Different graduate program than undergraduate major

[starrydynamo]

Forgive me if this has been covered before but I couldn't seem to find anything specific. 

 

My undergraduate degree is a BFA in Photography with a minor in Art History and I would like to get into a History of Science MA program. I have always had a passion for science and have even connected most of my work during my undergrad to science and/or the history of science... i.e. my writing sample is focused on the history of mathematics in art. So in my mind history of science is the only graduate program in which I could see myself. However, I can also see how, from the outside, it might look like I'm making a drastic change of focus... from art to history of science. Also any graduate students I find in the history of science field have majored in either science or history for their undergrad. So I worry that my chances might be lessened because of my undergrad major.

 

My questions to you are: Is it that big of a change? Has anyone gone into a masters program that was drastically different than their undergrad?

 

 

Also, if it matters, my GPA is decent (3.86) and I've been getting around 160 verbal on GRE practice tests (I take the real one next week).

 

Thanks for any thoughts you may have.

[juilletmercredi]

Neither of these is my field.  But from the outside, a change in field usually needs to be justified not just by passion and interest, but some sort of sustained activity in the field.  This is less so for an MA than for a PhD, but you still need to do that.

 

A statement focused on history of mathematics in art sounds more like art history to me than history of science, but again, not my field.  I'm just not sure how much a history of science program would appreciate that given that they seem to be more focused on the history of scientific and technical innovation and its connection to social changes and forces.  Have you taken any traditional history and/or science courses?  That may be the place to start.

[Guest |||]

I can't offer you a great deal of advise on how to best do the actual switch, but I can tell you I've seen quite a few switches.

 

Philosophy undergrads into mathematics, biology undergrads into psychology, mathematics into physics, etc.

 

It isn't really an issue of "I want to switch but can't", rather, can you successfully demonstrate and justify the switch.