SNS1011

Awesome - thanks so much for your responses! Between you and my wonderful undergraduate professor, I feel like I have a really great starting point to go from. I will definitely be keeping all of that in mind over the next few months. Definitely not intimidated by DC museums - just more hoping the right fit comes up at the right time:) I'll reach out if I have anymore questions, and thanks again! I really appreciate all the advice to help get the ball rolling and make the right choices to get myself into a program!

Thanks, fullofpink! Your reply was very helpful. Definitely trying to get a docent spot this summer - it's amazingly competitive in DC at a lot of the bigger museums, but I'm hoping my degree and having interned at a museum before (during college) will give me a good leg up. Noted on the recommendations, for sure. I think MA/PhD would definitely be the ultimate goal. I feel like I need to strengthen myself as an applicant with an MA thesis, so I think it did end up at a terminal MA I would be very careful about choosing one that isn't a "dead-end" sort of Master's, whereas one that turns out a good amount of doctoral candidates. Maybe I'm wrong - I would feel more confidence about an application where I have a MA thesis as opposed to a strong undergraduate essay, and a recommendation from someone who can speak to more recent works. Perhaps I'm wrong in my thinking? Regardless, thanks so much for your response! Best of luck to you also!

Hi Everyone - I have a semi-unconventional sort of situation I'd like to share, and hopefully get some guidance as I begin the process of getting back into the art world and applying for MA programs (with the hope of going on to PhD). My area of concentration is Italian Baroque - I'm essentially interested in the art markets of that time - systems of patronage, etc etc. I graduated from Duke in 2009 with a degree in Art History (~3.8 major GPA, ~3.2 overall GPA - I had dabbled in a few other classes that didn't go so well). From there on out, my path has been a little bit unconventional for an ARH graduate. After spending a year teaching at a small learning center, I went on to pursue a Master of Accounting, and have spent the past 3 years working in not-for-profit auditing and accounting. While it's been nice to have the income, and I've been fortunate to have some clients in the art world, I've given it enough of a chance to know that it's really not for me. I've always been a learner, a researcher, and a writer and miss the passion I had for my Art History studies - Needless to say, at the age of 26 I am really feeling the pull to get back into academia and make it my lifelong career. I'm also prepared for the income loss (After paying DC rent for 3 years I feel like I'm already living on stipend) and the difficulties of finding a teaching position - It's worth it to me to do something I love. I've set a goal of entering a MA program by Fall of 2016. I'm not sure I'll be prepared to any sooner - I need to retake the GRE since my scores have expired, and would like to take a few classes at my local university as a refresher. I think an MA is my only realistic choice since it has been 5 or so years outside of school and I haven't been working in the field - I'd like the opportunity put out a solid master's thesis to make myself a candidate at some of the strongest PhD programs. A few general questions: What can I do now to make myself a more attractive candidate to MA programs? Recommendation letters - I have two former Art History professors who are willing to write me letters. However, would it be strange to have a letter coming from a professor at my graduate school who knows me very well as a student and a researcher - even if in accounting? Any program suggestions? I've identified a pretty giant list of all the schools that have terminal MA/MA-PhD programs (I have a few professors who's research I really love, but they are all situated with PhD programs), but am open to any suggestions for programs so I can help narrow that. Thanks so much for all your help! I'm in the very beginnings of figuring out how to go about this, but truly feel as though it's the right path for me after several years in the "real world." It's been a great learning experience - I've figured out what I like and don't like, and I've had time to really hone my interests and find what I'm passionate about - but needless to say it's difficult figuring out how exactly to go back to school - so any advice is really appreciated!