Goodboy244

Thanks Maxhgns! especially for the school suggestions. Though I do think that MIT's phD changed its position and now requires the GRE when it formerly did not. I also learned that Cornell University and University of Wisconsin do not require the GRE either. As for aesthetics, epistemology, and metaphysics, I do mean their continental counterparts. It's not necessarily that I dislike analytic, (indeed, I would still want a well-rounded engagement in order to contribute intelligibly to the philosophical discussion), it's just that ultimately, I enjoy continental more. 15 sounds like an excellent number to apply to. I do think I'll try and adapt something into a more philosophical piece. After reading more admissions sections of school websites, so many ask for a philosophical writing sample.

That is excellent advice OriginalDuck! I hear you. I know I should be truly considering the GRE, but I just feel that since I didn't fare too well on the LSAT, standardized tests aren't my thing and this would be the same. Would you, or other readers, suggest applying to a mix of PhD and Masters programs? If my goal is to end up teaching and getting a faculty job (I know it's intensely competitive), is it even worth it to apply to masters?, if I'll need a PhD anyway? I feel that applying to masters programs may be unreasonable if I've already dedicated 3 yrs to a JD, when I know I'll want to teach anyway and should be trying to get into a PhD program. But at the same time, I'm so scared at how competitive these programs really are. Also, how important is a writing sample that is philosophy-focused? As much as I'd love to give a sample wrestling with a particular philosopher, just given my work duties and time constraints, would sending them a section of one of my legal journal pieces really hurt me? I know a philosophy-centered piece, given it is a program in philosophy, is advisable, but would sending a writing sample that simply shows analytical skills and argumentation be okay, even if it is off-topic?

Hi all. I'm considering applying for either a PhD program, or Masters program in Philosophy, but I'm wondering both my chances, suggestions for schools, and generally about the application process. I have a Bachelors of Arts (double majoring in Philosophy and Political Science) from 2013 from a good, but not recognizable undergrad. My overall UGPA was 3.94, and my Philosophy departmental GPA was 3.9+ (I can't recall exactly), summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, etc. I received the school's Philosophy Department Award, given to the top Philosophy student over the 4 years there, so I do believe my performance within my philosophy courses was very good. I have one publication in the field of Christian Feminist Theology (random, I know), which I pursued after receiving a small research grant from my school to continue the paper from a class, after my graduation. It was published in a student-only essays contest-type Journal, so I do not value the placement of the article too highly, and I would not be submitting it as a writing sample. Reflecting back on it now, I actually do not think its my best writing at all. My writing ability has certainly matured since then, and I feel it shows. During undergrad, I was president of some small student orgs., but nothing philosophy focused. I then went straight from undergrad directly to law school, and received a Juris Doctor from a good, but again not stellar Law School, and am currently a practicing attorney. I miss the study of philosophy and now wish to return to the academic pursuit, and possibly leave the practice of law (I'm a recent lawyer and have only been practicing for about 2 years). Between law school and work, I've published two articles in legal journals discussing immigration law, policy, and normative thinking on the treatment of aliens and the role of restrictionist versus open border policies. These are academic, scholarly journal placements. They are more thought pieces, are more "legal", so I suppose they can fall within Philosophy of Law or the blurry line of Ethics and Morality. Despite majoring in Philosophy, I do not have a paper or sample that I feel confidentially displays my knowledge of philosophy. All my publications have been in outside fields, and I'm not especially happy submitting any as samples, but I suppose I can provide a subsection of a particular piece that shows my analysis skills. I just feel daunted working on a new paper, when I have been "out of philosophy" for 5 years (3 yrs law school; 2 yrs working). During law school, I served as Teaching Assistants for two professors, one of whom will definitely provide a strong REC letter b/c my paper for the class became one of the publications. I can get a second REC letter from a Phil. undergrad professor, though I'm not sure how memorable I would be 5 years out to be honest. The professor I worked with for the Feminist paper could also provide a REC letter, I suppose. I do expect REC letters to be positive, probably very good, but nothing amazing. Again, I feel its the years in practice and time out of school. Are there schools that do not require the GREs or have them as optional? Since I'm working, it would be a hard for me to dedicate study time, and I'd be more inclined to apply to schools without the test scores requirement. Thanks for any and all advice you can provide! I am particularly interested in Continental Philosophy, rather than Analytical so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated for schools that may fit my interests. I know I don't want to focus on Ancient Phil., but do enjoy Aesthetics, Epistemology, Metaphysics, and generally the German/ French philosophers, such as Kant, Heidegger, Hegel, Camus, Kierkegaard, Derrida, etc. Where would you apply, and how many schools do people apply to?