Hunter v. NYU

[artnerd1234]

Hey guys!

 

I just found out I was accepted to both Hunter College and the IFA for their art history masters program and I'm currently deciding which to attend. Both have comparable strengths in the field I want to study in (contemporary LATAM art), professors I would like to study with, and both are offering me full funding. 

 

I've heard that the IFA has a reputation of being a cash cow program for Masters students which gives me some doubt so I would just love to learn a little more about current and past students experiences at these programs! 

 

Thank you!

[jmrobinson]

I just finished my MA at Hunter (did undergrad at NYU)... Between the two, I cannot recommend Hunter highly enough for an MA. The IFA's reputation for MAs are well-founded. In my experience, even NYU art history profs recommended against it to me. If you're funded at the IFA that obviously takes a huge burden off, but in my opinion the fact Hunter is a terminal MA department with no PhD (though with a close relationship to the GC) is a huge plus. I have only heard bad stories from friends about lack of attention given to MAs at the Institute... Of course, Hunter has plenty of its own problems—mostly related to general CUNY underfunding, but especially if your concentration is contemporary, the closeness of MAs/MFAs within the department is a huge plus. Another thing to keep in mind is Hunter requires a comprehensive exam, for the degree, and their MA theses are at least twice as long as those from the IFA.