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elreb

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  1. I am working on a MA online application that asks me to list "2 or 3 research topics that especially interest you" and to describe pertinent research experience, including the details of a specific project, in 200 words. Both of these short-answer questions have their own text boxes and are independent of the sop and other requirements. I'm guessing this must be a common feature of online apps these days. Here's what I'm wondering, and I believe both of these q's would be relevant to someone writing their sop as well: - how specific should these research topics be? Given that I describe my interests in detail in my sop, and also that I am applying for an MA, not a phD, and therefore my interests are still a bit nebulous. - what exactly falls under the category of research experience? I wrote a UG thesis, but the research I did was in the library, not a lab. I did not do research for a professor, per se, but wrote many lengthy "research papers." Grr feeling silly for second-guessing every word.
  2. Thanks so much for the advice. I am actually going for the MA for now, but there are just a couple I really want to get into, so I want to do the best I can. To the above poster, your thoughts are great and I will pass them on, although I myself am out of school. Thanks!
  3. Thanks, I really appreciate the responses. At this point, I am not interested in academia but rather curating or in arts admin, most likely in the nonprofit field (i.e. museums, nonprofit galleries), but I am quite sure that I want an academic MA. Many people I have spoken to suggest the art history MA, supplemented by hands-on work experience, is preferable to a museum studies MA. I would like to do a PhD, but I haven't planned out my life that far ahead yet. Also, my area of interest is in modern and postmodern art and architectural history. I used the think NYU was the perfect place for me but after looking at the faculty's research interests, it may not be the best fit. Pratt does have a ah MA- its called History and Theory of Art, Architecture and Design, and MA students can also do a museum studies certificate. However, Pratt is so applied-arts focused that I worry the MA program is an afterthought, plus their faculty almost all seem to be "visiting"- maybe because they are working in the field.
  4. I am 1.5 years out of undergrad (09) and very much ready for grad school, although I am still making decisions about exactly what I want to study, and as such, not going to make application deadlines this year. Which I'm fine with- I think I would like the extra year of professional experience. Plus, I have procrastinated this long on asking for letters of rec. (I know, I am delusional). Which brings me to my point: I am completely stumped by the whole LOR business. I went to an excellent top ranked undergrad program. I did well, earned a respectable GPA and am hoping to apply to some very competitive grad programs (in the humanities), perhaps with false hope. However, I had limited relationships with my professors. Even though my department was small, because of distribution requirements, I only had two professors for more than one course. Typically my classes were lectures/ seminars that required one- maybe two- papers at the end of the semester, so virtually no one-on-one research with faculty, but lots of class discussion. I was also involved in campus activities, but all were student-run. I think I was generally of the impression that my professors were way too busy/ important to give me the time of day. I am baffled by other posters' descriptions of their close faculty relationships. Do I underestimate their ability to remember me? Someone reminded me that LORs are "just their job," but if that's the case, than how is it that we don't all end up with rote letters? Is gradcafe just an especially competitive community? So, any tips on how I can remedy this now? I believe I can get at least two positive recommendations out of very prominent professors, but only one can speak to my research. How do I remind my professors of who I am and coax a good letter out of them? What's the best angle for someone I only knew for one semester? Can I use the next year before I apply to foster those relationships somehow?
  5. I assume it is totally off- limits/ a bad idea to seek a recommendation from a grad/PhD student TA? I took a class in undergrad in which I had a great rapport with the TA who instructed my discussion section, but no relationship with the professor (lecture of 150+).
  6. Can anyone offer an informed opinion of the John Nicholas Brown Public Humanities M.A. at Brown? It looks amazing and has tons of opportunities to cross register at RISD and Harvard, but is it another cash cow in the vein of NYU Draper, etc?
  7. I'm interested in MA programs in New York City. Can anyone tell me what they know about Pratt for art history? I've been told it has the best reputation within NYC, but I'm thinking that may be just for applied arts... How does it compare to NYU? It attracts me because it seems to be more design/ architecture oriented, but not sure if thats true. And also, exactly how selective are the Sotheby's and Christie's programs? If you could choose among all these, which one and why? Many thanks!
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