Decision Help!

[divinity888]

So I thought I'd start a thread for everyone who is trying to choose between schools. Now that we're accepted - what do we do?

I'm trying to choose between Harvard Div for MTS and Yale Div/Yale Institute of Sacred Music for MTS. I think I am interested in religion and literature or comparative religion. I know I want to incorporate folklore and mythology into my study. I have equal funding at both. Does anyone have any thoughts on these schools in relation to one another?

[11Q13]

So I thought I'd start a thread for everyone who is trying to choose between schools. Now that we're accepted - what do we do?

I'm trying to choose between Harvard Div for MTS and Yale Div/Yale Institute of Sacred Music for MTS. I think I am interested in religion and literature or comparative religion. I know I want to incorporate folklore and mythology into my study. I have equal funding at both. Does anyone have any thoughts on these schools in relation to one another?

Harvard would definitely be the place for comparative religions, since it has programs in all the major world religions, Yale on the other hand is a fairly traditional model of a Christian seminary. If the music aspect is important to you then Yale definitely has the advantage there. I would think they would both be about equal in terms of "religion and literature" if by that you mean the Bible and the writings of theologians.

Edited March 22, 2010 by 11Q13

[divinity888]

Hmmm thanks for your input! It's true that Harvard has programs in many more religions. Yale is starting up programs in areas like Asian Religions, but it's still pretty new.

Actually "Religion and Literature" is a subfield of religious studies... it's the study of literature that has religious content/themes (which can be said about most literature). Obvious examples are Dante, Milton, etc, but it's much broader than that.

[Isobel_Mishima]

So I posted somewhere else, but this seems more appropriate...

So Harvard or Chicago for 19th Century philosophy of religion? Equal funding. Opinions?

Edited March 22, 2010 by Isobel_Mishima

[LisaTO]

I'm still waffling between Harvard and UofT. I'm going to Boston on Sunday to visit!

[Leagus]

Hmmm thanks for your input! It's true that Harvard has programs in many more religions. Yale is starting up programs in areas like Asian Religions, but it's still pretty new.

Actually "Religion and Literature" is a subfield of religious studies... it's the study of literature that has religious content/themes (which can be said about most literature). Obvious examples are Dante, Milton, etc, but it's much broader than that.

I have a friend who did just what you are doing at Harvard and found it to be a really positive experience.

[Postbib Yeshuist]

Harvard would definitely be the place for comparative religions, since it has programs in all the major world religions, Yale on the other hand is a fairly traditional model of a Christian seminary. If the music aspect is important to you then Yale definitely has the advantage there. I would think they would both be about equal in terms of "religion and literature" if by that you mean the Bible and the writings of theologians.

I have to agree with the vote for Harvard.

[pepper]

While both Yale & Harvard allow you to take up to half your courses at their other schools - at Harvard you can also cross register at MIT, Tuft's Fletcher School and any of the other schools that are part of the Boston Theological Institute - Andover Newton, Boston College, Boston U, Gordon-Conwell, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, St. James Seminary and Episcopal Divinity. A huge selection of courses and faith traditions. In addition, Harvard's Pluralism Project is also at the forefront of interfaith study & dialogue.