venusofwillendork

It sounds like you've made the right call -- and getting the MA will give you the opportunity to develop more connections that may help with PhD apps in the future. It does sound like you made the right call wrt your advisor: the period between your being accepted & your accepting their decision is a time when they *should* be most responsive, because they should be eager to please/convince you that they're the right program. If you're facing communication difficulties during that time... that's a red flag for how they'll be when you're trying to get chapter feedback down the line. As for risking your acceptance in the future, I think communicating well about your decision now, pitching it as wanting to get the experience of a different program/an MA before pursuing your PhD/wanting to cultivate your career -- all of that will help protect your potential admission in the future. Good luck!

Definitely a stressful decision! Do you feel like there are questions that only your PI would be able to answer? Or is your concern more that they're just not being responsive, and that could be indicative of what they will be like in the future? It's possible that slow responses to messages may be how this faculty member engages typically... which may or may not be a comfortable environment for you to begin study in.

I don't see any immediate reason not to apply to both programs, but keep in mind that the same people may end up reading parts of your applications for both. You should be able to articulate why each (and both) are valuable next steps for you in a way that doesn't negate the other's value to your career and research goals. In any case, the best bet would just be to speak to people in either or both departments. They may not be involved with each other's admission process at all. Or they may suggest to you that you'll have a better chance in one program or the other (or a better application by trying to do the MA first, and then the PhD next).

Just shared some similar thoughts in this thread -- I think you are a strong candidate with this background, and have been demonstrably successful in your undergraduate program, especially in showing your research skills. The most important thing here will be considering the big question: Why is art history the right field for you to continue doing the research you want to be doing? Historians & art historians are not the same thing (which I'm sure you understand) -- but what that tangibly means is that the way that each field *thinks* about research topics is different. Having a strong history background means you're an excellent researcher (and that archives background is great) but it may mean that you are more limited in *which* art history programs are right for you. Look for people who value archival research, who are interested in social & cultural history, perhaps material culture/visual culture studies too... these are closer to a history field than a more traditional art history field. I put several questions in the thread above that I would encourage any fellow BA to PhDs to think about, and I think they're even more important when you're articulating a change in field. Ivies for the PHD aren't the be-all, end-all, if you can find a good fit with the right advisor. Good luck!

BA to PhD here! I applied to 7 PhDs & 1 MA, and got into the MA (with partial funding) and 1 PhD -- I'm at the latter now. If I could do it again, I would apply to fewer programs with more contact with the program before submissions. 9 is a lot to consider and to balance, especially while you are still in school. I can't really speak to your resume, but it sounds like you'll make for a strong applicant! The things I'm saying below are coming from a place of being stronger & framing the work you're already doing most effectively. So the advice above is great, but I think the most valuable thing you can do is make good connections with your potential advisors. Send emails, ask for a phone call, ask to meet with their current students. If possible, read some of their work & be able to articulate how the specific work you want to do fits with theirs. Some of them will respond. Some of them won't. But far and above, good contact with them before you apply will set your application apart. Next, I'd just say (and I'm coming from a similar background): As a BA student, it can be difficult to fully understand who YOU are as a scholar within the field -- what your research is contributing, and how your approach to this field fits with other methods, frameworks, and theories. This is something you will continue to develop through your studies, but it is one of the ways to really show that you are prepared to enter this field. In your statement of purpose, and in your conversations with your advisor (and in your own thinking) really take the time to consider a few questions. Some things I wish I'd asked myself: Why is Art History the most relevant field for my research project/specific research interests? What projects & research have I already completed successfully that I can use to demonstrate the kind of art history that I do? How will a PhD in art history, specifically, help me in my professional, academic, and career goals? Why do I need to do it *right now* and not in a few years? What methods & forms of art historical scholarship do I *disagree* with, and why? How is my work different from these? Why is it important that more of my framework/method exists? (And from there -- which scholars at these universities are using those methods?) And while you're thinking about that dissertation topic (and I agree with above, don't make it too specific -- or say explicitly that you expect it to change as you grow as a scholar -- but have a strong general idea of what your project is) -> why does it matter? what does your specific research interest contribute to the field? and how do you know it's contributing something? All of these are big & complicated questions, and things you will continue to develop as you study. I don't expect you'll have complete answers before you apply, or before you even start. But showing your admission committees that you're ready to think about these will show that you are a strong candidate despite your "academic youth." Finally, and this one may be a bit difficult to hear, but I really think it's worth thinking about a year off. I know firsthand the eagerness about moving forward with the degree, especially thinking about funding for a year. And I know exactly what it's like to know that this is your next step, so why wait to take it? I encourage thinking about a year off for a few reasons. 1) While most PhDs are funded, they do not pay well. Taking a year and saving a little buffer will protect you while you're in school. 2) Burnout is *so* real. For a high-achieving student like yourself, your senior year is going to be *rigourous.* Taking a year to breathe, center yourself, and even think about some of the projects you've begun can only help you succeed more in the next year. and 3) Taking the time to connect with advisors, hone your research questions, and develop your ideas takes work, work that is very hard to do while you're in school and balancing so many other things. The people around me that are most successful in the PhD program are the ones who have had to live in the non-academic world for at least a little while -- long enough to understand that there is so much more to life than our research. For me, that time off compelled me to work even harder, and I have a healthier work-life balance, a better understanding of money management, and more professional knowledge I'll use to get a job when I finish. I know it's a hard thing to consider, but you may find that it opens more doors than it closes. Good luck, and feel free to DM me if I can offer any other help!

