Applying with an MA

[smellie]

So it looks like I would be applying to Ph.D after my MA. I was wondering:

1) could "ok" Undergrad GPA be compensated by a good MA GPA? My undergrad was at about 3.6

2) What about GRE? Would a retake be a good idea? I'm applying to humanities and my verbal was 650 (94%).

3) How many conferences, awards, fellowships, publications should I have by the time I apply for Fall 2010?

4) How do you start going about getting into these conference/publication business?

5) What's the best time to contact Faculty+departments? Maybe at the end of my first year?

FYI, I'm in art history but any tips would help.

[rising_star]

1) a 3.6 is better than an "ok" GPA. It's quite good! Grad school grades tend to be inflated. Do not get anything less than a B in your grad program (B+ if you can help it). Otherwise, it'll stick out like a sore thumb.

2) Can't say without knowing what your other GRE scores are.

3) I think 1-2 conferences is fine. It's difficult to secure fellowships or a publication during the short duration of a MA program. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Networking and presenting at a regional conference and a national conference should be your goal.

4) You start by talking to your professors about something that you would like to turn into a publication/presentation. For instance, I'm presenting on my master's thesis at the upcoming national conference. I have no plans to publish that though. It's a lot of work to publish... it can take 6-9 months just to hear back from the editors.

5) End of the first year/beginning of the second

[commoner]

Wish I had heard this kind of advice when I started my MA.