Application for Student at Large (S.A.L.)For students with a Bachelor's DegreeStudent At Large Status allows a student to take courses in an area of interest at her/his own pace without the expectation to complete the requirements set by a degree program. A Student At Large may attain a Certificate of Theological Studies, if she/he successfully completes six courses. Many students, studying under the status of Student At Large, decide to apply for admission to a degree program at a later date. Application InstructionsQualifications: Applicants utilizing this application must have earned a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution. Certain persons who do not possess a Bachelor’s Degree may apply as a Student at Large (S.A.L.) utilizing a separate application: Student At Large—Without Bachelor’s Degree. 1. APPLICATION PROCESS: Completion of the online application form is only one part of the comprehensive application process. Official transcripts and letters of recommendation will be submitted in hard copy. Applications must be complete before they will be forwarded to the CTS Admissions Committee for consideration. Please plan accordingly to meet the appropriate deadlines. 2. ONLINE APPLICATION FORM: The bulk of your application information will be collected by way of the online form. Read all directions prior to beginning the form to understand the requirements for the degree program to which you are applying. Prepare your written materials and assemble them in one document to be submitted as an attachment. Identify the persons who will serve as referents. Gather information regarding institutions attended and degrees received. Determine your form of payment for the application fee. 3. WRITTEN MATERIALS: Written materials should be carefully assembled into one document to be included as an attachment on the online application form. The application form will refer to this collective document as an “essay”. 1. Autobiographical Statement: Please write an autobiographical statement of approximately 250 words briefly discussing what leads you to pursue theological studies at Chicago Theological Seminary. 2. Resume: Provide a current resume or a brief description of any of the following: your recent work experience, participation in volunteer and community service, religious or church involvement, and any honors/awards you have received. 4. REFERENCES: Persons applying to study under the status of Student at Large must submit two letters of reference: Normally, two academic references or one academic and one professional reference are required. If you have been out of school for an extended period and are not able to secure an academic reference, please select someone who might be able to speak specifically to your intellectual abilities and gifts for written/oral expression. 5. ACADEMIC RECORDS: Provide the names of all colleges and universities attended or presently attending and indicate the degrees earned or expected on the online form. List them in chronological order. The online form can accommodate up to five institutions. 6. APPLICATION FEE: A non-refundable $50 application fee is required of all online applicants. Payment may be made by debit card or credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover Card or American Express.) Persons serving as volunteers, team members, Corp members, staff and alums of the AmeriCorps, City Year, Peace Corps, and VISTA are eligible for an application fee refund. Refund will be done by mail following receipt of proof of affiliation. 7. STUDENT AT LARGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST: A downloadable checklist is provided for your convenience to assist you in organizing your materials and completing the requirements. 8. SUBMISSION: Transcripts and sealed references should be mailed to : Chicago Theological Seminary 9. FACULTY INTERVIEW: Once your application file is complete and ready for review by the Admissions Committee, the Office of Admissions will contact you to arrange a brief personal interview with a member of the CTS faculty. The interview may be done in person or by telephone. 10. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS: All applicants must complete the admissions process within two years of submission of application materials. No applications will be held after two years. Applicants who are not accepted to CTS may only re‑apply after two years, and must re‑submit an application. Submission of an application and the supporting documents assumes that the information is accurate and true to the best of the applicant’s knowledge. All documents submitted as a part of an application become the property of the Chicago Theological Seminary and are not transferrable to a third party. 11. GRANTING OF CERTIFICATE: Students studying under the status of Student At Large are eligible to request a Certificate in Theological Studies upon satisfactory completion of six courses. “Satisfactory completion” is defined as achieving a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students interested in receiving a certificate must meet with the CTS Director of Studies to be assessed for eligibility. 12. TRANSFER TO A DEGREE PROGRAM: Courses completed as a Student At Large, with a grade of B or higher, can be applied towards pursuit of the Master of Arts (Religious Studies), Master of Arts in Religious Leadership, or Master of Divinity degrees at a later date. In order to transfer credit and pursue a degree program, students studying under Student at Large status must apply for admission and be accepted to the degree program desired.
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