I think not! In my experience, I've seen some people with two MAs. Usually, they are in different areas, or somehow fulfill a different area of study than each other. Like, some folks get a degree in Archaeology or Anthropology, and then in Art History, or in Art History, then museum education. If you're planning to get a second MA in basically the same thing your first one is in, that might look a bit strange. You'd need to make a clear case why a second MA is the right fit, as opposed to a PhD or something else entirely. Besides the prestige of a different university, what would you hope to get from this second MA, and what would you do differently? Just something to consider, both in the apps, and as you arrange them on your CV. Tufts' MA in Art History and Art History and Museum Studies, UMass Amherst, NYU is Jan 17, CUNY is Feb 1, (Williams' is Jan 5, Georgetown's is Jan 1 -- I think most MA's tend to be in Jan, while PhDs tend to be December).

I'm not sure if this answer is entirely helpful, but are you too late? No, but it may still be a wise choice to wait. You could certainly start work now and put a lot of attention on your applications. I would be very selective with your schools, and work to get your requests to meet with POIs out in the next two weeks. I'd also start working closely with your previous advisors (get in touch ASAP, express your interest in the program) and speak with your current advisors. Is your worry about not getting full support about getting weak recommendation letters, or about not getting as much hands-on help with the app itself? The latter is manageable. The former will take some creativity in finding some stronger recommenders. As for application materials, you're in your MA, so you should have a decent writing sample, and hopefully an effective idea of what work you want to do in grad school (how will it differ from and extend your MA work?). No, it won't hurt your chances to apply and be rejected, so long as you take the process seriously. Many people apply across multiple years before they get into the right fit program. Starting another MA is not a bad idea, though could be costly, especially as an international student. What are your long-term goals? How does the PhD fit into those goals? How would a second MA bolster or alter your existing MA research? So the tl;dr of all that is that yes, you could still make this work. There are applications due as late as January 15, and there may be better time flexibility this year for virtual visits than other years (I ran into Thanksgiving limitations in the US when I was trying to be in touch in November, but you may not have as much of a problem this year). HOWEVER, it may be wise to wait another year or two, or even longer. Many people get an MA and start working before they return to the PhD. It's my understanding that this reads well -- you're still committed, possibly more mature, and with work experience that will help you get a position. Adding to that, this year is likely to be a scant year for admissions due to COVID. So many schools are not accepting applications (NYU, for example), so schools that are will have more applications, and may also not be able to accept as many people as in other years. Faculty are generally more focused on their current students and dealing with teaching and research in a pandemic, and may not be able to offer you as much time in pre-admission meetings than in other years. If you are considering waiting a year to bolster your connections, hone your new research plans, and wait out the pandemic, it might be a wise choice to save your application fees and avoid the stress of putting together apps in the next three months while finishing your MA. A small caveat -- limited apps this year may result in a boom next year -- always something to balance. Good luck!

