Surviving Seminary: New Student Orientation

New student orientation has one main purpose, to help students be successful while at seminary. There are so many factors out of our control, but orientation helps to frame much of the seminary experience that is within our control. When we gather early Friday morning, August 21, we’ll meet and greet each other, meet faculty and staff, and start building what will be some of the most important relationships we’ll ever have.

We’ll also cover a great deal of information. Some of it is required by law, some by accrediting agencies, university policy and a few things are director’s pick. All the information will come in handy at some point during seminary. Orientation helps to establish expectations for your experience at McAfee.

Here is the agenda for the 2009 New Student Orientation which will cover these six areas:

• Atlanta Essentials: Living, working, and having fun in Atlanta: If Atlanta isn’t already where you live, it is where you will live for the next three or four years. This seminar will help you get the best out of living in the big city. From free concerts and discount Braves tickets to the scoop on getting great coffee shop jobs in the area, Atlanta essentials will help frame your seminary experience.
• Worship & Formation & Self Care: This seminar focuses on finding resources and building practices for taking care of body, mind, and soul. Students will get connected to resources on and off campus from the student health services and massage therapist to the campus pastor and local spiritual retreat facilities.
• Intro. to Theological Thinking and Writing: Some of us do not come to seminary with previous religious education, and those of us who didn’t find theological education very different. This seminar will briefly introduce you to thinking about your theological world view, constructing an argument in writing, and writing using the McAfee style guide. It will introduce you to online writing resources and the writing center. This seminar is optional for students with religious undergraduate backgrounds, but strongly encouraged.
• Curriculum & Vocation: Few folks come to seminary knowing exactly what they’re called to do. However there are many resources along the way which will help students in their discernment. This seminar will introduce you the various curriculum paths as they relate to what you currently feel called to do and exploring paths for your future.
• Finances 101: This is the number one concern of every seminary student and the most common cause of conflicts in relationships, so we’re going to spend a few minutes talking about it. We’ll talk about making wise life choices, living on the cheap, scholarship sources, and making the most of the university resources you’re already paying for.
• Technology & Library: There is no seminary success apart from navigating the university’s technology and library resources. From email, Bearport and Blackboard to books, articles, and Galileo, you’ll get a chance to check your Mercer email, check your account online, and view some of your first day assignments.

Orientation is a bit like drinking from a fire hose. Don’t worry though; we’ll also give you a copy of everything in writing. And there will be lots of snacks and breaks.
Mark your calendars: Admissions will also host a back to school party on Monday, August 24th from 4:30-6:30 – Free food, free t-shirts, area churches and organizations will be there.

Making Big Transitions…like to Atlanta, Georgia

Anxiety is a normal human response to life transitions. It makes sense that the body’s response to experiencing something different is to feel different. I’ve flown hundreds of times in an airplane and I still get butterflies during take-off. I find the best way to get a handle on things when I’m feeling anxious is to become more educated on the matter. So let’s return to the topic of transitions. There are basic needs for human life: food, water, shelter, love, and G.P.S’s. And I’ve gathered the top most important transition resources below.

1. Theologians are not Mathematicians: You’ll want to write down two important numbers. The first is your student ID number, also known as the MUID (Mercer University Identification). You get this number by going to Bearport – putting in your SS# and your secret PIN number which was on page two of your registration letter. Bearport will then display your MUID (these instructions came in student’s registration packet, but, JIC).

2. Pandora’s Box: Bearport will open up everything Mercer and McAfee for you. You can check your bill, financial aid awards, class schedule, waive student health insurance, stop time, and travel to a 4th dimension. It’s a huge responsibility; choose wisely.

3. Ollivander’s: You’ll need some school supplies. The most important supply will be your books. With a copy of your courses in-hand (or on screen) you can order your books (or window shop) at the Mercer Atlanta Book Store.

4. Bunk Mates: If you are looking for a roommate and haven’t picked one yet, you may want to get on that. Theology students make very good roommates. Unlike your college roommate, they rarely burn cigarette holes in your sofa and never let their pet ferret sleep in your clothes hamper; though you really should ask before signing a lease with someone. Becky sends out weekly emails chock-full of information about folks looking for housing and housing looking for folks. This week it included internships and a link to this blog. If you want to receive this email and haven’t, be sure to email Becky at nelson_rf@mercer.edu

5. Get Rich Quick: Well, you can put that thought out of your mind. But you may be looking for employment while you are a student at McAfee. Incoming and Current students can register with Career Services to be updated with “secular” employment opportunities (678.547.6023). Church related reference and referral is done by Libby Allen. Email her to be placed on the ministerial list-serve and to submit a resume.

