<p>I’m thinking of applying to grad schools for Art History.
The thing is that I had a very bad 1st-2nd year in terms of GPA: 3.3 in the 1st, 3.2 in the second year. I managed to earn GPA 3.8 this year (3rd), taking mostly 400 level courses in Art History. Overall it makes about 3.5.</p>
<p>Most schools set their application deadline in early December/January. Meaning no matter how well I do, they won’t likely be able to see my grades in my 4th year.</p>
<p>Should I take a year off, finish my school and apply for grad schools? Would it increase my chances? I do want to try out for “good” schools…</p>
<p>Help me!</p>
<p>If you do something worthwhile with that year (maybe work in a gallery or museum?), then it can only help increase your chances.</p>
<p>I agree with larationalist. </p>
<p>I would only like to add that you didn’t mention your GPA in Art History. Your major GPA will count more heavily than your overall GPA in admissions. Often, a 3.5 cumulative GPA (sometimes even a 3.0) is quite sufficient to get you considered for admission.</p>
<p>In my first year, I took two art history courses and the GPA was 3.7
In the second year the art history GPA was 3.2
Third year: 3.9 in art history alone (out of six art history courses, three were 400-level course)
Overall, it makes about GPA of 3.6 - 3.65 in art history.</p>
<p>I took French courses in my third year and I managed to get 3.7 overall.
In my school’s program, French counts towards the Honours degree program.</p>
<p>What’s the advantages and disadvantages of taking a year off?
I am already a year older than most undergraduates in my year (will turn 22 this summer), so I wonder if another year off will hurt my chances.
Further, my faculty is going through a major change, meaning almost no professors from last 2 years will be there next year.</p>
<p>Would it be better off going to whichever school I get in, or take a chance and aim for a top school?</p>
<p>i did horrible my first two years and did great my last two years, so like you i figured i wouldn’t bother applying (my senior year was my best GPA)</p>
<p>i ended up getting a job doing thermal research (which got me some stuff to talk about on my SOP)</p>
<p>in the end, the lack of homework and etc really helped out during my year off because i spent a lot more time on my applications and wrote a good SOP. plus i found out i really didn’t like work and it further motivated me to spend more time on my application :)</p>
<p>i think it really increased my chances. i got into a top 10 univeristy with funding when i would’ve gotten into a lower teir school if i applied directly after school (so i presume).</p>
<p>another important thing to consider is your LORs, i’m not sure where an art history major would get them from, but if you have to, maybe spend a year doing working with a professor, or some museum? i didn’t get a LOR from my work, but one of the professors i worked with during my senior year was apparently very well known and i’m sure it helped me out getting in (at my visit day, a professor kept talking about him)</p>
<p>zoomscape,</p>
<p>Your GPA is perfectly fine. Don’t sweat it.</p>
<p>larationalist already mentioned the most significant advantage of a year off (meaningful employment/volunteering in the field), and captain scruffy just mentioned another very significant advantage (time to compose great applications, experience in the field). Working as a docent or another type of museum volunteer would be great for you.</p>
<p>The fact that your faculty is in flux has no bearing on your letters of rec. You just contact your former professors, wherever they are, when it’s time for them to write for you. Let them know before you graduate that you’re interested in grad school, and ask each of them if they’d be willing and able to write strong letters for you when the time comes. Get contact info if they agree.</p>
<p>Your age is a non-issue. Age is not a factor in admissions. Period.</p>
<p>And aspiring grad students should always RESEARCH appropriate programs, finding faculty with specializations in their areas of intended study. Apply to ALL programs with appropriate faculty, whether you think they are a stretch or not. Graduate admissions is very much about a student’s “fit” with faculty expertise and interests. </p>
<p>Best wishes to you.</p>
<p>Age is not a direct factor in admissions (i.e., they won’t deny you admission for being too old or too young), but I wouldn’t ignore it entirely. Older students often have a much better idea of what they want and how they’re going to get there, which can only give one an advantage in admissions (statement of purpose, knowing which schools are a great fit for you) and in the work you do once you get to graduate school.</p>
<p>In case you couldn’t tell already, I’m a big fan of time off between undergrad and grad school. Priorities and passions change over time, and in my view, giving yourself a bit of time to develop your views is a great thing. Then once you go back for grad school you’ll have a better sense of perspective and school won’t be such an insular place for you.</p>
<p>thanks for all the advice everyone!
I would have to consider other factors to make the final decisions but definately helped.</p>
<p>Just one more,
What’s the general policy/attitudes of the universities toward re-application? How do they see applicants who apply again after being rejected the previous year?</p>
<p>If an applicant’s package has improved (more experience, better scores, etc.), then reapplication is a good idea.</p>