MaytheSchwartzBeWithYou
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Posts posted by MaytheSchwartzBeWithYou
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I totally agree with everything that was said so far. This isn't so much an "action" as some of the other suggestions, but I would also recommend taking some time to think about the best way to describe the few years you took off before applying. One of the best pieces of advice I got from my MA committee chair was to consider how the work I did after my MA might be part of a continuum for me in my path toward a PhD, and then to try to frame that trajectory in my SoP. I spent a few years working as a database administrator/evaluation and planning manager outside the art world at a non-profit (though, to be fair, my research is connected culturally to the mission of the organization), and it was actually kind of eye-opening to connect work I originally felt was only tangentially-related in a way that was meaningful. This may not be the case for you (maybe you just needed a job in between! I kind of did, too). BUT, if it's possible, I think it's important to lay out the last several years as a series of conscious choices toward the career you want.
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Hi there! I can't be super helpful about Scandinavian art historians without further research, but I did notice George Washington only has BA and MA programs in art history (you mentioned PhD programs in your post, so I assume you're not looking for a master's program).
Is it possible the professor you mentioned is Barbara von Barghahn?
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First of all, let me say I'm so sorry this happened to you and your husband. To commiserate, my husband was laid off a little less than a month ago, and I'm about to start my program in a few weeks (needless to say, there was some freaking out).
We don't know each other, and I certainly can't say what you and your husband have and haven't talked about - but may I ask if you (and/or he) have considered looking for a job that will "get your family by" until you are finished with coursework? I ask because getting your PhD is obviously a really important goal in your life and your career. Your husband's career is also really important, so in situations like these it's difficult to choose whose goal takes precedence. But, if your husband can find a job that may not be exactly what he wants, but will "do" for now, would it be possible for you to wrap up what you need to before potentially moving out of state to fulfill his goal?
When my husband got laid off I seriously considered dropping out of my program. But I've spent so many years working toward this goal, and he told me he wasn't going to let me potentially give up what I'd worked so hard for, especially if he might get a new job within a few months.
Not sure if this is at all helpful - I just wanted to add my perspective. Best wishes to you!
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LOL, I suppose I just have to get used to academia being really different in some ways from the public sector. :-)
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@Eigen and @fuzzylogician, I get what you're saying, but I'm surprised there was NO direction whatsoever (even from the Grad. Director). To be fair, I spent hours researching and mapping out my program requirements and the courses I might take to fulfill them, so it's not like I was going in blindly and expecting him to answer all of my questions - especially since the program's materials state certain courses are chosen with your advisor. It's not the end of the world, it's just a clarification issue - if they'd rather students wait until after orientation to choose classes, they should say so.
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Thank you all for your responses! (My apologies, I've been off the site for a bit).
On 6/26/2017 at 4:32 PM, fuzzylogician said:I personally really dislike it when anyone is late or misses an appointment without notice -- I value my time and so should they. I take it as a sign of basic respect and proper behavior in the workplace. Others aren't as moved. It's a matter of personal taste. These things may have a tendency to correlate with other behaviors along similar lines that may be upsetting to you, like not replying to email in a timely manner, forgetting to read a manuscript or give comments before a deadline, etc. If it's an isolated incident, I wouldn't worry too much*. You never know what's going on in a person's life that might temporarily distract them. If it's part of a general pattern, maybe this isn't someone who's a good personality fit for you.
* Note: People are much less available in the summer. Especially at institutions that don't pay professors over the summer, there are those who (rightly, I think) take this as their time to concentrate on their own research and not read student work, reply to emails, do committee work, attend defenses, etc. I would still argue that if you scheduled a meeting, you show up. But I'm flagging this as a general rule, that people are less accessible over the summer and may be fully justified in that.
Yes, thank you, Fuzzy. I feel the same about my time, and I'm sure that's part of why I'm a little stuck on it. Your point about it being summer is a good one - my only note there is that graduate enrollment starts in summer, and my advisor and I had not had any meetings about how to proceed with course selection, curriculum, etc. The forums here recommend not contacting your new program during the Spring semester after you have been accepted, as (understandably) they are still trying to wrap up the current year, so I waited until closer to registration. I thought it was odd that I was told by the Grad. Director we'd be covering curriculum, etc. in the orientation meeting in the Fall, presumably AFTER we had enrolled on courses.
