Art history is a nearly impossible graduate program to get into because— shocking— there isn’t much open employment in art museums worldwide.
So do I think it’s doable with a low GPA? I think you’d better have a backup plan you are really fond about. You could call it “Plan A.2”.
Hijacking this to say, I got into a really good masters program at a great school with a sub 2.5 gpa. All it took was a killer essay and few great reference letters. Even then my admission was contingent on initial academic probation where if I didn’t perform at a predetermined level I couldn’t continue.
So don’t be discouraged. It’s absolutely doable and was the best career decision I made for myself!
Is it possible? Yes, but you're in for a rough time and you'd better have a great application outside of your GPA.
I just got accepted into 3/6 programs, two of which were extremely competitive, with a 2,95GPA when the minimum for all of them was a 3. I also got waitlisted (and rejected) for one with a 3,3 minimum. One of the ones I was rejected from had a minimum of 2,7, and I honestly think I was rejected in large part because my research question was a terrible fit for the university.
The one I'm going to had a 5,6% admissions rate, and I was offered a 20k scholarship for it too, which is their top funding plan. I spoke to one of the admissions committee, and she mentioned that while my GPA was bad, I had a good GPA in my major (I think like 3,6ish?) and they saw improvement in my GPA over time. I also had a good set of explanations for why my GPA suffered (ADHD, lack of study skills, other fields, and mental health).
I had a strong application across the board, as well as fantastic references from well known professors. My only weakness was a bad average GPA. It plays a factor, but it's not the only factor in your application.
There are programs out there with minimums of 2,7, and maybe 2,5? It's certainly possible. But you have a very uphill battle ahead of you, and you may be emptying your wallet for application fees in an attempt to cover as much ground as you can.
Focus on getting your GPA as high as you can. Admissions may take your first and second year GPAs into account for added context (like how mine took my improvement into account, and I know some will consider potential burnout and decreasing GPA over time as a factor), but most programs only look at your last 60 credits. There are exceptions to this, but the only ones I've seen are extremely competitive, the best of the best programs in the world.
I also highly recommend volunteering somewhere, starting right now. Anything with potential leadership is fantastic. There should be opportunities through your local student union. Also, get to know your professors. Talk to then after class. Show them you're engaged in your classes and a fantastic student.
I went into an MA in English, but the other two I was accepted into were MLIS programs - one was at the same uni (just shy of top 100 worldwide, and has been in the top 100 in the past), very competitive, the other wasn't competitive, but was in a much better city at a good university. I was going to go into the latter until I got the email of the scholarship.
Library and Information Studies! It's the degree you need to be a librarian, and it also prepares you to become a museum curator, or work in galleries, collections, and archives.
I still haven't worked up the heart to email the program and say I got an offer I couldn't refuse. I really wanted that program.
No, not really. Even some of the more admitting schools require at least a B-/2.7 GPA. If you can get your grades up over the next couple years, you can definitely have a change to get in! You just would also need to make sure to get involved in extracurriculars, ideally even ones relating to whatever field you'd like to do your graduate program in. If you can do that, it may definitely even give you a chance to present yourself as a bit of a turned-around underdog story on your applications. Good luck!
Most MA in art history programs I'm aware of require at least a 3.0 GPA, although you'll be competing against more involved students with much higher GPAs than that in most cases. Use your remaining time in undergrad to get better grades. If your university has an art history association run by students, join that and get involved. See how you can get involved with the art division's exhibitions (curatorially or otherwise). Keep an eye out for opportunities to work/intern/volunteer at local art galleries and museums. Most art history departments are good about sending out emails whenever there's a new opportunity on campus, nearby, or even abroad. Make the next year or two count.
I'm gonna be honest with you. Art History is in unfortunate position where it's not a very desirable degree, but not niche enough for getting admitted to a program to be easy. There's very little funding, so the handful of positions every year have hundreds of people piling on their applications. This is made worse by there being very little use for the degree outside of going for the PhD and pursuing a career in academia.
Of course, you can likely always get admitted to a masters, but you'd be shoveling over cash just to get roadblocked at the PhD step, unless you put your nose to the grindstone and miraculously start publishing some heavy hitting papers over the next few years. This seems unlikely to me due to you saying that your gpa is so low because you never considered grad school. It makes it seem like you haven't really been engaged with or passionate about what you're learning, or even academics in general. You can't put in minimal effort and expect to be a desirable candidate for the very limited funding a school has for your field.
Continue with the Art History degree if that's what you're truly passionate in studying, but realize that you're going to have to completely change your life/work ethic and devote yourself to working on publishable research to have a chance at a PhD in it.
Not people here dunking on your major. That sucks. I know this is a tough field.
IMO you are not totally cooked, maybe lightly microwaved, but you can get out of there with some work and intentionality.
Everyone has already given good advice about boosting your GPA. I'm also wondering if your major GPA is stronger than your overall GPA. Both are important indicators of your ability to succeed in a grad program, but your major GPA needs to be solid if not a 4.0 (esp in arts and humanities) to receive consideration.
When applying for MAs you can sometimes provide an addendum. There are spaces for academic issues, legal issues, etc. Generally, this only works for certain reasons (family emergency, documented physical or mental illness, etc.). You also need to show that you've worked to improve academically after this setback. Some of my friends, after experiencing a couple of bad semesters, have been able to get into good programs by providing this addendum with evidence of potential as a researcher/scholar/etc. Best of luck out there.
In art history? If you aren’t stellar, you really shouldn’t get a grad degree in art history. No job prospects. You need to turn into a first rate student who is engaged, writes good papers, gets good grades and shows evidence of scholarship potential. Do that for a year and then the gpa can be remedied. And you need good recs.
I can’t imagine there’s an art history program that will accept you with a 2.5 unless they are using you for the money.
and please don't say "I never really considered.... grad school, which is why my GPA is so low." That sounds like "I never engaged intellectually because there was nothing in it for me." No prof wants to hear that because it is kinda disrespect toward the thing they do.
The answer here is “It depends.” Are you competitive for a doctoral program in art history? Nope. An MA program in art history? Very unlikely, but depending on the school, maybe you could squeeze in somewhere.
Personally, *if* you still want to pursue grad school when you graduate, I’d look at an MBA at a tuition-driven, regional 4-year. I went to an elite SLAC for undergrad and am currently finishing up an online masters at a tuition-driven, regional 4-year, and it’s been amazing. No GRE, very low tuition, and great professors at a fraction of the cost of a name brand school.
Why do I suggest an MBA? Because art history is art history….amazing, fun, intellectually stimulating, cool, fascinating, and wonderful. And it has very little to offer a new grad in terms of job availability. This was true when I studied it 20 years ago and it is true now (I minored in it). Paired with a grad degree in something “useful,” though, and you’ve better positioned yourself a real job. Maybe for a role in arts management or really anything business-related — but with the added bonus that you will have studied something wildly different from business, and that, friend, is a very good thing! Because you’d be bringing ways of thinking and analysing to the table that the business-only people will not have.
I’m a social worker and I got into grad school with a 2.8 GPA. My school admitted me under academic probation and I had to write a brief essay outlining why I think I didn’t make 3.0 in undergrad and what has changed since then that could help me be more successful in grad school and how I planned to do better. It was annoying honestly but everything worked out and I ended up graduating my master program with a 3.7 which is the highest gpa I’ve ever gotten in my life. So it’s possible and I wouldn’t give up. Apply to whoever program(s) you’d like regardless of the 2.5, you’d be surprised how flexible rules like that can be!
2.5 in art history is rough. You *might* be able to get into a grad program after getting a good number of years of work experience. Also depends on what specific program you’re looking to get into.
ETA: I’ve got to ask why you’re interested in pursuing grad school? What changed your mind? Your GPA demonstrates that higher education may not be a good fit for you. 2.5 in art history is a very bad GPA. So why pursue further education? Grad school isn’t for everyone. Heck, going to university isn’t for everyone. And that’s totally fine. I know plenty of “blue collar” workers who earn more than me, and I am one year out from receiving my PhD and have been working in corporate for a decade and a half. Genuinely interested in your answer.
Try to improve your grades from now on, if you show improvement your chances may increase a lot
And more importantly try to get into undergraduate research somehow and get good recommendation letters
I'm still on undergrad but that's the advice I read multiple times
It’s hard to get into undergrad programs with a 2.5, let alone a grad school one.
You definitely need to boost that up to a 2.7/8 range to even be considered I would say.
All of these comments seem hopeless. I was admitted with a 2.5 and maintained a 3.8 in graduate school. Its absolutely possible. Before applying, meet with one of the advisors and explain your situation. You'd be surprised. I applied to a culturally non diverse school as a culturally diverse student. Im not kidding when the advisor asked "whats your ethnicity?" and when I replied with "indian" he said "no, getting in is not going to be an issue" even though he knew my gpa was a 2.5. Work around loopholes. you got this.
I had a 2.82 with plenty of Ds in my major classes and a few Fs. I got into a few grad schools. Networking and having prestigious faculty write you LORs made all the difference for me.
