Eight days ago I faxed a registration form and transcript to a professor at UNISA, as requested. I followed up with a question as to what to do next a couple of days ago. I have not heard anything from the professor yet or the lady who asked me to fax the documents mentioned. Is this to be expected? Am I too impatient? The reason I'm wondering is because they have heretofore acknowledged my e-mail the next day.
Michael: From a number of sources I have heard that Unisa is often slow in responding. To be frank, this is really one of the few complaints I have heard about Unisa, so I suspect it is par for the course. Russell
Michael, Yes, sometimes you'll receive a next-day response from Unisa, and sometimes you'll hear nothing for two weeks or more. My experience was: Electronically submit registration form - 26 January Receive email that reg. form has been received, and request for tuition - 30 January Pay tuition electronically - 30 January Receive acknowledgement of tuition paid - 31 January Then, nothing. After ten days I emailed a student counselor asking if there's anything else they needed or any trouble with the registration form. Then in one of those 'only in Hollywood' moments, I receive an email from Unisa on 16 February that I'm now registered, paid in full, welcome and get to work; and the postman pulls up in the driveway with the books and assignment stationary just as I'm reading the email. So, be patient. Good luck with your program, and please share your experiences with the group. Mark Sykes Mark's Unisa page: http://marksykes.netfirms.com/unisa/unisa.html
Well, I finally heard from UNISA. Based on the transcript I faxed, among other things, they are offering me acceptance into the structured MTh degree, on the following condition: They want me to write three essays of 6-8 pages--per essay, I assume--on three topics that they selected, for assessment by a 3-member committee. My question: Is this unusual and/or unreasonable? I don't think I've ever heard of this before.
It sounds like they're attempting to give you the benefit of the doubt (in regard to your previous work meeting entrance requirements for the MTh). I have heard of *similar* types of hoops to jump through (i.e. if you score high enough on our entrance exam, etc.). I'm guessing that in your previous education you never had to write anything of extended length (or at least it is not reflected in your transcripts). Just take a deep breath, dig into it, and I'm sure you'll do fine. Tom Nixon
Tom, I did write several lengthy papers, but you are correct that these are not reflected in my transcript. I took three independent study courses in philosophy/religion; they were entitled "Special Topics in Philosophy/Religion." Thank you for your response and encouragement.
I should have mentioned that they likely would be particularly excited about my application (were I to apply). I have an MA, but no thesis (comprehensive exams instead; I'd rather have had the thesis). I suspect that part of your problem is similar to what my problem would be: No verifiable lenthy writing. Again, good luck! Tom Nixon
Seems as if Tom made a reasonable assumption about the reason. I believe in the couple of SA programs I 've looked at they want writing. It appears their programs especially graduate are more focussed on thesis as opposed to our option (classes and comps which as Tom say's are a bear). As a side not the doctoral program I applied to here also requires applicants to submit transcripts, letters of reference, essay, and 3 samples of your writing (ie graduate level research papers). All this goes to an admission committee who reviews the documentation. At any rate, best of luck to you. With a M.Th. from UNISA it appears that you will have some very affordable options for doctoral work. North
North, Thanks! I narrowed my choices down to UNISA, U. of Zululand, Coolamon College in Australia, and Liberty U. For various reasons, I chose UNISA. Would you mind telling me which doctoral program you applied to?
It was the Educational Leadership doctoral program at ORU. It met my needs in terms of residencies and cost (as well as Christian orientation although I am not pentecostal). I was accepted and am also considering a couple of other options, one of which is exploring the U Zululand. North