@Eigen, I like your suggestions about setting up tiered reminders, as long as it doesn't come across as "managing."
I did actually hear from him shortly after posting this, and he was apologetic, so I'm hoping we can establish a routine early on. I'm used to working independently (my MA advisors were often overworked and difficult to get feedback from), so I think I can handle a degree of forgetfulness, as long as I can still get what I need to move forward in the program.
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Hi all,
Looking for some input, as I'm unsure as to whether this is worth agonizing over. I'll be starting my PhD in September, and the few times thus far that I have set up phone appointments with my advisor he isn't around to take the call. This happened once when I was an applicant, and twice within the past week. In each case, I call and leave a message at the appointed time, call back in ten-fifteen minutes (in case he got stuck in another meeting) without leaving a message, and then follow up a few hours later with an email to ask about rescheduling. I haven't yet heard back from him in the latest instance (we were supposed to speak almost an hour ago), but he has previously told me he forgot to put the appointment on his calendar (twice now) and it slipped his mind. I'm not really in a position to travel to campus on a whim, as I work full-time and it would be an all-day thing to travel to and from the university.
I feel it's a bit soon to approach my him about this issue, but I am concerned his flaking on appointments will become a pattern and I really don't appreciate it. I make an effort to be well-prepared for these meetings, to be on time, and to be understanding and flexible when he doesn't "show up" and I hear from him many hours later. My one in-person meeting with him was great, and I'm really looking forward to working with him, but as a Type A personality this is driving me crazy. I have been in the working world for some time, where this would not be acceptable, and this feels disrespectful. It also means I can't do the things I need to do (like enroll) while I try to chase him down. Yet, I'm also trying to keep in mind that academia is different, and perhaps I am expecting too much.
Thoughts anyone? Thanks in advance!
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On 5/21/2017 at 8:43 PM, Neek said:
glad you have some clarity, or at least as much as a fibro diagnosis can provide. Just curious, what treatment regimen are you taking? I didn't know there was actually anything that could be done for fibromyalgia. (also if this is too personal, just say so, or you can pm me).
Hey Neek, I'm happy to tell you my current treatment, though admittedly there isn't much to tell just yet - I'm supposed to check with my doctor every month and potentially try out new things if what I'm doing isn't working. As of now, I'm on a prescription dose of Meloxicam (Ibuprofen) to "take the edge off," and I'm also supposed to try to build up an exercise/relaxation pattern over time. I'm not on a very rigorous treatment plan, but I don't want to take any serious medication if I don't need it. I may need a sleep aid in the near future (fibro can cause sleep disturbances), but I'm trying to do without that, too.
There isn't a TON you can do about fibro as of now, though there are three FDA-approved drugs to treat it. There are also a number of other drugs - especially SSRIs, and things like Gabapentin - that were created for other purposes but also help with nerve pain. Opiates are LAST resorts. Outside of medication, getting a lot of rest, regular exercise, and stress reduction are all really important. It's amazing how interconnected the body's systems are, especially when it comes to hormones and sensory perception.
I hope you're doing well!
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What sort of conservation are you interested in? Have you taken any art history courses before? How are your science grades? I ask about science because if I remember correctly, conservation programs require knowledge of chemistry/physics. I don't think you'd necessarily need to get another complete undergraduate degree in order to be accepted into a conservation program, but you might need to take additional courses (either before applying or after acceptance) in order to enter grad. school at a similar level of knowledge to other incoming students. It might be really helpful for you to ask the conservation programs you are interested in what additional coursework/experience you might need in order to qualify for admission.
As far as other programs, I don't know whether you are in the United States, but the School of the Art Institute of Chicago has a Master of Science in Historic Preservation. The SAIC is an awesome school overall, though I admittedly know very little about this specific degree program.
Also, check out NYU IFA's Conservation Program, The Courtauld Institute, London (which I think has both a degree program and certificate in various kinds of conservation), and UCLA/Getty's Interdepartmental Program in the Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials.
Google is also your friend - I found this article that lists nine conservation programs.
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On 5/1/2017 at 3:40 PM, Neek said:
Does that clarify things at all?
Hey Neek! Sorry for the late response, I've been on and off GradCafe lately. Yes, that does clear things up, thank you - and I'm glad you have a support group at your school. I'm hoping they have something similar where I'm going, or perhaps I'll work to start one myself.
