Hey guys, so I seem to be in a situation that isn't going to end well for attending this year...I've been accepted at an amazing program that does exactly what I want to do and is also in a really exciting location, and they also offered me a yearly scholarship....which is really quite small and would still leave a cost of at least 50k for the program, which I see as a hugely irresponsible amount to cover with loans on top of my undergrad loans. In addition, its location is a city with a high cost of living. I am still in contact with the program director and hope to hear more about further funding opportunities...but based on past conversations I am not optimistic that this program even has funds beyond this scholarship that seems to be the standard. I suppose another option would be to ask to defer to save more money while working for another year....does anyone have experience doing this?
I also have acceptance at another program that would certainly get me into the career field I'm headed for, but is in an academic area different from others I applied to and just isn't as interesting to me. It's an Anthropology program while all others I applied to were American Studies or Decorative Arts. They may well offer me a decent funding package (no detail yet, and this rides on someone else turning down their spot), and this program is in the city where I currently live.
My problem is that I am unsure if I should really consider the program where I live now if they give me a good offer since it just isn't really what I want to be doing. I mostly just applied because it's relevant to my career goals and would not require relocation. I want to study Colonial American Material Culture but this program is on the west coast...any advice?