CanadianStudent84

Hadn't checked in a while. Thank you--I am incredibly excited about these results. Let me know how it went with Toronto! (I hope you are right, and they at least have you on their waiting list!)

Thanks Isaka, but I think you misunderstood: the clause "PF read some Aq. and some Mont." should of course be read with what follows and modifies the clause, namely, "before writing ...". This leaves it quite open whether she read Aq. at other points, or whether she was taught by a Thomist or not, just as saying that I drink some coffee before breakfast is compatible with my drinking 7 cups a day, or with my being a coffee connossieur. Interesting fact about Anscombe and her relation to Aq's writings (from an interview by J. Haldane (http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/aquinas-amongst-the-analytics/)): "When I was a student I corresponded with her about a position she maintained with regard to the idea of the ‘moral’ and I noted that Aquinas took a very similar line. She acknowledged this but also described a policy of reading Thomas after one had a thought about an issue to see if he had anything to say that might help, rather than going first to him as if he were a source of ideas." Finally, I agree with you that Pitt is probably the best place to study "Footian" ethics (though UCLA, where she taught, and where Gavin Lawrence still teaches, might give it a run). I'm not sure though that I see as close a connection between this and its being the best place to study--to be short, if I make it off the wait-list, it will be a very hard decision with many things to consider. p.s. Might I assume you are also interested in Foot's and Anscombe's thought?

By your name, I imagine you are also interested in medieval philosophy, and Aquinas. Someone (who would know) told me Phillipa Foot, perhaps my favourite ethicist, used to read some Aquinas and some Montague before writing--it focused her on the things that really matter. Toronto would be an excellent place to pursue your interests, and your application looks strong enough to get in. Right now, my options are Yale (acceptance) and Pittsburgh (waitlist). I would be interested to know where you end up--keep me up and I wish you the best of luck. If you are accepted to Yale, I look forward to meeting you.

Thank you for your response, and congratulations (hopefully that turns into an acceptance soon)! I really hope some such letter will arrive in my mail!

Can anyone here claim the Pittsburgh waitlist? I saw you were international: could you say where you're from? What was your writing sample on?

I just realized people were accepted to Pitt. Does that mean they are done sending acceptances? Did anyone here get in? If so, do you mind sharing your stats, or saying a bit more about the e-mail you received? (Pitt is my top school! )