On 4/26/2017 at 9:55 PM, underscore_frosty said:Well, I'm not chronically physically ill, but I am suffering from chronic mental illness and I'll be starting my PhD in computer science this fall.
My mental health journey has been...an interesting experience to say the least. It started about 2 or so years ago when I was about half-way through my 3rd year of undergrad (this is my 5th and final year). As of right now my diagnoses are schizoaffective disorder (depressive type, mood disorder dominant), panic disorder, HPPD, PTSD, and Aspberger's/HFA. It's been difficult and there were times when it severely affected all aspects of my life, college and family included. There were times when literally everyone who knew about my condition was urging me to dropout and consider long term hospitalization (this came after, we'll just say, a credible threat to my safety). There were more times than I care to mention when I seriously considered giving up for good.
But I pushed through and now here I am 2 years later about to graduate with a BS in computer science and well on my way to starting a PhD. I know doing a PhD is order of magnitude more stressful and difficult than undergrad, but I feel that now that I have matured some and learned to cope with my conditions I should be able to get through this.
Hey frosty, I'm so sorry the last few years have been so rough. Mental illness, like a lot of chronic issues, can so often go unnoticed/ignored because people can't SEE that you're ill (as you know, of course). I'm really glad you were able to work through your period of significant struggle and come out with your degree in hand. Congratulations!! As I also suffer from anxiety/panic disorder, the coping mechanisms you have been learning should be really helpful as you start your PhD. Over the years I've learned some exercises that help keep my anxiety in check when I'm having an attack - I'd be happy to share them if you're interested (though what works for one person doesn't always work for another).
@orange turtle, thanks for your input - those are great suggestions!
I was actually officially diagnosed two weeks ago, and am really happy to be starting an actual treatment regimen. Here's hoping I find a doc on campus who takes fibromyalgia seriously!
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2 hours ago, ejpril88 said:
I'm doing great, it turned out I should have listened to a doctor who told me what to do more than two years ago, but it didn't sound reasonable to me at that time.
My issues didn't have any (visible to others) physical symptoms, so no one knew I'm having trouble. I looked like a completely healthy person and only my closest friends knew what I was dealing with. The only "weird" thing about me was that I was trying to avoid sugar, so every time I skipped the desert, I had to explain - no, I'm not trying to loose weight and yes, I know that "just a small piece won't kill me".
I am curious about Neek's experience because I can't imagine someone would be that rude to ignore people just because of their illness.
Oh, I TOTALLY get the thing about avoiding sugar. I'm also diabetic, so I'm pretty careful most days about what I eat. I tend to take pieces of bread off my sandwiches, refuse wine and champagne, skip dessert, etc. etc. People who don't know me often look at me funny and tell me to "live a little," but they don't have to deal with the hyperglycemia symptoms afterward!
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On 4/24/2017 at 7:11 PM, FacelessMage said:
I'm starting my PhD in the fall, and I have ulcerative colitis. I flared really bad throughout the start of my Master's, and it really is scary and overwhelming.
Faceless, I'm so sorry to hear you are dealing with colitis. I have a cousin with colitis and it was hell for him for a few years. How are you doing now? How did you handle your flares during your master's?
On 4/25/2017 at 6:55 AM, ejpril88 said:@MaytheSchwartzBeWithYou I am sorry that you're going through this. As someone who was having health issues without a diagnosis for two years (luckily, it ended well), I know how hard it is, especially if you're anything like me and can't stay away from Google. What I noticed when I moved to US from Europe a year ago is that people here react much better to physical and mental illness and won't think you're weird. If you think your health issues could affect your performance in school, you can always talk to your advisor and tell them how you feel. I'm sure they can help.
Thanks, ejpril. I am ALL OVER Google, especially without an official diagnosis, so I know exactly how you feel! Thanks for the encouragement - I do plan to talk to Disability if I feel it's needed, but I have been counseled to be careful about divulging my health issues to people in my department (as I said, I want to be seen for my work, not the drawbacks of being chronically ill). I'm glad you felt more accepted when you moved to the US! How are you feeling now?
