2013app Posted April 14, 2013 Posted April 14, 2013 Hello all, I so appreciate this forum and have already gleaned some great advice from reading other people's posts. But I remain confused and torn between two schools, and with less than 24 hours left, I wonder if anyone had any thoughts on my situation: Both schools I am interested are comparable in terms of rank, prestige, funding, resources, etc. School A has my dream advisor, whom I already have a close connection with. But the major drawback is that I already attended school A as an undergrad (though I didn't major in art history, the field I am now entering). I've taken only two classes with this professor - one lecture and one seminar, so still feel that I have a lot to learn from her. But I don't like the city where school A is, and feel it would be quite boring to return there. I also didn't have an amazing undergrad experience at school A, so it seems highly counterintuitive to go back there. At School B, there is no one advisor who fits my interests exactly, but there are a number of professors working in related fields. I didn't love the person who would most likely be my main advisor, though it's hard to tell what type of relationship could develop. I really like the city where this school is, and the idea of getting a new experience. However, school B has a much more conservative approach to the discipline and its parameters, and my work is highly interdisciplinary, and I've received the impression that this approach would not flourish as much at school B. Almost everyone I know has advised me toward school B, because the cons it has are not insurmountable, and I've already had the chance to work with my advisor at school A, even if only in a small capacity, so I should seek out challenges and new ideas. But I can't help but think that the primary advisor is the most important factor in graduate school, and that school A has the best advisor for me. But is a strong connection with your advisor enough? Thanks SO much for any input you may have.
annieca Posted April 14, 2013 Posted April 14, 2013 I know absolutely nothing about art history. Just putting that out there. I think this really depends on if you're doing a PhD or a Masters. (Is Art History an MA or an MFA?) If you are going into a PhD program, then yes, your adviser is incredibly important. But... just because you didn't get the greatest vibes about your potential adviser doesn't mean they aren't great, amazing and the best person for you. My undergraduate adviser who I credit with helping me get into my dream school, terrified me at first. I didn't like him that much. But now? I can't imagine having gotten through my undergrad without him. I'm not saying that the relationship with School B will be flowers and roses but it's possible that your first thoughts were off, for whatever reason. I think you have to go where it makes you happy. If that means relocating and leaving the bad undergraduate experience, then do so. If that means staying at your alma mater because you fit better there, go there.
2013app Posted April 14, 2013 Author Posted April 14, 2013 Thanks so much for this thoughtful advice, annieca. Yes, this is for a PhD in art history. But I know that I just have to figure out where will make me happy for myself!! Thanks again!
bizio Posted April 14, 2013 Posted April 14, 2013 I can see how this is a difiicult choice, because the pros of working with an advisor you love for many years can also be outweighed if you're unhappy about your living situation for all those years. One thing that sticks out to me, and I might be off-base here: While the quality of the work you produce will ultimately be the most important factor in future success, aren't we also viewed as products of the school we choose? If your research and interests are interdisciplinary, will a program that has a reputation for being more conservative and taking a different approach to the field be a detriment? Will people make assumptions about your work or methodology based on the program before looking at your research? This is a question I have in my decision, too. Less about prestige than about being labled as a specific type of student or thinker based on the methodology and general culture that drives different programs.
somethinbruin Posted April 14, 2013 Posted April 14, 2013 Both schools I am interested are comparable in terms of rank, prestige, funding, resources, etc. School A has my dream advisor, whom I already have a close connection with. But the major drawback is that I already attended school A as an undergrad (though I didn't major in art history, the field I am now entering). I've taken only two classes with this professor - one lecture and one seminar, so still feel that I have a lot to learn from her. But I don't like the city where school A is, and feel it would be quite boring to return there. I also didn't have an amazing undergrad experience at school A, so it seems highly counterintuitive to go back there. At School B, there is no one advisor who fits my interests exactly, but there are a number of professors working in related fields. I didn't love the person who would most likely be my main advisor, though it's hard to tell what type of relationship could develop. I really like the city where this school is, and the idea of getting a new experience. However, school B has a much more conservative approach to the discipline and its parameters, and my work is highly interdisciplinary, and I've received the impression that this approach would not flourish as much at school B. I would caution you against feeling negatively about your alma mater because of your undergrad experience there. If there's one thing that grad school taught me, it's that undergrad is over. In graduate school, things like the town you're living in matter much less because literally all that you're doing for the next five years is studying. You're not going to have a happening social life, unfortunately. In fact, a less exciting town might be a good thing because there will be fewer distractions. This decision should be based on where you feel you could get the most out of your education. It sounds to me like you feel school A has the package you want--good adviser (whom you haven't exhausted as a resource because you only took two classes with her/him in undergrad) and an interdisciplinary approach. With the humanities job market the way that it is right now, interdisciplinary study can be crucial. If you can incorporate other areas, different medias, then your chances of getting hired are exponentially better. Good luck with your decision making process. I'm sure you'll make the choice that's right for you!
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