« ADMISSIONS « APPLICATION PROCESS
Written Essays
AI disclosure
Autobiography
Write a brief autobiography of no more than two pages (single-spaced, double-spacing between paragraphs, 12pt font). Include your name on each page.
Be sure to comment on your conversion and commitment to Christ, the significant factors which have aided your growth as a Christian, and the important events and people shaping your identity as a person.
Statement of Purpose
Mature Admissions, Graduate Certificate, and PhD Applicants: See specific instructions.
Please limit the Statement of Purpose to two typed pages (single-spaced, double-spacing between paragraphs, 12pt font). Include your name on each page.
Include answers to each of the points below:
- Theological Orientation. Describe two or three theological issues that have been central to your personal development and to your ministry.
- Personal/Ministry Objectives. Comment on the motivating objectives of your life and ministry at the present time and how this degree will relate to these.
- Encouragement from Others. Comment on the encouragement you received from family members, significant friends, and church community for your entering this degree program.
- Strengths & Weaknesses. Based on your experience in ministry and personal evaluation, describe significant strengths and weaknesses in yourself which you bring to this degree program.
Graduate Certificate Applicants
Standard Graduate Certificate applicants are only required one written essay.
Abridged Essay: Please limit the Statement of Purpose to one page (single-spaced, double-spacing between paragraphs, 12pt font). Include your name on the page.
Provide 1–3 paragraphs explaining your vocational goals and how you hope to apply this graduate certificate towards those goals.
Mature Admission Certificate Applicants
(Mature Admission means you are applying without a bachelor’s degree.)
Please follow the full instructions above for the Autobiography and Statement of Purpose.
PhD Applicants
In the application portal, PhD applicants replace the Statement of Purpose with their Research Proposal.
- 2-3 page research proposal detailing the area of study, an argument about the need for research on the specific topic, and a reflection of the suitability of Gordon-Conwell’s doctoral faculty to offer supervision in this.
Upload Instructions
Once you have submitted your application, you will be sent an email granting you access to your applicant portal inside of SONIS, our Student Information System (SIS). From your applicant portal, you can review all application checklist requirements (eg. transcripts, references, essays).
Use the paperclip icon next to the Essay Checklist items to upload your essay(s).
Have Questions?
Someone from our friendly admissions team would be happy to reach out to you.
English
AI, Original Thought, and Transparency
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an increasingly powerful tool in academic life, used for grammatical checks all the way to generative content. Consistent with our Christian values and graduate-level standards, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary requires students to demonstrate original thought, rigorous research, and full ethical transparency in all written assignments. The Review Committee holds Admissions essays to these same standards. The Committee wants to see your authentic writing, not AI-generated content.
Please note this excerpt below from the Academic Catalogue. Read the full content on page 158. “Beyond any explicit allowance by professors, using AI to replaces one’s own thinking and engagement with assignments (including but not limited to research papers, course discussions, digital posts, presentations or exams) is a form of cheating. Leveraging generative AI in this manner will be considered a violation of academic integrity.”
Spanish
IA, Pensamiento Original, y Transparencia
La Inteligencia Artificial (IA) es una herramienta cada vez más poderosa en el ámbito académico, utilizada para revisiones gramaticales y la generación de contenido entre otras cosas. En coherencia con nuestros valores cristianos y con los estándares de estudios de posgrado, el Seminario Teológico Gordon-Conwell requiere que los estudiantes demuestren el use de un pensamiento original, investigación rigurosa y total transparencia ética en todos los trabajos escritos. El Comité de Revisión aplica estos mismos estándares a los ensayos de Admisiones. El Comité desea ver su escritura auténtica, no contenido generado por IA.
Tenga en cuenta el siguiente extracto del Catálogo Académico. Lea el contenido completo en la página 158. “Más allá de cualquier permiso explícito otorgado por los profesores, utilizar IA para reemplazar el pensamiento propio y la dedicación a las tareas (incluidos, entre otros, trabajos de investigación, discusiones de curso, publicaciones digitales, presentaciones o exámenes) constituye una forma de deshonestidad académica. El uso de IA de esta manera será considerado una violación de la integridad académica.”
Portuguese
IA, pensamento original e transparência
A Inteligência Artificial (IA) é uma ferramenta cada vez mais poderosa na vida acadêmica, usada para verificações gramaticais e até mesmo para a geração de conteúdo. Em consonância com nossos valores cristãos e os padrões exigidos em nível de pós-graduação, o Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary exige que os alunos demonstrem pensamento original, pesquisa rigorosa e total transparência ética em todos os trabalhos escritos. O Comitê de Revisão aplica os mesmos padrões às redações/ensaios de admissão. O Comitê deseja ver sua escrita autêntica, não conteúdo gerado por IA.
Observe o trecho a seguir do Catálogo Acadêmico. Leia o conteúdo completo na página 158. “Além de qualquer permissão explícita dos professores, usar IA para substituir o próprio pensamento e envolvimento com os trabalhos (incluindo, mas não se limitando a, trabalhos de pesquisa, discussões em sala de aula, publicações digitais, apresentações ou exames) é uma forma de desonestidade intelectual e fraude. Aproveitar a IA generativa dessa maneira será considerado uma violação da integridade acadêmica.”