theartman1193

I went through this last year (and the process sucks). From my experience, I got accepted to a few PhD programs that didn't interview me (surprising, right?). I had a few "informal interviews/ chats" with some of the folks at the other programs (when I was applying and emailing sometimes profs wanted to speak with me on the phone, meet up at CAA, etc). Random patterns I noticed: (a) most decisions came out Thursday or Friday late afternoons, (b) acceptance letters came out earlier than rejections (weeks ahead at times), and (c) bigger programs sent out decisions for different fields of study at different times. Hope it helps, somewhat.

There's a few steams on here regarding GRE scores. I wouldn't sweat it. I would pay more attention to your statement of purpose, written sample. As a forewarning, applying to grad school is a crapshoot. Many situations regarding a lack of funding and political issues can arise. Among all these factors at play, the GRE is probably the least important.

I totally second brown eyed girl. CUNY has some top notch scholars in 20th century. I also would look into departmental methodologies. Some departments are quite intense with their practice of social art history while others are quite indebted to psychoanalysis. Sorry to bring up a cliche, though many of these rankings promote comparing apples to oranges. Each scholar and each department have different things to offer. I would urge you to pick a position that puts you in a decent funding position and a helpful advisor.

I think the 19th century era folks - many aren't taking grad students at the moment (though I did hear some may take a few more students in the next years). It also seems as though alot of folks in that era will probably retire over the next years. Many of those also seem to be social art historians (think of TJ Clark and his students). With that said, sometimes it can be quite neat to work with someone who has an interest in your field of study, but its not his/her major era. I think someone who shares a similar methodology to you can be just as helpful and interesting to work with. Most people seem to be geared towards the 20th century nowadays....

Hey, U Rochester has a fairly eminent program in visual theory and studies as well. Though, most larger programs have at least one specialist dealing with critical theory, visual studies, etc. I believe there was a previous thread on this...somewhere. UW-Madison has a visual culture program as well. You may want to check out the dissertation list - http://www.caareviews.org/dissertations/355/in_progress There seem to be a handful at CUNY.

They seem to be placing nicely!

I had some very delightful and helpful phone calls with professors before I applied. Definitely with a shot at! It can also give you a chance to "feel out" the department's ethos. Have you looked at MIT?

Go for it! I applied to an array of MA and PhD programs and am currently attending a well-reguarded PhD program. You never know, though I think sometimes if you chat with a potential beforehand, you can get a bit of a "read."

I personally haven't, though others may have more to say. If you are looking for a funded MA, I have had colleagues who went to Williams (received partial tuition remission), UMass Amherst, Tulane, Wisconsin, and Davis (stipend and tuition remission). Hope it helps!

I would turn to your school's writing center, perhaps?

For modern/contemporary, I would look into a MA. There are some that offer funding. Programs are accepting far fewer students and just because you get an offer from PhD program, does not necessarily mean you will be also receiving a desirable (or livable) stipend to live off of.

I mean - they do to an extent. But from my experiences and colleagues, the percentage who has been receiving them is significantly lower. The packages are also smaller. It will be interesting now that Michael Holly and Darby English have left the building over there...

I don't believe Williams offers full-funding and living stipends as much as they have in the past. It seems that they have cut drastically back.

I would look into funding situations at the institutions. Some of the MAs being offered nowadays have turned into "cash cows" for universities. In exchange for your money, the institution may give you a lack of support. I can't give specifics as I went directly into a PhD program. Other programs I have heard of include SMU, Tulane, Wisconsin, and Hunter. Also, I would say e-mail the folks if it makes you feel better or you really do have questions. Some places are quite candid in their answers and may offer you some insight into the admissions process. However, other places seal their lips.

I think there is a decent format and example on the CAA website. I wouldn't sweat it that much. I think your effort is best spent in perfecting a writing sample and a statement of purpose. I'd argue that those two elements along with your letters of recommendation are the most important aspects of your application.

On a side note, glad to see you back at it!

I would probably add programs that have traditionally offered funding such as UMass Amherst. I also have some buddies who received funding from UW-Madison, the Courtauld, and I want to say Bryn Mawr..

I would argue the GRE is more of an "endurance" test, above all. How long can you stare at a computer screen for to check off tiny boxes? The programs I applied too didn't seem to care very much about the GRE. Though, there are a few ivy league institutions that claim they like to see scores above 165 on verbal....

Look at programs that are considered to be "visual theory" or "visual studies" (Rochester, UC Irvine, UC San Diego). I would also take a look at the list of current dissertations being written - http://www.caareviews.org/dissertations/355/in_progress. CUNY seems to have a bundle along with Yale and UT-Austin. Historically, some appear to have come out of Michigan, Duke, and Wisconsin as well. Best of luck!

I'll agree again with the individual above. Often times (especially for example in my field 18th-19th cent "global art" you find fewer programs that offer your speciality). There are some top notch programs, for example, in topics such as Native American art at some places that lack prestige value in other areas of study. The issue with twentieth century art is its a pretty hot topic now - especially in curatorial. I think CUNY may have over 100 twentieth century Americanists in their Phd program? That doesn't even include some of the other more "popular" choices for twentieth century art including Columbia, Princeton, Berkeley, etc. It may be helpful for you to look at the CAA list of dissertations being written in your field.

I received my BA from a fine liberal arts college last May and have just begun my PhD program at a fairly prestigious institution for my field. With that said, I must warn you that this is a very rare case. I am the only incoming student in my department with this type of background as well (the others bear MAs from programs such as U-Mass, Williams, and WUSTL). I had already published a few articles, attended and presented at conferences, and curated exhibitions. I think that may have been a reason why. Twentieth century American art is a hugely competitive field (more so and more popular than mine) and I am sure that most applicants will already have MA degrees. I can also say that most programs don't view the GRE as a major compoenent. I would focus on a killer written sample and a killer personal statement - really demonstrating why you don't think the MA path (prior to the PhD) is an appropriate match. Though, at many of the "big name" programs for your field - Princeton, Yale, Berkeley, etc -- I am afraid this too may only go so far. I don't think knowing French and German is what got me accepted to most of the programs I applied too. However, I will say it was really nice coming into the program with the language requirements already down. I hope this helps!

I would add Henry Drewal at UW-Madison is pretty eminent, UT-Austin has a couple of folks as well.

Williams, UW-Madison, Tulane, UMass-Amherst, some of my friends have had good luck with UC-Davis.

I think there are generally programs that combine the PhD with the MD?

I do believe there are some faculty members in other art history, visual studies, and visual cultures asking similar questions. Delaware and Wisconsin are among the few. Did you also look at potentially related programs such as American studies?