stpirans_sapphire

Ok, long answer, sorry. Basically, I would approach this issue from less of a “will your application fees be wasted” perspective and more of a “what makes the most sense for you” perspective. I think the first thing to consider is, MA aside, whether or not you have the other necessary components of a PhD application: a detailed, compelling, this-research-is-absolutely-vital-and-simply-must-be-undertaken-and-especially-by-me project proposal, three enthusiastic letters of reference, and an excellent writing sample of an appropriate length. If you think the only thing potentially stopping you from getting into a PhD program is the nominal lack of an MA degree, you might as well apply to a number of PhD programs and MA programs and see what happens. Some departments may offer you MA admission anyway if you apply for the PhD but they think you're better suited for an MA, so your applications ultimately wouldn't be wasted. (Of course, these applied-to-PhD-but-accepted-to-MA situations are hardly relevant if the MA costs millions of dollars and is unfunded, lol). Personally, however, I did not have all of the above components until after I completed my MA, and the one component I might have had—the three good letters of reference—was markedly strengthened after I’d finished my MA and all of my letter writers had had the chance to read my finished thesis and work with me for a longer period of time. It also meant I had letter writers from two institutions, as opposed to just my undergraduate institution. I'm not saying my situation is universal, though: for instance, you’re already writing an honours thesis in your undergrad program, which has given you a chance to develop and demonstrate your research interests as well as produce a writing sample. This wasn’t an opportunity offered in my undergrad program. Also—although I’m admittedly kind of an extreme in this regard—I wasn’t even committed to a specific field/era/approach until after my MA! You, conversely, seem as though you are, and you also have the language skills to back your interest up. In a less instrumental sense, however, doing an MA offered me a variety of experiences and opportunities that allowed me to grow as both a scholar and a person (moved to a new city, met so many new people, experienced a new art history department with different theoretical concerns and pedagogical approaches, saw new museums and collections, etc.). I published some of my seminar papers (if only in grad journals) and started working on a more significant academic publication. Even aside from the fact that I wouldn’t have had the portfolio to get into a PhD program before the MA, I wouldn’t have wanted to forgo the MA and its nature as a new, unique experience unto itself. I’m currently working at a museum in the year between my MA and PhD, and that, too, has been a meaningful opportunity to develop skills, confidence, and connections as well as to spend another year back in the city in which I did my undergrad. Obviously, though, there are other factors here, which, again, may or may not apply to you: I didn’t spend any money to do my MA, for instance, so it wasn’t a loss in that regard; I’ve hardly travelled (for financial reasons), so I welcomed the chance to spend a short period of time somewhere new; and (maybe most importantly) while I was academically successful in my undergrad, I suffered from a severe lack of confidence, and I was, frankly, just not ready to be a PhD student with, e.g., undergraduate teaching responsibilities. In short, my MA was critical in terms of both academic experience and life experience, but the personal factors involved in this decision are known to you alone. I knew when I wasn’t ready, and I also knew when I was. If you feel unsure, you might start by talking to a professor you trust (your thesis supervisor, probably—someone who will be honest and critique you openly when necessary) to get their opinion on whether the project you’d want to propose for your PhD is “good enough," and go from there. Good luck!

This was me—thank you! I received an email from my POI stating that admitted candidates have until April (no date specified) to accept and that the school tries to 'speed things along.' They didn't specify whether acceptances had been sent out. I also received an official letter informing me that I'm on the wait list and that admitted candidates have until April 15 to accept. I have another offer with an April 15 deadline, and MIT HTC has always been my top choice, by far—I do hope I hear back from MIT before the 15th.

Dropping in to affirm that, yes, you should definitely start learning languages, mostly because that's the last thing you'll want to (AKA be able to) devote time to when you start an MA or a PhD program. I would recommend German not only because it's helpful for art history and some AH programs will specify that you need to pass a language exam in it, but also because German is a genuinely fun and interesting language to learn that is sufficiently similar to English to expedite the learning process. As well—while I have no reason to assume that this is the case anywhere beyond my undergraduate institution—I'll add that the French-language instruction at my university was famously dismal, but the German-language courses were a delight. French is, of course, also a hugely useful language to learn, and university and self-study are not your only options. I learned French by taking group lessons at my local Alliance Française. Again, it's not possible to say whether my experience reflects on AF generally (or internationally, because I was in Canada), but all my teachers were wonderful, and the classes are, obviously, stress-free in comparison to a university course that counts towards your GPA. Also, just saying: the Mandarin goes on your CV (specify "speaking: intermediate; reading and writing: beginner" or whatever you think is appropriate).

Hi all! I'm wondering whether anyone has any insight into the IFA situation—I'm assuming that applicants under consideration have already been interviewed, given that the IFA website says they send out decisions in early March, but... did those interviews happen in early Feb.? Are they still ongoing? Thanks!

Thanks, all, for your replies! I just wanted to add an update for anyone that might be reading this thread: although I obviously haven't received any admissions results yet, I ultimately did end up hearing back from everyone I emailed. I even sent two follow-up emails to one prof (they're at a Big School, so I'd already adopted an "I have nothing to lose" attitude about that application—and I'd also heard from some others that this person was a notoriously flaky emailer), and they finally replied, late December, full of apologies and with an entirely pleasant invitation to apply (nothing too personal or specific, but not a discouraging or aloof email in any way). So, like @emerald_hedgehogsaid, it seems to me that one probably should expect to receive replies from the schools to which one applies. (Not that I would have refrained from applying had someone not replied, but I would have been most prepared for that rejection...)

Hi all! I'm wondering about what to expect re: emailing potential PhD supervisors (in art history). E.g., > I've been told that if I email a potential supervisor and they don't reply, I shouldn't bother applying to that person/school. Is this true? > If I email a professor and they don't reply in, say, a week, do I send a follow-up email, or am I supposed to "get the message"? Generally speaking, I'm just interested in what's typical for these emails (as much as I imagine it varies across schools and individual faculty members). Any insights appreciated!