bourbon

For anyone still reading this, I'd like to add that I am also a recent graduate of the Columbia program (same year as ladygirltomboy) and while every program has its ups and downs, I've had an overall positive experience. I am now employed in a well respected company in the industry, use the things I learned every day, and I've had some incredible experiences that I never would have had without the program. It is largely what you make it. And I noticed some of the things ladygirltomboy noticed, such as many conservation faculty being graduates of the program, but I don't necessarily agree with the connotations: most of the practitioners in the region are alumni (I meet alumni at conferences in other countries as well as on area job sites often), and as it is the oldest program in the country and many alumni stay in the area, it makes sense that alumni would be overrepresented in the faculty. Even some of the UPenn faculty went to Columbia! That is just one area where I don't necessarily agree with ladygirltomboy. I won't get too far into all of that, but if someone would like to know more about the benefits and disadvantages from my point of view, feel free to message me. I also chose Columbia over UPenn, and I'd be happy to go over my decision process there too. As for general HP program advice: 1. Apply even if you don't think you'll get in. 2. Programs in your desired region of work are useful, as again alumni networks tend to be localized and your professors becoming your colleagues and bosses is common. 3. If you are interested in conservation, or some other specialty, make sure the program fits your needs there. And sometimes what you think will fit your needs does not, so don't be surprised if your perceptions or priorities change once you get accepted. 4. No program will ever be perfect. An awesome sounding course may have a crappy teacher, and a course you thought would be boring could be the best one you'll take. Every program has these quirks, and everyone likes something different in teaching styles, etc. What is important is that the program teaches you the basics and then helps you get out there. And to answer some questions: People in my program came from wide varieties of bachelor degrees, including hard sciences to social sciences and humanities. What matters is that you can show on your application how your total life experiences, including work and prior education, can fit with the program into a mutually beneficial relationship. Aka, how can you add to the field and how can the degree benefit you? MSc/MA/etc does not really matter in and of itself. For conservation, you must understand that it is impossible for the professors to teach you everything in a few hours a week in two years. Therefore, what is important is that the program has a concentration in conservation, teaches you some of the basics, and has strong resources to draw upon to get you out there. Columbia's conservation concentration had students doing projects at the Met, as well as sent 2/3 of our conservation students as speakers to an international conference (and those speakers are also already employed, in full-time, permanent positions). Could the program be improved? Yes. And while it is a professional program, you don't expect that someone fresh out of med school will be able to perform surgery on you already. Same here... you get the tools to start and some hands on experience, but you still have to learn more in the real world.

Your school will generally have a cost of living estimate. Use that and your personal experience or knowledge of what you need or don't need (ie, will you have a car? Do you already know what your rent will be?) to estimate how much you will need for living expenses. Once you get your financial aid package, add in any remaining tuition that is not covered to the total amount you need. Then towards the end of the summer, you will apply for a gradplus loan through your financial aid office. You will receive whatever amount you ask for, as long as it does not exceed the school's cost of living estimate minus all other financial aid (loans, scholarships, stipends, etc). Generally, if it is for both semesters, the amount will be divided into two and half disbursed in the fall, half in the beginning of the spring semester. The funds are sent to the school, who will take any remaining tuition money owed, and the rest will be sent to you (either check or direct deposit). Then you do as you wish. I took out a buffer of about $2k extra for my first year in case of extra expenses, which I did not need and will save for the second year. However, if you get less than you end up needing, you can always apply for additional money almost at any time, as long as it doesn't exceed that limit. Hope that helps!

Any thoughts on UPenn vs. Columbia? I think both programs are great and so I'm trying to gather as much information on each as possible.

Just something I thought I'd share: http://www.aia.org/aiaucmp/groups/ek_members/documents/pdf/aiab088486.pdf I just skimmed through, but the charts comparing programs in terms of faculty and such are interesting.

doing it

Has anyone looked at schools abroad for preservation? I know many of the ones I've looked at don't have deadlines until the summer, and I will probably end up in Europe anyway (born there). Any experiences or suggestions for schools there?

In terms of explaining my field to people, I generally go for "I want to make sure pretty old buildings don't fall down". That leaves a whole new set of problems, however.

I have mixed feelings: relief of knowing something (my first decision), sadness at a door shut, thoughts of things I both liked and didn't like about the school, worry about my other decisions. It's bittersweet. It feels like a breakup. And I thought the ithaca weather sucked (coming from a new englander, nonetheless). Anyone else care to share where they've applied, heard back from, other thoughts and feelings?

Masters.

I am. I'm that lucky person who put a rejection result from Cornell up this morning.

Does anyone know of any good historic preservation programs (preferably English-speaking) abroad? Any inputs, reviews, or leads will be helpful, and I'm sure I'm not the only one looking!

I was wondering: what are the average/minimum stats (GRE, GPA) for M.S. in Historic Preservation Planning programs? There are few programs, and many of them are at Ivy League schools. I received a 670Q and 580V when I took the GRE yesterday, and I was wondering if that would be high enough to get "past the first round". Does the GRE really matter in a professional program that is neither very math or verbal focused? And does anyone know of the admissions statistics (number of applicants for spots, percentage of applicants accepted) for preservation programs?