theartman1193

Visual studies programs could be an interesting route too - i.e Irvine and Rochester.

Bard

I am very pleased to be attending for a M.A/P.H.D in art history! I just signed the lease on my apartment!

I still have no idea what criteria graduate programs go by. I am a young senior in college and managed to get admitted to a few (very good) PhD programs.

I don't know enough really to say either way (especially since I am not a middle ages art person). Needless to say, rankings and the top ten do change depending upon who retires and who replaces them (if any). I think it's quite fun actually to see how the ratings of programs have changed since the 1990 list (floating around somewhere) to the more current one. I know in my sub-field, many of what are now considered to be 10-20 schools are placing better than the 1-10. Overall with perseverance, loading up on publications, and conference presentations (under the right advisor), anything is possible. I asked a variety of art historians at CAA who seemed to indicate how reputation based off of the ranking system may help very minimally. After that - it comes down to your own work, the quality of your thesis, and if you can teach or curate a wide variety of materials.

It probably depends upon how you define decent. Rather than this ranking business, I tend to focus on career placement and outcome. Phds.org has an oudated, but somewhat invaluable listing for this. A top program with a 50% job placement...hmm...

I'm pretty sure most departments already know who they are accepting by now.

Who e-mailed you? I got the e-mail from a professor who I applied to work with. Do we RSVP to the professor as well?

I would try to go with 2 languages. Again, these languages should parallel your field of study. For example, a 20th century historian with an interest in WWII might find it helpful to know German in addition to French, Russian, or Italian. Having close relationships with professors is a must. I would also try to get yourself involved in your field outside of the school - lectures, talks, publications, an interesting internship at a history museum (D.C has so many!).

You should do the Sarah Lawrence program. It was the first genetics counseling program and its a school that it is pretty candid about their dislike for tests.

Hey! I was wondering if anyone has applied, is applying, or is currently in a MA program with funding. It seems as though most of the funding is for PHDs programs, but was wondering if any MA programs out there offered comparable packages. I just think its a good idea to apply to a variety of programs....Thanks/Merci/Danke!

Hello, Your question is a bit broad, so I am going to respond with some questions hopefully that can guide you. Are you looking for an MA or PHD program? To answer that question, you need to first ask if the career you desire requires the more advanced one and if you are prepared to be a strong PHD candidate. Sometimes you may need to the PHD, but you might not be a strong PHD candidate. In this case, it is recommended that you apply for a strong MA program. Typically strong applicants for terminal PHDs have already a research interest and their two foreign languages down. You will want a top overall gpa (at least a 3.5 overall and a 3.75 in art history courses), a solid gre score, and really solid recommendations. A solid academic employment record (being a teaching or research assistant) will be helpful in deciding the right career path. You will also be applying to programs with professors who are conducting research in your area. Hence, what I am saying is it is rather ambiguous to find the "best programs" for your area. What may be a strong program for one person (research and structure wise) may not be a strong program for another. I advise that based on your senior thesis or other advanced research work (which I hope you have already been pursing) find profs who really parallel that kind of work. Generally this kind of process can take 203 years, so often times students take gap years. You need to be be contacting these professors ASAP and decide if they are solid matches for you. You will never get into a program that isn't pursuing your area of research.

Just enjoy the process and make sure you can offer a "full package." Having a research interest in mind, a project to work with on a professor, your two languages down, and a solid GPA/GRE combo. Having a thesis already written, with some work experience (like a TA/RA, etc) is nice too.