Harvard Dropout

This blog has languished in recent months, though I can no longer claim busyness as the cause. Instead, as the result of a recent decision, I find myself rather un-busy these days.

After some serious soul-searching and advice-seeking, I have decided to leave Harvard. Though it has not been reflected here, most of you have heard me complain throughout the fall term about my general discontentment with the Div School. While I have been both engaged in and stimulated by my courses, I haven't felt that I am gaining the necessary preparation for PhD level work... nor have I seen a way to acquire it within the Div School's framework. In particular--and perhaps because I come from a liberal arts undergraduate background--I am looking for a strong grounding in theory. I want the opportunity to think critically about religion and to be in an environment where others are doing the same... And it should come as no surprise that I think the place to do this is the University of Chicago. The choice was between these two schools exactly a year ago and--hindsight being what it is--I now know that Chicago is a better fit for me. Fortunately, the folks at Chicago are incredibly nice and have reoffered me admission for this fall.

So I have recently returned from my third trip in as many months to the Midwest. (I'm hoping that repetition helps me overcome my fear of living there!) As part of this decision-making process, I went to visit U of C in January to sit in on classes and talk with faculty and administrators in order to help me be sure about transferring. I was back last week for Admitted Students Day--principally, I think, to make the decision real for me, but also to meet other students, faculty, and such. (Trip #3 was unrelated--to Ann Arbor in February to visit a friend.)

On this occasion, I visited downtown Chicago for the first time. Photo above is my self-portrait at the Bean (a big kidney bean-shaped sculpture in Millennium Park). I also walked the Magnificent Mile and toured the Art Institute. Based on all of this, Chicago is certainly an impressive city, though I'm looking forward to the opportunity to see more of the neighborhoods and such.

Having made the decision to go to Chicago, I decided to save a little cash and a little brain power this spring by going part-time at Harvard. As a result, I'm only taking Arabic for credit, while auditing four other courses and studying Hebrew through a course at Hebrew College (in Newton, MA). I'm working part-time in the Harvard President's office, running a fair amount, and traveling some weekends. Pic below of Dad and Susan's visit to see Lexie and me in early March. This last week has been Spring Break, followed by Passover, so I have been at home in Virginia, though I am (sadly) headed back to Boston tonight. More soon... maybe. :)