History of Art - MA/PhD 2009

[fontenay]

To the person who posted about Brown rejections-- when did you receive it? I applied, and it's been radio silence so far (though I'm no longer on the east coast, and it might take longer to get here). Do you know if they're notified all of their admits?

[pgw]

To those who are automatically assuming rejection if they don't get an immediate acceptance, don't give up hope yet! I *still* haven't heard a peep out of Yale despite pretty much everyone else getting his/her decision (and having now contacted them twice), which a mentor of mine tells me might be a good thing. I definitely understand not wanting to be too optimistic (believe me, I know in my case that could lead to a full-on crash-and-burn), but at the same time...it ain't over 'til it's over

[lunalee]

For those of you who haven't heard from Yale, I'm in the same boat. I have been invited to the Alumni weekend, but I don't know if I've been accepted. I'm wondering if this is the same for anyone else? I am keeping my fingers crossed!

Edited to Add: Holy Cow! Just got the unofficial email that I've been accepted to both the Art History and Af. Am. Studies doctoral programs at Yale!!!!

[blancdexin]

To Curatorcritic:

I'm wondering if you would mind sharing when you were notified by Columbia's MA in Modern Art...I applied for the general M.A in Art History but I assume they should give out results at about the same time....last week a friend of mine in Columbia's general MA program told me they are just finalizing PhD admissions and haven't quite started reading MA applications. not sure when to expect hearing back from them...thanks a lot in advance~

[historianofart]

Hello everyone. I've been following this thread for a while but have held off on posting until I knew where I'm headed. I'm excited to be Berkeley bound and would love to talk to any others that will definitely be enrolling there like me or that are considering accepting a Berkeley offer because I won't be able to make it to the accepted students weekend.

Best of luck to those of you who are still waiting on decisions. Hang in there!

[ElusiveMuse]

Great news, lunalee! I guess maybe there is some hope for those of us who haven't heard yet from the "big ones." I'm still going to assume I'm rejected just because it makes it easier to function until I hear for sure. You must be ecstatic!

[orangeray]

Hey All,

Does anyone have insight as to why I haven't heard from Yale or Harvard despite the fact (according to the results page and this thread) they've apparently already sent out decisions? I'm assuming I wasn't accepted by either school, but what I don't understand is why I haven't gotten a rejection yet. Thoughts, anyone, anyone? I hate not having closure because it allows a tiny tiny part of me to keep hope alive. Is it just that these schools aren't thorough with notifying everyone?

Anyway, I'm still hopeful for BU and Tufts (masters). Anyone waiting to hear from those schools?

[amleta]

Does anyone have insight as to why I haven't heard from Yale or Harvard despite the fact (according to the results page and this thread) they've apparently already sent out decisions? I'm assuming I wasn't accepted by either school, but what I don't understand is why I haven't gotten a rejection yet. Thoughts, anyone, anyone? I hate not having closure because it allows a tiny tiny part of me to keep hope alive. Is it just that these schools aren't thorough with notifying everyone?

I don't believe Harvard has sent the majority of its decisions yet- I haven't heard anything, either. No idea why Yale hasn't notified you yet, though- perhaps several rounds of notifications? I feel your pain!

[georgica1]

I don't know about Harvard but if you haven't heard from Yale, I'd actually take it as a good sign rather than bad. They sent out a mass rejection a week or so ago (I was amongst the unlucky) so if you didn't receive one, you've probably made it to the final round.

Hey All,

Does anyone have insight as to why I haven't heard from Yale or Harvard despite the fact (according to the results page and this thread) they've apparently already sent out decisions? I'm assuming I wasn't accepted by either school, but what I don't understand is why I haven't gotten a rejection yet. Thoughts, anyone, anyone? I hate not having closure because it allows a tiny tiny part of me to keep hope alive. Is it just that these schools aren't thorough with notifying everyone?

Anyway, I'm still hopeful for BU and Tufts (masters). Anyone waiting to hear from those schools?

[orangeray]

I don't believe Harvard has sent the majority of its decisions yet- I haven't heard anything, either. No idea why Yale hasn't notified you yet, though- perhaps several rounds of notifications? I feel your pain!

Oh well that's nice to hear re: Harvard. I'm glad they haven't sent out the majority of decisions. I realize this has been talked about before, but don't you have a love-hate relationship with this site? It's...sort of the worse thing ever to happen to me b/c I'm pretty sure I spend 75% of my day on it (and that's a weekday). Anyway, thanks for the kind words!

