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aojumper

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  1. I was in a similar situation. Not an AH major, but wanting to be in the field. I got into a terminal MA program at a good, though not elite, school. I graduated at the top of my class and built my resume extensively during the program. Have gotten one acceptance to an excellent PhD program at a private university in the northeast (don't want to be too specific here!). I am waiting to hear from 3 more schools, but regardless, I'm on my way to the PhD. So it can be done. I would advise the full MA program - not museum studies. Was told - hearsay, here - that PhD schools (and even many art museums/curatorial depts) could care less about museum studies degrees b/c they are general and administrative in their focus. PhD programs want the best AH undergrad majors, or someone who'd done well in the terminal AH masters; I'm sure there are exceptions of people coming from other disciplines. Also, by doing the MA, you will know quickly whether this is a field you want to continue in. During my program, several people dropped out during the course of it, because the work was rigorous and they found that they weren't as passionate about art history as they thought. A few MA-level papers/theses will do that to you! Also, I worked my tail off playing catch up in the MA program, since my peers came into the program with a much better foundation in the discipline. I did a lot of extra reading to establish background information regarding the most mundane and obvious art historical topics that would come up. Lastly, I'd disagree with your assessment of Rutgers. I think it's a very respectable school, and if you excelled there, I would expect you to be a solid PhD candidate. Just my opinion. Good luck!
  2. took a Russian avant-garde class with Kristin Romberg, a recent PhD from Columbia and Russian specialist, currently a fellow at the Phillips Collection in DC; from off the syllabus, here are some names (though some are early scholars, likely not currently around any more) we read work by: Bowlt, Christina Kiaer, Maria Gough, Christina Lodder, Beverly Whitney Keen, Camilla Gray, Jane Sharp, Annette Michelson, Jaleh Mansoor, Susan Buck-Morss. Kiaer came to our class and was really impressive. Of course your interest is a little earlier, but it seems to be a small field so these would be a good place to start. Good luck!
  3. Dumbarton Oaks, run by Harvard, is in Washington D.C. (Georgetown area) and has a great Medieval collection and library. Just something to consider if you are looking for a place where you could possibly intern during school and use as a research resource. Several MA programs are nearby: GWU, Maryland, Johns Hopkins (though it is in Baltimore, not DC) and Georgetown, which I think has an emphasis on museum training. Not sure, but check on that. I believe the GWU museum studies program is one of the best in the country, they also have an art history masters, so you could apply to both. There are lots of art museums in the area to work at, including Dumbarton Oaks.
  4. Wow, lots of food for thought in this post. Again, thank you for the responses. I'm a bit surprised that geography is so quickly discounted as a legitimate reason for applying to a program, especially since it's not as though I'm applying to a bunch of no-name schools in the middle of nowhere. New England is certainly not devoid of top programs, so if I can get in, then it would be ideal. That's simply my perspective, but I can understand that for others they are willing to go anywhere to achieve their career goals. I just believe strongly in keeping a healthy life balance between work and pleasure; and for me part of that balance exists in New England. I've been fascinated by the different viewpoints on where the PhD sends you. I can see both sides of the coin - the traditional research/curatorial/teaching track, which is highly competitive (with seemingly dwindling opportunities) versus the more creative route suggested. I feel optimistic about either option - whether I ended up heading for a tenure track position, or creating my own mix of jobs (adjunct, museum, consulting, etc.). Frankly, I'll worry about the 'end' goal once the finish line is near (which it won't be for 5-7 years). It seems silly to decide not to get a PhD before I start just because statistically my chances for success are slim.
  5. Thanks for the responses. I am glad to hear my qualifications are somewhere in the range of these schools, though I know it's a tough road anyway. I like Jennifer Roberts, have read her research and definitely have similarities in how we approach things, and for that reason Harvard is a top choice, but also probably one of the most difficult to get into. I need to read up on Nemerov, that was a recent decision to look into Yale. I've also heard the same about BU losing Pat Hills, but I would hope they would replace her with another quality American scholar. My advisor recommended Brown (she went there and thought it could be worked out) and MIT. I will probably apply to both, even MIT because I have an interest in utilizing 21st technologies in analyzing existing art historical knowledge and methodologies. I'll have to look into Temple, Penn and Delaware - though I'm purposely looking into New England so I can move back closer to family; hence why I am applying to any school in the region!
  6. I am about to begin the application process for a PhD, interested in Colonial and 19th c. American art, my career goal being research and teaching, maybe some curating on the side. I am applying to Harvard, MIT, BU, Yale and Brown. Here are my specs: I have a 3.9 GPA in my master's program at a respected private top-50 university, finished at the top of my class and won the department academic award, have been very involved with extracurricular activities (pres. of the AH student assoc.) and curating the student gallery; I am older (31); GREs were ok - 600s verbal and only 5 on writing (my scores dropped from the 1st time I took it at 5.5 but don't have the time or $ to take a course; will be presenting at my first symposium this fall, but am thin on the curriculum vitae and work experience (I worked in the communications field prior to starting my masters); I know my recommenders will write very good letters. I have reading knowledge of French, but still need to learn German. I am wondering if I have a prayer? Especially with a mediocre GRE score, lack of research/work experiences, and no German yet? Would appreciate thoughts, especially from anyone who got into those schools... as well as any "insider" info about the faculty and programs that might not be listed on their websites. Thank you.
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