Looking a Gift-Horse in the Mouth, and the power of Ivys
So...I applied to three schools for an M.Div: Yale, Harvard and Emory.
I was accepted to Yale and Emory and rejected from Harvard (which is totally fine because I wasn't really excited about Harvard). I've already interviewed for and been awarded a Full-tuition scholarship to Emory (no fees or stipends though). I don't know my awards from Yale, but I'm *really* doubting I'll get much of anything, and I know that need-based grants from the school will be next to nill because my financial aid paperwork is SUPER late (as in I haven't sent it in because I don't have my tax returns). *Le sigh* They DO have my FAFSA, though.
So...here's the thing, Emory's program is awesome. They're ranked 2nd in the nation for M.Div programs (Yale is 1st, heh) and they have an AMAZING contextual Education program. They also have a great practical theology program. And I've already met some wonderful professors and students that's I've connected with. Yale, on the other hand, has the Center for Reonciliation and the newly launched Christian Muslim Relations program (which is like my absolute DREAM to study). They also have some outstanding faculty and an entire M.Div track in Comparative Religion (which is exactly what I want to study). The schools offer two very different curricula yetare about equal in my eyes.
SO, assuming I get minimal funding form Yale...is the draw of attending an Ivy (and being in such a specialized program) worth the debt I would generate? I do plan on pursuing a Ph.D, if that matters. And, I'm from Atlanta (where Emory is located).
Oh, and how important is visiting a school? I've never been to Yale.
Help!
ALSO...a good friend of mine is applying for English Ph.D programs and has been getting rejections (which is wild because she's the smartest person I know). I want to be excited for my acceptances, but I also want to be sensitive to her rejections. How should I go about this? How can I encourage her when she's already convinced she's not getting in anywhere?
THANKS!!!!
I was accepted to Yale and Emory and rejected from Harvard (which is totally fine because I wasn't really excited about Harvard). I've already interviewed for and been awarded a Full-tuition scholarship to Emory (no fees or stipends though). I don't know my awards from Yale, but I'm *really* doubting I'll get much of anything, and I know that need-based grants from the school will be next to nill because my financial aid paperwork is SUPER late (as in I haven't sent it in because I don't have my tax returns). *Le sigh* They DO have my FAFSA, though.
So...here's the thing, Emory's program is awesome. They're ranked 2nd in the nation for M.Div programs (Yale is 1st, heh) and they have an AMAZING contextual Education program. They also have a great practical theology program. And I've already met some wonderful professors and students that's I've connected with. Yale, on the other hand, has the Center for Reonciliation and the newly launched Christian Muslim Relations program (which is like my absolute DREAM to study). They also have some outstanding faculty and an entire M.Div track in Comparative Religion (which is exactly what I want to study). The schools offer two very different curricula yetare about equal in my eyes.
SO, assuming I get minimal funding form Yale...is the draw of attending an Ivy (and being in such a specialized program) worth the debt I would generate? I do plan on pursuing a Ph.D, if that matters. And, I'm from Atlanta (where Emory is located).
Oh, and how important is visiting a school? I've never been to Yale.
Help!
ALSO...a good friend of mine is applying for English Ph.D programs and has been getting rejections (which is wild because she's the smartest person I know). I want to be excited for my acceptances, but I also want to be sensitive to her rejections. How should I go about this? How can I encourage her when she's already convinced she's not getting in anywhere?
THANKS!!!!