18 hours ago, Neek said:I'm in my second year, have dealt with chronic illness (mainly a cluster of symptoms around chronic fatigue and pain) at varying degrees of severity since 2012. Being in graduate school with chronic illness can be very hard, especially because many of the hegemonic narratives about how one should do grad school involve notions of working all the time, neglecting one's physical health b/c working all the time, etc. First, don't buy into any of those narratives. They're not true. This is real life and we should all be engaging in some kind of balance, chronically ill or not. Second, I definitely felt the questions of is it going to even be possible/am I even capable of getting through grad school, particularly in my first year. I now feel a little more solid on that, but I would say find out who your allies are--perhaps other students in your department, perhaps some faculty. It can be nice to know who it is safe to discuss how health issues are shaping your ability to do work--many professors are okay with that, but not all, so it can be good to carefully get a sense for each individual professor's attitudes.
Obviously specifics of what to do depend on your symptoms or what exacerbates your illness, but a few things I do to make sure I keep my health relatively manageable include sleeping enough, eating well, and taking time to just rest even when it seems like the pressures of grad school say those things are "too much to ask." Also, don't compare yourself to others--first of all, people are always facing more challenges than they ever seem to be when you look at them from the outside, and second of all, each person does things in their own way and at their own pace. Comparing your chronically ill self to others is just a recipe for feeling shitty about yourself (I say this even as I still slip into this mode of comparison sometimes).
Being chronically ill among predominantly young people who appear to be mostly healthy can be isolating. I haven't solved that one yet. If you're lucky the people in your department turn out to be good friends (since you'll be spending much of your time with then), but that may not be the case, especially depending on their attitudes toward whatever rhythms you seek as a result of chronic illness. I'm still trying to sort this one out...I feel very lonely a lot of the time and feel like there is no space for acknowledging my status as being a chronically ill grad student...hence my searching on grad cafe to see if there was anyone else out there. I'd love to talk further with folks going through this stuff--even if just to create a sense of solidarity and a sense that chronic illness in grad students isn't unheard of.
Neek, your post is really great - thank you for sharing your story and such great advice. I wonder if, since things like yoga and walking are good for chronic pain (not to mention stress reduction, whether you are sick or not!), you might be able to find some people in your department with whom to engage in those activities, and perhaps form friendships with some of your fellow students if you haven't already? I'm sad to read you feel isolated, and I'm happy to talk further (on the forum or via message) should you (or others!) need a listening "ear." Any differences in physical ability you might have in no way limit your intellectual and social contributions to your department - I hope your peers realize that. I'm incredibly fortunate to have a supportive spouse and a close relationship with my parents, so I have something of a built-in support system.
I really appreciate everyone's responses, and your willingness to share information that might be sensitive and/or personal. Chronic illness presents a whole new set of issues and lifestyle changes I have yet to wrap my head around. Part of me just wants to "put it out there" and be like "this is part of my life, I am who I am, I still work hard and I'm awesome, deal with it." But, we know in the professional world it's not that simple...
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Hello All,
I haven't seen a ton of comments about chronic illness on the forums, so I wanted to post in case any other incoming/current grad students are navigating grad. school with an ongoing health issue. What I'm going through is somewhat new to me, so it's a little difficult to share. I'm trusting all you smarties on here! :-)
I'm really excited to start my PhD in the Fall, but I'm pretty nervous about managing my coursework, research, and all of the other physical, emotional, and intellectual demands of the program. I've had symptoms of SOMETHING (possibly autoimmune, possibly fibromyalgia) for about the last year, primarily pain, fatigue, and "fogginess," and am undiagnosed due to inconclusive test results. The past month or so has been fairly difficult, and every time I have a flare-up I worry that it might be the "new normal." The sorts of possible diseases for me can take years to diagnose, so I'm not sure how Disability Services might be able to help. I'm sure some of it is the stress of feeling ill, not knowing why, and worrying about whether it will go away, get worse, etc. Understanding the way academia works, I also would much rather be known for my work and accomplishments than the fact that I have a health problem that impacts my studies.
I want to show I am committed to my PhD and my program, that I have what it takes, but I also want to walk the fine line between excelling in my program and taking care of myself. Right now I'm just trying to practice accepting my situation, working through the bad days as much as I can (at my current job), understanding my limits, etc. That being said, I know going back to school will be really different from my day job. Does anyone else here suffer with chronic illness, and how do you plan to/how do you navigate the demands of school with your health constraints?
I appreciate your comments, and admit to wanting some comfort that I am not alone!
