jmb04

Thanks watersnake, for the stats. Congrats to the UT Austin admit! What's your subfield?

Hi MetisUlysses - As I was away from art history for about five years doing something totally unrelated, I can perhaps relate to you. (Unlike you, though, I did major in art history and have a solid foundation in coursework). However, I can give a little bit of advice when it comes to getting letters of recommendation from people who you may not have spoken to in years. I found that they all remembered me pretty well, but to refresh their memory and to give them good materials for a solid letter, I gave all of them a "packet" of information: 1) A copy of my transcripts 2) My CV/Resume 3) Things I wrote for their classes (research papers, midterms, even short writing assignments) 4) A list of all the programs, professors, and deadlines 5) An outline of my statement of purpose (or a written one if you already have it) I also met with each of them individually to go over everything I gave them, and to talk about interests, goals and what I've been up to since I graduated. Being a non-traditional student does have its positives. You can show an intangible quality that cannot necessarily be seen in your transcripts: maturity. When you speak to them, be ready to tell them your intended focus and specific interests. If you've been away for a while, maturity and focus can certainly help. Side note: it is true that modern/contemporary is saturated. However, do not choose something obscure or of a lesser personal interest for the sake of originality or better chances of acceptance. Remember that you will engage with this material for years to come (esp. if you want to end up a curator or professor!), so passion for the subject would be very helpful. Just be true to yourself. As a previous poster noted, continuing education is also not a bad idea. You can re-orient yourself with student life and familiarize yourself with current discourse, and perhaps secure a third recommendation letter from a professor in the field. Good luck to you!

Thanks all. I think I'll wait a week after all. I definitely don't want to seem overanxious!

Don't get me wrong.. I AM extremely excited about them. I met with them in person already, including a grad student and the grad secretary. They're pretty excited about me too. A prof even sent me her syllabus and some recommended readings. So we've definitely interacted already on an academic level. It just all happened a few weeks ago. I just want the official offer in writing so I can find out what the funding situation will be like! And THAT is what makes it seem kind of "pesty" and "impatient." Or does it? I mean, isn't it natural that I want to know about the $$$ right away? Or maybe it will just seem like that's all I'm interested in? They said they'd try to make my funding package "as attractive as possible," but that could mean anything. I do know though that they don't fully fund everyone. I can only dream that they are taking a little while longer with mine because they are trying to get me a fat recruitment fellowship haha!

Ditto. I feel like I can't completely celebrate until I get the official acceptance.

I did respond to the initial e-mail thanking them. They gave me a timeline of when I can receive more information, and that time expires today. I was just worried that I would sound like a nagging pest if I followed up. (I already asked the grad secretary when they would go out and she said it would happen last week or this week). So asking now would be like asking twice.

I received an unofficial acceptance at the beginning of the month via e-mail from two tenured professors on the adcom. They told me I'd get official notice with funding info at the end of the month. Well, it's the last day of the month and I have yet to receive any updates in my e-mail or mailbox, nor has my status changed on the website. Results are trickling in on the results page, though they have all been rejections. Should I contact them to follow up? Maybe give it one more week (which feels like an eternity in the pre-grad school sense)? I don't want to be a pest. But right now, the worst case scenarios are popping into my mind: that it's all some sick, sad twisted joke they're playing on me and I'm actually rejected; or they forwarded my application to the university who denied it; or that they've simply changed their mind. I have never felt so impatient before in my life. Anyone else in a similar situation? Maybe I'm being overly neurotic, but it's not official until I see it in writing with the university letterhead on it.

I got an email from the DGS this morning telling me that they've reviewed all applications already. I've been waitlisted. So now it's on to more waiting. Feels like Michigan is dangling a carrot in front of me that they could easily take away.

To those accepted to Michigan's program, care to share any details such as subfield, POI or admission statistics? Is there an admit day, and when is it? Also, if you've been admitted and know for sure that you're not going, I ask that you tell them right away. Those of us on the wait list would appreciate that Thanks!

Hey, congrats watersnake! Did the DGS mention any stats as to how many applicants and how many they're admitting?

Yes, congrats Yale admits! "Holy shit" is right haha! As in: "Holy Shit, I got in!" for you; and "Holy Shit, I didn't get one of those e-mails!" for me.

