>Amy Johnson requested info. re. the Cooperstown Graduate Program and George
Washington University Museum Studies Program<

Amy:

I'm a graduate of Cooperstown ('91).  The program really gave me what I was
after:  an M.A. needed to move ahead in the museum field, generalist training
with specialist ability, and a nice place to go to school on top of all that.
 A couple of factors made me choose Cooperstown:  cost; reputation; strong
alumni organization (over 600) that supports the program and its graduates;
and I felt really comfortable there.

CGP has changed over the past few years after self-studies and a change in
directorship.  I hear very good things about it; the current students I've
encountered at various conferences seem very satisfied.  I'm almost jealous
about some of the newer course offerings (but not jealous enough to want to
be a student again!).  The close association with The New York State
Historical Association and Farmers' Museum is an added benefit, both in
adjunct faculty and in a place where you truly get hands-on training.

As for the GW program, I know several graduates and they, too, seem like
happy, well-adjusted people (as happy and well-adjusted as any of us are apt
to be, I guess).  I have a lot of respect for Marie Malaro, the program
director.

I would definitely apply to both programs.  I think you have to experience at
least the on-site interview before picking one over the other.

I echo the advice about finding internships and/or volunteering in museums.
 It's not too early to start looking...  The graduate programs are very
competitive, and want to make sure that their students really do have a
commitment to the museum field.  I did a number of internships and worked at
a couple of museum jobs before applying to the program, and this definitely
gave me an advantage over people who may have had good academic credentials
but no proven track record of museum experience.

Good luck!

--Melanie Solomon
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