Creating something in writing about my graduate school choices might help. I'll intend that here, now:
a)Pluses, b) Cons, c) things I can do, now, before I decide
1) Aleph
A
a) generally known
b) meets in person
c) will engage for a long time
d) provide a context to examine the "goodness" of my thoughts about liturgy
e) I like the "sense" of the program...the general intentionality
f) most directed to provide training towards assisting in the Jewish community, where I'm thinking my potential strengths could be of most benefit
B)
a) cost
b) not MHEC recognized, nor accredited
c) Hebrew is needed
d) last for awhile...this can be a 2 edged sword, but I think it's a net plus on the positives side
C)
- when/should I try to sit in on a class?
2) U of Denver
A
a) Most well regarded academically
b) they've done this awhile, and seem to know how to offer a program virtually, mixed with in-person
c) have a person on deck trained in Tibetan Buddhism, so knows the framework of understanding where I'm coming from
d) Also has other academic support, including one in the department as their "Jewish" person, and another nearby who does interfaith.
e) If needed, the committee structure for a thesis can include someone outside the school. TBD how they'd be compensated (maybe me?).
f) Hebrew not needed
g) can prepare me to be able to write papers / attend meetings
h) teach in CC
i) good number of faculty
B)
a) will program be nourishing? / Will learning in the different religious traditions be something I connect with?
b) class times...all evenings
C)
AM going to open house near 4/3, virtually, and have asked about expected courses.
3) Western Michigan University
A
a) Would prepare me most to teach in a CC
b) Orientation of program, being: "Comparative Religion."
c) may have a somewhat positive reputation
B)
a) I don't think there is a Jewish person/orientation, but...maybe I'd do no thesis, so that may not matter, given the structure of the program
b) So, there is no culminating project to target
c) there should be an expectation of asynchronous learning
d) faculty have not been helpful
e) small number of faculty
C
a) can do last thing suggested, i.e., confirm I can take the theory course in the fall, as it doesn't now show I'd be eligible, without asking for that permission
4) Missouri State University
A
a) first to accept me...have expressed positive energy
b) organized/looks like a University, even though far
c) seems to know how to provide programming virtually...uses language of technology servicing a combined virtual and in person/hybrid group
d) no hebrew required
e) Has a Jewish oriented person on staff, and buddhist
f) normative to do a thesis as a closing project, even for distance student
g) good number of faculty
B
a) reputation may not be strong
C
- am scheduling meeting with their Judaics person
5) Towson State U
A
a) may cost nothing
b) haimish, they sought meeting as a part of the interview process, small classes
c) have talked already, by their bringing it up in interview, about the Jewish Buddhist piece of my interest
d) have gotten buy in to project idea and focus for thesis
e) Jewish focused faculty
B
a) small department / number of faculty
b) reputation not strong
c) hebrew required to graduate at least, up to 1st year
d) small classes, for material that may not, in and of itself, be greatly of interest...it's not necessarily a plus
e) Evening classes
C
- upcoming open house, scheduled to go to it
6) Chicago Theological Seminary
A
a) different focus that's designed to be meaning based
b) prof reached out to me on her own, to say she'd be happy to help me on my final project
c) Good reputation
d) no hebrew needed
e) Opportunity to travel to Israel, maybe positive, has to be positive (since I can also not do this at all).
f) Rabbi among faculty
g) a number of interesting courses
B
a) somewhat expensive
b) not great experience with staff support so far
c) heavy potential work with one faculty...maybe mixed bag?
d) evening classes
e) just a little more undefined as to how program would come forward
C
- though could follow up to financial aid piece, that's not much of a thing
- could reach prof again, but question is not well defined, and I have tried to pursue course advice without a good result
- ?
7) Academy for Jewish Religion - NY
A
a) might lead to rabbinic study later, but I may not want this, and they may not work that way after all (now require partner be Jewish); now accepted to MA in Jewish studies
b) some talented faculty
c) faculty training in liturgy
d) though might have hebrew training to lead up to, not promised yet
B)
a) Hebrew required, and extensive to graduate; a problem
C
- Could ask (again) if there's a path to "Madrich" program
8) Athens State U
A
a) Intimate, small (2) faculty
b) they'd work with me on thesis
c) low cost
B
a) least strong reputation
b) given other options, not clear why this should be selected
C
?
9) Hartford International
A
a) They're intentional, having gotten ridden of Divinity degree
b) Have a Judaics program, and person is observant
c) less expensive than Chicago
B
a) with Chicago accepted, is this an alternative to consider?
C
- I should reach their person in admissions who HAS been helpful, or has tried to. Not too much is known to me about how program works. Their admission date for required info being submitted was the latest...so they may not be on top of this, though my need for info is coming up. I could write her sooner than later.
10) U of Virginia
Rejected
