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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Oct 27 2011 at 7:36pm | IP Logged
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Yes, my oldest ds does love philosophy. He also loves theology and history, just a regular liberal arts kind of guy.  I am so torn, because this is his passion and he isn’t sure what he wants to do other than go onto grad school and possibly teach. He is also discerning a vocation. So, with all of the talk about getting out of school with low or no college debt.....how does that work when so many of the local colleges and less expensive ones aren’t necessarily the best for formation and faithful instruction? It would be different in some ways if he was going into engineering. We were looking at a state college where he has a very good chance of getting a terrific scholarship...but the philosophy department has “ancient philosophy” and skips right over that inconvenient guy, Aquinas, and moves onto the “modern philosophy.”  I find that disturbing. BUT, this same college has a most amazing Catholic parish right on campus, with an amazing Jesuit who takes the kids to DC for the March for Life....and offers Mass every day with Confession, Adoration throughout the week, Gregorian Chant with the Sunday Masses...and he is all about scholarly formation in their Faith while at college. I was so, so impressed. I wonder in this situation do you go for broke and shoot for the stars, and take out loans....or do you go low key, and not incur debt, but not the best formation as well? Maybe I should ponder less and pray more?? 
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Mom of four brave lads and one sweet lassie
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guitarnan
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| Posted: Oct 27 2011 at 8:23pm | IP Logged
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I'm not a personal fan of incurring massive college debt, especially if grad school might factor in (or a vocation, because you usually have to have your debts paid off)...but it sounds as though your son might have to apply to more than one school and see how the financial aid part works out before he can decide. I think it's great that there's a wonderful Catholic parish on campus at the state school, but it might also be worth talking to professors there to make sure your son's interest in Catholic philosophy would work with their program. If everything's ultra-(what? modern? anti-Aquinas?), that might be a deal-breaker...or it might not.
And, remember, in any case, for something like philosophy, many schools' bachelor's degree programs have a lot of overview/survey courses, a few seminars...and the place where you specialize in a particular area is, well, grad school.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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4 lads mom
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| Posted: Oct 27 2011 at 9:09pm | IP Logged
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Yes, debt scares me half to death.....but so does him going to a school where he might be so challenged on all that he holds dear, it is an exercise in futility. It might not be so black and white like I just painted it, but it is a tricky one, no doubt.
Yes, he is going this Saturday for a full ride scholarship essay contest to the state school, and a lot of the profs will be there at an academic fair. It will be interesting to talk to them. We are having him apply to all sorts of schools, and then his options are open.
Thanks, Nancy!
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Erin
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| Posted: Oct 27 2011 at 9:17pm | IP Logged
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My dd is off to the only Catholic Liberal Arts college next year and I confess my biggest concern is the debt she will incur!
On the plus side she will be studying philosophy, theology, history and literature. Another major plus for us is she will be around Catholic peers, considering my children are the only ones in their late teens in our Parish this is a major attraction.
Praying for your son's and your discernment. 
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Erin
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4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: So he wants to study philosophy.......
