Should I even bother applying for PhDs?

[Rhoda]

Hi everyone,

Sorry to bother you with another question! But everyone just seems so much more knowledgeable than me about this. I am currently completing a Masters degree in an unrelated subject (I'll have a degree in library science and archives as well as a certificate in Museum Studies in another year), but I have recently become very fixated on getting a PhD in art history. I've been a great student, but there may be a lot working against me:

I was an English major, and only a minor in art history (after studying abroad in Paris for an art history program my junior year, it was too late to major!) And I'm worried that my masters degree might work against me? I have museum experience, but only in history museums, and exhibition experience, but only in libraries, and teaching experience, but only in literature. I'm also only 22.

But I do have a 3.93 GPA, graduated summa cum laude from U of Michigan, Phi Beta Kappa, great recommendations (only one is art history, though...other two are comp lit/English). My GREs are okay, I guess -- maybe I should retake them (they're 620/600/5)

I figured I'd spend part of the summer writing a great writing sample, and apply to programs this fall! I'm interested in modern/contemporary (I know its saturated, but it's my passion.) I think I probably have a reading knowledge of French, but I could brush up on it.

But I'm concerned about whether I should just focus on MA programs at this point because they'll laugh at my inexperienced self if I apply to PhDs. But the idea of spending so much money on an MA is so scary!

I was wondering if you had any advice? thanks so much, guys. I suppose I should make an appointment with the career center here or something, but since I'm so new to this, I figured I'd ask here!

[ra4681]

Hi everyone,

Sorry to bother you with another question! But everyone just seems so much more knowledgeable than me about this. I am currently completing a Masters degree in an unrelated subject (I'll have a degree in library science and archives as well as a certificate in Museum Studies in another year), but I have recently become very fixated on getting a PhD in art history. I've been a great student, but there may be a lot working against me:

I was an English major, and only a minor in art history (after studying abroad in Paris for an art history program my junior year, it was too late to major!) And I'm worried that my masters degree might work against me? I have museum experience, but only in history museums, and exhibition experience, but only in libraries, and teaching experience, but only in literature. I'm also only 22.

But I do have a 3.93 GPA, graduated summa cum laude from U of Michigan, Phi Beta Kappa, great recommendations (only one is art history, though...other two are comp lit/English). My GREs are okay, I guess -- maybe I should retake them (they're 620/600/5)

I figured I'd spend part of the summer writing a great writing sample, and apply to programs this fall! I'm interested in modern/contemporary (I know its saturated, but it's my passion.) I think I probably have a reading knowledge of French, but I could brush up on it.

But I'm concerned about whether I should just focus on MA programs at this point because they'll laugh at my inexperienced self if I apply to PhDs. But the idea of spending so much money on an MA is so scary!

I was wondering if you had any advice? thanks so much, guys. I suppose I should make an appointment with the career center here or something, but since I'm so new to this, I figured I'd ask here!

I'm just going to ask it. Why would you pay for an MA in art history? Getting into a program with funding is a completely different story, but on a very pragmatic level (away from all the gushing humanist stuff), why would you invest 30,000+ in a field where the average starting salary starts in the mid-30s? I know there are exceptions to the rule, but I think you're smart for being scared of the cost of an MA. It looks like I'm going to have to get an MA at this point, but it will be on the cheap at an in-state public school.

I don't know, though. What about working in an art library?

Edited April 7, 2011 by ra4681

[Rhoda]

I totally agree! That's why straight-to-PhD is the ideal option for me, but I don't know if its realistic. And I'm still befuddled as to what, if any, masters programs really offer funding to their students. I think it's a little better for me, as someone with another masters degree, to get a masters in art history -- there are other job options, like being an arts librarian or a visual resources curator, since I have an MS in information. But it would be preferable to go to either a masters program with funding or a PhD program -- I'm just having trouble figuring out if either of these options really exist for someone like me! I totally agree with you though -- I don't really understand how people can afford to pay for masters programs.

[lilacpear]

[...]And I'm worried that my masters degree might work against me? I have museum experience, but only in history museums, and exhibition experience, but only in libraries, and teaching experience, but only in literature.[...]

Your background would interest graduate programs (MAs and PhDs) in which an interdisciplinary approach is already in place, or at least those programs that don't automatically frown upon non-art history backgrounds. I hesitate to recommend any particular program, as I'm not familiar with most of them and any suggestion I make will certainly be biased towards my very limited experience in this regard, but surely a bit of digging around this forum and visiting program websites will help you compile a list of programs that can potentially be a good fit for your interests and abilities.

[...]I'm also only 22.[...]

I don't see your age as an issue for pursuing an MA, as I think it's quite common for students to go straight from a BA to an MA, but your likely lack of significant professional experience might place you at a disadvantage when applying to PhD programs. There's really no clear answer to the question "how old is too old/how young is too young?", but my suggestion to you is this: if you feel that your age may be an issue (perhaps because you believe you might come across as an inexperienced or otherwise inadequate candidate) then consider working for a year or two before applying to doctoral programs. This route has been very well traveled in the past - most doctoral applicants gain some professional experience before applying, and this experience is usually considered to be a plus by admissions committees. However, doctoral students come in all kinds of shapes, so don't let this sole factor get in the way of your professional goals.

[...]But I do have a 3.93 GPA, graduated summa cum laude from U of Michigan, Phi Beta Kappa, great recommendations (only one is art history, though...other two are comp lit/English).[...]

With these credentials, and with strong recommendation letters, you have a realistic shot at a funded MA program. If you decide to get an MA before continuing on to the PhD, then the most sensible way to do this is to apply to programs that offer funding at this level. Again, I hesitate to make recommendations but a search through this forum can provide some schools that offer this benefit.

[...]My GREs are okay, I guess -- maybe I should retake them (they're 620/600/5)[...]

I would retake the GRE and focus on the verbal section... funding likes +700 verbal scores.

[...]But the idea of spending so much money on an MA is so scary![...]

Indeed.

[...]I don't really understand how people can afford to pay for masters programs.[...]

Indeed, indeed.

[...]That's why straight-to-PhD is the ideal option for me, but I don't know if its realistic.[...]

It could be ideal if you begin gaining professional experience in the arts (or its periphery) to bolster your application. I don't know where you are located, but look into internships at local museums or galleries, paid positions at art libraries or art collections, maybe even an arts-related non-profit? If you are serious about this career transition, you should devote most of your free time between now and application season to strengthening your application. The best way to do this, from what you have mentioned here, is to raise your GRE verbal and gain some professional experience in the arts.

lp