Hey @onomatopoeia_! I think this ^ is a legitimate concern. And there are others on this forum who will (vehemently) tell you that it's not worth it, or that the job market is so competitive that you need that top tier school to get anywhere. My two cents is that going to a relatively good university, but with a strong community and a supportive advisor will do you more good than an overly rigorous and cutthroat ivy. You'll have the support you need to publish and go to conferences, and to complete the program successfully without burning out. However, it's definitely something to consider carefully -- and reviewing some other threads in the Art History forums will show a wide range of opinions on success rates and what a "good program" actually looks like. Whatever you decide, you are in this for the long haul, and it will be a hard and competitive job market. You should go into this with your eyes open to that, and prepared for what that will entail in your life (having to move, working with low salaries, potentially precarious employment, joining a job market with hundreds of other equally and more qualified applicants). Being open to something that is an alternative to academia, like work in a library or public history museum is a good thing to keep in mind, as it sounds like you are -- more options means more job prospects to consider in the future. I wish you luck with your writing sample and research statement! They're both challenging but important documents. Good luck with your applications!

Hi @onomatopoeia_! The above responses are full of good advice. I wanted to add two points. First, though I can imagine it was really hard to hear your advisor's negative response, this may not be as negative as it seems. Like the others above, it seems like your advisor is suggesting that you manage your expectations. Even with an MA, the applications are /extremely/ competitive in this field. You can be very very qualified, and still get in nowhere. It's also been 6 years since your advisor knew you as a student! Perhaps you have grown significantly in your writing and research skills too. But (at least what you describe), she doesn't seem to entirely be doubting your skill, or even questioning your advisor-advisee relationship, perhaps just imposing her concern about the competitiveness of the field -- she may very well still be a source for a rec letter and advice in your app process. I also think that you can make up for a less prestigious program with clear demonstration of your writing and research skills, with a cogent explanation of what research you want accomplish in school, and with contact with the professors at your chosen university. I'm sure you're already doing it, but talking to other folks (like previous internship supervisors, etc.) might give you other connections to faculty and other perspectives about the competitiveness of the app field. Considering universities who are not necessarily ivies, but who still have a good record of job placement, is definitely a worthwhile pursuit if you are concerned about not being from a tier-1 university.

Hey @Tatiana135, it sounds like you're precisely on the right track then! And hooray about NYU -- I didn't realize they were accepting MAs this year. Great news for you! I have heard particularly good things about Williams, Columbia, and Tufts for curatorial goals. I think that's more of a subjective aspect, but when I applied, I looked for a slant in the language of the program's description and in placements of recent alumni. Do they require certain coursework in museum studies towards the degree, or do they also offer a museum studies program where you could take certain classes? I also asked professors and grad students when I spoke to them. As someone who wants to go into academia, it wasn't as essential for me, since professors could help me understand how they became professors. Decent faculty should be able to guide you to a curatorial placement anyway, but as the job market is already so tight, I wanted to know what kind of alt-ac and professional development options they already offered.

Hi @Tatiana135, I think that going for an MA with a BA in Anthropology is not a stretch, even if you are changing time periods. I also think the time direction you are shifting will work in your favor - contemporary will not require ancient Greek or Latin, so you won't be behind in language study. I imagine you would speak about how your anthropology perspective will allow you to approach the social movements you expect to study as both an art historian and a social historian. And that your Classics background, I would guess, has given you a concrete set of tools to closely analyze objects and situate them in historical context. It's all about how you frame it in your application essays. Is NYU accepting MA applications this year? I've heard that their PhD app is closed due to COVID. Contemporary is certainly not my area of specialty, but is Tufts somewhere you have considered? I would also say -- do you have plans for either an academic or curatorial career path, or plans to get a PhD next? Many of these programs may have more of a slant towards academia or museum work, which is something to consider as you finalize your list. Good luck!

Hi! I second what @CHINESEGOLD has expressed: go for it. A 3.0 is a little low, but not appallingly so. If you have a clear picture of what you want from the program and how you are an effective candidate, that will go much further than your GPA. Plus, if you can highlight the ways that you have turned your academic struggles into successes or strengths, you could demonstrate your tenacity and capacity to pivot, which are both good personal qualities.

Hi! I know you just messaged me, but to answer this specific question publicly -- yes, reaching out to faculty is super important. You need to stand out from 100-300 applications to be not only academically in the top 10, but personally someone the faculty want to work with. Think of this like a job application. If you just send off the application and let it go, you might be awesome, but you will not do as well as the person who has used their networking connections, or done an informational interview. They might be bothered, so you should always be polite. But it's their job to work with new students, so it's a fair thing to ask. Yesss... this is a challenging and time-consuming one. I don't actually know how worth it it is, but it was gratifying for me to see. Basically, I went to each program's page. They usually have a list of current grad students. Those students often list their BA and MA institutions. If they list a BA and not an MA, they almost certainly didn't get their MA before coming to the program. And some programs will offer an MA-along-the-way, so if it matches where you're looking, they also probably only had a BA when they entered!

