Hi all,
Like many others on this board, I'm looking for perspective on how to go about selecting my MA program. Overall, my career objective is to teach at the university level...how typical . Academic interests are in resolving tensions between lower and higher theologies and improving dialogue between western and eastern churches. Ideally, I'd love a school that supports a balance between social justice and philosophical theology.
Currently, I'm down to BC and Yale. Cost of attendence is sort of a big deal to me, but some older and wiser folks have advised that over the course of a lifetime, a difference of 20k in loans is not really a major detriment to being able to support yourself.
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
BC Positives
Boston location
BTI
Cost of attendance (would only need to take out minimal loans for cost of living)
Proven history of improving relations between west/east churches
BC Negatives
Already went to a Jesuit undergrad, concerned about being pegged as too Catholic
Overall, moderately conservative program...but there are times when certain figures step in and start slapping wrists...I do not want to be in a stiffled academic environment. Am I overestimating this?
Lack of diversity amongst faculty and students
Yale Positives
More diverse course offerings
Diversity (an old wooden ship)
Networking/Opening doors...we all can't assume that we're getting PhDs aftewards, so what then? Suppose I want to use my degree towards something else?
Yale Negatives
Cost (would need 40k in loans over 2 years for tuition and living expenses)