SFSU MA vs. Courtauld MA

[zeilia]

Does anyone know anything about the MA at SFSU? I am having trouble getting a sense of the reputation of the program.

I am trying to choose between what would essentially be a free MA at SFSU or a MA at Courtauld that would set me back 20k-50k in loans (depending on whether my partner can come with me and help with living expenses).

From talking to my POI at SFSU, it seems they have placed a few students in PhD programs - places like UCR. But it is unclear whether a SFSU MA would put places like Berkeley out of reach. Courtauld, on the other hand, does seems to place quite a few students in top programs yearly. Also, I really, really want to go to Courtauld. I am super excited about the program and about living abroad for a year... But is it crazy to pass up a free MA, given what we all know about the job market for art historians?

Any opinions on this decision would be greatly appreciated!

[runaway]

Zeilia, I turned down funding to accept my Courtauld offer. If you'd like to talk more about it, feel free to PM. (Don't want to go into too many private details here!)

[Guest mckee002]

Zeilia, I am potentially interested in a MA from SFSU in Art History, but was worried about funding. I would love to hear about someone who received funding from the program. Please PM me?

Thanks and best of luck with your decision!

[JosephineB]

I have to be honest with you, I can't even fathom why you would choose to potentially take out FIFTY THOUSAND dollars in loans when you are being offered full funding. Having that magnitude of debt before even beginning a PhD program could put PhD study and completion out of reach.

You are being offered a funded offer! SFSU obviously is really excited about you and is ready to invest in you! I don't think that should be discounted.

Also, a two-year program gives you more time to forge relationships and develop your research and languages.

[Pepé Le Pew]

Courtauld is good. But that level of debt for any MA in Art History borders on insanity.

[zeilia]

Hmmm, seeing these responses, I now realize that my original post was totally unclear... I did not receive funding from SFSU. What I meant by "free" (not a good word choice here) was that SFSU is cheap enough that I can pay out of pocket with help from my partner. So, I wouldn't have to take out any loans. It is not the case that anyone is particularly excited about me. At least not enough to give me any cash!

McKee002 - I'm sorry to say that I *think* funding is quite scarce at SFSU. I wasn't really expecting to get any and was proven right. But I am not 100% on this.

Of course, JosephineBeuys and Mattmcg's point about the insanity of 50k in loans for a MA in Art History still stands and I thank you both for this perspective. The loan would probably be closer to 20-30k, 50k being the worst case scenario here. Would a smaller loan make going to the Courtauld any less insane? Or, in your opinions, is it a funding-or-bust scenario with the Art History MA?

Edited April 4, 2012 by zeilia

[zeilia]

Also, a two-year program gives you more time to forge relationships and develop your research and languages.

This is something that I have been thinking a lot about. I contacted Courtauld and they assured me that there are plenty of opportunities to form relationships. But of course, two years would be much better in the regard. At the same time, it does seem that quite a few Courtauld students make it into U.S. PhD programs, so perhaps this is not too much of a hindrance.