Flaneuse

I had an abysmal quant score and am now incredibly happy at my top choice program. Last year at this time, I was SO worried about my GRE score, knowing that it was the weakest point of my application. Clearly, it didn't stop me from getting into a great program, nor will it stop any of you. Spend your time revising your SOP & writing sample--they're what matter most.

Megan Holmes at Michigan is a delightful woman and a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend everything about UM's PhD program as well--it has a very special place in my heart.

@Swagato, I find that fact intriguing and would love to talk to you about it in the fall! I'm curious to hear from you as a film student why you are so passionately critical of his work. It's exponentially more interesting to discuss ideas with people who disagree with you. Looking forward!

Two words: Quentin Tarantino. Also, I recently saw Canet's Ne le dis à personne, and I highly recommend it.

I just want to make a plug for all the 19th c. modernists here and everywhere and add T.J. Clark into the mix.

French for Reading by Sandberg: http://www.amazon.com/French-Reading-Karl-C-Sandberg/dp/0133316033/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362764371&sr=8-1&keywords=french+for+reading I haven't heard anything about the other languages. I'd reccommend getting a few language books from a used bookstore or library to learn the grammar then using the site Conversation Exchange to work with native speakers (for free) to improve either speaking, listening, or writing skills (or all the above). I use Conversation Exchange for French and it's been really helpful once you get over the awkwardness at the beginning.

I agree that there is not a specific formula for getting accepted into the program of your dreams, but there are a few things (based on my experience and research) that will take your application to the next level and set you apart, especially if you study a popular subfield. 1. Submit your best piece of writing for the writing sample. It really doesn't have to be in your specific field of study. I was also told by a prof that if you are applying to work on modern or Renaissance, it can be beneficial to show you can critically think and write about a field other than your own specific one. 2. I cannot stress how important the SOP is. I went through 23 drafts before I submitted mine and worked on it from September to December. Possibly a bit excessive, but it worked. 3. GREs aren't really that important. (Not worth your tears or deepest anxieties). I aced the writing, did above average on the verbal, and basically failed the math. I'm just not a good standardized test taker. I've known this about myself for years and therefore knew that the rest of my application had to be nearly flawless to make up for this weakness. Hope this helps! I would be overjoyed if I could add some insight on this crazy process that would help a fellow histart lover continue pursuing their dreams.

1. I have a BA in Art History and English 2. Top public institution 3. I didn't contact a single POI 4. 2 interviews--one for an MA (Skype) and the other was a 3 min phone conversation with a POI 5. First time applying (but I've been researching the process for 2 yrs) 6. Yes. 7. 3 PhD offers, 1 wait list, 3 MA offers, and 1 rejection. Still waiting to hear back from 4 schools. Feel free to PM me if you want to know any other details/ have any questions.

I haven't heard anything from them since I received the acceptance. Not sure even who to contact with my decision.

I was told official materials are coming soon. I emailed the DGS to figure out when I can visit based on my POI's schedule. I'm thinking about visiting the week after Yale's spring break.

Thank you for posting this, Bearcat1. I was shocked to wake up to that note on the results board. It is important for everyone, even those who have been accepted to schools, to remember that this process is, at the end of the day, a total random crapshoot. You cannot take any rejection personally. Nor is it a reflection of your character as a human being. I hope the angry UNC poster gets over his/her rage and remembers the reason he/she has applied to graduate school. I'm assuming it is because he/she loves studying the history of art and cannot imagine doing anything else for the rest of his/her life. That's where we all are and getting angry/discouraged isn't going to reverse a rejection or makes one's dreams a reality. Rather, a positive attitude and persistence work wonders. I've only been impressed by the postings I've seen on this forum and wish everyone still waiting the best of luck!

I'm a Yale admit! I am still shaking with pure bliss!

I want to study with Michael Fried and be a super duper art historian! The clip is both hilarious and absolutely terrifying.

From what my undergrad profs have told me, Williams is the best terminal MA program. The senior curator at the museum where I'm interning advised me to apply to the BGC because he has hired students from there. That's a good sign! The Courtauld in London is also a great option (if you have the extra $$). In the histart PhD program at my undergrad (top five public institution), the students who had MAs first attained them from UChicago's MAPH program, WashU, Penn's MA, and the Courtauld. Those in the program with only BAs either spent time abroad, worked in galleries or auction houses for 1-3 years, were international students, or wanted to study with a prof who hadn't had a lot of students in the last few years. Yet, the advice I received has been mixed about terminal MAs versus straight to PhD programs. Some profs have told me to get the MA first because most of PhD admits to the big name schools already have MAs (some have multiple MAs [ahhh!]). Then others, the more opportunistic bunch, have advised me to go straight to the PhD if you know that is what you want in the end. So, I ended up taking all of the advice and applied to a sampling of both types of programs to see who bites. Good luck!!!

Lamantin, the rejection stung for me as well, especially after the interview and supposedly being "high" on their list. Oh, well. Good luck with the rest of your applications as well! Anyways, at UNC, I'd plan on studying with Mary Sheriff as well as Daniel Sherman. I haven't contacted anyone yet. I want funding info to come in first then I'll really get serious about it. Does anyone know the specifics of how the program works if one wants to continue on for a PhD at UNC? I read some vague details on the website, but I couldn't gather anything super detailed.