Hi @paulab! Glad to help I also thought a lot about funding when I was applying, although I've realized that the cost of living is very different -- so the difference between a 36k stipend at UC Berkeley and a 28k one in New Haven might not be as wide as it appears. Is your specific interest mod/con Latin American art? You might look at Ana Maria Reyes at Boston University -- that's where I'm headed this fall and am happy to answer any questions you have. Thanks!!

Hi @paulab! Here are a few criteria I used to narrow down my focus. Like you, I wanted a school in the Northeast and my area is in modern art. Beyond the faculty I already knew about, or who were already recommended to me as potential POIs, I wanted to assess some other schools and to look at their faculty. I actually made up a little worksheet with some of the following criteria and used it to search each department's website. I used these criteria on the schools and people I already knew I wanted to work with, and worked to expand my list too. I started with CAA's directory of programs (https://www.collegeart.org/publications/directories) and narrowed my focus to the regions I wanted and if I wanted an MA or a PHD and started looking at some of these qualities: Preference for academia or curatorial path (some departments will advertise a strong curatorial program, if that's where you want to work after school) Undergrad and MA institutions for current students (I'm a BA-only candidate, so I wanted to see if many students got accepted without an MA, and if my R2 school was realistic) Number of and area of specialty for professors in my field of interest Names of current dissertations in progress (anything relevant to what I want to do?) Diversity, equity, and inclusion statements, and the program's emphasis on transatlantic, post-colonial lenses Placement of recent graduate students Focus on theory, visual analysis, material culture, interdisciplinary etc. (found this by looking at faculty) Presence of, and quality of Graduate Students Association, Graduate Student Unions Stipend amount (takes some creative googling) and number of years (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RK4iDBMdcTm73NJV28gDE6D4_hcjXpohTCThO9lRrQE/edit?usp=sharing) Location relative to areas, museums, and archives of interest (and location relative to cost of living) How long has the program existed? What top faculty have worked there in the past? Once I had narrowed it down to a shorter list of schools, I also considered the following: Responses from faculty (do they respond, when do they respond, are they cordial, do they offer to meet?) Responses from grad students (what do they have to say? are they happy with the program?) Timeline to degree (do most people finish on time? what support is available? what is the placement like) Support for alt-ac futures, professional development Do they actually hold to their DEI statements? Are they actually as interdisciplinary as they claim to be? I know your question was about what makes a "top school" and there are probably answers to this. However, I think you're really looking for a way to narrow your search down. What makes a "Top school" top doesn't matter as much as your ability to succeed in the program and to find work afterwards. I hope these questions help!

For a PhD program, $0. If you get into a doctoral program and they do not offer funds, it's not worth it to accept the offer. I know that there are very limited MA programs with full funding, and that it's difficult to get into a doctoral program without an MA. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/education-postsecondary/reports/2020/01/13/479220/graduate-school-debt/ < This article breaks it down in pretty specific detail. It talks about using a percentage of your income to decide how much of a loan you should take out. If you're looking at adjuncting, you might make between 20-25k/year for the next few years after your degree (https://hyperallergic.com/516702/how-much-does-an-adjunct-actually-make/). That's like a 20k loan to be able to take out -- 10% of your income over 10 years. With an MA program, you won't be able to get a TT position. You'll either need to continue in school (defer your loans), and still may need to adjunct for some time even with a PhD. But say you play your cards right. You take out some loans for your MA, defer them through your PhD (without taking a gap year in-between, otherwise you'll need to start paying after 6 months). You land a TT job. These start at 40-50k and seem to land in the 60-70k range on average (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mWZL98MP01YNrPFmg9NOi4b1CmoPWh2r33nxjss40xI/edit?fbclid=IwAR0eINbPuxSnDJnc9r0cLmjCkwp3ylpCSorlPfPMiif9OJAh_yCg-CTGqck#gid=2015163110). That could put your loan limit as high as maybe 45k. But you would need to be very, very lucky for that to work in your favor. Maybe you don't want to be in academia. If you don't have an art history background, and your program doesn't require internships during the degree, you might not have the experience needed for it. You might need to jump around to temporary fellowships in the meantime. Fellowships I've seen that a qualified BA or MA student might get can make 14-20k. Curatorial Assistant positions (appropriate for an MA) make between 30-50k. They're very competitive. And if you want to be a curator (after getting your PhD), that's maybe 50k-80k depending on the size of the museum (https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14_cn3afoas7NhKvHWaFKqQGkaZS5rvL6DFxzGqXQa6o/edit?usp=sharing). A general timeline for paying off student loan debt is 10 years. With some of these lowest-paying positions, you're looking at a cap of around 20k. At the highest, 60-70k loan cap. I would personally be incredibly anxious about pushing the limit. With the state of our world (even before the pandemic, and even more so now), pushing the limit on how much you can take out is not a good choice. It's likely that there will be even more precarious employment in our futures, and having a massive debt will only put more pressure on you and on me, and will only make things more precarious.

