What I'm looking for in a grad program

[Mitleachim]

Trying to make the deadlines for Fall 2012, so I could use a little help.

I don't buy into any kind of ranking system that says one school is better than another, and I don't believe in going to a university simply because so-and-so works there. What I do believe in is free education, a living stipend, and maybe even a travel stipend after your 3rd year. I focus on the Northern Renaissance, more precisely Imagery of Witchcraft from the 14th-17th century, so if you know of any program along those lines that gives most students a free ride, I'm sold. I can learn the same things anywhere, but I'd much rather be getting paid to do it.

Thanks

[fullofpink]

All the schools I've talk to won't even admit a student if they can't fully fund them, but all of these are PhD programs. If you want funding, seek out advisers with your interest in a PhD program and don't apply solely for a MA. If you are a good candidate, no matter where you apply, they should/will probably offer that to you anyways.

I haven't talked to any schools that just "give" you a travel stipend, almost everyone I know has had to seek outside funding to support dissertation research (either the department gives you a little bit (pays your tuition while enrolled), you must apply for it from the university, or from an outside fellowship).

[LLajax]

Trying to make the deadlines for Fall 2012, so I could use a little help.

I don't buy into any kind of ranking system that says one school is better than another, and I don't believe in going to a university simply because so-and-so works there. What I do believe in is free education, a living stipend, and maybe even a travel stipend after your 3rd year. I focus on the Northern Renaissance, more precisely Imagery of Witchcraft from the 14th-17th century, so if you know of any program along those lines that gives most students a free ride, I'm sold. I can learn the same things anywhere, but I'd much rather be getting paid to do it.

Thanks

I get what you're saying about ranking being nonsense, but I'm not necessarily on your page with not wanting to go to a school because so-an-so works there. What I mean is that I've picked my schools based on finding an advisor who is going to be able and willing to support my interests (they don't necessarily have to do what I'm doing, but if they won't support the kind of research I want to do, I'm unlikely to get in- or if I did get in, I would have a difficult time completing). Thus, I think it is kind of important to pick a school because so-and-so works there. (But maybe I'm misinterpreting you- in which case, I apologize).

As for funding, you can often find a lot of information about funding on the schools' websites. Generally at private universities (and most public universities now), they'll give everyone the same funding package. Again, look on the websites to see who gives summer funding. Also, take a look into university-wide resources for grad students- some schools (like I think UVA), have graduate centers which offer funding for things like traveling, research, conferences, etc.)

[losemygrip]

You just need to peruse the CAA directory of grad programs in art history and find all the schools with Northern Renaissance specialists (not every program has one, believe me), and then check out the funding statistics (CAA provides that in the directory as well, at least for schools that provided the info).

I'm actually sympathetic to what I believe you're saying. When I went to grad school years ago, I really didn't care about becoming a disciple of a specific scholar. I just wanted a good program that had someone in my field and that would give me funding. (This was true for me at both the MA and PhD levels.) And it all worked out fine.

Most schools do have some additional funding for dissertation travel/research, but as someone mentioned, you're expected to look for outside funding for that.

[fullofpink]

I get what you're saying about ranking being nonsense, but I'm not necessarily on your page with not wanting to go to a school because so-an-so works there. What I mean is that I've picked my schools based on finding an advisor who is going to be able and willing to support my interests (they don't necessarily have to do what I'm doing, but if they won't support the kind of research I want to do, I'm unlikely to get in- or if I did get in, I would have a difficult time completing). Thus, I think it is kind of important to pick a school because so-and-so works there. (But maybe I'm misinterpreting you- in which case, I apologize).

This a thousand times.

Also, I would hope that you review and examine who your adviser is not only on an academic-level, but also one a personal level. One of the POIs I contacted at a big school with great funding package was so obviously indifferent to me that I completely nixed the school off my list. However, another adviser at a smaller institution ( that has a very similar funding package with the big school that I didn't know about until I talked with them) was so agreeable, interested in my research and my prospects, and has been encouraging all the way. I rather invest my $$ on an application on someone who wants to work with me and invest their time with me (this person even went so far to say that they look forward to my application and that they understood if I didn't submit there), rather than someone who deigned to even respond to my initial requests.