Preparing for graduate school
Catherine Klausen [BA Philosophy 2014] was accepted into the PhD program at the University of Waterloo after just one semester of studying Philosophy at the Master’s level. Catherine entered the Master’s program excited to study the Philosophy of Mind but is now working on her doctoral thesis exploring our moral obligations to support people in vulnerable groups of our society. She recently met with current Tyndale philosophy majors through Skype to talk about her graduate school experience so far and how she navigated the stressful application process.
Thirty-two Philosophy students from Tyndale have been accepted into graduate schools, and many into multiple schools. Students have gone on to study at reputable institutions across the globe, such as Carnegie Mellon University, Biola University, Oxford University and the University of Western Michigan. Others have stayed close to home and studied at the University of Toronto or Ryerson University.
“The Tyndale Philosophy department attempts to do two basic things to help ensure that students who are interested in graduate school can not only get in but also succeed once they arrive,” explains Dr. Franks, Associate Professor of Philosophy. “First, we make sure that their courses are designed to provide them with the fundamental methods of analytic philosophy and, in doing so, acquaint them with the most central themes being discussed by academic philosophers. Second, we aim to show them how to go about integrating the discipline of philosophy with the Christian worldview.”
The professors at Tyndale provide students with strategies on how to organize multiple applications, are willing to proofread letters of intent and write references. According to Dr. Franks, every student who has followed their Tyndale professor’s advice during the application process has been accepted into at least one graduate school. The professors show students how to choose programs best suited to them and how to present their application in the best light.
“Our desire is to see scores of Tyndale Philosophy graduates go into the university and make a difference for Christ,” says Dr. Franks. “In order to do that, they must approach the discipline not simply as philosophers who happen to be Christians, but as Christian philosophers.”