[paperclips]

re: Harvard -- i just spoke to one of my advisors, who said that Harvard has been known to notify slowly. However, the Dept Chair at Harvard told him that they were only allowed to admit 9 people this year.

[ArtHist85]

Has anyone heard from CUNY? Or Rutgers? I know Rutgers admitted some, but I still havn't heard. Maybe a good thing?

[ElusiveMuse]

Anyone else finding it impossible to get any work done? I've got about 8 more pages of one paper to write, 12-15 of another, and a mad final to study for. I allow myself to check this site for every page I write.

I wish this section were more active with other threads about art history stuff. I have no one else to chat with about it most of the time. I'd love to hear more about you all and what your interests are, your experiences with research or at museums, good stuff you've read, etc. Can we start other chatty threads in here or are we restricted to this one?

[ArtHist85]

I would love to chat about art history! Isn't that what we all want to do with our lives?

[ah-gal]

I am wondering ...who is the Williams admit? Who did you get an e-mail from? What is your focus? Sorry to be so nosey.. Williams is my top choice and I am trying to figure out when I may hear so I can consider other offers.

Thanks and CONGRATULATIONS !

[ElusiveMuse]

I am going to start a new thread in this section for us to be chatty about art history stuff! Maybe we can keep grad school acceptances/rejections/etc in this thread and rhapsodize about our loves/research/current work in the other.

[mm_donuts]

I know Rutgers admitted some, but I still havn't heard. Maybe a good thing?

Did you check the application status website? They should have emailed you an RUID and then you go here:

http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/statusnotes.shtml

[Lapin]

To whomever inquired about CUNY: I wouldn't be expecting anything until possibly the end of the month, maybe (boo...) even later. CUNY's deadline is way later than other programs' and I get the impression that things are a bit chaotic around there too.

That being said, I'm waiting on them too, and my options are growing more limited....

[fullofpink]

Oh, my fellow art historians...

Today is a breaking point. I am in the middle of a 5-day-long visit from my in-laws (who are staying in our apartment), sick of the bitter cold, hugely pregnant with my first baby - I finally got a break today to do some research for class (I teach), and on my way out the door, received my third rejection letter. All three rejection letters have come in just over one week. The cost of living in my city is unbelievable, I don't get paid much as a teacher, and my husband was notified today that he's not getting a raise this year. It doesn't look good for the remaining 4 schools I haven't heard from yet, and I'm starting to have a hard time facing my family and friends with the news of all these rejections.

Like all of you, I'm sure, I've never wanted anything more in my life than to get my PhD. And now I'm facing another year where I'm going to have to revise my application materials, get the money together for multiple applications, and bear down for another wait for results. I am not sure how to go from here. I have had my application materials reviewed by people in the field, all have given me great feedback and positive reviews, my test scores are solid, my GPA is solid, I've visited the schools or at least contacted professors to see if they think we'd be a good fit. What else can I do? I don't mean to sound like such a downer in my posts, but I'm really having a tough time with this application round.

Any advice would be greatly welcome. And I am very grateful that I have a job and a wonderful husband with a job, too, so please don't get me wrong. I know this isn't the end of life.

Hey pregs,

I know I'm new to the forum, but I was particularly interested in your situation. My recent internship (where I often end up staying after-hours) at a museum has allowed me to chat with a bunch of the curatorial staff. One stopped me one day and told me immediately "Get married young! 70% of the staff here are single!" Haha.

I was thinking about it for a bit, I mean, not jumping the gun and getting married, but what the art history station of life does for people. I know most of my professors and professional-acquaintances (outside the dealing trade) are single, and their social lives revolve around their career. The curator who encouraged me to get married young explained that they had no weekends, frequently traveling and had to host a variety of people for social functions often. I honestly can't think of my professors/acquaintances I know who aren't doing something all the time for their job.

I reaaaaaaally hate to the be bearer of bad news, and I HATE even more that I'm going to suggest that this may be the reason, but it could be that people aren't interested in your applications is that you are 1) married and 2) having a child. I reviewed Princeton's website last year regarding graduate admissions and it stated, or rather, warned, something to the effect that being married or having small children is detrimental to your application - I think it regarded the financial commitment. Since Princeton now offers full funding for the 5 years, I think they have removed this document, but this may be the case. I'm not sure how old you are, and since you have been teaching for a few years I'm going to guess that you aren't the average 21-22 year old, but it could come off that your focus is on family, not study, and that may be an issue. The first year of your child's birth is going to be a time commitment like no other! Dealing with the pressure of graduate school + newborn is something the committees may have concluded wouldn't work.