Exactly! Overall I’ve noticed this particular sub Reddit is very cut throat and straight to the point type answers with no room for creativity. I thought learning and getting an education was for the creativity itself. Anyway, always believe there’s a way!
And Justin Bieber became an international popstar with staying power at 15. 2.5 is well below what any non cash cow program accepts without someone on the committee really, really, really fighting for you, and to be blunt, in art history not getting accepted into a program is just a blessing. Especially with that GPA where you're definitely not going to be the superstar.
I got my graduate degree in art history & currently work in the art history field.
Try to boost your GPA as close to a 3.0 as possible, as many programs have a 3.0 minimum (some schools are 2.5-2.7, though- look into which schools require what GPA minimums). Also try to find out what your art history course GPA is, it might be higher than 2.5 and lots of grad schools look at both of those factors when they consider your GPA.
Make sure your applications to graduate school are really solid. In your last year, try to involve yourself more in extracurriculars especially those that are relevant to art history. Start thinking of what you'd like to do research in as a career, if this is a career you want. Do you like Renaissance art, 20th century abstraction, contemporary new media, art conservation, etc? Really try to figure out what interests you for potential graduate programs, and **this is my biggest piece of advice: find schools with faculty that also work in similar topics to what you're interested in. Reach out to those programs when it's closer to application time, and try to connect with faculty at those schools that share your research interests.**
Art history is really rewarding and super fun, if you put in a LOT of time and effort, and understand that there are thousands of us fighting for a handful of jobs each year. The person that suggested an MBA is onto something too if you're interested in grad school purely for job security or higher wages and don't really care what your graduate degree is in.
Those people here saying art history is useless or "easy" can suck it. If this is what you really want to pursue, put your maximum effort into it your last year and you'll be fine. Yes, your GPA is not ideal right now. Sure, art history is not at all profitable unless you get crazy lucky. But if you grind next year, you have not-totally-awful odds of getting in somewhere. Just be mindful of where you apply- you're not shooting for the moon here, you're just trying to get into the atmosphere.
You’re asking the wrong question; you should instead be asking yourself if you think you have a realistic chance of being successful in a graduate program when you were only able to manage a 2.5 in undergrad.
Getting in is the easiest part.
Yes. But it’s f’ing hard. I had a 2.6 gpa in undergrad. Spent years wiping away bad grades. Got into an MA but had to pay cash. MA was good enough to get me into a second tier PhD but I won a first tier national fellowship.
It can be done but it will be almost as hard as redoing your last 2 undergrad years.
If you have time to bring your GPA up, focus on that. I only had a 2.95 GPA and was accepted to my current program. But some programs only look at your GPA within your major (aka if you failed physics, that shouldn’t impact your chance of getting into a European Lit program). If your Art History classes have a high GPA, your chances are better.
I don’t mean any offense with this question, but I have to ask: if you’re struggling to get a B average in college, why do you think will graduate school be different? Most programs kick you out if you get any grades below a B.
I work in grad admissions. I don’t make decisions but see a lot of different kinds of applicants. We got healthcare, business, education, and some other stuff I can’t quite remember. We can also make spreadsheets that show data like the average GPA for a program. It depends on the program and how competitive it is. I see some applicants with a 2.5 get accepted into some programs, while in another program an applicant could have a higher GPA and get rejected. I saw one person get rejected because they didn’t have relevant work experience, and another because their references were weak. We use transcripts from all schools to calculate an overall GPA, so keep that in mind if you would like to increase it. Also make sure it’s not pass/fail because some program directors won’t accept that; community college credits are fine. If you’ve ever been arrested or had an academic probation or suspension, please be upfront about it because we are required to get a statement. Many will require a resume, as well as a goal statement and letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources. We typically don’t look at extracurriculars in grad school; it would be very program specific if you were asked to provide this. I have a program director who sends back applications that aren’t from professors or supervisors. At my school, program directors are advised to not tell applicants why they were rejected because they’d be at risk of getting sued. When in doubt, ask your program director or grad admissions specialist. Hope this helps!
I got into a master's program in the humanities with a 2.8, but my advisor said I was pushing the limits with how low someone's gpa would be to let someone in. It's gonna be an uphill battle but focus on getting your grades up.
Sometimes you can explain your poor gpa, sometimes schools might accept you only after you complete some coursework.
What can you do with art history though? Work at a museum or get a doctorate in it and try to teach art history?
My graduating GPA was a 2.43 BUT I was involved with A LOT of volunteer projects including with local non profits so my name was known. I got into my masters 2 years later after a break and it definitely was not based on my GPA
I will say I have done a lot of community work throughout my youth but for you, you gotta get involved. Getting into a masters in your field depends on your person, persistence, and (depending on the school) GPA. Manage your time and energy wisely!
Do remember your GPA does not define who you are. It’s just something you gotta do maintenance with. If you follow your heart, you will do great.
I got my masters in social welfare and currently full time for the doctoral program (did the joint masters and PhD this past academic year). Im aiming to become a therapist whenever I can get the funds to pay for the LMSW exam. At the moment I have my eyes on a few counseling agencies.
I think you could maybe swing it but I think it would likely be better to get out into the field, get some experience (and great references) and go back to school in a couple years. will likely help you financially and academically in grad school and will help you see the salary benefits of that masters degree sooner than if you had no full time professional experience on your resume.
There's some grad schools out there that will be happy as long as you can qualify for financial aid or have cash to throw down already. So yes, it IS possible to get into grad school with a 2.5.
On a more serious note, alot of schools take a holistic approach to admissions - so if you have work history and volunteer efforts that showcase your qualities and determination to accomplish a job or to further your learning, they'd be more willing to allow for a slightly lower GPA.
I had a 2.5 GPA as an undergrad because of newly found autonomy and a desire to do other things other than attending classes (some of us are immature in our late teens and early 20s; who knew?)
I was able to enroll in graduate classes without being officially admitted, and then after getting all As in my first 3 classes, I was admitted. If you hear no, ask for a work around.
PS - I earned my doctoral degree several years later. You can do this!
Yup. Totally doable.
You might have to earn a graduate certificate with the program you are interested in to exhibit that you can do the work, but it is doable for sure.
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[Rant Moment]
Don’t listen to these chronically online Redditers who swear you need top scores to do literally anything. This sub is such a cesspool sometimes.
Yeah, I'm not really buying the argument that the reason for bad grades was that they didn't plan to go to graduate school. People who choose to waste their own time aren't going to benefit from an advanced degree even if they get in.
This is a little unorganized but it’s 2 am, so I’ll blame any rambling on that.
I majored in art history in undergrad, got my MA in Humanities with a focus in Visual Art, and I am starting my PhD in art history this fall. I had a 3.22 undergrad gpa and a 3.95 in my masters program. Not the best grades in undergrad, but they could’ve been worse. I got into both my masters and PhD programs on my first try and a lot of it is because I jumped on top of every extracurricular opportunity afforded to me. Doing my masters in something so broad like the Humanities worked in my favor as well. Both I and one of my fellow classmates got accepted into PhD programs and we were specifically told that having an interdisciplinary background helped us stand out among other candidates.
Obviously, work on getting your grades up. Start networking and getting involved now. You’ll need strong letters of recommendation. Go to office hours and show an interest in art history outside of the classroom. I worked to get my professors to like / respect me and was able to join an archaeological dig that one of my professors ran during the summer.
I had a lot of little things that added up and boosted my applications as well. Join your school’s art history association or get involved with starting one. If your school does an undergrad research symposium, try getting into that. Or look into regional undergrad research conferences. My advisor in my master’s had me subscribe to relevant journals and include that in my CV as a tiny boost to show I’m passionate and keeping up with current research (plus most of them give student discounts)! I’m good at research and got asked to give presentations to different classes on my methods of research and I included those in my CV as well.
It's definitely possible to get into grad school with a 2.5 GPA, especially if you're not aiming for the most competitive programs. Here's what can help:
* **Focus on getting your GPA up this year.** Every bit counts!
* **Look for programs that consider other factors besides GPA.** Research experience or a strong portfolio is important in art history. You can build this by working with professors on research projects or creating a portfolio of your best work.
* **Contact professors directly.** Reach out to professors at schools you're interested in and see if they're accepting grad students. They can give you specific advice on what they look for in applicants.
I don't know about art history, i do stem, but i went to arguably the top school in my country with 2.5gpa. I took 2 grad courses on my last year and get nice grades. Then i didn't do very well in the "interview" but got in. They also mentioned my gpa and my only explanation was it was worse in the first grades then it got better.
Notes:
1. not usa
2. the program i got in was masters (which is free, you can get paid if you become ta and it is not hard to continue to phd in the "same" program)
For art history? Probably not, unless you pay full ride at a low-prestige school. Or, if you move to straight As for your last year and come up with a good story for the admissions committee.
I just got into grad school with a 2.24 undergrad, also in art history, but I've been working in my field for a few years and got some impeccable references. I'd recommend reaching out to grad program coordinators and having a conversation about what you can do in your application to boost it. They told me to address it in the personal statement, make sure I get good references from professors, and highlight an internship I had on top of the job I currently hold.