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Just to add a couple of thoughts:
Switching from another field into art history isn't impossible, but I think it's really important to have a clear understanding of WHY you want to swap practice for history. You should also have at least some overall ideas of your research interests - specific periods, theories, regions, media, artists, issues (or a combination of the previous). You don't have to have a full THESIS idea at this stage, but the goal is to be able to talk and write about your interests and how you hope to expand upon them in an MA program. I second @modmuse's recommendation of taking art history courses, and I encourage you to choose and use those courses as springboards for finding potential research areas, if you don't already have one. It also can't hurt to do some outside reading on your favorite topics to give you more background - you could even ask your undergrad professors (or better yet, potential MA advisors) for their recommendations of materials you should read. Keeping in mind why you are leaving studio practice and what research fields you might want to specialize in for an MA program could really help you both in selecting and applying to schools (including writing your SoP), as well as steering yourself in a clear direction as you move forward.
I suggest, too, looking at the profiles of current students at the schools you are considering to get an idea of their backgrounds. Some universities are more open to "non-traditional" students than others - that is, they may have accepted students with a background in studio practice, like yours, or from other disciplines. It might help, too, to contact a few of these students and ask how they handled switching fields in both applying and choosing where/what to study.
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1 hour ago, kaufdichglücklich said:
I actually know multiple people who got a second MA after Courtauld, because (as I'm sure you're aware) while it's prestigious, at the end of the day it is a one year program, and there is only so much you can learn in one year. While I have not personally gone to Courtauld I know many people who have and it sounds like the quality and benefit of the program varies greatly across courses. I think people in our field are pretty aware of this too. So long story short, I would still definitely apply to Williams.
I still think it would be wiser to apply to PhD programs. For one thing, many PhD programs at major universities are now offering only joint MA/PhD programs, so you can always take the extra coursework if you need it (and already having an MA, you likely have an advantage over BAs in applying). Applying for another terminal master's program means going through the same application process in another two years.
Look, I mean, bottom line is OP CAN apply to Williams or other master's programs. I'm simply saying I don't see any benefits to doing this that you wouldn't get from a PhD program, WITHOUT the two extra years.
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4 hours ago, Melatonin said:
I doubt anyone on this forum has enough knowledge of Williams' admissions process to answer this question. Your best bet would probably be to email the department and ask directly.
Even if the OP CAN get in, that still leaves the question of why they should complete a second master's in the same field. Unless they feel they received a poor education from the Courtauld (unlikely), why do it?
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1 hour ago, modmuse said:
Thanks for this! It is interesting to see in black and white, although if I were putting this list together, I think it would look a bit different. For example, a sizable chunk of the people you listed from MoMA are curatorial assistants. So, while they do have a lot of influence on the exhibits, at the end of the day the ones writing the exhibition proposals and really making those choices all have PhDs. I think to consider them full-blown curators is incorrect and you may end up cutting yourself at the knees jobs-wise if you choose to not pursue a PhD only because the entry-level curatorial positions don't require them. Just my two cents (from someone hell-bent on not doing a PhD until I did my internship, and quickly realized I would definitely need it to feel competitive in the market). I don't know, maybe all the PhD preaching finally got to me.
I think modmuse is right - scientifically speaking, I'm not sure how accurate any conclusions you could draw from this list might be. Your list includes all types of positions (some which don't really require PhDs to obtain, though you may run into some trouble competing for higher-level jobs without one), and there is also no indication of how long someone has been in the field. Competition is really fierce right now, so out on the job market you'll be competing with people who DO have PhDs, even if you decide not to get one.
Just my humble opinion! :-)
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6 hours ago, hoawouldbe said:
Thank for your reply, MaytheSchwartzBeWithYou (that's a mouthful!).
That's exactly what I had thought. I might yet consider applying for PhD programmes in the US, but what's been putting me off is the time commitment: it would take seven to nine years, versus three to four years in the UK. I could do a Williams MA plus a UK PhD in five years, six at most. I thought this might have been a way to experience the US education system while still finishing one-three years earlier than I would in a US PhD programme. But you're right: it's a no runner.
LOL, you can call me Schwartz! :-)
I think the differences between European-style and US-style programs are really interesting. I could be wrong (this is just what I've heard from a few prospective POIs who went to European-style programs), but U.S.-style programs seem to prepare you more for a career in academia. The people I've spoken with said the shorter PhD programs in Europe have little to no coursework, and are sometimes just a few years to write your dissertation under faculty guidance. You get your degree, but you don't necessarily get any of the professional development skills you need (teaching, other forms of academic writing/publishing, networking, grant applications, etc.). It might be something to look into.