However I can't be positive. I mean, this may have not even been information you have given out, or maybe if showed up in a finance report (I don't know), but if you applied only to schools near your husband's job you seriously limited your chances. And if you had to put this information down and would therefore be separated from your husband the first year of your newborn, I'm sure they considered it.

You asked for a suggestion, I'm not sure if this is what you were hoping for. It could be other things, simply "We aren't accepting graduates studying her field" but this may be something to chew on and accept.

I think you are incredibly fortunate to have a family, and I wish you all the best! Congratulations of your pregnancy and all your good fortune!

[bob_the_muse]

I reaaaaaaally hate to the be bearer of bad news, and I HATE even more that I'm going to suggest that this may be the reason, but it could be that people aren't interested in your applications is that you are 1) married and 2) having a child. I reviewed Princeton's website last year regarding graduate admissions and it stated, or rather, warned, something to the effect that being married or having small children is detrimental to your application - I think it regarded the financial commitment. Since Princeton now offers full funding for the 5 years, I think they have removed this document, but this may be the case. I'm not sure how old you are, and since you have been teaching for a few years I'm going to guess that you aren't the average 21-22 year old, but it could come off that your focus is on family, not study, and that may be an issue. The first year of your child's birth is going to be a time commitment like no other! Dealing with the pressure of graduate school + newborn is something the committees may have concluded wouldn't work.

um...that's called discrimination and it's very illegal. i have to say that this theory seems incredibly half-baked to me and is deeply problematic in terms of how the poster thinks about gender/family issues. the field is extremely competitive and it's certainly not like you check a box on your application to state your pregnancy status (again, even asking for such information would be very illegal). yes, it is difficult to have a family in grad school but i can speak from personal experience (phd candidate in a top tier program) that having kids, partners while applying does not enter into the admissions process. in fact, there are two very successful students in my phd program who have two children. everyone has been incredibly supportive and they are welcome to bring their children to many department events. family planning is highly personal and does have anything to do with your ability to get into grad school. but you know what does? your project, your letters (these are HUGELY important!!), your luck, your dedication to the field as evidence by teaching/internships, etc, and to a lesser extent, your GRE scores/undergrad gpa (if at all...).

fullofpink, not only is it egregiously sexist to suggest that family planning is to blame , but unless you have actually seen this person's application, how could you ever know why she did not get in? am i the only one who found this suggestion deeply offensive and incredibly preposterous?

[pregasauraus]

I reaaaaaaally hate to the be bearer of bad news, and I HATE even more that I'm going to suggest that this may be the reason, but it could be that people aren't interested in your applications is that you are 1) married and 2) having a child. I reviewed Princeton's website last year regarding graduate admissions and it stated, or rather, warned, something to the effect that being married or having small children is detrimental to your application - I think it regarded the financial commitment. Since Princeton now offers full funding for the 5 years, I think they have removed this document, but this may be the case. I'm not sure how old you are, and since you have been teaching for a few years I'm going to guess that you aren't the average 21-22 year old, but it could come off that your focus is on family, not study, and that may be an issue. The first year of your child's birth is going to be a time commitment like no other! Dealing with the pressure of graduate school + newborn is something the committees may have concluded wouldn't work.

However I can't be positive. I mean, this may have not even been information you have given out, or maybe if showed up in a finance report (I don't know), but if you applied only to schools near your husband's job you seriously limited your chances. And if you had to put this information down and would therefore be separated from your husband the first year of your newborn, I'm sure they considered it.

Fullof, I would like to think that one isn't immediately dismissed due to marital status. If this has to do with the financial commitment, I would think that having a spouse would help the financial standing. In my application it does state that I am married (since all of the titles for me were Mrs.), but there was no mention of a child. Nor did I mention the baby in my SOP or hint at it in any other document. I am not the average age of grad school applicants - I just entered my 30s, but I already have my MA. I think marriage is a little more common for those who have already completed their master's degree.

I do want suggestions for improving my application, but since I don't plan on getting divorced, I guess the only way I could improve my application based on your information would be to have my title as Ms. Still, most applications do ask for your marital status, and I can't really lie about it. I also did NOT apply only to schools that were near my husband's job. I applied at schools with professors I admire, and who I'd been in touch with about a compatibility between my projects/area of research and their interests.

Don't get me wrong, your feedback is appreciated. I just don't know what you're suggesting that I do in order to improve my application.

[pregasauraus]

Bob, thanks for being straightforward. I really appreciate it! Now I can remain focused on my rejections as something I can fix, which keeps my hopes up.

