jryaraghi

No I definitely agree with you and that's why these are the programs I have my heart set on rather than trying to find an easier way out. I am more than prepared to do the work to get into the best program I can and having you guys to drive that point home for me and reinforce my goals is extremely encouraging!

I definitely am looking at the Aga Khan program but I have to be honest I am nervous about applying to all of these schools, seeing as the list is turning out to be Harvard, MIT, Stanford, UCLA/ Berkley, and Columbia. I have an opportunity in my masters program right now to do a research project (for a specific course) on exactly what I want to pursue for my phd, and then when I write my thesis I will have my writing sample in mind for that. You mentioned research-proposal-based awards, what do you mean by that? How do I do that?

Thank you so much! Unforutantely the Courtauld is just not possible for me- I'm really looking for U.S. programs but I've read upon her and she's fascinating. Also, I really wanted to be able to work/study in London this summer (as it may be my last opportunity to) and am wondering what you think of reaching out to a professor like Sussan Babaie to see if she's doing research that she needs assistants for etc- do you think that's a good idea? But this is a great point of reference for me- I've already looked into both Avinoam Shalem and Zainab Bahrani but haven't really done as much research as I need to. I'm going to do all the leg work on the other three professors today!

I'm definitely going to give it a shot! Yes actually one of my professors recommended that I look into the program so I've been doing quite a bit of research on MIT. Do you have any opinion on the program?

I definitely agree and that's what some of my professors have been telling me, that the best option would be to find a modernist I'm particularly interested in and specialize in middle eastern art, focusing on that in my own work. I am fluent in Farsi, both verbally and written so I think that will be beneficial for my application. I've been looking into the work of professors at Columbia and UPenn who I find particularly interesting and have noticed that there are other professors who work in the Islamic art fields whose works are also very interesting. I get a little nervous at the thought of reaching out to these professors, mostly in fear that they'll flat out reject even the conversation (which I obviously need to get over). Do you have any advice on how I should go about building up my research experience? The director of my program has said she would inform me of any research opportunities with any of the professors in the program, but I've been wondering how I could do this outside my institution. A friend of mine who is at CUNY doing her PhD in the interwar period has advised that curatorial internships are the best way to do this- do you agree? Also, I know SIA doesn't appear much on this forum probably because it's not a traditional program so I can never gage how SIA is received in the academic community, but do you think a Masters from SIA will be just as helpful for my application as a more traditionally recognized program?

Hey everyone, So I'm currently enrolled at Sotheby's Institute of Art in the Contemporary Art Masters program. I've decided that the commercial side is not for me and that I want to go on to get a PhD. I'm thinking of either sticking to American post-war or contemporary Middle Eastern. I've spoken with my professors and advisors and they all believe I would do exceptionally well in a PhD program and have suggested that I try and get curatorial internships/research assistant jobs while I'm finishing up my Masters at SIA in order to make a stronger case for myself when applying to programs. I've been looking at the Whitney and Guggenheim so far. Any suggestions of programs / advice on the application process? Any and all information would be so so appreciated!