The final part of the admissions process at McAfee is an interview. These interviews are done by a faculty/staff person. The purpose of the interview is twofold. First, we want to meet you. Your personhood, life story, and intricacies matter to us. We are in the business of equipping and training ministers for a lifetime in Christian service and feel it to be in our best interest to know who we are teaching. This interview is a chance for us to get to know you. Secondly, we want to see if you dialogue on a masters level. Part of the seminary journey is to think critically about your faith, personhood, spirituality, and denominational heritage. We, therefore, ask questions that fit into these categories during the interview.
So, as you prepare for the interview, here are a few thoughts that may help you survive the interview.
- We want you to begin to think critically about who you are and what you believe. Saying, “I’m not sure about a theological stance.” is an ok answer, but adding, “I’m excited to learn” makes it even better.
- Have a couple of theologians you’ve been reading at the forefront of your mind.
- When asked, “What good books are you reading?” don’t respond with “none.”
- Don’t be afraid to ask us questions about future vocational options, work load, class schedules, etc. Asking questions shows you are engaging in the interview and have thought about it beforehand.
- We don’t judge you by what you look like or wear, but we do want you to feel collected, comfortable, and ready to engage in dialogue. Whatever that looks like for you — do that.
- Don’t be afraid to ask how we compare to other schools you are looking to attend. Having a working knowledge of other educational institutions shows you’ve done your homework and are still interested in us.
- Know a little bit about who we are. We are a Baptist institution that affirms both women and men in ministry. Not acting surprised about this goes a long way.
I promise the interview is not meant to be intimidating or scary. It is meant for us to get to know you and to see if you can engage critically about your faith. This can be an uplifting experience if you find yourself prepared for it.
