I am a second generation student of Max Beckman, a great master in art history. I made a living on my own effort mainly, the school teaching in the states generally a lesser one compare to major part of the art teaching in the 50-70's in PRC.
After graduate school I researched in depth, which may contributed further to my breakthrough discovery in word secret, for instance, the definition of word ebb, current one is in classification of stereotype, no fresh idea was injected into that old, stiff body, partly due to the western thinking habit, only by mastering oriental philosophy people can have keen eyes to see through the surface and find out the seemingly invisible myth.
I appreciated many master works, including Chen Yanning's portrait of a girl, now I can claim that in freshness, partial height  of my discovery is comparable to that work although need much more refinement since our condition is not matched.
Recall my school experience I would rather to wait a better offer to enter.