Im glad to hear you'll consider it. It's a weird department (like any other Phil department lol) but if you seek people out they are almost unwilling to let you fail. A lot has been happening surrounding the MA, they are trying really hard to make it better. It was never bad, just...not funded. Biggest issue that has lead to is there being a fair amount of super rich kids in the program who don't understand why some of us have to work. That has really changed in the last two years though. When I first started, I said there was no way in hell Id apply to the PhD: I'm just a poor kid with a shit ton of debt trying to break into the ivy tower. But, since then, I've gotten support both in the department and just through my jobs at BC. They really care. Now, I'm honestly thinking BC will be my top choice next year. The largest complaint I have is just that its not funded. I'm jealous of the people who get to take advantage of the incredible opportunities there while I'm working three jobs.
But Ive had professors be super generous with me on getting my schoolwork completed. Ive been told I can audit classes and get profs to write letters of rec so that I don't have to pay for them outright...they just offered me another year to help prep my apps and take more analytic classes since I wasn't really ready to apply to PhDs this year...like its been worth the money for me.
I know A LOT of PhD students who came out the MA if not the first year after finishing then at least the second. And what I meant by my top post was that, if I knew there were jobs I could apply for that had tuition remission...then my life would have been much easier. There aren't many of them, they are competitive, but they exist. you can also pick up a temp office job for like 20-25 hours a week and as a BC employee you get full tuition remission. So like... perfect? No. But worth looking into... yes.
But, if you don't show an interest in connecting with profs, or you never show up to the grad lounge (which is always popping with metaphysical debates lol)... then yeah it is a cash cow MA. BC like anywhere else will take your money and Never look back. But, if you show you give a shit and you put time in...it can be extremely rewarding. You just have to learn early how things work and buy in. If you don't, then the jesuit thing will seem stupid... the theology thing will seem stupid... you will find things to be upset with. I did that for a year... it sucked...wouldnt recommend it. Just buy in and take what they can offer which if you play your cards right can be the world.