Hi Everyone,
So I'm currently in the no-news-is-bad-news boat with two of the schools to which I applied, and I'm weighing my options with two of the schools I did get into. I'm hoping for any insight anyone might have to help me in my decision.
I got into the Courtauld under a great professor who is famous in my field. My field is a specialized subset of contemporary and the first-choice option to which I was admitted is right up my alley. But the tutorial system is really giving me pause. I hope to apply to PhD programs in the year after graduating from the MA program, and I am concerned about recommenders. I should also mention that I graduated from undergrad two years ago, so I'm not sure how much longer those recommendations would be relevant or appropriate. In any case, I have one solid reference from college related to my field, and I'd need two more: if I go to the Courtauld, one would be from my tutorial professor, and then what?
I'm also really interested in the work of a second professor at the Institute whose option was my second choice. This second option dealt in more thematic issues in contemporary art, and my interests involve significant overlap between the work of these two professors. So I was wondering if anyone who went to (or is attending) the Courtauld had any experience perhaps getting supplemental readings or advice from other professors.
I also got into Tufts, where I got partial funding (it'd still be more expensive than one year at the Courtauld) but my main POI is leaving. There are a few other professors who work in contemporary -- and two who relate really well to my secondary interests -- but no one who is a 100% fit. It's two years, there are more professors with whom I can form relationships, and staying in the US would be easier. Tufts feels like the more practical choice of the two for some reason, but I don't know if it's the right choice.
In any case, I'd appreciate any insight into recommenders, the Courtauld's tutorial system and professor relationships, and whether Tufts would be a good alternative. I'm leaning heavily towards the Courtauld, but those concerns are still very much in the back of my mind.
Thanks! Best of luck to everyone who is still waiting and congrats to all of the admits.