History of Art MA/PHD 2010

[Emma2003]

This sounds ridiculous and will probably reflect on what a paranoid, neurotic crazy person I've become but I'd rather keep my sub-field a secret for as to not jinx myself before admission. If I get admitted, I will certainly feel comfortable sharing.

I'm preparing for the second round in my head too! I have a little post-it of things I need to apply to/achieve in order to beef up my application. I need to retake the GREs. My verbal score was in the 86th percentile (600), but my analytical writing score was a 6.0. I'm hoping they'll overlook my not so stellar vocabulary and focus on the fact that I can string what limited words I DO know into pretty badass sentences.

Okay, I'm a little confused here. Isn't a 600 a decent score for verbal? I've checked into this, and from what I can see, most schools have an average near that or below for admitted students on the verbal section. Granted, I understand the urge to do better, but seeing as it isn't a red flag score for most programs, if your other materials are strong, I would think you'd be in pretty good shape with that score, after all, 86 percent of the people who took the test did worse than you, right? This is a topic I'm interested to hear opinion about. Most of what I read says that unless you really feel that your score doesn't reflect your ability that it is best not to retake because a drastic increase in score is unlikely, and you might do worse. I have thought about retaking, (I got a 610) but I haven't because I managed a 610 in quantitative, which i am positive I couldn't manage the second time, and I felt the rest of my application was pretty strong. And I was fairly sure I wasn't going to break 700. The best I did in practice was 670.

[watersnake]

I had heard that Tim Clark was retiring. I didn't know about Anne Wagner. Is she retiring completely or just moving somewhere else?

This is one of the reasons why I didn't apply to Berkeley... that, and I totally enjoyed my undergrad years there but want to go elsewhere for a different experience.

Yes, Clark is retiring. He and Anne Wagner are moving to London- she got a position at the Tate.

I've heard they are only accepting three this year and it seems doubtful (imo) that any of them will be modernists considering the faculty changes in the department.

[mitzydoodle]

Okay, I'm a little confused here. Isn't a 600 a decent score for verbal? I've checked into this, and from what I can see, most schools have an average near that or below for admitted students on the verbal section. Granted, I understand the urge to do better, but seeing as it isn't a red flag score for most programs, if your other materials are strong, I would think you'd be in pretty good shape with that score, after all, 86 percent of the people who took the test did worse than you, right? This is a topic I'm interested to hear opinion about. Most of what I read says that unless you really feel that your score doesn't reflect your ability that it is best not to retake because a drastic increase in score is unlikely, and you might do worse. I have thought about retaking, (I got a 610) but I haven't because I managed a 610 in quantitative, which i am positive I couldn't manage the second time, and I felt the rest of my application was pretty strong. And I was fairly sure I wasn't going to break 700. The best I did in practice was 670.

Emma- It was briefly discussed here: There are also tons of threads about what grad cafe folks think is necessary for admissions in the GRE section. My general impression is that GRE scores won't get you in, but they can keep you out. The 'cut-off' score, if it does exist, that will keep you out is variable by program and the rest of your qualifications.

FWIW, I got 650V and retook for 750 (granted, I took the GRE in Italy and was interrupted by an administrator during the test- it was bad enough for ETS to reimburse me the test fee- and I only retook because I was positive I could do better considering the testing situation). We'll see how it works out soon enough! Additionally; I'm applying for PhD programs. When I took the GRE for my first MA back in 2003, I got upper 500's (don't remember the exact score; it's expired now anyways) and got into 2/3 of the programs I applied to. I personally don't think you have to worry about your GRE score for MAs. Hope this helps!

Edit: I mean your particular GRE score, not GRE scores in general ;-)

Edited February 12, 2010 by mitzydoodle

[jmb04]

Yes, Clark is retiring. He and Anne Wagner are moving to London- she got a position at the Tate.

I've heard they are only accepting three this year and it seems doubtful (imo) that any of them will be modernists considering the faculty changes in the department.

