They’re in!
Although I haven’t made a final decision yet, the long process of applying to graduate schools is nearing a close. I’ve now heard back from all of my schools, and have been accepted to one and a half: Graduate Theological Union and Loyola University in Chicago.
At GTU, I am still waiting on a funding letter. At Loyola, I am wait-listed (ranked number two). My application progress page details the whole sordid journey of rejections–last week I was getting them at a rate of one per day.
Now, the decisions begin. What school fits my goals best? What school will give me a better edge in getting a job after I graduate? What school will fund me? What school will give me teaching experience? Naturally, with my partner in Chicago, there is a pull to that city. But if GTU offers a better fit, then perhaps time apart will serve us best in the long run. One program is philosophy, the other religious studies. My interests lie in the nexus of these fields; which program is best for that mixture? (And which one provides flexibility as they evolve?)
As always, I’m open to opinions about the process. If you have any thoughts, leave them in the comments. Any particularly sensitive conversations should be directed to my email.