History vs. Art History and transitioning from a different career

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello all! I have a dilemma I'm trying to untangle and would appreciate some advice.</p>

<p>I have a B.Arch degree and worked in architecture for a couple of years. However, the economy wasn't kind and I lost my job. After finally giving up on continuing my career in architecture, I've decided to go forward with my Plan B - to pursue a graduate degree in history or art history. But I can't decide which path to follow. </p>

<p>To provide you with some background information, I minored in history in college (4.0 in histories, 3.479 overall), and maybe it's due to ignorance, but I never fully realized that the study of architectural history is relegated to art historians. In my early British history, I wrote a paper on English Norman and Gothic architecture with the blessing of my professor. From that experience, I initially assumed that architecture would be easily integrated into history graduate study. I'm finding I may be wrong. Also, since I minored in history, I took classes that piqued my interest and fit into my schedule. Besides, my college didn't have a medievalist at the time, so I didn't have any medieval courses from which to choose. So to strengthen my background, I'm taking a medieval history and a French course this fall (my undergrad required no foreign languages, another problem).</p>

<p>My area of interest is the French medieval period; for art history, specifically Gothic cathedrals and for history... well, I'm working on that, but right now leaning toward the dichotomy between France and England after the Norman invasion.</p>

<p>So my questions: </p>

<p>In regards to art history: Since my undergraduate degree lies in an area other than art history, and many art history programs (or at least the one I've looked at - Emory, Rice, UNC, and Duke) are Ph.D programs, what are my chances of acceptance? Also, if I choose a school for my MA and then apply to these schools for my Ph.D, how open are they to (for lack of a better term) less-prestigious art history programs? I'm a bit concerned that I made Bs in two of my three architectural histories (the A being in the classical architectural history that included medieval architecture, the Bs in modern architecture which isn't my cup of tea).</p>

<p>In regards to history: I'm concerned that I should have a topic of research somewhat developed or at least seriously considered. Also, what are some methods in which architectural history may be integrated into a history thesis? </p>

<p>I think history will be the more flexible field in terms of employment over time, but I really would love for French medieval architecture to pop up somewhere in my research. So I guess it comes down to passion over pragmatism. Which way do I go?</p>

2

<p>What do you want to do with the PhD?</p>

<p>Be aware that there are MANY others who are just like you who are giving up their job searches/careers and pursuing graduate school, thus increasing competition by as much as 15-20% for the SAME number of slots, even reduced due to loss of funding. Also they are very competitive and really do look upon having at least one language under belt for admissions.</p>

<p>It is possible to study architectural history within general history field but they are studied in terms of the relationship between architecture and specific social/economic/political event (For example, the Berlin Wall as a symbolic social and political divider for West and East Berlin, not a discussion of the design of the horses and chariots on top).</p>

<p>Also, given your background, you should contact the DGS at each program that you’re interested in to get a sense of where you stand and what you need to do to improve your chances.</p>

3

<p>

Depends on where you go, with whom you study, and what you do there. There are plenty of mediocre universities with really great programs (or sub-programs) in certain areas. Going with art history as an example, Stony Brook has a so-so program but absolutely rocks for anything relating to ancient Near Eastern art.</p>

<p>

As tickle said, that’s a question best directed towards the DGS. I’m somewhat familiar with the art history program at UNC (applied there), and it expects a minimum number of undergraduate courses (6?) in art history in a variety of areas. Your architectural history courses should count towards that. Duke and UNC are some of the few universities to publish their admissions statistics; each program admits ~15% and 25%, respectively. (Of course, that doesn’t help you much, as not everyone has the same chances.)</p>

<p>Given your lack of languages, architecture background, and research interests, you likely have a much better shot at art history programs than history. (I can speak only for my own field, and it is much, much more usual to study ancient architecture in art history than history.)</p>

<p>

It’s good that you recognize that as a shortcoming, as languages are the thing that trip people up the most. Art history programs are going to expect you to know French and likely German as well (though probably only one of them for a MA program), and some may expect you to pick up Latin for Medieval. History programs would almost certainly expect you to be able to read all three. Although it’s possible to take a “German/French for reading” course over the summer while in graduate school, it’s good that you’re taking French - many applicants will already have the languages, and competition is stiff.</p>

<p>Contact Caroline Bruzelius at Duke if you haven’t already. Her interests perfectly match yours, and she is a GREAT professor - very enthusiastic and helpful. She should be able to give you info about the program at Duke as well as general advice about the field.</p>

4

<p>When you contact these programs/people, do NOT say that you are unemployed and are therefore looking to go back to school. That’s the equivalent of saying you like a program because it is close to home.</p>

<p>Explain your interests, and go from there.</p>