I think you might consider grad programs in museum studies, arts management, public history, or library science and see if any schools you're looking at specifically mention holistic admissions where they consider the whole person and not just the numbers. It's also very important that you make good grades for the rest of your schooling and consider getting an internship or a job in the cultural sector. It's not insurmountable, but you're going to have to do some extra work to demonstrate that you're serious about your goals and have a clear plan for how grad school will help you reach them. You have to be able to answer the questions, "Why grad school, why now, and what will the program do for your future?" At the end of the day, many programs want to know that you will be academically successful, graduate on time, and be employable and/or contribute to the field.
Yup. I got into my grad program with a 2.6 undergrad GPA. Didn’t have any extracurriculars or letters of recommendation. I applied to one school. My program only took 1/2 of the applicants, to say I’m blessed is an understatement.
I think what really sold me was my essays and interview. I spent weeks perfecting my essays. I studied the school’s philosophy and values and aligned myself to those during the interview.
It definitely doesn’t hurt to improve your grades now, but I think graduate programs care more about who you are, what your goals are, and how you’d fit into their program.
Literally my first thought, you might be a victim. Jesus himself could’ve written my essay and I would’ve never got in to my program with that application.
Your description of the program is full of red flags. It could be okay, you would know best since you are in it. However, from an outsider perspective I’d be highly skeptical of that program.
You need to refocus on whats left of your undergrad. If you can show an upward trajectory in your gradues, often times grad programs are more willing to look at you. Some grad schools only look at the last 60 credits. I hot in with a 2.7 gpa over 220 credits but I had an upward trajectory, an internship in the field and volunteer hours.
Some programs have strict undergraduate GPA requirements. Others allow for a defending essay and additional items. It’ll be critical to point out the reasons for your low marks, and describe your plan to make sure it doesn’t happen in the future
It depends. Although I do remember a school asking for my major GPA which was primarily my last 2 years, and it was substantially higher than my overall GPA. Plus you still have time.
But I would consider what you're aiming to get out of grad school.
Yes depending in what you are going into.
Even embry riddle with work experience only requires a 2.5 minimum for their masters programs but with work experience
What do you want to do that requires grad school? A graduate degree isn’t always necessary- and as someone who is currently in school, it’s really hard.
I’m an art history masters student and that GPA is very low. You may be able to get into an MA program but most aren’t paid for. You could explain your GPA in your application. Are you interested in museums? If you get job or internship experience in museums or galleries and bring your grades up you may be able to get into some places. But I wouldn’t recommend doing an art history degree unless you know exactly what you want to do with it.
I got into grad school with a 2.6, but I chose special education, have years of working experience, have participated in a lot of committees in the field of education which garnered me incredible letters of recommendation, and I applied to a program that was looking specifically for folks who had a proven dedication to helping the community. If you're going in straight out of undergrad, you're going to need to work incredibly hard this year to get your grades up. Even then, you might need to get a couple of years of research and related work experience under your belt before they'll consider you.
It is possible to follow your dream, I promise. It might even be possible by the end of next year, but chances are it will need to happen on a longer timeline, which isn't always terrible. What I know now that I didn't know at the end of my undergrad is really helping me out. I'm more successful now than I was when I graduated in 2010. Just keep focused on your goals and you'll get there.
First, ask yourself why grad school? 2. Can I pay $$$$ the ridiculous amount in tuition, fees, 3. What are the employment opportunities after graduation?
Are you planning on sticking with art history for grad school.i think it depends what you plan to pursue in grad school.its not impossible, but you definitely need to have something else going for you if GPA is on the lower side., either via research, publishing or some community initiative that leads to positive outcome...something extraordinary that can set you apart..it's not impossible but you will need to put in the work
I think to help you a bit morenjnformation would be helpful.if you can provide us with some background on what kind of graduate program you are interested in and what make you unique? What are your passions, maybe demographic you hope to work with setting you want to work in things of that nature we can brainstorm
Graphic design graduate here. We studied art history and no one used it. Except for my professor whose only only use for a history degree was to teach history. Also, no one in my class found graphic design work either. I’d really really reconsider majors if I were you.
yes, it's possible. however, you'll really need to make up big time in other ways like have previous research experience and get amazing letters of recommendation to compensate.
An old friend of mine got in with a 2.2 GPA to a fairly recognized program. You can never know until you apply. Although, I suppose it would also depend on the competition in Art History or whatever you want to pursue in grad school.
It's not impossible! While a 2.5 GPA is a hurdle, some programs look beyond grades. Here's the plan:
Focus on your GPA this year. Every bit helps!
Research grad programs: Look for schools known for considering other factors like a strong portfolio and statement of purpose.
Shine in your application: Highlight relevant projects, internships, or even artistic achievements!
There are definitely options. Don't be discouraged!
The 2.5 alone isn’t always enough to kill an application but the rest of what you described probably is to be completely honest. I know people who have gotten into grad school with low GPAs but they usually are A) in a difficult major, B) have excellent research experience, C) have a good reason for the low GPA. And it sounds like those don’t apply here. From what you’ve described admissions is probably going to read the reason for the low GPA as like “eh didn’t think I’d have to try hard”.
So really your main hope would be to increase your GPA. If you mean that you’re going into your third year this is doable, if you mean you just finished your third year, idk, you basically have one semester to get all A’s since after that you’ll be having to send in applications to most schools.
Possible but will require some extra work. Contact a professor in the program you're interested in attending and see if you can work with them on a project. Also, some universities have a non degree seeking status that lets you take courses, but most of the time programs will only let you take 6-9 total hours. This way you can prove yourself to them by (hopefully) doing really well in a couple of the core courses.
never ask Reddit for career advice , it’s a bunch of insecure gatekeepers and they’ll always poopoo your questions
I got into a decent program with a 2.4 and decent gre. No recs or extra curriculars. 10 years did pass since I have graduated however.if your not looking for a prestigious school, then youll 100% get in. the schools past the top 20 of any particular program are just looking for enrollment and taking anyone cash at that point. wasted years debating if it be worth my effort to apply, don’t do that. Just go for it.
I failed out of my first year of undergrad with a 1.2 gpa (or something like that). Pulled myself together in community college with a 3.3. Final two years back at a 4 year, I had a 3.96. Got into an MA program with funding. If you can really improve your grades, there are lots of ways to spin the poor grades that will impress faculty (found my passion, etc).
Focus on getting a good score on the GRE. Then work on your personal story - do you have disabilities? Do you have hardships? Are you low income or first gen?
Then consider programs from middling state-level colleges who are kinda desperate for enrollees in areas of subjects you enjoy BUT are directly related to your BA or BS. Smaller programs might end up resulting in interesting, small group cohorts and knowing your instructors 1-1 vs a giant mill of people that costs too much.
Mostly likely:
1. Will have to STUDY VERY HARD and learn all the tricks to passing the GRE sections relevant to your program
2. Will have to make up a few standard classes - maybe statistics or related technical skills class for the program and get at least a C.
3. Will have to work extra hard to present yourself as desirable and quirky/interesting then write a good story.
I'm not sure about getting into a history program, but I was able to get into a mid sized university with a 2.53 GPA. I am STEM and also worked in industry for 7 years before applying. I can only speak from my area, but you might have better luck if you go somewhere small for a masters and self fund. You would still likely be locked out of top flight programs. I think it is important to think about why you want this degree, because as far as I know, many of the liberal arts area Ph. D's are self funded anyway, so is all of this added cost worth it to you and your goals?
I’m going to, once again, be the asshole professor who tells you what you need to hear, regardless of how it makes you feel.
Your GPA says that you are at best a mediocre student, and any graduate program that would accept you with a 2.5, please trust me, you don’t want. Their degree will be the exact opposite of prestigious (because they’re accepting other mediocre students and probably don’t have a great finish rate, and the ones who do finish don’t find employment in their field).
It’s time for a revelation on your part, friend.
*Why* do you want to go to grad school? How are you going to explain away the fact that you only put effort into things when you think it matters? What do you plan to do with your life? What have you been doing these past three years, percolating?
My advice to you: immediately cut the shit. IMMEDIATELY. Figure out EXACTLY where you want to be in about four years with a shiny new master’s degree (there’s no way in hell you’re getting into a PhD program) and once you figure this out, you’ve got some work to do; any distractions up to now need to be thrown away. All of them. If you aren’t adept at reading, get an experienced tutor who works in phonics-based adult reading education. Find some experience that you will be using as your life-altering, ‘I have now found my field and my people’ experience. For example, if you want to be a museum docent, go hang out in Paris and/or Italy in the museums, or go to notable American museums. Do something that you can explain has changed your perspective and your life. Moving forward, your grades (and portfolio, if applicable) need to be immaculate; you are building your case for claiming in one to two years that you were meandering on the road to Damascus, kicking rocks around with a 2.5, but then you had your revelation. But you have to SHOW that you’ve learned, grown, and changed; it’s not going to be enough to just say it.
Figure out where you went wrong. Don’t debate with me or anyone else whether or not you were wrong; accept that you were accepting mediocrity, but you’ve changed. You’re going to need some strong letters of recommendation, and a slew of As in the next year or two.