Hello! I'm looking for advice on places to live around Boston with decent/consistent parking availability, probably outside of Boston proper. Do you have any advice to share? Thanks!

Hey @sophsan! I'd also add that you'll want to do the work in your statement of purpose of weaving in the connections between your BA major and your plans for your MA. Political Science and Theology could definitely have ideological underpinnings that relate to your planned work in art history. Use that to your advantage -- position yourself as particularly unique because you have this wider background. I'd also suggest emphasizing some of that added research experience you mentioned. Something your readers will be concerned about is that art history has a particular way of writing history -- visual analysis being the most obvious facet, but the discipline differs in many more subtle ways too. If you can prove that you are prepared to write and speak about art history as art historians do -- or that you are taking the steps towards gaining that experience either through courses or specific guided learning -- that will definitely cover you. An MA (even a very reputable one) is still meant to be training before the PhD, so it's the perfect step as you transition from another field. You don't need to apologize for the fact that you don't have a BA in Art History, because it may be to your credit to have a different perspective than many of your peers, even if your intended field is less so directly related to your undergrad majors. And those GRE scores are great -- also keep in mind the rest of your resume (writing experience, any internships or work experience, languages, travel, etc. can also help your application!) Other MAs to look at too -- Tufts, UPenn, and CUNY. Good luck!

@theproblemseeker I think probably yes, it can play into the selection process. Since the programs are so small (at least in the US, where I am speaking from my own experience), any small thing could hinder your application. That said, if you have good research experience, strong recommendations, excellent writing skills, some language background, and maybe some conferences or papers under your belt, it would make up for a less well-known university. You will probably also want to spend some extra time networking, since your current faculty may not have the same amount and level of connections as faculty at a higher-ranked university (though I may be completely wrong on this instinct). Connections are extremely important, so taking the time to meet with your POIs, to meet with grad students, and so-on, will make a big difference in your application's success. Good luck!

Hi @lellabee ! I'm not sure what @arthistorygc ending up finding, but I'm happy to put in my two cents. I agree with both these above comments! Bard is an excellent program if your focus is more so on decorative arts/craft and material culture more so than traditional art history, but it sounds like maybe you're more the traditional route? Jason Hill at UDelaware, possibly look at University of Southern California, Boston University - Kim Sichel for photography. CUNY has several modern and contemporary faculty - Claire Bishop jumps to mind. Possibly University of Minnesota and University of North Carolina - though I'm less familiar with their Europeanists. I've heard good and bad things about Stanford. If you're interested in an MA at all, Tufts and Williams have good reputations too. Feel free to message me! I have just been through the application cycle in American modern/contemporary, so I'd love to help if I can.

@Yyah I agree about casting your net a little wider, but not necessarily about applying to more schools. Widening your net to find other programs, or ones you might not have originally considered is an excellent idea. But I'd keep your final list short and sweet. This will give you more time and space to make contacts at that program, to speak to current students and potential advisors and the director of graduate studies for your program. I believe that those connections will increase your chances of getting into a good program. I also think that the best people to answer whether or not you should apply will be the people in the programs where you are applying. They will know what their funding and admission status will be, and will be better able to advise you about how the process has changed. Plus, if they say that waiting is better, your contact now will only help your application later on, since they'll see that your interest has continued.

@CHINESEGOLD Is there a phone number you can call? Or a grad program administrator you could get in touch with? Otherwise, I'd wait a little longer (this Wednesday at least, if not Friday) and send an additional email outlining the urgency of your situation and asking for an update.

