zblaesi

Stealing these ideas ^

So, uh. My hopes are false. Everything rests on UMichigan and BU now, or the possibility of getting off my waitlists. But I'm starting to think it's back to the drawing board.

No, I agree. It's silly. Luckily, it's working to my advantage.

I don't like making excuses, but here are the factors that contributed to my low scores: (1) I took the GRE my final semester, while polishing my writing sample, assembling my applications, and dealing with regular courses. (2) I struggled with chronic health issues as a kid and missed a great deal of school. As a result, my basic math skills suck, so I move much slower with math (though I seem fine with logic). A problem that might take the average person 30 seconds might take me over a minute just because it doesn't come naturally. I don't think this is an issue that can be easily corrected without significant work in addition to standard GRE practice. (3) I haven't taken a math course since community college, which was nearly three years ago. My biggest issue is that I totally underestimated how difficult the GRE would be for me, and that was my blunder.

Definitely, it could be playing a role. If I decide to apply again, it's something I need to work on. I just hate the idea of spending so much time on something so silly when I could, you know, be producing new work.

I wonder if that means Schiffer was on the committee (=explains why I didn't get an offer). Oh, and congratulations!!!!

I think I can pinpoint why my writing sample isn't doing me well. I'm too tired to write up my thoughts right now though. I'll do so later... For those who are interested, it might be nice to check out my aesthetics paper - because in retrospect, I think it would make a better sample.

Ha, I am pretty desperate.

I should have done that. I wonder if it is worth while to contact the remaining programs and request uploading another sample. I highly doubt that's even an option, but... maybe worth a shot?

I think I was falling asleep in History of Modern Philosophy, or just irritated by the lecturer. Shit. What the hell are Forms, anyway?

I mean, I've known Sharon for about a year. I got an A in her undergraduate course, and then I completed an independent study with her, in addition to visiting one of her grad courses for a number of sessions. She knew me very well. I prepared a folder to help her with the writing process, which included a "brag sheet" about my accomplishments, past papers (from her course and other courses), my transcripts, my statement of purpose, and so on. Robert Hopkins didn't know me as well, but I got an A in his graduate course, despite his warning that it would be very difficult. I was one of the most active students in class, and he told me that he enjoyed my comments. He told me personally that I was writing on a graduate level, and that he would be surprised if I didn't get into a few programs. I also shared info with him to help him write his letter, and he read my writing sample. My weakest letter is probably Wright's. I took an undergrad course with him and got an A. I was probably one of the top three best students in that course. Unfortunately, he went on sabbatical immediately after, and I was resigned to email correspondence. I continued contacting him with questions related to my research, and he read my writing sample. He didn't request any additional materials to write my letter, claiming that he "had all he needed." So, I'd be surprised if I didn't have at least two strong letters, and I doubt Wright implicated anything negative. I think my letters could have been better, but I'm a transfer student and was at NYU for only two years. I was also a double major in Tisch for the the Film & TV program, so I was very limited in the courses I could take, and my workload was probably double of the average philosophy student. (Producing a movie while doing an independent study is not fun.) I don't know what you mean about reaching out to people. Can you elaborate? Granted, I was very proactive. I basically contacted every philosopher in metaethics I could think of, looking for feedback. People who have read and commented on my paper: Michael Gill (UArizona), Joshua Knobe (Yale), Richard Joyce (Victoria University of Wellington), Sharon Street (obviously), Robert Hopkins (obviously), Crispin Wright (obviously), Stephen Schiffer (NYU), and Derek Parfit (Oxford). (I'm really surprised I didn't get into UArizona given the relationship I formed with Michael Gill.) I guess my biggest regret is that I can now see the pitfalls of my paper, and I wish Sharon had been harder on me earlier on. I've been working on this paper in various stages for nearly a year. And what seemed like an interesting question at the start now seems quite uninteresting. I think the biggest lesson I learned is choosing the right sort of advisor in developing a sample. I believe Schiffer would have been better to consult earlier on because he is very critical and doesn't sugar coat things. I just got off to a poor start and didn't realize it until it was too late. My aesthetics paper might have made the better sample, but it was a rough draft within a week of many application deadlines, and I had to make a difficult choice--and I chose metaethics, haha. That's what Sharon told me. She put it like, "It depends on what the adcom ate for breakfast that morning."

Guys, if you want to know what not to do, check my signature links.

Stephen Schiffer sort of encouraged me. He said an NYU undergraduate was once admitted because he (Schiffer) "knew he did good work." I also know another grad student who started out as an NYU undergrad. Plus, I'm a transfer student, so I've only been there 2 years. So... why not?

I really want to read his writing sample so I can see what the committees are seeing.

Underdrag: who called you? What time? MORE DETAILS! And congratulations.

...not me. COME ON, NYU! COME ON!...

I have fantasies about Sharon Street calling me. Sharon: "Hey, Zach." Zach: "Sharon?... what the fuck?..."

Oh, you.

WHERE IS NYU?!?!?!?!

"(0a, 0a, 1r: 1) I just don't get it, I thought I played this perfectly." - Columbia Is that for real? Lol

It might be a bit too early in the game to ask this, but for those who got accepted to UT, is anyone considering turning it down in the near future?

Let me know when you guys plan to visit, or if I can make any recommendations concerning NYC.

Was it through email or?

I'm going to admit it... that first sentence got to me until my brain kicked in and went, "He's trolling. Everything is going to be okay."

How's something like this? "I wanted to let you know that I am still very interested in the program. I believe visiting the department in person will help me a great deal in reaching a decision, if the department ends up admitting me. Could you please provide me with some information on the visitation process? What are my options?" (I'm very paranoid about email these programs, haha.)