Chicago MA or Harvard MTS?

[wanderlustxx]

Hi everyone! I just wanted to get everyone's opinions and feedback regarding these two programs. I've been admitted to both with full tuition and am struggling to make a decision on which to choose. I'm interested in European and Islamic intellectual history and the interactions between religion and secularism in the modern Middle East. I'm leaning towards Harvard because they offered me a stipend which will definitely help with living costs even though Hyde Park seems to be much cheaper to live in than Cambridge/Somerville. I have visited Chicago and felt very much at home in the department and absolutely love the faculty there. I haven't visited HDS yet so I don't have a very clear picture although I've spoken to a few grad students who have told me wonderful things about the program. 

 

Does anyone have any info or experiences they'd like to share? One of my primary concerns is the institutional culture of mentorship and whether the faculty are invested in the M* students. I'd love to hear your thoughts on anything and everything about the programs.

 

Thanks in advance! 

[Paraclete]

Hi there! Congrats on having such a great choice to make! I don't have time to write up a lengthy response (finals right now--slightly crossed eyed..), so I'll bullet-point a few things off the top of my head in favor of Chicago:

1) as you mentioned, living expenses here is a vast leg up over Cambridge. I basically gave up looking in Cambridge because I wanted to live on my own and couldn't find anything for under $1300-ish a month. Whereas I live in a large (for me) 650+ sq ft 1 br 1ba on my own in Hyde Park with all utilities covered for under $1000. That monthly bill adds up...

2) faculty are absolutely invested in masters students here at Chicago. That's really all there is to say about this.

3) The Div School at Chicago obviously has a great faculty in the broad areas you mentioned as your interests. I'd add, however, that the faculty outside the Div School that you'd have access to as a student at Chicago would really put you at the top of the field in terms of intellectual history. I'd suggest that you take a look at the faculty on the Committee on Social Thought, History, and NELC. 

 

That's all for now. I guess the last point I'd add that is to trust your gut--if you've visited UChi and loved it, I'd say that was a pretty good sign. I haven't regretted following that instinct. Visit HDS if you can--it's a very different vibe. Good luck, and congrats again!

Edited March 25, 2015 by Paraclete

[Cfl]

Students at HDS can take classes at any of the 10 schools in the Boston Theological Institute:

Andover Newton Theological School

Boston College Department of Theology

Boston College School of Theology and Ministry (formerly Weston Jesuit School of Theology)

Boston University School of Theology

Episcopal Divinity School

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary

Harvard Divinity School

Hebrew College and its Rabbinical School

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

St. John's Seminary

This is an amazing resource, besides being able to take courses in any relevant dept. at Harvard. You also have the resources of the Center for Study of World Religions right on campus. The HDS MTS is a resilient degree that I think tops Chicago.

Edited March 30, 2015 by Cfl