Kylix

I'm so sorry to hear that, AM20128. As a newcomer to grad cafe, I get the impression almost everyone who posts on here is targeting the best programs and the tippy top schools. The odds are just not in your favor with those places, no matter how excellently qualified you are. That said, with the job market the way it is, I wonder if it's only worth going for a PhD in art history if you pursue it at a prestigious place? I guess you need to evaluate that and maybe shoot lower?

What is your research interest?

Good luck getting off the list! I was rejected by Princeton, pre-doctoral fellowship.

Ugh, that is not what I wanted to hear!

Congratulations! You must be stellar! Sorry, I got confused as to which thread I was posting in. I actually didn't apply to the Princeton classics department. I applied to study ancient art in the Art & Archaeology Dept. But, I haven't heard from them.

I haven't heard anything yet from Princeton.

I feel sorry for Rutgers applicants. Waiting is torture. I'm still waiting on admissions decisions for 2 programs and on funding details for 2 others that admitted me. Then there's the school that won't reveal the funding until I accept. Sigh.

Blind leading the blind here, since this stuff is confusing to me too. But one program to which I was accepted referred me to apply to several university fellowship positions. Of those, one job entailed working in the university museum and the term went from early August (before the fall semester started), to June, with July off. So it sounds reasonable. Just be careful about housing costs when you're not in classes.

UF wanted 3 years of 1 language, 2 in the other.

Thanks. Yeah, I knew UF was good. However, my undergrad major is archaeology. So while I have some Latin and Greek, I don't have enough of a language background to be admitted to most classics programs without a post-bac. Since I can't afford to pay for a post-bac, I applied to Texas Tech Classics Dept --archaeology track, and the University of Tennessee Anthropology Dept --Mediterranean Archaeology because they were both a bit more flexible about language prep and both seemed to offer some funding for the master's level. There was a box to check on the Princeton application asking if you were interested in the pre-doctoral program. But I also saw an article about the classics students admitted in the pilot year of the program.

Yes, my area would be ancient art, Greek iconography. When I first researched the department last spring, there weren't that many grad students in the ancient field. But then when I looked again, I saw that for fall '20 year they took a bunch to fill the gap. I wouldn't be a strong candidate in a good year, forget about this year what with that fact plus COVID issues. Still, it's hard not to hope anyway! Also, I'm going for the Pre-PhD program. It's hard to judge what would be the right degree of readiness for that, since the whole idea is to boost your preparation before you enter the doctoral track so theoretically you don't need to have perfect credentials. But with the competition you probably still need more than perfection. Based on grad cafe, it seems the pre-PhD students for Art & Archaeology got interviewed but not necessarily the regular doctoral admits. What's your area?

Has anyone else applied to Princeton's Art and Archaeology Department? Has anyone heard back or learned how many students they're taking?

Can't stand the wait! Harvard already sent out acceptances for art history, which is irrelevant since I didn't apply there, but it should be about time for Princeton to notify us!

That's awesome! ?

Why don't grad programs have a fixed notification date for both admission and funding, and then also a set student commitment deadline--just like undergraduate programs do? It's crazy that you get an acceptance without the funding information but they want you to decide whether you're coming or not. "Hey, buy my great product, but I won't tell you the price after until you sign the purchase contract." I was accepted to one museum studies program in mid December but they won't let me know about money until after I tell them I'm coming for sure. Then last week I got a classics acceptance too, which is nice, but funding info won't come until (much?) later. Without all the data, the offers are not very meaningful. It's maddening!

Wow, so sorry for you guys. I was asked to apply for fellowships at 2 schools and assumed that was a good sign pointing toward acceptance. Guess not!

Asking for more information is wise. That way you go in with your eyes open.

Congratulations! I also hope the money comes through for you. Is this a program that used to have full funding but now doesn't due to budgetary/COVID issues? Or do you think it's that they only have funding for say 2 candidates and are accepting 5?

No, I need to decide by the end of the month or the unspecified funding will be offered to another candidate. It stinks, it's wrong, but true. I questioned it and got it clearly in writing.

Yikes! I need to accept or reject my offer for another program before then!

Congratulations! Toronto is a fantastic university! Also, I emailed the admin of the MA program to which I was just admitted. She said funding decisions have not been made yet and will be sent out later. So yes, assistantship and fellowship offers can come separately from the acceptance letter. Phew! There's still hope.

Oh, please do!

I just got accepted to an MA program in classical archaeology, and similarly the letter said nothing whatsoever about funding. Like you all, I won't attend without funding. Loans seem a bad idea when entry level jobs for people with a masters are only paying $32-34,000. I am assuming I didn't get an assistantship or they would have included that offer. But the catalog is vague on the topic, so who knows.

Princeton announced they're pushing their admissions decision date a week later for undergraduate applicants due to a high volume of applications. I wonder if grad decisions for the top schools will come out later also.

Yes, I was in contact with him. Maybe COVID pushed him to leave a bit earlier than planned.