Grad Checklist Requirement Descriptions

Select Program for More Requirements

Additional Information for International Students

For specifics on your program's requirements, please select a program at the top under "Select Program for More Requirements"

Personal Statement

This statement should address your motivation for applying to the program, as well as comment upon your academic and professional background and preparation. Your statement should not exceed 1,000 words.

Caspersen School Program

The applicant should clearly state a proposed area of research interest (if applicable), as well as how your personal and/or career objectives fit into the program. You can also explain any details in the applicant’s record that the Admission Committee might not otherwise be aware of.

Master of Arts in Teaching

Briefly describe your reasons for wanting to teach, as well as goals you have for your future students. You may wish to include previous, relevant experiences, including teaching, school visits, and other work with youth. (500 word maximum).

Doctor of Philosophy (Theological School)

A summary account of your prior academic preparation for graduate work in your chosen area.
A clear statement of your specific research interests and goals within that area.
An explanation of why you wish to pursue these research goals at Drew.

Doctor of Ministry

Why are you interested at Drew Theological School, and why are you interested in this program at Drew?
Describe the experiences that have been most significant in your professional growth.
Honestly evaluate the effectiveness of your ministry, including highlights such as meaningful events, changes in your understanding of ministry, primary sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction, and perceived strengths and weaknesses.
Select two areas of strength and briefly indicate why you believe you excel in these areas.
Select two areas where improvement– desire or need for growth– would make you a more effective minister, and briefly relate these to your personal or professional goals.
Briefly state some of the biblical and/or theological and/or cultural insights, concepts or convictions that are central to your understanding of the ministry (mission) of the church and the role of clergy.

Master of Divinity / Master of Arts in Theology & Ministry

Why are you interested at Drew Theological School, and why are you interested in this program at Drew?
Describe your background in the Christian faith, especially the influences that have led you to ministry.
Indicate the type of ministry or vocation that you feel called to engage. In what ways will a seminary education at Drew assist you in this ministry?
Consider the books you have read within the past two years. In what ways have these books shaped your Christian faith and prepared you for theological study at Drew Theological School?
Describe an experience in leadership where you have been effective.
In what ways have you resolved conflict or dealt with crisis in your life? State an example.

Master of Sacred Theology

Why are you interested at Drew Theological School, and why are you interested in this program at Drew?
Describe your academic interest in advanced theological studies. Identify the area of study on which you intend to concentrate, if admitted and why?
Comment on your reasons for pursuing the Master of Sacred Theology degree.
In what areas of theological academic preparation do you find yourself strongest and weakest? Explain.
Consider the books you have read within the past two years. In what ways have these books shaped your Christian faith and prepared you for advanced theological study at Drew Theological School?

Master of Arts in Religion

A summary account of your prior academic preparation for graduate work in your chosen area.
A clear statement of your specific research interests and goals within that area.
An explanation of why you wish to pursue these research goals at Drew.

Theological School Certificates

Personal statement only needs to be 1 page

For specifics on your program's requirements, please select a program at the top under "Select Program for More Requirements"

Diversity Statement

Drew University’s Teacher Education department seeks teacher candidates with personal characteristics such as these:

Curiosity about and appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives
Courage to take principled stands even when others disagree
Commitment to engage in issues of equity and social justice
Persistence in the face of challenges or obstacles related to equity and justice
Willingness to be self-reflective

Are there educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, not described in your Teaching Statement, that demonstrate your embodiment of these characteristics? Provide specific examples. (750 word maximum)

Recommendations

Please ask two references to complete this form. At least one reference should be able to speak to your ability to complete a graduate program. Drew candidates in the 5-year program must have a reference from an EDUC professor.

The letter of recommendation should come from an individual who is qualified to evaluate the applicant's intellectual competence and promise, personal character and motivation for wanting to pursue the particular program of study. This may include college level faculty or employer.

Theological School applicants for Master of Arts in Theology and Ministry, Doctor of Ministry, or Master of Divinity programs are required to include a letter from a religious leader who can speak to their preparedness for ministry. Please refer to the admissions requirements page on the website for any questions.

Most programs require 2 letters of recommendation. If you do not see them in your checklist, please add them here.

Theological School Certificates require 1 letter of recommendation. If you do not see it in your checklist, please add here.

For specifics on your program's requirements, please select a program at the top under "Select Program for More Requirements"

Writing Sample

Arts & Letters

The purpose of the response essay is to assess an applicant’s writing and critical reasoning skills. The essay itself, which should address one of the writing prompts listed below. It is not expected to necessarily be an academic paper, although it can take that format. The essay should demonstrate a clear thesis statement and adequate internal organization. The essay is expected to be a well-written and tightly-focused piece of work which should not exceed 1,000 words. In lieu of a response essay, applicants may submit an academic paper, written in the last 5 years, which demonstrates the same skills required by the response essay. Please use MLA format if you choose to include any citations.

