Average grades vs. good experience and supplementary material?

[klondike]

I'm applying to a few Canadian universities for an MA in art history and am just becoming a nervous wreck looking at the student pages at some of these universities, so I wanted to know what others' experiences or perspectives are for an applicant with very average grades but some very good experience. I just don't know what more I can do and it's effecting my health and sleeping. Some insight/opinions would be much appreciated! My first time posting here, so thank you for bearing with me.

 

I'm from the US, but started my BA in Scotland, but after the first two years I was unhappy with the department and city and decided to transfer, and am now finishing my degree in Norway. There is no GPA-equivalent at either uni, but I've gotten mostly high and middle B's in all courses (in Scotland the grade is composed as such: 60% exam, 10% visual test, 30% one semester essay. My transcript doesn't say this, but I've received A's on all of my essays and B's on my exams. In Norway the grade is 100% the exam, we write papers but they only *qualify* you to take the exam). I look at these student pages and they all say "graduated with honours...."

 

But aside from that, my writing sample is extremely high quality and immediately related to what and how I intend to research, I have published two relevant papers, one of which in a catalogue to a Venice biennale exhibition, a couple of exhibition reviews, and think I have an ok CV. I worked full-time for a year at a small art gallery before university, for a private collector of modern and contemporary art for a short period and have now been working for a very internationally-established artist for nine months. I also worked a lot of smaller jobs, retail and odd things, just to earn money, should I mention these in my CV as well? And I have had fiction and poetry (which I actually like!) published, but only in online magazines, although relatively good ones. Should I mention these as well? I also have letters of reference from both universities, if that makes a difference

 

I have been in contact with POI's at both universities, both responded positively. My research interests (contemporary global circumpolar Indigenous art) are extremely relevant to one potential adviser, and we have had some very positive exchanges, but I worry I may have messed it up in a phone conversation when I was just extremely nervous and unprepared (we have corresponded positively afterward, but she hasn't said anything about me being "an excellent candidate" like I have seen some people on this forum get, but she also hasn't seen my CV/writing). In addition I understand all of the Scandinavian languages, which allows me to more easily communicate with Saami and Greenlandic artists, curators etc. and access more and more recent writings, and I speak and read French moderately well.

 

So I guess I'm asking, since my background isn't *exceptional* just *sort of good and interesting* and my grades are unexceptional, do you think somehow this could all come together positively? Or would it all seem disjointed, and in the end the odd academic history and poor grades would come back to bite me? Also, it looks like most MA students at at least one of the schools have done their BA at that university, what does this  mean? Do uni's prioritize their own students for grad school positions, or conversely is it that no one other than their own graduates is interested in applying there?!

 

Thank you so, so much for any thoughts you may have

Edited November 10, 2013 by dwn53

[ereissoup]

I can't give you any concrete advice, since I am in the same position you are (undergrad applying to grad school), but I think that the publications you mentioned will definitely improve your application. Similarly, your language faculties make you a stronger candidate (as long as they are relevant to your proposed program of study). Are your references good? Those are also an important part of the application.

 

As for the thing about graduate programs privileging students from their own universities, I really don't know. Perhaps it has less to do with that school accepting more of their own students (proportionally to other students who apply) than it does those students choosing to continue at that university because of its familiarity and convenience? Just a guess.

[condivi]

Listen, at this point, there's nothing you can do, so there's no use letting your situation affect your health or sleep. You sound like a pretty good candidate; grad schools, especially for the MA, don't care as much about grades as you might think. If your work is good, and you apply to enough places, you'll get in somewhere. But in any case, you won't know until you hear back from school, so worrying now is extremely unhelpful. 

[qwer7890]

in regard to this part of your post: "I also worked a lot of smaller jobs, retail and odd things, just to earn money, should I mention these in my CV as well?"

 

no. make your CV work for you, use it to let your museum/gallery/art history work experience shine (since that doesn't really come up elsewhere in the application...)

 

"And I have had fiction and poetry (which I actually like!) published, but only in online magazines, although relatively good ones. Should I mention these as well?"

 

yeah, why not... particularly if its work that you're proud of. programs are looking for creative thinkers.

[klondike]

Many thanks for the thoughts, all! Since making the original post I've become less frantic and, indeed, there's nothing more I can do except fine-tune my written work, which I feel confident about.

 

Am only applying to a few schools with very relevant scholarship, and if I don't get into any of them I plan to take the next year or so to continue working. I have a good rapport with one poi who would be a dream to work with and is really leading in the areas with which I hope to work.

 

Well, best wishes to all and many thanks again.