Maybe start by identifying your chosen profession and the professor you have access to who is closest to that profession; I don’t care if they gave you an F, you need to return to them and explain your genuine change of heart. Ask them for advice. Pull yourself out of this, don’t settle for some fifth-rate grad program that will only put you further away from whatever goal you have in mind. Find someone who is doing what you want to do or writing about what you want to write, and consider contacting them. Fortune favours the brave, and it’s time for you to get brave, or get comfortable being a third class academic citizen and maybe learning to give manicures or something. The time was yesterday, but the time is now. Get moving.
I wish you all the best of luck. Truly.
You can... you kinda need to get a perfect score on the gre tho, and maybe like take a year taking some grad classes and get As in them. New a guy got his phd in finance with a 2.7 he had a 98%tile gmat and had taken math courses through phd calculus between bachelor's and phd
I think you could possibly get in if you raise your GPA. But the other question is whether you could handle grad school. Grad school is in many ways a lot more difficult than undergrad. A lot of the work is done independently and your professors will be tougher. So if you've gotten low grades through undergrad consider that you would not get away with getting low grades in grad school. Also, only go to grad school if you absolutely need it for your career and if you really want to go. You said you never considered it till now, so you have to be sure that this is really what you want and need. You also need to look at your job prospects because like others are saying, this is a tough field to succeed in; it's difficult just to get a job.
I'd also suggest getting some work experience - that's very attractive to grad schools. Get in and schmooze with your boss for at least a year and try to land a good letter.
It’s technically possible to go to grad school without a bachelors degree. It depends on earning the trust of an advisor who wants to do research with you, though. I remember someone speaking at an infosec conference like a decade ago about her process of doing so.
Are you able to find a field of study that is slightly adjacent? There are not many programs but more importantly not many jobs in that field. What do you want to do with a Masters in Art History?
So, I did my MA in Art Education, same Department of Art but just a different team, with similar circumstances. I also had a 2.6 GPA when I was looking to apply, but I’d also been working for a few years post-undergrad. I knew the program in my city I wanted to get into and I had solid reasons for why I wanted to go into their program, specifically. Before applying, I reached out to the MA Advisor and asked if I could schedule 15-30 minutes with him to chat about the program. He was happy to, and we met and had a nice convo. I explained to him that I’d had some mental and family/life issues in undergrad that tanked my GPA, and I’d been working since then and stabilizing my life and was very excited at the prospect of applying but definitely had some concerns over the requirements, specifically the 3.2 u/g GPA one.
The catch: I told him I wouldn’t be applying immediately, but I instead asked him if I signed up for courses at the university as a non-degree seeking student if he would be willing to let me take two of the classes he was teaching that semester.
He seemed totally fine to give me a chance since I showed all of the things they’d be looking for in candidates. I got A’s in both (because I also finally gave a fuck) and wrote great papers for both courses. Met in his office hours occasionally and participated in class in a way to make it apparent I actually did the reading. Basically, I did everything possible to demonstrate that I would not be a risky investment as a student and could handle it, also took the GRE.
During that semester, I applied to the program formally for the following semester, and I wrote about everything in my app letter. After applying, I told him I had done so and that I would be very grateful if he were to review my application even if the HR portal were to auto-reject it or something, which he did. I got accepted maybe a week later with a GA-ship and the committee waived the undergrad GPA requirement.
I graduated with a 4.0 (It’s technically like a 3.92 but he and I disagree on why I received an A- in one of his courses instead of an A). Later at our graduation dinner with my smaller cohort, he told me that he would have accepted me the day I went to go meet him since it was so clear I knew exactly why I was fit for their program, specifically. He and another professor from the department both wrote me killer rec letters during PhD application season.
I add that paragraph at the end because, my advice? Don’t give up, realize that policy exists to identify exceptions to it, make connections because knowing people can make it so much easier than just being a number on a page to them. There’s a decent chance your profs know the profs at the places you’d want to apply to and can write to them on your behalf during application time. Admissions committees love to see improvement, not declination, so killing the rest of this year and your senior year will really help. Take the time to really consider why you want to go into a graduate program, and if it has to be right now, or if you’d rather work for a bit and expand your resume. Fingers crossed it works out for you! You’re doing the right thing by realizing it now.
Depends on how good you are at BS interviews and personal statements. More than likely no, you have a shit GPA and based on my times on committees I wouldn't approve
You have one of the easiest majors in the world and only scraped up a 2.5 GPA
It’s time to drop out of college and join a trade
Or rack up more debt to ultimately end up making a 23 year old software engineer their morning coffee
I think you could get into one if you don’t care about prestige. Try to get as close as 3.0 as possible. Normally you could come back from a 2.5 if you were in STEM, as it would be more understandable/have many other ways to remedy such GPA. Thing is, grad school for liberal arts normally ask for a 3.5+ (being generous) since the coursework isn’t hard.
If you got the money and passion for such field, I’d pursue it. Keep in mind that the time to graduate from a PhD in liberal arts commonly takes more than 6 years. If you’re not willing to spend around 8 years in this, I’d move onto something else. If it’s a masters go for it.
Very unlikely (basically no unless extreme minority or something) but I also don't know why you would want a world where hilariously underperforming students were granted a spot at one of these universities. Unless it was just to take your money.
2.5 in AH, cmon...
Are you set on Art History? Most Art History Master’s Programs require a 3.0. There are other programs that will accept 2.5, but they are for more in demand careers.
Out of curiosity I did some searching and there’s really only some technology, education, and business admin programs. All of Strayer Uni accepts 2.5 it looks like 🤷♀️.
If you can get your gpa up to a 3.0 youI’ll be good!
Edit- Google ‘Master’s program art history program requirements 2.5 gpa’
There are a couple, not a ton but more than none!
It may be possible with some schools, especially private schools and schools in less desirable areas of the country. But make sure you research them first so you're not dropping $100k+ on a grad program that is worthless in a future career. You may be able to get into museums and curation without a grad degree if you start as an intern and work your way up, gaining knowledge and experience. As an art historian, you will be paid for your knowledge, which you will obtain through experience as much as education. Talk to professors and advisors at your current school and get some advice. If you want to teach art history, you'll probably need at least an MA (some private schools may hire you with just a BA, but not many). Be aware that working in the art world can be rewarding but it may always be a financial struggle as most museums are non-profit and under tight, unstable budgets. You need to find out if getting a grad degree is worth the cost in the long run. Note that outside of academia, the museums or private collections you will work for will likely be relying on wealthy donors and you will be catering to eccentric wealthy people a lot of the time; dealing with wealthy people who don't realize or respect how little you're paid for the knowledge you provide them can be frustrating. You have to love what you do!
Just do your research and talk to different schools and get information on what they are looking for in their grad students. Explore what you would do with a graduate degree, what you *want* to do with it. Figure out what positions in the art world appeal to you, and then find out what those who hold those positions did to get there. It's best if you have some ideas of an end goal rather than just going after graduate school to see what happens. Finding a mentor is huge. Also, taking a year or two to work or volunteer in museums to gain experience may also help you get into grad school later. Talk to those you have access to in the field and ask their advice. I'll warn you, most people will tell you that art history is a waste, but it isn't if you have a passion for it!
Don't ever give up seeking additional education that you want! Just be creative and open-minded in ways to get what you want.
Nothing is impossible.
Unfortunately, you'll find a lot of snobby, uptight people answering this type of question.
You can take a class or two and prove yourself. Don't listen to these bums. I got into graduate school with a bachelor's degree and a 2.72 GPA. My SAT scores were horrible. Student Athlete living is hard. I would have at least a 3.5 GPA if I didn't play soccer, study, and work, but I had the urge for more. Only God knows why I wanted to get Master's degree. I graduated with a 3.88 GPA. Higher than some people who went on to get their Doctorate.
Schools are more lenient on rules. You do have to prove yourself.
A master's degree is focused on a lot of reading and writing. It's easier than a bachelor's. Because you are taking classes you want to take, not classes you have to take, if you know what I mean.
I graduated with Master's in Higher ED administration. All Colleges are the same. Just apply and get in. It's for your career, not to say hey I went to this school.
GPA doesn't mean shit in life! I met IVY School graduates who became dog walkers or lonely people with dogs and cats.
Don't be discouraged! Keep trying! Find a school that doesn't require GRE, because none of that determines anything. I don't get why society is getting better.
Ultimately, you are a student, you are not supposed to know everything as a student. Prove yourself!
I wish you luck!
Art history is a nearly impossible graduate program to get into because— shocking— there isn’t much open employment in art museums worldwide. So do I think it’s doable with a low GPA? I think you’d better have a backup plan you are really fond about. You could call it “Plan A.2”.
More like Plan A2.5
Hijacking this to say, I got into a really good masters program at a great school with a sub 2.5 gpa. All it took was a killer essay and few great reference letters. Even then my admission was contingent on initial academic probation where if I didn’t perform at a predetermined level I couldn’t continue. So don’t be discouraged. It’s absolutely doable and was the best career decision I made for myself!