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1 hour ago, plume said:
@MaytheSchwartzBeWithYou Thank you so, SO much for your response. I know that only I can determine what is right for myself and my family, but I have felt so "stuck in my own head" in these worries. I have been considering deferment, but I am wondering if that would not be the right choice—I can't predict the future, and maybe in two years I could move home at the most critical time to help my family. It's just hard to know, and although there is no such thing as recovery at his point in COPD, it is hard to guess how long he has. However, I am realizing that I need to look into deferment or leaves of absence options. I can't tell you how much hearing all of this helps!
I'm glad I could help, and please feel free to PM me if you want to talk about grad school, dealing with terminal illness in your family, etc. (though I'm sure you well know how different, and sometimes isolating, life feels once your family is in a situation like this). My dad is stable on his current chemotherapy, but at some point it will stop working...and he has a rare cancer, so there are only so many forms of treatment available. So much of this is a waiting and hoping game - stability is a real blessing.
In terms of deferment/leaves of absence, it's really important to know your options and how to enact them should you need to make a decision on short notice. Every school/field is different - programs in my field don't typically allow deferred admission, but most if not all schools allow leaves of absence, and my new school allows multiple leaves of absence for various reasons. I find some comfort in the fact that these options aren't "I have to quit the program" choices, but rather short-term solutions that allow me to attend to important issues in my life without having to worry about how it affects everything else.
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Hey Plume, first of all, I just want to say I'm so sorry that you are in this situation. It sounds like you and your parents are close, which makes it even harder.
I'm in a really similar position - my father has had stage 4 cancer for the past few years, and I already live halfway across the country from my parents. I'm about to start a PhD program in the Fall, and I, too, sometimes feel conflicted about whether I should really be moving home to spend time with my family (we try to see each other as often as we can, about once every two months or so) - though living away from home, I felt guilty about this long before I ever applied to grad. school. My Dad promises he'll be around when I finish, but obviously he only has so much control over it.
I think the right path for you is a very personal choice, based on what your relationship with your family is like, whether you feel you can handle continuing to live away from them, and to some extent, the progression of your dad's illness. I'm an only child and very close to my parents (my Mom also has a limited support structure to care for my Dad). However, my Dad is currently stable, and I know for sure that while he'd love to have me home, he doesn't want me to hold up my life, or miss a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to move home and stay with him. That being said, if/when he starts to decline, I've given a lot of thought to coming home for a while. It's really, really hard sometimes to be so far away, especially when he was really sick from chemo, but there are some things that help us feel connected - Skype/FaceTime calls, visiting as often as we can, keeping open communication about how things are going on any given day. When things are tough, sometimes my parents just need a safe space to vent, share their fears, or have a good laugh. I find this kind of support to be a small way I can help from afar, both so I feel "hooked in" to what's happening and so I feel like I'm contributing something. It's important to remember, too, that you should have the option to take leaves of absence, if needed. At some point you will probably have to make a decision to put your Dad before anything else, but that time may not be now. Just out of curiosity, could you defer your admission if you needed to?
Its also important to take care of YOU and your needs. It's not wrong, or unhealthy, or selfish to want to pursue your career during such a difficult time - if you don't maintain some semblance of sanity and happiness in your life, your Dad's illness can engulf your whole world and throw you into an emotional situation that is really difficult to crawl out of. On the flip side, graduate school can be so stressful that your Dad being sick could affect your ability to keep up with your studies. I think it's ultimately about finding an emotional balance that allows you to process your feelings about what your family is going through, while still getting up every day and being as present as you can be in your own life. Oh, and other forms of self-care -- talking to a therapist or clergy member, engaging in meditation, art or journaling, exercise, meals or coffee with friends -- any activities that can give you a short "pause" on what is probably always in the back of your mind.
i don't know if anything I've said is helpful - I've actually never tried to talk to someone about how to deal with this. (It's also too late at night for me to be super eloquent - sorry!). I sincerely wish you and your family strength, health, and joy. Congratulations on your admissions!!
