[Being Catholic at Harvard Divinity School]

On 3/17/2020 at 2:17 PM, pax et caritas said:

This was such a helpful comment, thank you. And, congrats on the baby who is on the way! That's wonderful. I imagine you're thrilled. 

You've framed my question in a very helpful way, and one that gives me a sense of peace. As a philosophy undergrad, I tried to frame things in the way you've described (how will this degree help change -me-, and not simply my financial situation?), and it gave me peace in the face of financial uncertainty. No one in my family gave me a hard time over it because the plan for a while was law school, and while that seemed somewhat esoteric to many of them, they figured a philosophy degree seemed logical enough for that end. 

Now that I'm set on Div school, they've gotten a little more critical, and I think that's rubbed off on me too, and thus given me some anxiety. Keep in mind, I'm a first-gen student coming from rural America, so I can understand their concern over finances. 

I am very much interested in the personal growth the degree will offer, and how it'll put me closer toward working in education or a non-profit. Even if those careers don't pay super well. And truth be told, while the PhD --> university prof path is the way I've -thought- I want to go, I certainly -feel- I'd much rather get my MDiv and begin teaching at a classical academy, or Catholic school. I think getting the MDiv will help me wrestle with that conflict. I'm rambling a bit now. In more relevant news: I think I've decided on YDS! Part of the reason is because it isn't as... I guess you might say post-christian as HDS? So while it might not be as conservative as I am, I think it'll both challenge and nurture me in the ways I specifically need. Plus, I'm deeply interested in the post-liberal Christian theology that got started there (my undergrad education basically centered around post-liberal economics! Thrilled to work with Kathryn Tanner. Ah!). I've considered Duke for similar reasons, but they didn't offer as nice a financial aid package, though I was smitten with Duke's campus when I visited last October. Thankfully, Yale is gorgeous too.

Anyway, I'm rambling again. Thank you for taking the time to share your opinion and give a stranger a good reminder and some peace about such a big decision.

@pax et caritas So happy to hear that you've settled on Yale Div! Their Episcopalian-roots will challenge you while avoiding what might be considered fairly dramatic departures that exist at UCDS and here at HDS, for example.

[Being Catholic at Harvard Divinity School]

Current HDS M.Div student here. I'm not a traditional Catholic (at all) but I cannot imagine this being a place where you'll necessarily 'fit' with the program. If I were you, I'd give serious consideration to whether your primary motivation in even considering HDS is the name of the institution it's apart of, or what scholarship you'll be able to accomplish at HDS. Your student experience at HDS will be so different from Duke, which I see you listed, for instance. If I were in the shoes of a traditional or conservative Christian of nearly any denomination, I would expect to find much more community at Candler, Duke, or Notre Dame than HDS. Are there traditional Catholic students at HDS? Yes, but they could probably have a fuller spiritual and academic experience elsewhere.