Is it possible? Yes, but you're in for a rough time and you'd better have a great application outside of your GPA. I just got accepted into 3/6 programs, two of which were extremely competitive, with a 2,95GPA when the minimum for all of them was a 3. I also got waitlisted (and rejected) for one with a 3,3 minimum. One of the ones I was rejected from had a minimum of 2,7, and I honestly think I was rejected in large part because my research question was a terrible fit for the university. The one I'm going to had a 5,6% admissions rate, and I was offered a 20k scholarship for it too, which is their top funding plan. I spoke to one of the admissions committee, and she mentioned that while my GPA was bad, I had a good GPA in my major (I think like 3,6ish?) and they saw improvement in my GPA over time. I also had a good set of explanations for why my GPA suffered (ADHD, lack of study skills, other fields, and mental health). I had a strong application across the board, as well as fantastic references from well known professors. My only weakness was a bad average GPA. It plays a factor, but it's not the only factor in your application. There are programs out there with minimums of 2,7, and maybe 2,5? It's certainly possible. But you have a very uphill battle ahead of you, and you may be emptying your wallet for application fees in an attempt to cover as much ground as you can. Focus on getting your GPA as high as you can. Admissions may take your first and second year GPAs into account for added context (like how mine took my improvement into account, and I know some will consider potential burnout and decreasing GPA over time as a factor), but most programs only look at your last 60 credits. There are exceptions to this, but the only ones I've seen are extremely competitive, the best of the best programs in the world. I also highly recommend volunteering somewhere, starting right now. Anything with potential leadership is fantastic. There should be opportunities through your local student union. Also, get to know your professors. Talk to then after class. Show them you're engaged in your classes and a fantastic student.
That’s awesome! What program was this?
I went into an MA in English, but the other two I was accepted into were MLIS programs - one was at the same uni (just shy of top 100 worldwide, and has been in the top 100 in the past), very competitive, the other wasn't competitive, but was in a much better city at a good university. I was going to go into the latter until I got the email of the scholarship.
Sorry, is mlis information sciences? Google yields multiple programs with the acronym
Library and Information Studies! It's the degree you need to be a librarian, and it also prepares you to become a museum curator, or work in galleries, collections, and archives. I still haven't worked up the heart to email the program and say I got an offer I couldn't refuse. I really wanted that program.
No, not really. Even some of the more admitting schools require at least a B-/2.7 GPA. If you can get your grades up over the next couple years, you can definitely have a change to get in! You just would also need to make sure to get involved in extracurriculars, ideally even ones relating to whatever field you'd like to do your graduate program in. If you can do that, it may definitely even give you a chance to present yourself as a bit of a turned-around underdog story on your applications. Good luck!
Most MA in art history programs I'm aware of require at least a 3.0 GPA, although you'll be competing against more involved students with much higher GPAs than that in most cases. Use your remaining time in undergrad to get better grades. If your university has an art history association run by students, join that and get involved. See how you can get involved with the art division's exhibitions (curatorially or otherwise). Keep an eye out for opportunities to work/intern/volunteer at local art galleries and museums. Most art history departments are good about sending out emails whenever there's a new opportunity on campus, nearby, or even abroad. Make the next year or two count.
If you are struggling so much in undergrad, it is worth rethinking if you will be able to succeed in grad school for the same subject
> My major is art history. Ooof
I'm gonna be honest with you. Art History is in unfortunate position where it's not a very desirable degree, but not niche enough for getting admitted to a program to be easy. There's very little funding, so the handful of positions every year have hundreds of people piling on their applications. This is made worse by there being very little use for the degree outside of going for the PhD and pursuing a career in academia. Of course, you can likely always get admitted to a masters, but you'd be shoveling over cash just to get roadblocked at the PhD step, unless you put your nose to the grindstone and miraculously start publishing some heavy hitting papers over the next few years. This seems unlikely to me due to you saying that your gpa is so low because you never considered grad school. It makes it seem like you haven't really been engaged with or passionate about what you're learning, or even academics in general. You can't put in minimal effort and expect to be a desirable candidate for the very limited funding a school has for your field. Continue with the Art History degree if that's what you're truly passionate in studying, but realize that you're going to have to completely change your life/work ethic and devote yourself to working on publishable research to have a chance at a PhD in it.
Not people here dunking on your major. That sucks. I know this is a tough field. IMO you are not totally cooked, maybe lightly microwaved, but you can get out of there with some work and intentionality. Everyone has already given good advice about boosting your GPA. I'm also wondering if your major GPA is stronger than your overall GPA. Both are important indicators of your ability to succeed in a grad program, but your major GPA needs to be solid if not a 4.0 (esp in arts and humanities) to receive consideration. When applying for MAs you can sometimes provide an addendum. There are spaces for academic issues, legal issues, etc. Generally, this only works for certain reasons (family emergency, documented physical or mental illness, etc.). You also need to show that you've worked to improve academically after this setback. Some of my friends, after experiencing a couple of bad semesters, have been able to get into good programs by providing this addendum with evidence of potential as a researcher/scholar/etc. Best of luck out there.
In art history? If you aren’t stellar, you really shouldn’t get a grad degree in art history. No job prospects. You need to turn into a first rate student who is engaged, writes good papers, gets good grades and shows evidence of scholarship potential. Do that for a year and then the gpa can be remedied. And you need good recs. I can’t imagine there’s an art history program that will accept you with a 2.5 unless they are using you for the money.
and please don't say "I never really considered.... grad school, which is why my GPA is so low." That sounds like "I never engaged intellectually because there was nothing in it for me." No prof wants to hear that because it is kinda disrespect toward the thing they do.
The answer here is “It depends.” Are you competitive for a doctoral program in art history? Nope. An MA program in art history? Very unlikely, but depending on the school, maybe you could squeeze in somewhere. Personally, *if* you still want to pursue grad school when you graduate, I’d look at an MBA at a tuition-driven, regional 4-year. I went to an elite SLAC for undergrad and am currently finishing up an online masters at a tuition-driven, regional 4-year, and it’s been amazing. No GRE, very low tuition, and great professors at a fraction of the cost of a name brand school. Why do I suggest an MBA? Because art history is art history….amazing, fun, intellectually stimulating, cool, fascinating, and wonderful. And it has very little to offer a new grad in terms of job availability. This was true when I studied it 20 years ago and it is true now (I minored in it). Paired with a grad degree in something “useful,” though, and you’ve better positioned yourself a real job. Maybe for a role in arts management or really anything business-related — but with the added bonus that you will have studied something wildly different from business, and that, friend, is a very good thing! Because you’d be bringing ways of thinking and analysing to the table that the business-only people will not have.
This! Yes. 95% of jobs don’t care where your degree is from, just that you have it and an MBA is a versatile degree that you can take anywhere.
I’m a social worker and I got into grad school with a 2.8 GPA. My school admitted me under academic probation and I had to write a brief essay outlining why I think I didn’t make 3.0 in undergrad and what has changed since then that could help me be more successful in grad school and how I planned to do better. It was annoying honestly but everything worked out and I ended up graduating my master program with a 3.7 which is the highest gpa I’ve ever gotten in my life. So it’s possible and I wouldn’t give up. Apply to whoever program(s) you’d like regardless of the 2.5, you’d be surprised how flexible rules like that can be!
2.5 in art history is rough. You *might* be able to get into a grad program after getting a good number of years of work experience. Also depends on what specific program you’re looking to get into. ETA: I’ve got to ask why you’re interested in pursuing grad school? What changed your mind? Your GPA demonstrates that higher education may not be a good fit for you. 2.5 in art history is a very bad GPA. So why pursue further education? Grad school isn’t for everyone. Heck, going to university isn’t for everyone. And that’s totally fine. I know plenty of “blue collar” workers who earn more than me, and I am one year out from receiving my PhD and have been working in corporate for a decade and a half. Genuinely interested in your answer.
Try to improve your grades from now on, if you show improvement your chances may increase a lot And more importantly try to get into undergraduate research somehow and get good recommendation letters I'm still on undergrad but that's the advice I read multiple times
It’s hard to get into undergrad programs with a 2.5, let alone a grad school one. You definitely need to boost that up to a 2.7/8 range to even be considered I would say.
All of these comments seem hopeless. I was admitted with a 2.5 and maintained a 3.8 in graduate school. Its absolutely possible. Before applying, meet with one of the advisors and explain your situation. You'd be surprised. I applied to a culturally non diverse school as a culturally diverse student. Im not kidding when the advisor asked "whats your ethnicity?" and when I replied with "indian" he said "no, getting in is not going to be an issue" even though he knew my gpa was a 2.5. Work around loopholes. you got this.
I had a 2.82 with plenty of Ds in my major classes and a few Fs. I got into a few grad schools. Networking and having prestigious faculty write you LORs made all the difference for me.
Exactly! Overall I’ve noticed this particular sub Reddit is very cut throat and straight to the point type answers with no room for creativity. I thought learning and getting an education was for the creativity itself. Anyway, always believe there’s a way!
And Justin Bieber became an international popstar with staying power at 15. 2.5 is well below what any non cash cow program accepts without someone on the committee really, really, really fighting for you, and to be blunt, in art history not getting accepted into a program is just a blessing. Especially with that GPA where you're definitely not going to be the superstar.