Any word on getting a replacement? (Good luck considering the UC i$$ue) Or is Darcy Grigsby supposed to fill the void (except her primary focus is really more late 18th-early 19thC.)? Or maybe Whitney Davis will do more mod/contemp?

This really, REALLY bums me out. I can't imagine Berkeley (or any school for that matter!) without solid modernists.

[watersnake]

Any word on getting a replacement? (Good luck considering the UC i$ue) Or is Darcy Grigsby supposed to fill the void (except her primary focus is really more late 18th-early 19thC.)? Or maybe Whitney Davis will do more mod/contemp?

This really, REALLY bums me out. I can't imagine Berkeley (or any school for that matter!) without solid modernists.

I don't know. Some "rebuilding" years are definitely ahead- it will be interesting to see where the dept goes from here in terms of modernism, no? Could be exciting, could be really bad...

[Emma2003]

Emma- It was briefly discussed here: There are also tons of threads about what grad cafe folks think is necessary for admissions in the GRE section. My general impression is that GRE scores won't get you in, but they can keep you out. The 'cut-off' score, if it does exist, that will keep you out is variable by program and the rest of your qualifications.

FWIW, I got 650V and retook for 750 (granted, I took the GRE in Italy and was interrupted by an administrator during the test- it was bad enough for ETS to reimburse me the test fee- and I only retook because I was positive I could do better considering the testing situation). We'll see how it works out soon enough! Additionally; I'm applying for PhD programs. When I took the GRE for my first MA back in 2003, I got upper 500's (don't remember the exact score; it's expired now anyways) and got into 2/3 of the programs I applied to. I personally don't think you have to worry about your GRE score for MAs. Hope this helps!

Edit: I mean your particular GRE score, not GRE scores in general ;-)

Thanks, i think so. I've been looking at the GRE forum, and I can tell things are really competitive. I'm sure it does make a difference between masters and doctorate. I'm still studying for it, just in case. And I may retake it next fall if I'm unlucky this round.

Thanks for the response!

[artschoolhopeful]

I'm usually a good standardized test taker, but I took the GREs having barely studied and having had barely slept the night before. I told myself it was a practice round and that if I broke 1300, I wouldn't take it again. I broke 1300, said HELL YES and was very happy with my score. I asked a couple of professors I met with about the importance of GRE scores and most of them said they barely glance at it--as long as the verbal isn't below 550-600. They DO use GRE for funding reasons though. I guessed on a good third of the math questions (I had four minutes left with 8 questions left) and knew that there was no way I could pull off that kind of luck again, so I decided my GPA was good enough to accept a decent GRE score.

I am only applying to PhD programs that are the best in what I want to do.

And then I came onto these stupid message boards where everyone else has a 1500 or above and added MORE anxiety to my already anxious and paranoid self. So to clarify, I don't think my score is bad, I've just become so involved in this numbers game that I really just need to block access to this website .

Thanks, i think so. I've been looking at the GRE forum, and I can tell things are really competitive. I'm sure it does make a difference between masters and doctorate. I'm still studying for it, just in case. And I may retake it next fall if I'm unlucky this round.

Thanks for the response!

[veroordeeld]

Thanks veroordeeld! I too met with a potential advisor there, fairly close to the due date. I'm just trying to hold on to the last shreds of hope...Did they go into any more specifics of when they would communicate results?

No real specifics, sadly...Prof, who was really nice and lovely, just said it would be "another few weeks" until decisions are made. I have no idea if other professors in the dept are making preliminary phone calls like this, or what their target entering class is.

Good luck to you, and all the other lovely people posting here!

[mitzydoodle]

Thanks veroordeeld. According to the results page, it looked like a certain few would possibly hear something next week- but I have no idea whether they'll conform to that, considering the snow (and other reasons). We are snowed in here as well (don't know the exact amount, but it looks like it's around 3 feet), so the grad cafe is even harder to avoid.

Congrats to the people accepted at the Courtauld! I wish I had done an MA there.