You may have many more questions. For example, “You mentioned student health insurance, where can I get more information about that?” The answer is at: https://www.pearceandpearce.com/PearceSite/Schools/GA/mercer/?CollegeID=76

Student services also hosts a list of off-campus housing (click here).

For details or other questions please feel free to call or email: 888.471.9922 or theoadmiss@mercer.edu.

Have a great Summer!

Ryan

Sassy Application Essays

Awhile back I looked up my application for admission to McAfee. I hope this wasn’t a federal offense. I was curious about what I wrote in my essays. Now 10 years have passed. I was surprised at how clueless I was back then about how to assemble a compelling reason why I should be admitted to the school. I clearly didn’t take the essays seriously and I barely wrote more than a page. It didn’t occur to me that I might have been declined or that I was excluding myself from scholarship consideration .
Here are some tips to help you when you sit down to write your application essays.
1. Your essays should be brief but thoroughly address the questions posed on the application. We don’t need ten single-spaced pages of your upcoming memoir. Double space your essays and get straight to the point. Your Christian pilgrimage is the story of how you came to faith and what major events have shaped who you are today.
2. No matter how good a writer you think you are, always have someone proofread your essays before sending them to us. Though sometimes humorous, typing, “trails” instead of, ”trials” makes us wonder if a student has been through difficult times or just been hiking. Also, the search and replace tool is not as effective as you might wish it was. Occasionally we read about how impressed students were during their, “visit to McAfee and how excited they are to study with Yale’s excellent faculty.” The application for admission is main source the scholarship committee uses for identifying students for merit-based scholarships. We are looking to make additional investments into the lives of a few outstanding students. An extra hour or so on your essays could translate into thousands of dollars down the road.
3. Speaking of Yale’s excellent faculty, when you are addressing the factors which have led you to apply to McAfee, you are also welcomed to name drop all you want. Please feel free to talk about the uniqueness of our program, what you find intriguing about our history, which of our professor’s books you’ve read, or our reputation for being an academically rigorous program.
4. You may not know what you want to do with the rest of your life, but don’t admit that in your essay. Because all of our students receive a study grant, we are a little picky as to who we let into the program. Seminary is an excellent place to explore your sense of call and get a better understanding of yourself and of God. Even though you don’t know exactly what you want (or feel called) to do when you graduate, do tell us what you’re passionate about right now. If your goals for ministry are to make the world a better place, tell us a couple of practical ways you intend to do that.

Laura Wheeler’s Five Tips for Living in Atlanta

From the top of Laura’s head…
1) Always have a book on tape in the car – traffic is unpredictable!
2) Check out atlantaonthecheap.com for discounts on entertainment and food!
3) Craving authentic ethnic food? Go to Buford Hwy and choose from a plethora of Asian, African, European, and Latin restaurants.
4) All professional sports teams have student discounts and are accesssible by MARTA, Atlanta’s railway system.
5) For shopping needs, Atlanta has great outdoor malls like Perimeter and Atlantic Station. Or, check out more eclectic areas like Virginia Highlands and Little Five Points and support small business owners.

Living in Atlanta

This time of year we got lots of questions about living in Atlanta. The first key thing to keep in mind is to live as close as possible to school or work. Doing this will minimize your need to hazard the traffic. In your years here as a student, you will save time, money and emotional and spiritual energy living close to campus. You will also find yourself being a more active part of the McAfee community and getting more out of your education. Every year an incoming student gets lured into renting an apartment 7 or 8 miles away because the rent may be a little less and they will always say, “It only takes 15 minutes to get to campus.” While that might be true on a few days, like the Saturday you were in town looking for apartments, it will not be true on most days.
Mercer offers great on-campus housing though it is limited. Most McAfee students live off-campus in the many apartments within walking distance or a few miles. The advantage of living on campus is, of course, convenience and simplicity. The advantage of living off campus is the variety of amenities and prices. Rent varies from apartment to apartment depending on age of the building and amenities. Every apartment complex runs “specials” which can include waived application fees to a free month’s rent. You may also be able to split a referral fee with a current student who already lives at that complex. Please let the admissions office know when you will be in town looking at apartments; we’d love to help.
The McAfee Transitioning Website is here:
http://www2.mercer.edu/Theology/Prospective_Students/Master_of_Divinity/Transitioning+to+Atlanta+and+Seminary+Life.htm

Deadlines Shmedlines, No Really, We Have One.

McAfee School of Theology has one. We expect to receive all applications by July 1 from students wishing to begin in the Fall. Student’s who do not make the deadline may be considered. However, it is likely that students will “roll” to the following Spring semester start date. Students seeking Spring start must apply before January 4, 2010.