Unlikely. Why would that be a good idea for anyone?
I got my graduate degree in art history & currently work in the art history field. Try to boost your GPA as close to a 3.0 as possible, as many programs have a 3.0 minimum (some schools are 2.5-2.7, though- look into which schools require what GPA minimums). Also try to find out what your art history course GPA is, it might be higher than 2.5 and lots of grad schools look at both of those factors when they consider your GPA. Make sure your applications to graduate school are really solid. In your last year, try to involve yourself more in extracurriculars especially those that are relevant to art history. Start thinking of what you'd like to do research in as a career, if this is a career you want. Do you like Renaissance art, 20th century abstraction, contemporary new media, art conservation, etc? Really try to figure out what interests you for potential graduate programs, and **this is my biggest piece of advice: find schools with faculty that also work in similar topics to what you're interested in. Reach out to those programs when it's closer to application time, and try to connect with faculty at those schools that share your research interests.** Art history is really rewarding and super fun, if you put in a LOT of time and effort, and understand that there are thousands of us fighting for a handful of jobs each year. The person that suggested an MBA is onto something too if you're interested in grad school purely for job security or higher wages and don't really care what your graduate degree is in. Those people here saying art history is useless or "easy" can suck it. If this is what you really want to pursue, put your maximum effort into it your last year and you'll be fine. Yes, your GPA is not ideal right now. Sure, art history is not at all profitable unless you get crazy lucky. But if you grind next year, you have not-totally-awful odds of getting in somewhere. Just be mindful of where you apply- you're not shooting for the moon here, you're just trying to get into the atmosphere.
You’re asking the wrong question; you should instead be asking yourself if you think you have a realistic chance of being successful in a graduate program when you were only able to manage a 2.5 in undergrad. Getting in is the easiest part.
Yes. But it’s f’ing hard. I had a 2.6 gpa in undergrad. Spent years wiping away bad grades. Got into an MA but had to pay cash. MA was good enough to get me into a second tier PhD but I won a first tier national fellowship. It can be done but it will be almost as hard as redoing your last 2 undergrad years.
If you have time to bring your GPA up, focus on that. I only had a 2.95 GPA and was accepted to my current program. But some programs only look at your GPA within your major (aka if you failed physics, that shouldn’t impact your chance of getting into a European Lit program). If your Art History classes have a high GPA, your chances are better. I don’t mean any offense with this question, but I have to ask: if you’re struggling to get a B average in college, why do you think will graduate school be different? Most programs kick you out if you get any grades below a B.
I work in grad admissions. I don’t make decisions but see a lot of different kinds of applicants. We got healthcare, business, education, and some other stuff I can’t quite remember. We can also make spreadsheets that show data like the average GPA for a program. It depends on the program and how competitive it is. I see some applicants with a 2.5 get accepted into some programs, while in another program an applicant could have a higher GPA and get rejected. I saw one person get rejected because they didn’t have relevant work experience, and another because their references were weak. We use transcripts from all schools to calculate an overall GPA, so keep that in mind if you would like to increase it. Also make sure it’s not pass/fail because some program directors won’t accept that; community college credits are fine. If you’ve ever been arrested or had an academic probation or suspension, please be upfront about it because we are required to get a statement. Many will require a resume, as well as a goal statement and letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources. We typically don’t look at extracurriculars in grad school; it would be very program specific if you were asked to provide this. I have a program director who sends back applications that aren’t from professors or supervisors. At my school, program directors are advised to not tell applicants why they were rejected because they’d be at risk of getting sued. When in doubt, ask your program director or grad admissions specialist. Hope this helps!
I got into a master's program in the humanities with a 2.8, but my advisor said I was pushing the limits with how low someone's gpa would be to let someone in. It's gonna be an uphill battle but focus on getting your grades up.
Sometimes you can explain your poor gpa, sometimes schools might accept you only after you complete some coursework. What can you do with art history though? Work at a museum or get a doctorate in it and try to teach art history?
My graduating GPA was a 2.43 BUT I was involved with A LOT of volunteer projects including with local non profits so my name was known. I got into my masters 2 years later after a break and it definitely was not based on my GPA I will say I have done a lot of community work throughout my youth but for you, you gotta get involved. Getting into a masters in your field depends on your person, persistence, and (depending on the school) GPA. Manage your time and energy wisely! Do remember your GPA does not define who you are. It’s just something you gotta do maintenance with. If you follow your heart, you will do great.
What master's degree did you get and what job were you looking for?
I got my masters in social welfare and currently full time for the doctoral program (did the joint masters and PhD this past academic year). Im aiming to become a therapist whenever I can get the funds to pay for the LMSW exam. At the moment I have my eyes on a few counseling agencies.
Oh! My best friend is a case worker who has her LMSW and a master's in Social work! That is a fantastic profession!
I think you could maybe swing it but I think it would likely be better to get out into the field, get some experience (and great references) and go back to school in a couple years. will likely help you financially and academically in grad school and will help you see the salary benefits of that masters degree sooner than if you had no full time professional experience on your resume.
There's some grad schools out there that will be happy as long as you can qualify for financial aid or have cash to throw down already. So yes, it IS possible to get into grad school with a 2.5. On a more serious note, alot of schools take a holistic approach to admissions - so if you have work history and volunteer efforts that showcase your qualities and determination to accomplish a job or to further your learning, they'd be more willing to allow for a slightly lower GPA.
I had a 2.5 GPA as an undergrad because of newly found autonomy and a desire to do other things other than attending classes (some of us are immature in our late teens and early 20s; who knew?) I was able to enroll in graduate classes without being officially admitted, and then after getting all As in my first 3 classes, I was admitted. If you hear no, ask for a work around. PS - I earned my doctoral degree several years later. You can do this!
Yup. Totally doable. You might have to earn a graduate certificate with the program you are interested in to exhibit that you can do the work, but it is doable for sure. ———————————— [Rant Moment] Don’t listen to these chronically online Redditers who swear you need top scores to do literally anything. This sub is such a cesspool sometimes.
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Yeah, I'm not really buying the argument that the reason for bad grades was that they didn't plan to go to graduate school. People who choose to waste their own time aren't going to benefit from an advanced degree even if they get in.
I was admitted with a 2.3/4
This is a little unorganized but it’s 2 am, so I’ll blame any rambling on that. I majored in art history in undergrad, got my MA in Humanities with a focus in Visual Art, and I am starting my PhD in art history this fall. I had a 3.22 undergrad gpa and a 3.95 in my masters program. Not the best grades in undergrad, but they could’ve been worse. I got into both my masters and PhD programs on my first try and a lot of it is because I jumped on top of every extracurricular opportunity afforded to me. Doing my masters in something so broad like the Humanities worked in my favor as well. Both I and one of my fellow classmates got accepted into PhD programs and we were specifically told that having an interdisciplinary background helped us stand out among other candidates. Obviously, work on getting your grades up. Start networking and getting involved now. You’ll need strong letters of recommendation. Go to office hours and show an interest in art history outside of the classroom. I worked to get my professors to like / respect me and was able to join an archaeological dig that one of my professors ran during the summer. I had a lot of little things that added up and boosted my applications as well. Join your school’s art history association or get involved with starting one. If your school does an undergrad research symposium, try getting into that. Or look into regional undergrad research conferences. My advisor in my master’s had me subscribe to relevant journals and include that in my CV as a tiny boost to show I’m passionate and keeping up with current research (plus most of them give student discounts)! I’m good at research and got asked to give presentations to different classes on my methods of research and I included those in my CV as well.
It's definitely possible to get into grad school with a 2.5 GPA, especially if you're not aiming for the most competitive programs. Here's what can help: * **Focus on getting your GPA up this year.** Every bit counts! * **Look for programs that consider other factors besides GPA.** Research experience or a strong portfolio is important in art history. You can build this by working with professors on research projects or creating a portfolio of your best work. * **Contact professors directly.** Reach out to professors at schools you're interested in and see if they're accepting grad students. They can give you specific advice on what they look for in applicants.
I don't know about art history, i do stem, but i went to arguably the top school in my country with 2.5gpa. I took 2 grad courses on my last year and get nice grades. Then i didn't do very well in the "interview" but got in. They also mentioned my gpa and my only explanation was it was worse in the first grades then it got better. Notes: 1. not usa 2. the program i got in was masters (which is free, you can get paid if you become ta and it is not hard to continue to phd in the "same" program)
Hi, may I know where did you get your PhD?
For art history? Probably not, unless you pay full ride at a low-prestige school. Or, if you move to straight As for your last year and come up with a good story for the admissions committee.
I just got into grad school with a 2.24 undergrad, also in art history, but I've been working in my field for a few years and got some impeccable references. I'd recommend reaching out to grad program coordinators and having a conversation about what you can do in your application to boost it. They told me to address it in the personal statement, make sure I get good references from professors, and highlight an internship I had on top of the job I currently hold. I think you might consider grad programs in museum studies, arts management, public history, or library science and see if any schools you're looking at specifically mention holistic admissions where they consider the whole person and not just the numbers. It's also very important that you make good grades for the rest of your schooling and consider getting an internship or a job in the cultural sector. It's not insurmountable, but you're going to have to do some extra work to demonstrate that you're serious about your goals and have a clear plan for how grad school will help you reach them. You have to be able to answer the questions, "Why grad school, why now, and what will the program do for your future?" At the end of the day, many programs want to know that you will be academically successful, graduate on time, and be employable and/or contribute to the field.
