guys

the 17thscream - I would recommend that you not pass up full funding at Bryn Mawr for the Chicago program. There is an entire thread or two on thegradcafe about this program - please check it out. While that extra year of work can add extra weight to your application to a top PhD program, it is above all else a great money maker for U. of Chicago. I won't repeat the same things that you can read on those threads, though I do want to add that Bryn Mawr is a great program. But, if you have any doubts about spending 6+ years there, and have your heart set on another program (and if your parents have the money or you're willing to go into major debt) then consider U. of Chicago. I'm sure there are several Bryn Mawr PhD waitlisters who would love to have your place and money transferred to them. Hope this helps!

Hi everyone, First, congrats to everyone who has been admitted! I'd also like to thank everyone for the information that they have posted so far. It's been extremely helpful to me as I plan for this process, and I'm sure has been appreciated by other future applicants. Now that admission results are rolling in do any of the numerous successful applicants (especially top programs) have any advice for those of us who would ideally like to pursue a PhD in Art History? I have been following this year's conversation and would love to know what steps you took after your BA, since many of the programs my friends applied to have confessed that over 60%+ of their admitted applicants already hold MA degrees. How much contact did you have with your potential advisor or department prior to being admitted, what type of program was your MA, etc. would be great to know. Even GRE scores would be helpful to future applicants. I'm starting to suspect that admission to the top programs is something that requires way more than great coursework at a prestigious undergraduate institution, high GRE scores, great letters of recommendation, and a strong writing sample. I've also noticed that many of you have applied several times to the same program -- what do you think changed over the years to bump you into admission? Any advice for us novices would be welcome, and congrats, again!