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I'm pretty sure it would make your admission a lot LESS likely, if you were considered at all. You already have a master's in the field, from the Courtauld no less - why would you need another? Master's programs are designed to teach you specific things, which you (I assume) already learned at the Courtauld - so the next logical step would be to apply for PhD programs. An admissions committee would be confused as to why you are applying for a duplicate degree, and likely would consider it a poor investment (of time and/or money). Getting a second MA in the same field probably also isn't going to help you get into a PhD program - you'd be better off taking one-off courses, or getting some research/publication/curatorial experience, etc.
What is preventing you from applying for PhD programs now, if you are interested in continuing your education? If your goals for getting another MA are to study in the US and to stay in education longer, then I'm confused as to why you wouldn't consider PhD programs in the United States instead of, or in addition to, applying at Cambridge.
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On 3/18/2017 at 9:42 AM, baddie said:
I hope you didn't receive the letter I received this morning.
I'm pretty sure I did. :-( I'm sorry!
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Congrats to the recent UCLA admits! May I ask if either of you were informed as to when they'd be sending out remaining notifications (positive or negative)? I'm sitting on an offer and while I'm certainly expecting a rejection, I just want to have all my options on the table before pulling the trigger.
Thanks!!
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17 hours ago, TakeruK said:
I think your approach here is good but I would say that you should actually ask about summer funding, ability to work outside of school and also about additional internal/external sources of funding all during your face-to-face meeting. I always fear asking for things in email because if I write too little then terseness might sound rude but if I write too much then it's more info than necessary. I feel that I can best demonstrate my gratefulness but also my need for more funding in an in-person meeting.
That said, I don't think you should explicitly ask for more money during the in-person visit. Just ask about the ways one might get more funding, as suggested above. Maybe a week later, you can make a specific request for more funding. I think that in general, asking sooner is better than later, because if there is indeed a source for more funding, it will eventually be depleted. You should only move onto this step though when you are sure that you will take this offer if they increase your funding (i.e. it's really bad to ask for more money, they approve it and then you still go elsewhere).
I think pointing out that your funding package is $2k less than their graduate student budget is your strongest argument for more funding. So maybe that should be the number you ask for. I am not sure how they will view your need to contribute to a household. I think this is a very valid concern for an applicant to have but my experience with graduate programs shows that they don't really feel the same way. How much you ask for would depend on whether or not you would still take this offer if they did not approve any funding increase.
Thanks, Takeru - as usual, your advice is sound. Yeah, I know the "household contribution" thing may not be super compelling to them - I suppose that's my way of saying I'm not sure the stipend is enough to live on (but since I have an employed spouse, it's harder to argue that).
As I said in my original post, I'm still waiting on two schools, though I'm pretty sure they are rejections at this point. I just want to have all of my options on the table before I make a choice. I think your "General now, specific later" approach is good - thanks again! :-)
Finals Week Getting the Best of Me
in Coursework, Advising, and Exams
Posted
Hi all!
I'm at the end of my first quarter (my finals week is this week), and I'm having a fair amount of trouble balancing the amount of work I have to do before Friday night despite having started researching, etc. weeks ago. I have two final papers due, and have been trying to juggle working on both of them each day. BUT, I still have a fair amount of writing to do and I'm starting to freak out. I'm pushing myself pretty hard, but I still feel like I'm moving too slowly to get it all done. I'm also a perfectionist and am doing my best to accept that this might not be my highest-quality work (but I still think the writing is overall pretty good - what's finished, anyway).
To complicate matters, I have a chronic illness that affects how easily I become tired, as well as cognitive functioning, depression/anxiety, etc. I was diagnosed earlier this year and, as I had been functioning fairly well at work before I left my job, I decided to register with the DRC but see how well I did the first quarter before asking any professors for accommodations (I'm thinking now this was a major mistake). I handled everything pretty well overall this quarter, but I am finding that especially with writing assignments it takes me longer to complete them.
Because we submit assignments through an online system and I haven't mentioned my disability to my professors, I feel like I need to stick with the original deadlines (Dec. 15th @ 11:59). I'm not sure exactly why I am posting here or what sort of advice/comments I am looking for - but any thoughts would be helpful. I feel like I really should have just talked to my professors at the beginning of the quarter, but after hearing about stigmas in academia and some advice I received from my former committee chair, I was really hesitant to do so.
Thank you for the opportunity to get this off my chest!
Schwartz