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modmuse

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Everything posted by modmuse

  1. No one can tell you definitively, as PhDs and jobs often involve luck in the sense of having the skills and interests the professors/institutions are looking for at the time. That said, generally, those who get admitted to PhDs have very specific focuses and are already well versed in the literature of that focus. From my understanding, PhDs aren’t necessarily meant to be for “learning” in the way undergrad or even an MA is. Unless you can demonstrate this, coming with a BFA and possibly MFA will be tough. If you want to curate contemporary art, the curatorial MA is better than museum studies, which is obviously more general. Some museums may or may not be ok with either depending on the position but similar to PhD programs, they want to be sure that their curatorial staff has a solid background in art history, hence why you’ll see more curatorial positions ask for an MA (and now ABD/phd preferred) qualifications for many of their entry level roles. Your best bet is to look at job listings and see what jobs you’d like, and what qualifications they ask for!
  2. Congrats! Do you mind sharing which departments?
  3. Prewar and no, it was for spring last year. I ended up getting an offer that was paid at another big nyc museum right after the interview so I told them I wouldn’t be able to do both. I hope that didn’t burn any bridges, this is my first time applying again since.
  4. Permanent collection, prewar and drawings and prints. You?
  5. I think it’s done department by department (or so I’m hoping). That’s the impression I got when I interviewed in the past, but I may just be trying to stay optimistic at this point...
  6. Do you mind sharing what departments?
  7. The program at SVA is pretty new but I know some of it’s grads have gone on to have curatorial positions, though not in nyc. They’re trying to be an alternative to bard’s program. They have some funding but it is minimal and the degree is very expensive. I applied, got in, and though I liked the program I ultimately ended up somewhere else. Also, it’s really not an art history program — it’s curatorial studies which is different. You won’t be offered classes on pre-war art for instance. It’s just a different focus from art history.
  8. Congrats! I applied too -- though I forget which of the curatorial sub-departments, though I suspect I choose the permanent collection as my top choice. I've interviewed with them in the past so I'm trying to stay hopeful, but now that it's mid-March I'm so nervous. I hope your interview goes well!!
  9. Has anyone heard for summer 2018 yet? I think interview invites should come this week or next, but I’m anxious to know if anyone has been contacted yet!
  10. Hey! So I don't think anyone can answer for you if you're ready to pursue a grad program, but it sounds like you're passionate about your research and have a good focus. A couple of things to keep in mind: Most programs will want you to have taken at least 12 credit hours in Art History specifically. Is that the equivalent of Art Studies at your school/did you fulfill that? It's less of an issue for MA programs, but PhD programs may be more picky about it. This is a somewhat controversial opinion, but don't take out loans to do an MA. I know City College has funding (and Ellen Handy is a great professor) and University of Madison might, but Columbia definitely does not for their MA. Have you considered applying for their PhD program instead? If you've got time, start learning French too. Most programs will ask you for both. Good luck! You sound like you have a real passion!
  11. It never hurts to ask, but don’t be surprised if they say no. I’d send a polite email to whoever sent you your funding info thanking them for what they’ve given you already and then explaining why you need more. Sometimes fafsa doesn’t give an accurate picture of need and you can write about your circumstances. Just keep it brief, and again, don’t count on them saying yes.
  12. modmuse

    Fall 2018

    Not Harvard related, but my friend got admitted to an ivy over the phone on Saturday. So, it seems possible to get calls at weird times.
  13. Setting aside PhDs, I think this doc is also a great resource for people to find funded MA programs, which are few and far between. And, I don’t see why people can’t want some funding for their later PhD years and also not get external funding. It doesn’t have to be so black and white, and I think the more transparency we can build surrounding the realities of being an art history grad student, the better
  14. What’s your specialty? There are quite a few options for modern/contemporary in NYC, though if you don’t live in NYC already, the cost of moving here for the summer will certainly eat up most of what they pay.
  15. modmuse

