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It is with the idea of something like the "applicant cap" that I disagree generally, and so the issue of an assistantship is an instance of that. I believe that thinking of one's application in this way distorts the important fact that the writing sample is not just "by far the most important part of the application," as you put it; for applicants who were not undergraduates at an Ivy, the importance of the writing sample so dwarfs the other aspects of an application that it is simply a waste of time to worry about the other parts of one's "applicant cap." In connection with this, it is misleading to talk about high GRE scores and grades as "beneficial" to one's application. They are only beneficial in the sense that, if you do not have them, your application will likely not be considered long enough for the writing sample to be read at all. They should be considered minimum requirements, not "bonuses" or extra feathers in one's cap. The only thing they will do is persuade an admissions committee to take a close look at your writing sample, and since an assistantship is far less important than GRE scores and grades, you should expect that it will do very little work in getting you admitted.

I will register my disagreement with MattDest on the non-financial benefits of assistantships. The only benefit he mentioned which is not related to the way a letter-writer knows you is that, if you have had an assistantship, you may appear as a student who is ready to teach courses right away. Since as many as half of the applications at top PhD programs come from MA students, and since nearly all of those receive financial aid in some form of an assistantship, I do not believe that having such a position will serve to distinguish your application very much. Further, the most desirable financial aid packages at PhD programs are those in which you receive funding for teaching less, or receive extra funding with no corresponding rise in teaching duties. A professor may well get to know you better as a result of an assistantship, and this may allow her to write more personal details into a letter. But unless your writing sample is already excellent, even special additions such as those are going to be irrelevant.

The only thing that any kind of assistantship MIGHT do for you, besides get you a paycheck, is allow a letter-writer to get to know you more. It will have no other affect on the success of your future applications.

Tufts is a great program, but placement rankings should not be your only concern. Some at Tufts see the program as a guarantee that they will be admitted to a top-15; I promise you that it will guarantee you nothing. Although Tufts gives most students a better shot, their PhD placement this year is not turning out to be as successful as it has been in years past. Note also that Tufts gives very bad financial aid compared to other MA programs--this problem is exacerbated by the high cost of living in the Boston area. Many students also think that they will take advantage of the other philosophy programs in the area (Harvard, MIT, Brandeis, etc.), but few actually do. I recommend Tufts to anyone who can afford it, but please do not see it as a silver bullet for PhD admissions.

No worries. The difference between bitch and assertive-confident-smart is due to the perceiver, not to the one being perceived. Men have a choice in how they choose to interact with the women in their departments, and if their incorrect choices have led them to perceive women as bitches rather than valuable contributors, then the fault is with these men and the women shouldn't have to apologize for anything. The best friend I made in my MA program was one of the women who stay quiet in class, and we both wish that things were different in philosophy.

It's true that it isn't the responsibility of women, and it's unfortunate that women have to deal with it.

One way to spend this time is to get Netflix and watch Breaking Bad, if you haven't already seen it.

Murial, I wish I could be of more help but unfortunately don't have any experience with international applications. Careful with the New School, though, as I think the funding often isn't great.

I think there is a dearth of women, as well, and I'm hoping to land at a grad program that already has a more equal gender balance. Strong women in graduate philosophy seminars contribute more than men, I think--they give their share of philosophical insights, and are better able than men to criticize the inevitable pride and posturing that arises among males when discussions devolve into showing off.

Yes, I realized that I had sent the wrong personal statement to three schools (two sentences were on it that didn't belong). I contacted the departments and it really isn't a big deal, even if they don't replace the wrong one with the corrected copy I sent.

I guess I should say, I also have an MA (will finish after this semester). Hard to say for sure but I think it improved my app quite a bit.

As I was reviewing stats from other topics, it seemed like there were a lot of undergraduates. Anyone applying out of an MA program?