GhostsBeforeBreakfast

I’m essentially daydreaming about where I could be in the next decade and I’ve decided to casually look into art law. I’m interested for many reasons that I won’t divulge, but I’m largely already considered a young leader in my specialized field and think getting a JD and focusing in variable/complex media art law could be interesting. Anyway, what are the best programs for art law and why?

This is wise. It's so hard to predict the future and even foolish to try and do so. My emotional instincts go through very strong flows of feeling the need to do a PhD for personal reasons and personal achievement. Maybe I should talk to my potential advisor about it, as we have luckily already met at functions, and attend some Q+A sessions at the program(s) I'm considering. I'd probably wait a few months to do this, since it's prime application season for those who are serious about entering for next Fall and I'm not ready for that. I guess these steps would make the situation feel more present and clear.

I've been thinking about doing something crazy lately but will probably convince myself that it's a bad idea sooner than later. I have an MA. I'm essentially third in charge at my company, doing work directly related to my field and sometimes specific to my concentration. Yet, I personally feel unfulfilled in putting off a PhD and would like to feel more connected to academic circles and challenging academic work. Considering that my placement and hopefully indispensable nature at this company would allow the flexibility of attending courses, conducting research, and writing papers is it realistic for me to juggle the prospect of entering a PhD program and keeping this job? Will I burn out really fast and regret my decision? I'd be doing this PhD for me more than anything; I don't even think it's necessary to help me move up in my career. I would need to keep the job to afford the PhD, as funding is nowhere near enough to sustain myself. Maybe it's just that I should be publishing but lack the motivation, needing the push from a structured program. Bring me back to reality or send anecdotes about your own experience working a full-time (but flexible) job and starting a PhD program.

This is a simple question I rarely see on here. It might seem obvious at first but I imagine there is a greater amount of nuance between answers than one would expect. So, especially if you think your reasoning is nuanced, why do you/did you want a PhD in Art History? And maybe the smaller question should be, how confident are you that you will be [subjectively] successful upon receiving your doctorate?

Many people I've looked up to over the years, including now, have told me that I should enter a PhD program. The thing is, I don't know what I want out of my career anymore and a PhD makes less sense now than it did before I embarked on my MA; This is due to many complicated political aspects in my industry, whether it be curatorial work or teaching. The problem is that I have a lot of ideas which I'd like to write about and professors keep encouraging me. They tell me the only way I will have time to write and publish is if I have institutional backing and enter a PhD program. Is it enough to enter a PhD program just so I have the ability to publish a few books of [possible] notoriety? I'm not made of money and can't think of alternatives but I also don't know if I want to live in financial squalor for 5+ years just to come out of it with technically less job opportunities (overqualified for many jobs I'd otherwise consider.) I might delete this but I'd like to see some perspective first.

This is pretty discouraging. People keep asking me to apply to PhD programs but I can't make financial sense of it, among other contemplations. After taxes it seems virtually impossible to surirve where I'm from, especially with previous student loans. And this is coming from a person who is great at pinching pennies.

If you can't answer that question you might be in the wrong field.

Both Christie's and Sotheby's Education programs have alumni at major galleries, such as Pace, Gagosian, and David Zwirner. Plenty of graduates from these programs also work in auction houses, although I'm pretty sure they only choose a small selection of people from each cohort to work directly at the affiliated auction house right after graduation. The point is, if you're exclusively interested in art market-related work, they are respected enough to get you these positions. That being said, as you probably know, their tuition is extremely high. If you're interested in working outside of for-profit, then these degrees are not for you. UCL and Courtauld are technically better programs, no matter what, and will lead to more job opportunities. Also, I'm pretty sure they're less expensive.

I applied in March and was waitlisted for my top choice. I think it's worth a shot.

It's unbelievably early but I'm strongly considering taking a year off from graduate school to pursue the 12-month internship at MoMA. I think I have a good chance this time around, considering my recent research, work experience, and certain recommenders. At the same time, how often do people get accepted that are mid-way through their MA? I could wait until I graduate but something in my gut says that now is the right time.

I despise endnotes. I'm a strictly Chicago Style footnote user. Naturally, I used footnotes for my writing sample and attend one of the best graduate programs for my field.

Everything has been really wonderful. I have been able to handle my courseload while holding down a job. My professors seem to genuinely be interested in me and they're happy to help me in any way they can. I've been relatively confident in my writing. I'm enjoying the readings. There are so many wonderful resources at my fingertips and I'm so grateful. The only downside is I'm not really connecting with my cohort and don't have time to attend events because I work. I am afraid this will hinder me in the future. I have been rather reserved.

Two quick things: 1. Look into PAYE or "Pay As Your Earn," if you're dead-set on attending an unfunded MA program. 2. It doesn't hurt to contact POIs if you are applying as an MA student, especially if you already have a concentration, or even a thesis, in mind. You'd be surprised how much attention MA students get from professors if they are confident in their research topics and have a fresh perspective.

I'm curious to know if anyone is still waiting on any acceptances or rejections, this late in the season?

I'm not 100% understanding why people are so afraid of six figure loans when PAYE and IBR are options.

I PMed you.

Is anyone using this repayment program to pay back their loans? How is it working for you? Is it worth it?

I couldn't agree more, Brown Eyed Girl. If anyone who is attending or has attended IFA's MA program would like to share how they financed their education, without help from family, please do.

I disagree that MAPH has a better reputation, especially if we're talking about museum work. Also, I've been doing some sleuthing in regards to where IFA MA alumni end up and it only looks positive to me. At the end of the day, it looks practically impossible to pay loans back. And how could one even work a full time job while attending? I'd need to work to pay for rent, food, etc.

I'm giving myself a serious headache while trying to calculate how the heck I'd pay back loans if I attended IFA's MA program.

To those posting acceptances to U Chicago, I hope you realize it is not an art history degree. For the one who is considering attending, can you PM me? There's a very, very small chance I'd attend but it's probably a good idea to discuss options.

1.Who else was accepted without funding? 2.Are you actually considering attending? Why? 3. How are you planning on financing your degree? I would also like to hear from those who have already attended, what PhD programs they were accepted to, or where they are currently working. Personally, I'm waiting on 3 MA programs I'd rather take out loans for but if that doesn't work out, this will be my only option.

I hope everyone is doing okay today.

That's exactly what came to mind for me as well. Unfortunately, with Delaware, it seems extremely rare to be e-mailed an acceptance; they like phone calls.

Has anyone who applied to Delaware not received an e-mail or phone call of any kind yet?