periphron

So I was hoping someone could share some sage advice. I am wait-listed for Yale University phD program but not particularly hopeful (I am #6). Otherwise my situation is as follows I have been accepted to: Virginia Tech for Philosophy MA (within commuter distance of current location, might be able to remian part-time at my current job, wait-listed for funding at present) Georgia State for Philosophy MA (with $5000 stipend and full tuition remission) Harvard Divinity School for MTS (half tuition scholarship +loans) Yale Divinity School for MARc in Philosophy of Religion (half tuition scholarship +loans) Was rejected at: Vanderbilt (phD), Marquette (phD) My husband is currently in school full-time doing a Library Science degree. (We both work full time as well, and are both paying on school loans from undergrad). We are expecting a baby in June. So,...our financial situation is currently secure, but cannot take much pressure. Right now I feel like both HDS and YDS are just too reliant on my being willing to take on loads more debt. Even if I worked part-time and my husband worked full time after childcare we wouldn't be able to pay tuition, to live in these high cost of living places, and pay for childcare out of pocket. Being wait-listed for Yale Uni's program makes me feel like I might be able to get into a phD program next year if I just take a year to work locally on languages and change one of my recommenders (found out one was a bit less helpful than I had hoped after the fact). One faculty member at YDS has been very encouraging,... but I don't know how much of this is typical and how much might turn into real mentorship. Where would you go? Do you think it is worth going into debt to secure phD admission? Would you even consider the MAs in philosophy at Georgia or Virginia if I want to do a phD in philosophy of religion in a religion department?