divinity888

Hmmm thanks for your input! It's true that Harvard has programs in many more religions. Yale is starting up programs in areas like Asian Religions, but it's still pretty new. Actually "Religion and Literature" is a subfield of religious studies... it's the study of literature that has religious content/themes (which can be said about most literature). Obvious examples are Dante, Milton, etc, but it's much broader than that.

Wow LateAntique! That is awesome! Congratulations!!!

So I thought I'd start a thread for everyone who is trying to choose between schools. Now that we're accepted - what do we do? I'm trying to choose between Harvard Div for MTS and Yale Div/Yale Institute of Sacred Music for MTS. I think I am interested in religion and literature or comparative religion. I know I want to incorporate folklore and mythology into my study. I have equal funding at both. Does anyone have any thoughts on these schools in relation to one another?

Hey guys, I just didn't want you to think that I was ignoring you, because everyone knows I live close to Harvard! I just wanted to say that I'm trying to get off work for the 6th and make sure my roomie doesn't have plans for that before I extend housing offers. Unfortunately I might not know for a little while. I'll send PMs if my spare bed is available! In the meantime, there's got to be a Harvard message board somewhere on grad cafe. Maybe current students have a couch they can offer up?

Isobel, can I ask why you're eliminating Yale from your choices? I'm making a hard decision myself right now and I'm interested in everyone's thought processes.

1) I got in to the Institute of Sacred Music as well as Yale Div (i want to do religion in literature), so I get my tuition and fees covered. I'd have to take out loans to cover living expenses though, and I think I'm eligible for some of those. 2) I am going to the admitted students day! 3) I am deciding between Yale and Harvard. I'm considering location, personal attention, faculty, study abroad opportunities, a gut feeling, haha. Right now it's a pretty even split. Hopefully attending both admit days will help me decide.

I will also be going to the accepted students day! I am very excited. I still haven't chosen between Harvard and Yale so hopefully attending both open houses will help with my decision. Anyone else in that boat? What are your deciding factors? As for living in Boston, I live in Somerville now, near porter square. I split an apartment with my boyfriend, we each pay $650 and heat/electric ends up being around $70/month ($35/each). It's a great deal and only about a 15 minute walk from Harvard Div, because of where the Div campus is situated compared to the rest of Harvard campus. If you haven't been to Boston before, the div campus is not really THAT close to the Harvard T stop, so you might be better off living in somerville which is just as close but not as expensive! Porter square is not as hip as Davis, but there's still a lot going on and it's nice to be able to walk to class. If I go to Harvard I will definitely stay where I am. I live in a fairly large building with a great landlady, so if anyone wants more info, PM me! I get a spot in the little parking lot too, which is nice for groceries

Yes! And don't forget that Harvard is very encouraging of Div students to take classes from the other Harvard schools. Harvard has one of the top Japanese programs in the country and is home to the Harvard/Yenching institute. I did a lot of my undergraduate thesis research at the Yenching library at Harvard and it was amazing.

Hear hear, NickPD. A lot of people were downers to me about even getting into a masters program, about how much more competitive it is this year than ever before because everyone is avoiding the job market - but here we all are and all did great! Sure, the number of opportunities is shrinking - but it just means we have to work that much harder to get what we want. Nothing in life is ever guaranteed, but we just do everything we can. The alternative is giving up on a career in academia which I am flat out NOT willing to do. It is what I love and what I'm suited for and I'll chase it down regardless.

Congrats to you, too Johndiligent! You have so many great choices!!! Are you leaning towards one in particular?

I got in to Harvard Div full tuition! And Yale Div full tuition! ....how do I choose?!?

It's for the MAR, for anyone curious.

I got in to Yale!!! I can't believe they released decision so early! I am shocked, I am in shock.