[ahhopeful]

Congrats to the Stanford admit and wait-list! I, like the rest of you have poured my blood, sweat, tears, and cash into this admissions process. Do you have any additional information? Stanford is (was? ) my top choice. I'm wondering if it is time for tissues and feeling sorry for myself.

[mitzydoodle]

Congrats to the Stanford admit and wait-list! I, like the rest of you have poured my blood, sweat, tears, and cash into this admissions process. Do you have any additional information? Stanford is (was? ) my top choice. I'm wondering if it is time for tissues and feeling sorry for myself.

Hi ahhopeful! I didn't apply to Stanford, but I checked out their past results on the results page. Their sample seems to be smaller than other schools, but it looks like the majority of decisions (both positive and negative) come at the end of February. Don't give up yet! Just out of curiosity, what is your subfield?

[cabinet282]

Congrats to the Stanford admit and wait-list! I, like the rest of you have poured my blood, sweat, tears, and cash into this admissions process. Do you have any additional information? Stanford is (was? ) my top choice. I'm wondering if it is time for tissues and feeling sorry for myself.

Hi ahhhopeful - I was the Stanford wait list (I'm obviously dying to know who the admit is). Unfortunately I don't have any other information other than a form email from the Graduate Coordinator. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

[ladyday]

Hi ahhhopeful - I was the Stanford wait list (I'm obviously dying to know who the admit is). Unfortunately I don't have any other information other than a form email from the Graduate Coordinator. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Congrats Cabinet282! I applied to Stanford and am trying to patiently wait for news from them... hoping it's an admit or waitlist too! May I ask what your subfield is? It's such a small, but amazing department. Thanks!

To ahhopeful- what's your subfield... mine is modern/contemporary.

Edited February 12, 2010 by ladyday

[ahhopeful]

Congrats Cabinet282! I applied to Stanford and am trying to patiently wait for news from them... hoping it's an admit or waitlist too! May I ask what your subfield is? It's such a small, but amazing department. Thanks!

To ahhopeful- what's your subfield... mine is modern/contemporary.

Hi All - Thanks for your replies! My subfield is American with a focus on race. It does seem like they notify later in the month so I will try to remain "hopeful" as my moniker suggests. I read somewhere that Penn's applications were up to 200-something while taking 5 students, and I just got to thinking that everyone in the country is competing for like 40 spots or something at the "ten best-known" schools. I believe Stanford will be taking mostly modern/contemporary students so you guys should keep up hope too!

[artschoolhopeful]

Ahhopeful stole my name (imitation is the sincerest form of flattery). I'm just kidding, I support all those sadistic enough to apply to grad school for ah like me.

So I got my first rejection and I feel a little bit like giving up. I am not a special snowflake. Does anyone else feel a little bit defeated by the process? Sorry for typos, writing on iPhone.

[summertouch]

Ahhopeful stole my name (imitation is the sincerest form of flattery). I'm just kidding, I support all those sadistic enough to apply to grad school for ah like me.

So I got my first rejection and I feel a little bit like giving up. I am not a special snowflake. Does anyone else feel a little bit defeated by the process? Sorry for typos, writing on iPhone.

I also got my first rejection from a school that wasn't even my top choice, but it made me feel like giving up, nonetheless. I can't believe I'm waiting out this whole process just to become another academic masochist. (jk) Ah. Is this how it feels when you wait for Godot? Seriously.

[mitzydoodle]

I also got my first rejection from a school that wasn't even my top choice, but it made me feel like giving up, nonetheless. I can't believe I'm waiting out this whole process just to become another academic masochist. (jk) Ah. Is this how it feels when you wait for Godot? Seriously.

I applied to five schools and have only heard from one (invited to campus visit). The waiting sucks! If it's any help, I think there will be tons of notifications in the next two weeks. We're almost there--and we just need one place to say yes :-)

[artschoolhopeful]

I also got my first rejection from a school that wasn't even my top choice, but it made me feel like giving up, nonetheless. I can't believe I'm waiting out this whole process just to become another academic masochist. (jk) Ah. Is this how it feels when you wait for Godot? Seriously.

yes masochistic that's the term-- Bdsm terminology tends to confuse me. I will keep positive but I did make some mistakes this time so we'll see.