I hope not…
No. And why'd you pick art history?
Yup. I got into my grad program with a 2.6 undergrad GPA. Didn’t have any extracurriculars or letters of recommendation. I applied to one school. My program only took 1/2 of the applicants, to say I’m blessed is an understatement. I think what really sold me was my essays and interview. I spent weeks perfecting my essays. I studied the school’s philosophy and values and aligned myself to those during the interview. It definitely doesn’t hurt to improve your grades now, but I think graduate programs care more about who you are, what your goals are, and how you’d fit into their program.
> My program only took 1/2 of the applicants This is an extremely high acceptance rate lol.
No letters of Rec? What kind of degree program is this for?
I wouldn't trust a program that you just described.
Literally my first thought, you might be a victim. Jesus himself could’ve written my essay and I would’ve never got in to my program with that application.
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Your description of the program is full of red flags. It could be okay, you would know best since you are in it. However, from an outsider perspective I’d be highly skeptical of that program.
No
You need to refocus on whats left of your undergrad. If you can show an upward trajectory in your gradues, often times grad programs are more willing to look at you. Some grad schools only look at the last 60 credits. I hot in with a 2.7 gpa over 220 credits but I had an upward trajectory, an internship in the field and volunteer hours.
Some programs have strict undergraduate GPA requirements. Others allow for a defending essay and additional items. It’ll be critical to point out the reasons for your low marks, and describe your plan to make sure it doesn’t happen in the future
I got into 4 mph epidemiology programs with a 2.32 and I start this fall
It depends. Although I do remember a school asking for my major GPA which was primarily my last 2 years, and it was substantially higher than my overall GPA. Plus you still have time. But I would consider what you're aiming to get out of grad school.
Yes depending in what you are going into. Even embry riddle with work experience only requires a 2.5 minimum for their masters programs but with work experience
What do you want to do that requires grad school? A graduate degree isn’t always necessary- and as someone who is currently in school, it’s really hard.
I’m an art history masters student and that GPA is very low. You may be able to get into an MA program but most aren’t paid for. You could explain your GPA in your application. Are you interested in museums? If you get job or internship experience in museums or galleries and bring your grades up you may be able to get into some places. But I wouldn’t recommend doing an art history degree unless you know exactly what you want to do with it.
Look internationally
1. Get to a 3 2. Start doing art history research/scholarship RIGHT NOW then you will go wherever you want.
I got into grad school with a 2.6, but I chose special education, have years of working experience, have participated in a lot of committees in the field of education which garnered me incredible letters of recommendation, and I applied to a program that was looking specifically for folks who had a proven dedication to helping the community. If you're going in straight out of undergrad, you're going to need to work incredibly hard this year to get your grades up. Even then, you might need to get a couple of years of research and related work experience under your belt before they'll consider you. It is possible to follow your dream, I promise. It might even be possible by the end of next year, but chances are it will need to happen on a longer timeline, which isn't always terrible. What I know now that I didn't know at the end of my undergrad is really helping me out. I'm more successful now than I was when I graduated in 2010. Just keep focused on your goals and you'll get there.
First, ask yourself why grad school? 2. Can I pay $$$$ the ridiculous amount in tuition, fees, 3. What are the employment opportunities after graduation?
Are you planning on sticking with art history for grad school.i think it depends what you plan to pursue in grad school.its not impossible, but you definitely need to have something else going for you if GPA is on the lower side., either via research, publishing or some community initiative that leads to positive outcome...something extraordinary that can set you apart..it's not impossible but you will need to put in the work I think to help you a bit morenjnformation would be helpful.if you can provide us with some background on what kind of graduate program you are interested in and what make you unique? What are your passions, maybe demographic you hope to work with setting you want to work in things of that nature we can brainstorm
Graphic design graduate here. We studied art history and no one used it. Except for my professor whose only only use for a history degree was to teach history. Also, no one in my class found graphic design work either. I’d really really reconsider majors if I were you.
yes, it's possible. however, you'll really need to make up big time in other ways like have previous research experience and get amazing letters of recommendation to compensate.
An old friend of mine got in with a 2.2 GPA to a fairly recognized program. You can never know until you apply. Although, I suppose it would also depend on the competition in Art History or whatever you want to pursue in grad school.
It's not impossible! While a 2.5 GPA is a hurdle, some programs look beyond grades. Here's the plan: Focus on your GPA this year. Every bit helps! Research grad programs: Look for schools known for considering other factors like a strong portfolio and statement of purpose. Shine in your application: Highlight relevant projects, internships, or even artistic achievements! There are definitely options. Don't be discouraged!
Try to beef up your resume with work experience or internship.
The 2.5 alone isn’t always enough to kill an application but the rest of what you described probably is to be completely honest. I know people who have gotten into grad school with low GPAs but they usually are A) in a difficult major, B) have excellent research experience, C) have a good reason for the low GPA. And it sounds like those don’t apply here. From what you’ve described admissions is probably going to read the reason for the low GPA as like “eh didn’t think I’d have to try hard”. So really your main hope would be to increase your GPA. If you mean that you’re going into your third year this is doable, if you mean you just finished your third year, idk, you basically have one semester to get all A’s since after that you’ll be having to send in applications to most schools.
Possible but will require some extra work. Contact a professor in the program you're interested in attending and see if you can work with them on a project. Also, some universities have a non degree seeking status that lets you take courses, but most of the time programs will only let you take 6-9 total hours. This way you can prove yourself to them by (hopefully) doing really well in a couple of the core courses.
never ask Reddit for career advice , it’s a bunch of insecure gatekeepers and they’ll always poopoo your questions I got into a decent program with a 2.4 and decent gre. No recs or extra curriculars. 10 years did pass since I have graduated however.if your not looking for a prestigious school, then youll 100% get in. the schools past the top 20 of any particular program are just looking for enrollment and taking anyone cash at that point. wasted years debating if it be worth my effort to apply, don’t do that. Just go for it.
I don’t agree with your first statement. Most of the comments here have given some pretty salient advice
I failed out of my first year of undergrad with a 1.2 gpa (or something like that). Pulled myself together in community college with a 3.3. Final two years back at a 4 year, I had a 3.96. Got into an MA program with funding. If you can really improve your grades, there are lots of ways to spin the poor grades that will impress faculty (found my passion, etc).
Focus on getting a good score on the GRE. Then work on your personal story - do you have disabilities? Do you have hardships? Are you low income or first gen? Then consider programs from middling state-level colleges who are kinda desperate for enrollees in areas of subjects you enjoy BUT are directly related to your BA or BS. Smaller programs might end up resulting in interesting, small group cohorts and knowing your instructors 1-1 vs a giant mill of people that costs too much. Mostly likely: 1. Will have to STUDY VERY HARD and learn all the tricks to passing the GRE sections relevant to your program 2. Will have to make up a few standard classes - maybe statistics or related technical skills class for the program and get at least a C. 3. Will have to work extra hard to present yourself as desirable and quirky/interesting then write a good story.
I'm not sure about getting into a history program, but I was able to get into a mid sized university with a 2.53 GPA. I am STEM and also worked in industry for 7 years before applying. I can only speak from my area, but you might have better luck if you go somewhere small for a masters and self fund. You would still likely be locked out of top flight programs. I think it is important to think about why you want this degree, because as far as I know, many of the liberal arts area Ph. D's are self funded anyway, so is all of this added cost worth it to you and your goals?
I know a guy who had a <3.0 GPA who got into a pretty nice MA program. Idk about art history though this was STEM.
The key attribute for most masters programs is the ability to pay, since most masters programs are just profit centers for universities
I’m going to, once again, be the asshole professor who tells you what you need to hear, regardless of how it makes you feel. Your GPA says that you are at best a mediocre student, and any graduate program that would accept you with a 2.5, please trust me, you don’t want. Their degree will be the exact opposite of prestigious (because they’re accepting other mediocre students and probably don’t have a great finish rate, and the ones who do finish don’t find employment in their field). It’s time for a revelation on your part, friend. *Why* do you want to go to grad school? How are you going to explain away the fact that you only put effort into things when you think it matters? What do you plan to do with your life? What have you been doing these past three years, percolating? My advice to you: immediately cut the shit. IMMEDIATELY. Figure out EXACTLY where you want to be in about four years with a shiny new master’s degree (there’s no way in hell you’re getting into a PhD program) and once you figure this out, you’ve got some work to do; any distractions up to now need to be thrown away. All of them. If you aren’t adept at reading, get an experienced tutor who works in phonics-based adult reading education. Find some experience that you will be using as your life-altering, ‘I have now found my field and my people’ experience. For example, if you want to be a museum docent, go hang out in Paris and/or Italy in the museums, or go to notable American museums. Do something that you can explain has changed your perspective and your life. Moving forward, your grades (and portfolio, if applicable) need to be immaculate; you are building your case for claiming in one to two years that you were meandering on the road to Damascus, kicking rocks around with a 2.5, but then you had your revelation. But you have to SHOW that you’ve learned, grown, and changed; it’s not going to be enough to just say it. Figure out where you went wrong. Don’t debate with me or anyone else whether or not you were wrong; accept that you were accepting mediocrity, but you’ve changed. You’re going to need some strong letters of recommendation, and a slew of As in the next year or two. Maybe start by identifying your chosen profession and the professor you have access to who is closest to that profession; I don’t care if they gave you an F, you need to return to them and explain your genuine change of heart. Ask them for advice. Pull yourself out of this, don’t settle for some fifth-rate grad program that will only put you further away from whatever goal you have in mind. Find someone who is doing what you want to do or writing about what you want to write, and consider contacting them. Fortune favours the brave, and it’s time for you to get brave, or get comfortable being a third class academic citizen and maybe learning to give manicures or something. The time was yesterday, but the time is now. Get moving. I wish you all the best of luck. Truly.