Writing Prompts:
Respond to a Quote

Imagination is more important than knowledge. - Albert Einstein
Mine is not an obedient writing. I think that literature as any art has to be irreverent. - Reinaldo Arenas
These are times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. - Abigail Adams

History & Culture

The writing sample should be a recent representative work highlighting the applicant’s writing and research ability. While not absolutely necessary, it is helpful if the writing sample concerns the applicant’s proposed field of study. The overall length should not exceed 20 printed, double-spaced pages, not including bibliographic data.

Medical Humanities

The purpose of the response essay is to assess an applicant’s writing and critical reasoning skills. The essay itself, which should address one of the writing prompts listed below. It is not expected to necessarily be an academic paper, although it can take that format. The essay should demonstrate a clear thesis statement and adequate internal organization. The essay is expected to be a well-written and tightly-focused piece of work which should not exceed 1,000 words. In lieu of a response essay, applicants may submit an academic paper, written in the last 5 years, which demonstrates the same skills required by the response essay. Please use MLA format if you choose to include any citations.

Writing Prompts:
Respond to a Quote

The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases. - Carl Jung
The art has three factors, the disease, the patient, the physician.The physician is the servant of the art. - Hippocrates
People who work together will win, whether it be against complex football defenses, or the problems of modern society. - Vince Lombardi

Comment on a specific work of art, music, or literature and how it has affected or shaped your understanding of the field of medicine.

Theological School Program

Your Writing Sample should be a recent representative work highlighting the applicant’s writing and research ability. While not required, it is helpful if the writing sample concerns the applicant’s proposed field of study. The overall length should not exceed 25 printed, double-spaced pages, not including bibliographic data. This writing sample may be uploaded directly.

Transcripts

We require all official transcripts from colleges and universities you attended. Official transcripts must come from the institution.

However you can upload your unofficial transcript in your status portal. We can accept these to review your admission. You may see unofficial or incomplete transcripts as "Received Copy" on your checklist.

Tests

If you see that you have a Score Report that is not received, this means we have received your unofficial copy of the test scores instead of an official copy. However, your application can go to review with the unofficial scores you were unless otherwise told.

For specifics on your program's requirements, please select a program at the top under "Select Program for More Requirements"

GRE

The Subject Test is not required. The test is administered by the Educational Testing Service, Box 955, Princeton, New Jersey 08541, 609.771.7670.

Scores must be mailed directly to Drew from ETS; to report scores, please use School Code 2193. Consult the ETS bulletin for a schedule of testing dates and centers. To ensure timely consideration of an application, allow at least several weeks for test scores to reach Drew.

Praxis 1 (Core)

Passing Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators scores may be submitted at any time during the admissions process. In lieu of Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educator test scores applicants may submit qualifying SAT, ACT, or GRE scores.

Praxis 2 (Subject Assessments) & Praxis General Science (if applicable)

Passing Praxis® Subject Assessments scores may be submitted at any time during the admissions process. Applicants who are unable to submit passing Praxis scores during the admissions process may be considered for conditional admission into the MAT Program. Please contact gradm@drew.edu for details.

Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) - for MAT World Language OR ESL Certificate

You must possess linguistic competency in the designated world language (or English for ESL endorsement) as demonstrated on a Department-approved, nationally recognized test of oral language proficiency for spoken language, reading/writing proficiency for classical languages or receptive/expressive proficiency for American Sign Language. Information regarding this test may be found on the Language Testing International website or by calling Language Testing International by phone at (914) 963-7110.

Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) - for ESL Certificate
You must present evidence of passing written English language proficiency test. Information regarding this test may be found on the Language Testing International website or by calling Language Testing International by phone at (914) 963-7110. (Exceptions: Candidates for certification who pass the Department-approved basic skills test will be exempt from taking the written English language proficiency test (WPT) requirement.)

TOEFL or IELTS

International students whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Written English (TWE) scores no more than two years old. The tests are submitted by the Educational Testing Service. Scores must be mailed directly to Drew from ETS; to report scores, please use School Code 2193. Consult the ETS bulletin for a schedule of testing dates and centers. Allow at least six weeks for test scores to reach Drew. An application is considered incomplete without these scores.

If you wish to request a waiver of the Test of English requirement, please contact your admissions office at gradm@drew.edu to receive a link to the form.

Depending on your country, you may already be exempt from taking the test. You can see the countries that are exempt at this link.

Certification of Finances

Prospective F-1 students must have the financial resources to live and study in the United States. This includes being able to cover the cost of tuition, books, living expenses and travel. Designated school officials (DSOs) must collect evidence of the student’s financial ability before issuing a Form I-20, 'Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status'. Students will also need to present the same documents during the F-1 Visa Application process.

A prospective student must have financial evidence showing that they or a sponsor has sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses during the period of intended study. Evidence of financial ability includes but is not limited to:

Personal AND/OR Family bank statements (within the last 6 months) showing available funds that meet or exceed the estimated cost of attendance for one academic year.
Documentation from a family/sponsor (Affidavit of Support).
Scholarship letters from Government or Corporate Sponsorship