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Posted (edited)

I have an offer from University of Chicago's Divinity School that includes a 50% tuition remission.  I also have an offer from Boston University's School of Theology for 100% tuition remission.  I really want to attend University of Chicago, but I calculated that for tuition alone I would have to go roughly 40k into debt for two years of study, not including living expenses.  I want to get into a good PhD program, and for that I know where I did my masters will have a huge effect on what offers I get.  However, to me its a choice between being a big fish in a small pond, or a small fish in a big pond.  BU has some great faculty and I received one of the most prestigious scholarships that are offered to MA students, so I would easily make good connections with the faculty there.  However, I'm worried that I might regret turning down Chicago when it comes time to apply to PhD programs. Thoughts?

Edited by mkwiatk4
Posted

Very true. I really can't go wrong either way, and I do love the community life at BU.  I'm just thinking logistically for the future.

Posted

Hands down BU in my opinion. While Boston might not be as prestigious as Chicago, but its up there. Anecdotally, one of my professors told me that theres not really a reason why BU shouldn't be acknowledged as "first tier" school (which is a very subjective category I know) even though its not often mentioned in the same breath at Yale/Harvard/Duke etc. In the end, going to Chicago (or anywhere for that matter) will not guarantee a PhD acceptance and 40K is a big gamble to throw down on that. 

Posted

That's tough. It really depends on what you want to study and with whom. No matter where you go your interests will change a lot. Something that might make it easier is look at the structure of the programs. For example, what required classes are there? Are you going to be in class with 50+ people? Is there a maximum/rule on language courses? Can you take courses outside of your department? What offerings are available for the summer?  These questions helped me decide on my first M* (I could have attended a higher ranked program, but I did not due to the insane amount of required classes/language course allowances/outside department allowances. Remember, many if not most of your peers will have zero interest in continuing on to a PhD. Programs are structured accordingly. I have no clue what your background/prep is but it is absolutely essential you maximize your time no matter where you end up. In the end, what is 40k to you? Yes, it's a lot of money. BUT if you end up coming out of a program without securing a PhD spot you will likely be no better off professionally than had you not done the free M*. Yes, the job market is rough for PhD's in religion/related fields; but is it worse for those with an M* in religion? Only the gods know. 

Posted

Boston, hands down. 40k is a lot of debt to emerge with, particularly in a field with pretty slim professional prospects. Receiving that first student loan bill eight years from now after you finish your PhD and are searching for a job would be somewhat less than gratifying. It's also worth saying that BU is not some shady online school- it is rather well regarded, and I think that you could have a very good experience there (plus, Boston is a great place to live). For me, if it was 50% at Chicago or full funding at Joe Schmoe's School of Religion and Theology, it would give me more pause. That's not the case here- BU is a fine institution and in the long run, that offer will give you a much stronger personal financial profile in the years to come. 

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