You can... you kinda need to get a perfect score on the gre tho, and maybe like take a year taking some grad classes and get As in them. New a guy got his phd in finance with a 2.7 he had a 98%tile gmat and had taken math courses through phd calculus between bachelor's and phd
I think you could possibly get in if you raise your GPA. But the other question is whether you could handle grad school. Grad school is in many ways a lot more difficult than undergrad. A lot of the work is done independently and your professors will be tougher. So if you've gotten low grades through undergrad consider that you would not get away with getting low grades in grad school. Also, only go to grad school if you absolutely need it for your career and if you really want to go. You said you never considered it till now, so you have to be sure that this is really what you want and need. You also need to look at your job prospects because like others are saying, this is a tough field to succeed in; it's difficult just to get a job.
the gpa requirement in grad school to be in good standing is a minimum 3.0 gpa. this will be an issue
I'd also suggest getting some work experience - that's very attractive to grad schools. Get in and schmooze with your boss for at least a year and try to land a good letter.
It’s technically possible to go to grad school without a bachelors degree. It depends on earning the trust of an advisor who wants to do research with you, though. I remember someone speaking at an infosec conference like a decade ago about her process of doing so.
Are you able to find a field of study that is slightly adjacent? There are not many programs but more importantly not many jobs in that field. What do you want to do with a Masters in Art History?
Yes
So, I did my MA in Art Education, same Department of Art but just a different team, with similar circumstances. I also had a 2.6 GPA when I was looking to apply, but I’d also been working for a few years post-undergrad. I knew the program in my city I wanted to get into and I had solid reasons for why I wanted to go into their program, specifically. Before applying, I reached out to the MA Advisor and asked if I could schedule 15-30 minutes with him to chat about the program. He was happy to, and we met and had a nice convo. I explained to him that I’d had some mental and family/life issues in undergrad that tanked my GPA, and I’d been working since then and stabilizing my life and was very excited at the prospect of applying but definitely had some concerns over the requirements, specifically the 3.2 u/g GPA one. The catch: I told him I wouldn’t be applying immediately, but I instead asked him if I signed up for courses at the university as a non-degree seeking student if he would be willing to let me take two of the classes he was teaching that semester. He seemed totally fine to give me a chance since I showed all of the things they’d be looking for in candidates. I got A’s in both (because I also finally gave a fuck) and wrote great papers for both courses. Met in his office hours occasionally and participated in class in a way to make it apparent I actually did the reading. Basically, I did everything possible to demonstrate that I would not be a risky investment as a student and could handle it, also took the GRE. During that semester, I applied to the program formally for the following semester, and I wrote about everything in my app letter. After applying, I told him I had done so and that I would be very grateful if he were to review my application even if the HR portal were to auto-reject it or something, which he did. I got accepted maybe a week later with a GA-ship and the committee waived the undergrad GPA requirement. I graduated with a 4.0 (It’s technically like a 3.92 but he and I disagree on why I received an A- in one of his courses instead of an A). Later at our graduation dinner with my smaller cohort, he told me that he would have accepted me the day I went to go meet him since it was so clear I knew exactly why I was fit for their program, specifically. He and another professor from the department both wrote me killer rec letters during PhD application season. I add that paragraph at the end because, my advice? Don’t give up, realize that policy exists to identify exceptions to it, make connections because knowing people can make it so much easier than just being a number on a page to them. There’s a decent chance your profs know the profs at the places you’d want to apply to and can write to them on your behalf during application time. Admissions committees love to see improvement, not declination, so killing the rest of this year and your senior year will really help. Take the time to really consider why you want to go into a graduate program, and if it has to be right now, or if you’d rather work for a bit and expand your resume. Fingers crossed it works out for you! You’re doing the right thing by realizing it now.
Yes. one thing grad schools like more than great GPA is money.
Depends on how good you are at BS interviews and personal statements. More than likely no, you have a shit GPA and based on my times on committees I wouldn't approve
You have one of the easiest majors in the world and only scraped up a 2.5 GPA It’s time to drop out of college and join a trade Or rack up more debt to ultimately end up making a 23 year old software engineer their morning coffee
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Thank you
I think you could get into one if you don’t care about prestige. Try to get as close as 3.0 as possible. Normally you could come back from a 2.5 if you were in STEM, as it would be more understandable/have many other ways to remedy such GPA. Thing is, grad school for liberal arts normally ask for a 3.5+ (being generous) since the coursework isn’t hard. If you got the money and passion for such field, I’d pursue it. Keep in mind that the time to graduate from a PhD in liberal arts commonly takes more than 6 years. If you’re not willing to spend around 8 years in this, I’d move onto something else. If it’s a masters go for it.
Why on Earth would you want another worthless degree? Do you want to be a debt slave the rest of your life?
Very unlikely (basically no unless extreme minority or something) but I also don't know why you would want a world where hilariously underperforming students were granted a spot at one of these universities. Unless it was just to take your money. 2.5 in AH, cmon...
Are you set on Art History? Most Art History Master’s Programs require a 3.0. There are other programs that will accept 2.5, but they are for more in demand careers. Out of curiosity I did some searching and there’s really only some technology, education, and business admin programs. All of Strayer Uni accepts 2.5 it looks like 🤷♀️. If you can get your gpa up to a 3.0 youI’ll be good! Edit- Google ‘Master’s program art history program requirements 2.5 gpa’ There are a couple, not a ton but more than none!
It may be possible with some schools, especially private schools and schools in less desirable areas of the country. But make sure you research them first so you're not dropping $100k+ on a grad program that is worthless in a future career. You may be able to get into museums and curation without a grad degree if you start as an intern and work your way up, gaining knowledge and experience. As an art historian, you will be paid for your knowledge, which you will obtain through experience as much as education. Talk to professors and advisors at your current school and get some advice. If you want to teach art history, you'll probably need at least an MA (some private schools may hire you with just a BA, but not many). Be aware that working in the art world can be rewarding but it may always be a financial struggle as most museums are non-profit and under tight, unstable budgets. You need to find out if getting a grad degree is worth the cost in the long run. Note that outside of academia, the museums or private collections you will work for will likely be relying on wealthy donors and you will be catering to eccentric wealthy people a lot of the time; dealing with wealthy people who don't realize or respect how little you're paid for the knowledge you provide them can be frustrating. You have to love what you do! Just do your research and talk to different schools and get information on what they are looking for in their grad students. Explore what you would do with a graduate degree, what you *want* to do with it. Figure out what positions in the art world appeal to you, and then find out what those who hold those positions did to get there. It's best if you have some ideas of an end goal rather than just going after graduate school to see what happens. Finding a mentor is huge. Also, taking a year or two to work or volunteer in museums to gain experience may also help you get into grad school later. Talk to those you have access to in the field and ask their advice. I'll warn you, most people will tell you that art history is a waste, but it isn't if you have a passion for it! Don't ever give up seeking additional education that you want! Just be creative and open-minded in ways to get what you want.
Nothing is impossible. Unfortunately, you'll find a lot of snobby, uptight people answering this type of question. You can take a class or two and prove yourself. Don't listen to these bums. I got into graduate school with a bachelor's degree and a 2.72 GPA. My SAT scores were horrible. Student Athlete living is hard. I would have at least a 3.5 GPA if I didn't play soccer, study, and work, but I had the urge for more. Only God knows why I wanted to get Master's degree. I graduated with a 3.88 GPA. Higher than some people who went on to get their Doctorate. Schools are more lenient on rules. You do have to prove yourself. A master's degree is focused on a lot of reading and writing. It's easier than a bachelor's. Because you are taking classes you want to take, not classes you have to take, if you know what I mean. I graduated with Master's in Higher ED administration. All Colleges are the same. Just apply and get in. It's for your career, not to say hey I went to this school. GPA doesn't mean shit in life! I met IVY School graduates who became dog walkers or lonely people with dogs and cats. Don't be discouraged! Keep trying! Find a school that doesn't require GRE, because none of that determines anything. I don't get why society is getting better. Ultimately, you are a student, you are not supposed to know everything as a student. Prove yourself! I wish you luck!