Swagato

I didn't incur debt from Chicago.

I really wouldn't agree with such an absolutist stance. As I've posted often, the Chicago MAPH was extremely crucial to any present success I've experienced, and I know there are many others who'd point to their MAPH year as a crucial factor toward their later success. MAPH is sometimes partially funded, but mostly unfunded. It's one of a few exceptional "unfunded" MAs that consistently produces excellent placement. I would, of course, say that unfunded graduate work is always a thorny issue, and must be handled with care--but I would suggest the individual concerned examine the situation carefully and make their best call.

I'm really curious--what on earth did you do that meant going $120,000 into debt?

In order of priorities: 1) Fit with faculty 2) Fit with program 3) Recent placements 4) Prominence of program, which often correlates with 5) Funding

Oh, of course. I didn't mean that you should make a decision prematurely. I'm holding off on any decisions as well, even though my choice is ostensibly a simple one, simply because I don't want to commit until I've visited, spoken with people, etc.

letmein, I still maintain that Harvard is the most inscrutable department out of all in our field. Then again, UMich irked me last year when I discovered they want *two* writing samples. NYU is rumored to be quite stingy with MA funding? I guess you'll find out at some point.

^ That's really helpful and tactful, thanks. Naturally, I'm focused on time to degree, so if in fact my MA can be applied toward shaving off some time, so much the better! Yet at the same time I don't want to give the wrong impression.

This is my position, too. I'll be 26 this June and I begin this fall, so I'm really aiming for 6 years at most by the time I earn the PhD. However, my top choice right now is a joint program, and the two fields each place great emphasis on languages. And, my languages aren't that great. I already know I have to get one language (likely French) up to scratch over the first year to earn the MA, but it's almost expected that someone in my fields would have another language (typically German). This applies especially in my case given my interests in aesthetics and the history of aesthetics. I'm a bit terrified on that count, to be honest. However, I would imagine the department and program at Yale would be very supportive of its students, and I would hope they don't push you onto the market if staying another year would be a real benefit (i.e., to your job prospects, to the quality of your dissertation, etc.).

Wut Northwestern? I thought they were done months ago?

Hm this is all very helpful. I'll be sure to discuss this with both my DGSs during the visit and will post what I learn.

Ha, yeah, I assume on that count I'm fairly safe; nevertheless, I was curious as to what actually happens--in general--during those extra years. I definitely plan on defending as soon as seems appropriate, but I occasionally get the whole "Shit, joint PhD" shivers. This seems reasonable. In any case, I would assume that if the student is making good progress and by all reasonable standards does need an extra year, that the department supports them quite strongly. I'm just unsure as to the specifics of such support, and so was trying to gain some clearer sense.

Hey all, So I had a question. Typically, funding packages are for 4-6 years (usually 4 or 5). However, it's often the case that people defend in year 6 or 7. Surely you don't pay out of pocket for that extra year? What are the common options? This is obviously something I will discuss in more specifics during my campus visit(s), but I just wanted a general idea first.

Re: transfer credits. I have heard from some well-placed people that the right time for a transfer-credit question should come after at least a few months. I suppose the risk is that you may come off as wanting to get out of work too soon? I had thought about asking this during my visit, but I've decided I shan't do so (I will be entering with an MA).

^ This is a fantastic post and really captures that sweet moment of apperception, yes, this really happened.

Fine, fine, be a fop ...after you begin classes. All I'm saying is don't give them the impression you care more about your grooming than about your dissertation! Once you go Naked & Famous, you never go back...but that being said, I did get those on sale at less than half the retail price. I have a policy of avoiding retail by any means possible.

I am proud to say that I submitted each of my applications bare minutes before the deadline, in both my application seasons. On three occasions I even submitted them an hour or so after the deadline. No, I don't think it matters.

I have a pair of jeans that look rather dressy, and which I swear by for all occasions. That plus a nice button-down shirt, sweater/cardigan optional, and a light/medium/heavy jacket (depending on weather) should do just fine, I think. Unless you're going to law school or business school, I don't think a suit is called for...and you definitely do not want to come off as a foppish dandy.

Anyone in at Iowa? Found my rejection via ISIS earlier today. I don't know, maybe I was counting a bit on it, given my waitlist last year? But who knows. My admissions season's at an end...finally. Time to move on to the next phase.

I think someone posted about NYU Cinema Studies last year. They got waitlisted, and then simply never heard back until almost September/October. Fun times. If Penn State is anyone's absolute last hope, then I guess the best you can do is contact an actual professor (perhaps the DGS?).

I've received a lot of help from the forum, and I'm willing to pay that forward. So, feel free to PM me for specific questions if you'd like, and I'd be happy to do what I can. 1. Do you have a graduate degree? Yes, MA. 2. Did you graduate from an Ivy league and/or a top art history program (undergrad, grad, or both)? Undergrad: Definitely not. Grad (MA): UChicago. 3. Did you contact the POI(s) of the schools you were accepted to ahead of time? Email, phone and/or in person? Yes. Email and phone. 4. Did you have an interview? if so, how many? No. 5. Was this your first time applying? If not, second or third? Second. 6. Are all your offers fully funded? Yes. (Isn't this the norm in Art History?) 7. How many offers have you gotten so far? Two, and I'm waitlisted at another two. However, my interests are a bit interdisciplinary, and I'm waitlisted at Pittsburgh for English+Film Studies, and at USC for Critical Studies.

Former MAPHer here. There are several of us on the forum, I think. I had an extremely positive experience and my admissions results this year are very much due to my MAPH experience. I know several others for whom MAPH was a launchpad to top-tier PhD programs. Feel free to PM and I can offer you my take on it.

I can't speak to Art History, but the general trend is that if there's nothing by the second week of March, there probably won't be anything. At that point you should reach out to inquire. If you're waitlisted they'll be open about it ("hidden" waitlists aside), and if you just get a bland response at such a late date, I would assume the worst. Again, this is based on patterns I've seen over Film Studies, English, and Lit.

Reading all this makes me glad I basically have to decide whether to visit two places, or just one. And both are within reasonable distances.

Don't ignore the long shots. Seriously. You never know. Just be sure you're not applying for the sake of it--that there actually is a remarkably good fit. But given that, don't ignore the long shots since you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Eh. A waitlist, as you yourself said to me (I think) just means that they would've accepted you if they could afford to (financially, or otherwise).