy program?"
Answer: Admissions to graduate studies here is quite competitive, and each department has a limited number of open positions in its graduate program. I don't know how many there are in the Philosophy Department, but Professor Koons could tell you that. He might also be able to tell you the average GRE scores of applicants who are admitted.
3. "If I manage to get accepted, I'm sure to be taking some of your courses, so I eagerly look forward to meeting you, perhaps some time in the coming year."
Comment: I would welcome that. Most of my graduate seminars in political philosophy, natural law, and so forth are "cross-listed," meaning that they can be taken either as Government or as Philosophy seminars. As a result, I get a good mix of students from both departments.
4. "I'd also highly value your insight if you're aware of any other questions someone in my position should be asking!"
Comment: You should ask Professor Koons what the Philosophy Admissions Committee looks for in Statements of Purpose. You should also make sure that there is at least one person suitable as a mentor in any program, at any school, to which you apply. I'm sure both Professor Koons and I would be glad to work with you, and there are some other Christian faculty here too.
May God grant you a blessed Holy Saturday and Easter.
Best wishes,
Professor J
University of Texas at Austin