[artschoolhopeful]

OoOooOoOo looks like the board was slaughtered by UCLA. Oh well--congratulations to those they may have made it that do not post on the board!

I know it's only one rejection, but it was the best fit school for me and I only applied to three PhD programs total--all of which are competitive. It was not necessarily my top choice, just the school I thought I had the best shot at getting into. I guess I kind of just want to make a call for inspirational stories and ones of determination. My fear is that I'm just not good enough and I'll toil away like everyone else who wants it so bad and never gets it but as this is my first time and I am only 22, I will try again next year.

I don't mean to sound down either! I'm surprisingly upbeat about it. Academic life is tough and I would rather know that I tried and had no choice rather than reminisce on what could have been once I do settle down into a comfortable life.

[mitzydoodle]

OoOooOoOo looks like the board was slaughtered by UCLA. Oh well--congratulations to those they may have made it that do not post on the board!

I know it's only one rejection, but it was the best fit school for me and I only applied to three PhD programs total--all of which are competitive. It was not necessarily my top choice, just the school I thought I had the best shot at getting into. I guess I kind of just want to make a call for inspirational stories and ones of determination. My fear is that I'm just not good enough and I'll toil away like everyone else who wants it so bad and never gets it but as this is my first time and I am only 22, I will try again next year.

I don't mean to sound down either! I'm surprisingly upbeat about it. Academic life is tough and I would rather know that I tried and had no choice rather than reminisce on what could have been once I do settle down into a comfortable life.

Hey Artschoolhopeful,

Have you considered MA programs? I know it's not unheard of to go straight from undergrad to PhD, but the impression I get is that is it exceedingly rare (depending on your subfield). I did two MAs to get my skills in order (among other things)- this is something to consider. Feel free to PM me if you want more details.

Edit: P.S. I too shuddered at the UCLA results. Glad I didn't apply there, but I know I'll be slaughtered soon enough!

Edited February 14, 2010 by mitzydoodle

[mitzydoodle]

Hey Artschoolhopeful,

Have you considered MA programs? I know it's not unheard of to go straight from undergrad to PhD, but the impression I get is that is it exceedingly rare (depending on your subfield). I did two MAs to get my skills in order (among other things)- this is something to consider. Feel free to PM me if you want more details.

Edit: P.S. I too shuddered at the UCLA results. Glad I didn't apply there, but I know I'll be slaughtered soon enough!

To clarify, I did the second MA because I was changing time period and geographic area. The second one is in a related, but different discipline. I was told two MAs in art history would reflect negatively upon me.

[veroordeeld]

To clarify, I did the second MA because I was changing time period and geographic area. The second one is in a related, but different discipline. I was told two MAs in art history would reflect negatively upon me.

I bet it would reflect negatively on your wallet, too!

[watersnake]

Congrats to the Columbia admit!!

[mitzydoodle]

I bet it would reflect negatively on your wallet, too!

Ha! Tuition was paid and I recieved a stipend. I wish I had been as lucky for undergrad :-D

Edited February 14, 2010 by mitzydoodle

[cleisthenes]

Well, I applied with only a B.A. and so far have been admitted to the only program I've heard back from (though I suspect I may not have been so successful at a couple of others, which seem to have notified with top choices already).

I would say that an M.A. is only a good idea if you weren't an art historian as an undergraduate. If you did significant research in art history as an undergrad, took lots of courses, and feel that you're up-to-breast with the current debates in the field to the degree that you can effortlessly convey that understanding between the lines of your SOP, then there's no point in doing an MA. In fact, if you come in with an MA at many programs, you will get less funding, while not necessarily being able to skip out of certain curricular requirements.

Having MORE than one M.A. makes it look like you're just unfocused and not certain you want a career in academia.

Just food for thought.