Ritualist

I'm an alternate and, no, I haven't heard either way yet. However, former alternates told me that it is normal not to hear until later in the summer. I'm hoping that there is money left over for some of us to get fellowships...

I am currently an alternate candidate for a Javits and I was not notified at all by email. I had assumed that I was not recommended for a fellowship; however, two days ago I had a letter in my mailbox informing me about my alternate status and instructing me to wait until mid-summer to hear about whether I would be awarded a fellowship. As for the number of alternates that are selected, my sense (although I have no figures to support this) is that the Dept. probably selects as many but not more than the same number of alternates as people with confirmed awards.

Hey there. I don't think you have to worry about being too old. Just some perspective for you: I did a MA at Harvard (religion; 23-24 yrs. old) and a MA at Tufts (classical archaeology 25-26 years old), and I'm starting my PhD at Columbia in Art History and Archaeology this coming fall. That will make me 27 years old in my first year of doctoral studies. If you want to be an art historian, don't let age discourage you! Go for the PhD if you'd like. But if you'd like to do the MA first, that's fine too. Lord knows my age (and MAs) is a testament to that being okay.

Hey, guys and gals. I decided a few days ago to take my offer from Columbia for the PhD in Art History and Archaeology! It was a tough decision for me, but it is done. Now to start planning my move to NYC in late August. I'm very excited. I hope that decision making is going smoothly for all!

Long story short: things worked out fantastically with Columbia, so I will be accepting their offer of admission... Maybe I'll see you all around next year!

I'm actually concerned about the three months of the year that the doctoral fellowships do not cover...my offer from Harvard, for instance, includes four years of committed summer travel and research money on top of the five year ten-month stipend. So I tried writing people at Columbia about this a week ago. No one has responded yet. It is actually bothering me because Columbia is my top choice, but not at the expense of forfeiting a better financial situation at another top-ranked university and moving to a notoriously expensive city without any prior notion of being able to afford all twelve months of the year! I will not take out anymore loans, as I've done that enough for my BA and MA. (I also already live in Boston, have a place here, am a Harvard alumnus, etc., so I wouldn't have to change much to stay at Harvard). So, come on, Columbia. Work with me here... :-/

Hey, mmustard- I responded to you in a private message (check your inbox). I look forward to hearing from you!

Are there any others here who have been admitted to Columbia's PhD program? I'm currently vacillating on my decision and wanted to get another person's perspective. Thanks, everyone, and best of luck to everyone during "March Madness".

I am one such former student who take exception to that characterization, just as you said.

I'm a Harvard alumnus from the MTS program and I can tell you that even at the Divinity School I didn't sense that the culture was particularly "religious." Sure, there are people at HDS seeking MDiv's and ordination, but it didn't have quite the convinced or devoutly Christian feel of some of the other schools that I eventually ruled out (ex. Yale or Duke). I am not religious, so the intellectual climate at Harvard was great for me. Still there are a number of "believers," as it were, at Harvard and my classes were very much enriched by the various perspectives to which I was exposed while studying there. If anyone has any specific questions for me about Harvard, feel free to message me.

I'm a graduate from Harvard's MTS program, and I can tell you that I didn't get a letter of admission from them until mid-march, so don't worry. I think they make doctoral selections first and then proceed to master's candidates.

I have no record of anyone posting any results on gradcafe about it, nor have I heard personally from any of my friends who also applied. I'd say you are still in the running. Keep your chin up!

If I end up accepting Columbia's offer (whenever the official one finally arrives! hah) I would be in the Art History department. Indeed, Prof. Bahrani is amazing, and she would be one of the core faculty for my course of study. I go to visit later this month after which I should probably have more clarity regarding which school to choose.

I'm currently waffling between Columbia and Harvard. I'd be studying ancient art and archaeology, so we could be potential conversation partners... Harvard's offer was amazing, and I'm awaiting my official package from Columbia. My decision can't really be made until I have that information along with my impressions from my prospective visit. Congrats on your admission and arriving more decisively at a decision than I am... I envy you!

Finance is not my field, so I don't really know the contours of the discipline or the schools well enough to advise you on the department. However, as a native Coloradoan who grew up in Denver, I can tell you that you would not be disappointed with living in Denver. It's a big little city with great bars, clubs, a growing art scene, beautiful summers, nearby outdoor recreation...etc. etc. So I'd be partial to DU myself. Plus aren't Arizona public universities going through budget crises right now? Colorado is straining under the same, but Denver is a private institution.