At A Fork In The Road

[KnightofChrist]

Based on what you've written thus far you seem to be making a stronger argument against and a weaker one for going. You don't seem to be very passionate about going. It's not a must but it would probably help with some of the stress if you had a strong desire to go, so when things get stressful you can remember "this is what I want" rather than "why am I even here?" But you may indeed have a strong desire to go and the thought of going into debt dashes your desire.

The best advice I would give is that you don't worry, have Faith, God will provide. Based on what I know of you, you seem to be a strong, intelligent and brilliant Catholic woman. So you would likely succeed in which ever career path you choose.

Lastly, how far did you take your discernment? If you still feel the call and you didn't take your discernment as far as perhaps you should have, you should do that above all else. If you are called to Religious life, that is what you should, because it would be God's will. Imho whether or not God wants you to serve Him in tgis way is more important than going or not going to any college.

[Brother Adam]

If this was a dream of yours, I would accept the debt. I have the same amount of debt and work for peanuts. However, I am fulfilled, happy with life, love my work and accept what I do or do not make after paying on my loans. If you aren't sure you want to do anything with your degree or would be truly happy working in the field I would think twice. Especially if it doesn't pay well.

[Evangetholic]

I say do it--it's friggin' Harvard.

 

Also, if no Order will take you, start your own. (St Francis de Sales advice to St Jeanne Francoise de Chantal)

 

Either way: prayers.

 

[Gabriela]

thank you phriends .... ugh do i have the courage to sway "no" to harvard? mehhhhhhhhhhh

 

Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard. So did all of these people: http://www.cnn.com/2011/LIVING/04/08/famous.harvard.dropouts.mf/index.html

 

So... [shrug]

[Guest Allie]

One of my best friends transferred to Harvard last fall.  She called me after her first day of classes bursting with excitement at the quality of teaching and fellow students.  Money has been difficult for her this year but next year looks covered through a combination of grants, scholarships and a work study, none of which she was eligible for until after becoming a Harvard student.  So-- follow your heart.  Prayers!

[Lilllabettt]

talking this out with y'all I realize I don't mind the money so much. Many people my age carry 60 + thousand dollars of debt. It's called buying a house. For various reasons I don't think buying a house is part of my future (I prefer flexibility to get up and go wherever I need to) so maybe ... this is my "house? "

 

as far as religious life ... I was a Sister for a couple years, leaving was not my choice and it was a deeply painful experience. I am more than a little bit shy about trying again. It was very much like chopping off an arm. They do not grow back. And I only had 2 to begin with.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

What I don't see in your posts is anything about your dreams once you have the degree.  For that reason things seem backward to me.

 

For example, if your dream is to do research and teach at a university level. then you can figure out what education you need to achieve that.  If your dream is to teach elementary school then the education you need is very different.

 

If this program isn't to fulfill a dream, then the other choice is that it has to be a passion.  You want to study neuroscience more than anything else and this is your opportunity.

 

I have two master's degrees.  The first one was to fulfil a dream -- it was what I needed to be able to do the kind of work I wanted.  The second one was due to passion -- I had become interested in theology and wanted to study it more than anything else even though it had nothing to do with my employment.  In both cases it was worth the time, effort, and money. 

 

Why do you want to study neuroscience?

[Maggyie]

B, not to be mean, but I think our upbringing with all its chaos and misery has given us both a great capacity for self-deception. This causes paralysis.

 

Only you can decide when you are ready to get off the "perpetual discerner" carousel. It's not a question of being courageous enough to take on the debt, or courageous enough to try religious life again, but rather it's a matter of having the courage to make a decision, and quit vacillating about your options. That's what really requires bravery and adult maturity - making the choice. Not so much the choice itself.

[Evangetholic]

Are Maggie and Lillabettt sisters?

[Maggyie]

Are Maggie and Lillabettt sisters?

 

yah we are identical twins.

[Evangetholic]

yah we are identical twins.

 

That's cool.

 

Make her go to Harvard. :p

[4588686]

I think you should go to Harvard. If this country is going to have an elite then I'd at least like a few people like you in it.

[morostheos]

A wise person once told me, by "keeping your options open" you are really keeping all of your options closed because you become unable to move forward in life. ;) 

[littlesister]

Considering your finances, savings, etc., have you thought much about living arrangements? Although it might not look it, the Harvard-MIT-Tufts triangle is the highest-rent area in Boston, where nothing is cheap to begin with. It's a great place, but it costs.

[Roamin Catholic]

The thing about student loan debt is that there are always payment programs to help you out. Especially if they are Federal loans. 

 

My wife and I have a combined $105,000 in student loans. She has a Doctorate and I a Masters. We pay about $10.20 a month total on those loans. After 20 years any remaining balance we have will be forgiven by the banks. Neither one of us works in a needed field or government position. We just happen to have a bunch of stafford loans that are federally backed and Obama created an idiotic program that I shall take advantage of. 

 

Most banks have an Income contingent or income based repayment plan so that you can actually afford to live once out of school. 

 

Fair Disclosure: In my field, an ivy league education is looked upon very favorably; so naturally, I'd say go.