cybrid

Hey virginiarunninggirl, a trade sounds great!

Would anyone be interested in critiquing my SOP for NYU's Media, Culture and Communications PhD program? I'm applying to multiple programs in the nebulous Visual Studies field but this one is due first, so I figured I would just write this one out and edit it to fit following applications. It's still a work in progress but I would love some feedback!

I was wondering if anyone here happened to be enrolled in/know something about MIT's History, Theory and Criticism of Art and Architecture program. I'm interested in doing theoretical research in Visual Studies programs, or history of art programs which are more permissive when it comes to delving into visual realms outside of capital-A "Art." Because of my specific interests in technologies, MIT seems like a potentially incredible place to apply. However, I'm not totally clear on their HTCA PhD program. When I read the information on their site, it seems like art takes a pretty big backseat to architecture. I emailed the program asking to clarify this point, but got nothing. After corresponding briefly with a faculty member they suggested that I could apply for the Masters program, but the program awards an SMArchS, not an MA. While architecture would also interest me, it is by no means my primary source of study, and I am not really in for an architecture degree. Is there anyone currently in the HTCA program who might be able to tell me a little more about it? Is it primarily architecture, or does it allow for broader research?

Thanks Fuzzy! This has been extremely helpful—and the promptness of your responses is really incredible. With Latte's and your advice I'm beginning to pull something together...it's still not particularly impressive, but at least it's something.

Thanks Latte and Fuzzy, I really appreciate the advice! My next question is this, then: I had decided to take a year off from academia to reevaluate my desire to go to graduate school, and worked outside of my field of study. It's definitely not academically relevant, but should I put it on my CV anyway just to show that I wasn't just loafing around at my parents house or something for that year? ETA: also, where do you usually find sample CVs? I've found plenty for professors, but I've been having trouble locating grad student ones; all of the programs I'm interested just has a list of its students with brief copy about their interests. Is Google usually the best tool?

Beyond honor's lists and getting into a competitive course that you apply for, I don't have really anything to speak of: no awards, publications, teaching/research experience, or relevant work experience. Since graduating I've been supporting myself full time, and have not had the luxury of unpaid internships or volunteer work. So what I've got so far is personal/contact info, education and maybe explaining a couple courses. Is that even an acceptable CV? It sounds pretty bad.

I'm applying to Masters programs in the (rather nebulous) field of Visual Studies, and part of the application process is submitting an academic CV; however I don't know if I really have anything to put on it! I completed my undergrad with a degree in Studio Art, and didn't realize until much later in my undergraduate career that I wanted to pursue postgraduate academic study. For that reason, I never conducted any research or did any kind of paper collaboration in the field. I got good grades and a good GRE score, and I've been told by my rec writers that my work samples both seem dandy, but there's really no way to hide a dearth of research or outside work in the field! Any suggestions? What should an academic CV look like if you haven't attended any conferences, won any requisite awards/grants, or contributed any published papers?