[georgica1]

um...that's called discrimination and it's very illegal. i have to say that this theory seems incredibly half-baked to me and is deeply problematic in terms of how the poster thinks about gender/family issues. the field is extremely competitive and it's certainly not like you check a box on your application to state your pregnancy status (again, even asking for such information would be very illegal). yes, it is difficult to have a family in grad school but i can speak from personal experience (phd candidate in a top tier program) that having kids, partners while applying does not enter into the admissions process. in fact, there are two very successful students in my phd program who have two children. everyone has been incredibly supportive and they are welcome to bring their children to many department events. family planning is highly personal and does have anything to do with your ability to get into grad school. but you know what does? your project, your letters (these are HUGELY important!!), your luck, your dedication to the field as evidence by teaching/internships, etc, and to a lesser extent, your GRE scores/undergrad gpa (if at all...).

fullofpink, not only is it egregiously sexist to suggest that family planning is to blame , but unless you have actually seen this person's application, how could you ever know why she did not get in? am i the only one who found this suggestion deeply offensive and incredibly preposterous?

Bob, I think some of this is misdirected -- fullofpink stated very clearly that he/she didn't in any way advocate such a decision and didn't think that this SHOULD be a factor, only suggested that it MIGHT be a factor. And, frankly, I don't think such a suggestion is so farfetched. Yes, it would be discriminatory and sexist to hold a candidate's pregnancy against her, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. When I first read preg's post, the firs thing that occurred to me was whether or not she had mentioned her pregnancy in her SOP/any of her application materials. As it turns out she didn't so clearly it wasn't a factor in this particular case, but it seems like a reasonable question. Again, it might not be right (I would certainly say it isn't) but I'm guessing it happens. When there are tons of qualified candidates vying for a handful of spots, every little thing comes into consideration and it seems very possible to me that a school would pass over a pregnant candidate/one with young children for someone with equally strong academic credentials and no family. Some (not all, but certainly some) professors are inevitably going to want their doctoral students' lives to revolve around research/teaching/etc. and as such might be less inclined to accept a student who has other priorities, i.e. children. I'm not trying to start any kind of massive debate or fight here, just to say that I didn't think the suggestion was offensive so much as the fact that this IS probably a factor in admissions.

[bob_the_muse]

i find it very hard to believe that an admissions committee would care about a student being married/having children because the fact is that within these phd cohorts, not everyone is 21 and just out of college: many people are married and some even have children. and since there is no way on any application to indicate your pregnancy status (nor should there be), then there is no way that it could enter into the decision at all, unless you mention it in your SOP. yes. obviously some people on some admission committees may have an issue with one's family life intruding into academic life, but the great thing about committees is that they are made up of many different voices and i am reasonably certain that no committee would want to engage in illegal discrimination, which is essentially what we are talking about here.

for my department's recruitment weekend, we are being encouraged by the grad chair to bring our spouses to the official recruitment dinner because it puts a more human face on the department and gives the impression that there's life beyond school. i am troubled that there is this idea out among some people about to enter the field there that you have to give up your personal life to get a phd in art history. this simply is not AND SHOULD NOT be the case. if you do not have a personal life and a strong emotional support system in grad school, you will have a very hard time. we should all work as a community to ensure that everyone's family planning choice are respected and valued. 8) I guess my outrage comes from the fact that if we acknowledge that this is happening, we should not just be shrugging our shoulders and collectively saying "it happens. so it goes." I mean, where is the outrage if this is indeed happening? even though we may not all be pregnant, we should all defend our colleague's right to make such a choice and be outraged on her behalf. remember, after we get our phds, we will be the one's making admissions decisions....

[kid_grape]

hi all!

i just found this site amidst my anxiety about waiting for the remaining letters. i'm glad i found it, but also glad i didn't find it earlier since it probably would have consumed my life, lol. but its good to brew your paranoia w/ others sometimes.

i'm waiting for two, yale and williams, and have a vast sea of rejections.

i'm trying to (re)assure myself and others by throwing some facts out there. i've been in two one year masters programs these past two years, and have noticed all my rejections have come earlier, and my acceptances much later, so im crossing my fingers for the ones that haven't come yet! and working in an admissions dept. right now, it seems that for some schools there is unfortunately no rhyme or reason. esp. for those comprising of multiple programs. its just a matter of efficiency of the committee and how the school runs. oh well. :/

good luck to all of you and hope we all hear the good news soon (if we haven't already. congrats to those of you who have .)