Hi @avantgardner, congratulations on your graduation and on beginning your application process. I am one year ahead of where you're at -- I also took a gap year to apply to schools after undergrad, and am now heading to a PhD program in the fall. So, a few things to think about here. 1) I think a lower GPA will not necessarily be a red flag (and a 3.4 really isn't that low). Were you an art history major? Is your GPA better in your major? Many of the applications asked for a major-specific GPA, and that might be a good way to highlight your transcript strength. Also on your transcript, what is your range of art history or other applicable courses? Did you generally do well in those (B+ - A range?) That will help make up for any questions on your GPA. 2) Your professional experience in museums will be a big plus. And education and grantwriting will be supremely important as you seek relevant internships and work in the field. I would definitely highlight your curatorial research experience in your statements of purpose -- that's a valuable way to indicate that your experience goes beyond the classroom. 3) Other programs to consider really depends your area of interest. Is avant-garde what you're looking at? Where geographically? What methodologies/frameworks are you interested in studying? 4) I've heard great things about art history programs at University of Delaware and UNC Chapel Hill. You might also consider an MA at Tufts or Williams College, which have strong curatorial departments. 5) One more thing to consider: ask current grad students and potential advisors whether the program leans towards academia or curatorial. My goal is to remain in academia, so professors who have only ever been professors are the best career advisors for me. But that's probably not the case for you if you want to go into museums, so you'll need a program that is well prepared to support you in your job search, who will know what internships and fellowships are most important for you. Anyway, this is longer than I had intended! Best of luck with your applications <3

Hi! So glad to help. I think talking things through, asking yourself these questions... it's the best way to narrow your focus! 1) Your undergrad courses and archaeological work will be super helpful! Definitely something to highlight in your SOP -- help them see that you have the skills you need to work and think in a different discipline. 2) If your goal includes curatorial work, my instinct is that Art History is a better option. However, I'm not as familiar with your period or work in the UK. If most of the people in the jobs you are interested in at the BM have degrees in Art History, or Archaeology, that would definitely indicate it's a good choice. When I started my PhD search last year, I thought it would be most important for me to be able to demonstrate clear thematic research interests. I also thought I needed to spend my time learning more factual information, doing more readings, etc. However, what I have learned in the past year is that when it comes to fit, the methodology and types of material are really more important. You know you have the skills -- you're a qualified MA student with clear research interests. I can't emphasize enough how valuable it has been for me to step back and assess what my approaches to art history are -- and then to find out what approaches my potential POIs use. It would have saved me a lot of time and application fees, as I did end up applying to some programs (like Stanford, for example) where the program and my POI's focus/methodology did not match my own lens for doing this work, even though we shared common themes and topics. Best of luck!!

Hi @MtrlHstryGrl! This is a great question. I have a non-answer for you: look at both. There are some excellent art history programs who use historical lenses, anthropological and sociological lenses to study cultural artifacts and ideas. However, there are also a great many that emphasize visual analysis and theory over these lenses, which is probably not the right fit for you. I would look at both History & Art History -- prioritizing the mentors whose fields and methods/approaches match what you're most interested in studying yourself. Fit is probably the most important consideration for both of these fields (imo -- others may disagree). That said, three things. 1) As a History BA and a History MA, you may appear (in your applications) to lack some of the specific skills relevant to Art History, in doing visual analysis in particular. You will need to make it clear why art history is the right lens for your research goals (as opposed to history). You will also need to demonstrate your capacity to do visual and material analysis, and how you have developed that skill alongside (separate from/in addition to) your abilities to do textual and historical analysis. 2) What is your ultimate career goal? Museum work? Public history? Academia? If academia, what field do you want to teach in? How will the programs you are considering best prepare you for the field you want to move into next? It's important to be intentional now about what you want to do next. If you plan to be a professor of history, an art history degree may not be your best next step. If you want to work in museums, an art history degree might set you apart. 3) What is the material makeup of your research interests? Are you looking at specific artifacts or architecture? Archaeological records? Diaries, texts, and personal entries? Books of hours, madonnas, relics? Religious ephemera? Your thematic goals seem to fit either history or history, but if you have a clear research plan entailing a specific body of material, that might point you towards one or the other. As in: madonnas, relics, and books of hours might make you lean more firmly towards Art History. But archaeological records, texts, etc., might trend more so towards History. Maybe this makes more questions than it answers! Ultimately, focusing on the fit -- specifying not only your thematic interests, but also your materials and methodological approach --- will help you narrow down which program is the best place to grow and expand your research. Best of luck!! PS: I saw your other post about language exams, and asked the same thing here -- https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/122983-prep-for-language-exams/ -- in case the answers there are helpful. Feel free to PM to exchange ideas too :)