Yeah I was hoping official word would come today too. But alas, my mailbox was empty.

For more lightheartedness while we "wait it out" together: The spaces ought to be museums. Instead of hotels and houses, the musuems should try to collect famous artworks. So if someone lands there, then the admission (i.e. rent) is much more expensive. Instead of the railroads, they should be famous architectural or archeological sites. Instead of JAIL, it should be called Post-doc Purgatory. Instead of "get ouf of jail free card," you can get "TENURE CARDS." hehehehe The community chest card "Congratulations, you've won 2nd prize at a beauty contest, collect $75" should be replaced with "Congratulations, you've won a Getty Research Institute Fellowship. Advance to Associate Professor," or "Congratulations, your book has sold 20 more copies. Collect $75." Another card: "An established art historian has reviewed your book and called it dull and unimaginative. Go directly to Post-doc Purgatory. Do not pass GO, do not collect $200."

And by twice more than average, how many would that be? If you don't mind sharing your department name I'd appreciate it, but I understand if you want to remain anonymous. In general I'm just really curious to find out how large the applicant pool is this year, and the acceptance rates of the various programs we're all applying to. It seems like an exceptionally tough year to be applying, given the state of the economy and the number of people who want to return to the field.

Why thank you! And for the Northwestern Nervous Nellies of the world, check this out: http://www.tgs.northwestern.edu/stats/a25ph_adm_enr.pdf On average, the school admits 15 students per year. So that leaves 12 more open spots. It ain't over till the fat lady sings! (And I don't see any of Fernando Botero's women around here yet so I think we're ok for now) Though I can't believe 670 applied to JHU and only 3 got in. That statistic is absolutely frightening. Is JHU that much more popular than Northwestern for art history? The stats I saw for NW was 105 applying per year... I can see an increase this year, maybe double or even triple, but anymore than that?!? Insanity.

My inbox is full... of shattered dreams. LOL!! Totally kidding. ... though I didn't receive anything from Northwestern either. Congrats Northwesterners! All we need is one admit this year so don't give up hope watersnake!

I'd like to know also, since I might end up there. I'm guessing somewhere in the neighborhood of $15-20K? I was checking out one bedroom apartments on craigslist and on average it was $500/month. Very affordable, especially compared to LA, NY, SF and other big cities.

Can I join you? The results from my schools are beginning to trickle in, and likewise the doubt is creeping in... I think I'll be getting an MA first and re-applying for PhD in 2 years. Oh well c'est la vie! Congrats Northwestern admit!

thanks for the offer but not sure if I'll eventually need it. Per the results page, someone got short listed at UMich and it wasn't me. That was my first app, and probably my weakest one. Speaking of which, whoever you are - congrats! Mind sharing your subfield?

I've done this too! And it's great looking at apartments in cities with a lower cost of living than the one I'm in now. When I'm not pretending to work while in the office or hanging out with friends/family, I am re-reading The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Talk about a time suck. There are, I think, 12 books in there, some at 1,000 pages or so. And I am on Book 5.

Congrats to the successful Rutgers applicants! I almost wish I applied there just so I'd have some news right now. heheh kidding. For everyone else, are you enjoying the sound of crickets as much as I am??

For Masters or PhD? For PhD I think the adcom meets this week..

Oh ye of little ambitions! Why stop at TT professor of Stanford? After gaining tenure and publishing non-stop, I want to settle into a cushy chair in my office as the university president!

Hi mitzy - Yes, I was the one who posted the Austin acceptance. I received an e-mail from potential advisors, but nothing official on Texas letterhead! I ultimately want the PhD, but was forced to apply for the Master's there because they don't allow you to apply for the PhD unless you already have a Master's. Silly policy! heheh It's probably the school's cash cow, because most MAs are not fully funded. I'm hoping to score a recruitment fellowship of some sort though. *crossing fingers*

Mitzy- my guesses/hopes: Northwestern. And Texas. It would be nice to receive something official... I'm hoping for a lot of activity this week. The CAA is over so they need to finish up their adcom meetings and send us some notifications! And Yale will reject 97% of us next week...