<p>Hi, I've been accepted at both the Master's in Museum Studies at NYU and the MA in modern art : curatorial track at Columbia. I really can't decide where to go, so any information anyone could give on both schools and programs would be very helpful. Plus, I live in Europe, so I'm also interested in hearing opinions on how graduate school in the States might be different to what I'm used to. Thanks !</p>
<p>While NYU is a very good school and that program is certainly strong, Columbia has more prestige and a more well-known faculty. (Jonathan Crary, for instance, is about the biggest name there is in art history/theory.) In addition, Columbia has better connections--the curatorial program is linked with the Whitney Museum of Art, so students have instant access to the resources and training available at a major museum, and have to complete projects under the supervision of museum staff. If being a curator is what you're interested in, that kind of experience is priceless. To sweeten the deal, everyone associated with Columbia in any way (students, faculty, staff) get free admission to the Whitney, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, the International Center for Photography, and a few other museums around the city. </p>
<p>All that said, there is no substitute for visiting the departments, talking with the students and faculty, and getting a feel for which environment you would enjoy more. I know that might not be possible for you since you're in Europe, but if you can do it, you should--you might find that despite the reasons I just listed, NYU fits you better. Good luck!</p>
<p>Hmmm...Thanks LeroyGrad ! You make a strong case for Columbia (especially since I won't be able to visit either of the universities). I should have mentioned this before though : I'm not an art history student. I'm completing my undergraduate degree in political science at the University of Geneva. It's not quite the same as a Bachelor's degree in the States. What I mean by that, is we don't have majors and minors. When you do your degree in Political science you basically study nothing but that for 4 years. I had to take on an extra courseload in the art history department to fulfill both NYU's and Columbia's minimum requirements in that field. However, I'm concerned that at Columbia particularly this might put me at a disadvantage to other students (since Columbia's program is in the art history department and is more "intellectual" ). What do you think ? Are you a student at Columbia?
Last question : if you could find funding for NYU but not for Columbia, would finances be the deciding factor for you ?
Thanks !</p>
<p>In all honesty, you're probably not as underprepared as you think you are--schools like Columbia and NYU would not have admitted you if they didn't think you were capable of doing the work. </p>
<p>The funding issue is complicated. The best advice is to weigh how well a program fits with you and your interests versus how much aid you will receive, but since you can't visit each school, it's a little difficult for you to do the former. Also, the type of funding you receive might be an issue--if you are asked to teach, for instance, or if there is no service required. (In addition, NYU is in a particularly contentious situation with its grad student union, having just endured a year-long strike by many of its TAs.) New York is a very expensive place to live, so my gut reaction is to choose funding over no funding, but I think the best thing for you to do might be to email each department and ask if you can email grad students in the respective programs and talk to them about these issues. Most departments are more than happy to provide you with that kind of information, and grad students will give you uncensored, experience-based advice and information. Best of luck to you.</p>