Frequently Ask Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Lay Programs
Admissions
- What do I need to do to apply to The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity (SOD)?
- When is the deadline to apply?
- What does it mean to review applications on a rolling basis?
- How do I know when my application is complete?
- If I call the Admissions Office and provide my GRE score and GPA, can I find out whether or not it is likely I will receive an offer of admission?
- What are the minimum GRE score SOD accepts?
- May I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
- When will I be notified of the admissions decision?
- How do I check the status of my application?
- Does SOD offer a conditional or provisional admission program?
- I received a letter indicating that my application has been denied. Can I appeal the decision or request reconsideration?
- Is it possible to defer my decision of admission until next year?
- My degree is from a foreign institution, where should I send my transcripts?
- How do I arrange a visit to SOD?
- Where should I park when visiting?
- How much does it cost to attend SOD?
Financial Aid
- When should I file the FAFSA?
- How do I apply for need based financial aid through SOD?
- What is the Federal Code for the University of St. Thomas School of Divinity?
Student Services/Miscellaneous
- Do you have on campus housing?
- Where exactly is the University of St. Thomas, The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity located?
- How much does parking cost for SOD students?
Admissions
What do I need to do to apply to SOD?
Students should complete an application for admissions to The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity. A complete application includes: a complete and signed application form; the non-refundable application fee; original transcripts of all college or graduate work sent directly from the academic institution to the chair of the Admissions Committee, showing an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited seminary, college or university. Seminary students must have a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.3 (C+) or better, including 24 credits in theology; the UST information sheet; Miller Analogies Test scores or Graduate Record Examination scores of testing completed within the past 18 months; three letters of recommendation; a letter of recommendation and of sponsorship from either the diocesan bishop, vocation director, or religious superior; a letter of recommendation from the seminarian’s pastor; ecclesiastical records, specifically a record of baptism and confirmation; a written psychological evaluation provided by a qualified professional covering the following areas: emotional and intellectual maturity, self-concept and ego-strength, ability to relate to others and to work cooperatively with them, ability to deal with abstract concepts and principles, attitudes toward sexuality, and authority and motivation for aspiring to priestly ministry.
When is the deadline to apply?
All applications must be received by the chair of the Admissions Committee by June 30. This makes it possible for the Admissions Committee to interview each candidate between July and August prior to orientation for the academic year.
What does it mean to review applications on a rolling basis?
Reviewing applications on a rolling basis means that applications are reviewed by the admissions committee in the order in which they are received in the admissions office and become complete.
How do I know when my application is complete?
The admissions office will notify you regarding an appointment for the admission interview.
If I call the Admissions Office and provide my GRE score and GPA, can I find out whether or not it is likely I will receive an offer of admission?
No. The admissions staff cannot predict the likelihood of an applicants chance of being admitted based solely on their GRE score and undergraduate GPA. The admissions committee consider many factors in addition to the numerical indices when making a decision whether to admit a student.
What is the minimum GRE score SOD accepts?
SOD does not use cut-off or minimum score requirements when making admissions decisions.
May I submit more than three letters of recommendation?
Yes. SOD requires a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation. However, you may submit as many letters of recommendation as you deem valuable or beneficial to your application.
When will I be notified of the admissions decision?
Once a file completes and enters the committee review process, it typically takes one week for a decision to be reached. At that time, applicants will be notified of the committee's decision regarding an offer of admission.
Applicants who have been denied will also receive a letter notifying them of the committee's decision in that same period of time.
How do I check the status of my application?
Applicants may check on the status of their application by calling the records office at 651-962-5770. Status may also be checked via email by contacting us at sldarling@stthomas.edu.
Does SOD offer a conditional or provisional admission program?
Yes.
I received a letter indicating that my application has been denied. Can I appeal the decision or request reconsideration?
No. Once an applicant has received a decision denying their application for this year's class, there is no ability to appeal that decision. Students are welcome to apply during a subsequent application season but should seriously evaluate the need to improve the strength of their application.
Is it possible to defer my decision of admission until next year?
SOD accepts requests for deferment in writing. Should the request be approved, the deferral will be for one year.
My degree is from a foreign institution, where should I send my transcripts?
If your foreign degree is awarded by an institution outside the United States, Puerto Rico, or Canada, you must have your transcript translated and evaluated. The evaluation determines the equivalency of the coursework towards a U.S. baccalaureate degree. Your foreign transcripts should be sent to a transcript evaluation service, who will then forward them directly to the SOD Office of Admissions. There a number of evaluation services available, but we suggest that international applicants use one of the following evaluation services:
World Education Services, Inc.
info@wes.org
(800) 937-3895Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
eval@ece.org
(414) 289-3400
How do I arrange a visit to SOD?
Applicants interested in visiting the law school may contact the Office of the Academic Dean at 651-962-5786 or spssod@stthomas.edu. We will make every effort to accommodate your visit and to arrange for you to meet with an admissions counselor, current students, and sit in on a class.
Where should I park when visiting?
Visitors to campus should park in Lot P at SOD. This is the only parking that SOD will provide a permit for parking.
How much does it cost to attend SOD?
Tuition for the 2005-2006 academic year is $534 per credit.
Financial Aid
When should I file the FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) may be filed anytime after January 1, 2005. The FAFSA should be filed after you complete your taxes, but preferably no later than April 1, 2005.
How do I apply for need based financial aid through SOD?
Need based financial aid is awarded through the FAFSA process. SOD does not award scholarships solely on the basis of need.
What is the Federal Code for the University of St. Thomas School of Divinity?
Our code is 002345. When completing the FAFSA form, you will be required to enter UST SOD's federal school code.
Student Services/Miscellaneous
Do you have on campus housing?
No. The University of St. Thomas School of Divinity does not provide on-campus housing for graduate students. Students have the option of living throughout the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Housing information is available through the University of St. Thomas Lifework Center, or through the University of St. Thomas Commuter Center.
Where exactly is the University of St. Thomas School of Divinity located?
The School of Divinity is located on our St. Paul South Campus, 2260 Summit Avenue.
Visitors to campus should park in the campus parking Lot "P" located next to SOD at 2260 Summit Avenue. A permit is required and can be obtained by the SOD receptionist.
How much does parking cost for UST SOD students?
SOD students who choose to park in the St. Paul campus parking ramp currently pay $180 per semester. This fee allows students to park all day, every day.
Alternately, students may ride the free shuttle between the St. Paul and Minneapolis campuses. However, students with a St. Paul campus permit are not allowed to park in the Minneapolis campus parking ramp, and must pay the day parking rate to do so.