    Fall 2018

    As someone who is in an MA program now and applying for Ph.D’s Fall 2019, seeing stats like this is extremely helpful. It’s nice to see where people are at, rather than hoping that the person with a 3.9 from their Columbia MA isn’t the one writing “omg I’m so stressed this sucks I’m not gonna get in.” I’m not sure why there’s a problem? Like, why can’t people share stats *and* commiserate. Also, @Sad! the top 10 thing is subjective. Like, obviously some schools are better for some subjects than others. No need to take it so personally, if you have a different perspective on what programs are good for a certain specialty, then please share! It could really help someone find a good program in the future.
  16. I’d definitely swap out u-Michigan for CUNY but otherwise I think your list looks pretty good (modern/contemporary focus here)
  17. You definitely need to edit the chapter to make it read as a stand-alone work; I would add in the crux of your intro, relevant lit review. You can make room for this by condensing your argument like you already seem to be doing. Never assume your reader will fill in the blanks for you!
  18. The best thing to do would be to look up the scholars whose works have most influenced you and/or are related to what you want to pursue in a PhD and see where they or their colleagues teach. Finding the right programs requires a bit of research and digging — see it as the first test among many that will determine if you’re ready for a PhD. Im assuming you’re planning to apply for fall 2019 (since most deadlines for phds are in the next 1-2 weeks), so the good news is you have time to read more if you need to/refine your interests further. Good luck!
  19. They don’t interview for spring until mid-November, but they will get back to you within a day or two if you’ve been accepted.
  20. Hunter is on that list too. If you want a broader and more "traditional" (read: slide memorization) type program, Hunter is a good choice. If you're more interested in modern/contemporary, CCNY is a better choice. Both are great from a financial perspective. Don't pay to get a terminal MA at a place like Columbia -- you're better off just trying to get a PhD instead. FWIW, I like the CCNY campus better
  21. Most Art History PhD programs will want to see that you can at least read in one other relevant language coming in. Most require two these days before allowing you to reach the ABD stage. They're usually French and German, with one being changeable if you're focusing on non-European areas. Also, re: the MA route -- you can get your MA, work for a bit and then return to do a PhD. Honestly, so long as you have good research and contributions to the field, age discrimination is one of the few things I haven't really noticed in the field.
  22. It's really not up to anyone on here to decide if these are good "homes" for you. FWIW it sounds like you've done the groundwork to pick programs well suited to you, and if you make it to the interview phase, you'll be able to feel it out for yourself. The one thing I'll mention is that many of these programs are gravitating towards accepting people with MAs versus just BAs. It's not impossible, but with that in mind, you may also want to look into some terminal, funded MA programs as backups.
  23. If you're not in NYC, I'd definitely suggest using Columbia's housing for the first year (or even semester). Finding housing is literal hell, and, if you're looking for something during the back-to-school season, you will 100% have to pay a realtor fee, which ranges between 5 - 15% of a year's rent. The Columbia apartments are beautiful, and relatively affordable (I subletted one for a summer, and it was $1000/month to share a huge place right off the 1 with two girls). Then, you can find a place in the spring when rents are somewhat lower and there are more no-fee rentals.
  24. If it helps console anyone, spring interns just had a debrief, and the intern coordinator said it is harder to get an internship at MoMA than a job! They had something like 1600 applicants for 20 spots or something to that effect.
  25. I second everything @condivi has said. Also, look and see who is teaching (check the professors actual bio pages, where they most often list if they are on sabbatical or leave) and see who lines up best with you academically. Your best bet for having an invested academic advisor is to have them actually be interested in your topic There's no 100% guarantee for getting into a phd program or getting hired. A lot of it is luck, and a degree from Columbia or NYU is no guarantee. Like, if I were hiring for a position at the met in renaissance art, a Columbia modern art MA would be pointless because it wouldn't have the right focus.
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