by Margaret Hamm, MTS ’21
Editor’s Note: In this post, recent Master of Theological Studies alum Margaret Hamm discusses attending law school after divinity school, and she shares about her road back to Harvard for her PhD in religion.
Lots of HDS students consider either going to law school or getting a PhD after graduation, but I’m one of the few HDS alums who has tried both! After graduating from HDS with an MTS in 2021, I attended law school for a semester but left the program soon after realizing that it wasn’t a good fit. Once I changed course, I decided to apply to PhD programs in religion. I just started my second year as a doctoral student in the Committee on the Study of Religion, and I couldn’t be happier with my decision! However, getting to this point took some serious discernment, and I relied a lot on advice from my faculty mentors, fellow students, and other HDS alums.
When thinking about law school or a PhD program as a next step, there are so many factors that are important to keep in mind. Here are a few of the most valuable tips I’ve learned in my journey from HDS to law school to a PhD program:
- Think about what you value personally and professionally: Law school and graduate school are both big commitments that will have a major impact on how you spend the next 3-6 years of your life, at least. Considering the big questions like how much student loan debt you’re willing and able to take on; how important getting to choose where you live is to you; and even what kinds of big life changes you might have during your time in a program are all essential when weighing the pros and cons of law school versus a PhD program. On a purely professional level, thinking about what you value in a learning environment and what qualities will best serve your professional goals is crucial as well. The law school environment is incredibly different from a divinity school environment, and even a PhD program in religion will have major differences, too, so you should absolutely take some time to think through what kind of academic setting best suits your learning needs and abilities.
- Choose your classes wisely: Use your time at HDS to take a wide variety of classes and figure out what questions or topics you’re intellectually passionate about. Some people think that if they’re considering a PhD, they need to only take classes in the area related to their future PhD coursework. You’ll have plenty of time to narrow your focus in a doctoral program, so your masters coursework is the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone and study something you’re not an expert in. This is also a great way to get to know lots of different HDS faculty members. You never know who could end up being on your dissertation committee or writing you a letter of recommendation for law school! Because Harvard has so many opportunities to enroll in cross-listed classes across the University, your MTS or MDiv is also a great time to branch out into different schools or departments. This opportunity is especially valuable if you’re considering law school and want to experience what it’s like to be in a law school classroom before you commit to three years of law school coursework.
- Don’t isolate yourself—build community instead: Lots of students think that in order to get into a JD or PhD program, you need to compete against your classmates for the same spot. While it’s important to develop your individual strengths as an applicant, law school and PhD admissions are so unpredictable and consider so many different factors in the decision process that this mindset isn’t actually worth it. Talking about the struggles (and triumphs!) of the application process and sharing drafts of your work with your peers will help you to feel less alone and might even benefit your mental health in the midst of a stressful moment.
- Take advantage of the HDS network: One of the best parts about being a member of the HDS community is the diversity of paths that people take, both during and after their time at Harvard. This means that there are HDS alums and affiliates all over the world doing all sorts of cool work. If you have an interest in a specific career path or degree program, there’s a good chance that there’s an HDS alum who’s done it! Talk to your professors about former students who have similar interests to you or get in touch with the Office of Career Services and see if they can make any connections. The informational interviews I’ve had with HDS alums have been super eye-opening, and I can honestly say that I’ve truly enjoyed every single conversation!
Figuring out what to do post-HDS can seem daunting at first, especially if you’re trying to choose between law school and a PhD program. With the right mindset and a good support system, though, you’ll have all the tools you need to make the right choice for you and your future!
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