Prose

Ditto^ FINALLY

I'm just a pleb and this is my first cycle, but I'm going to use the paper I produce for the Michaelmas term of my MSt. I had a lot of things weighing down on me that kept me from working on my writing sample last semester, and I just think it's a bad idea to try to resurrect it. I think the general answer here is, though, that it doesn't matter one bit, as long as it's significantly better than your first sample and you've gone through 10+ drafts of it read by professors with some standing and experience in the discipline (or at the very least the best professors available to you). My problems this cycle were: lack of pedigree, poor sample, and bad fit. The first thing is out of my (and your(?)) control. I had no idea going into college that going to a small liberal arts college that, while prestigious, didn't have a ranked PhD program, would hurt me SIGNIFICANTLY. The other two things, however, are in my control, and hence the things I'll work on. I'd probably encourage you to do the same. Write up a brilliant sample and put in the extra hours to explain in your SoP why you're a good fit for the program (and do try to make your sample subject be your AOI).

No worries. Not trying to rain on your parade by any means, just telling you what I know (it's not an MA in philosophy nor is it recognized as a strong alternative), and that professors of mine who got their PhD from UChicago think it's, to be blunt, kind of shit.

What you said about GRE scores being of relatively low importance is true. But understand that the MAPH isn't even an MA in philosophy, and is certainly not a bridge to top PhD programs. UChicago referred almost everyone to the MAPH who they deemed would be interested in it (i.e. doesn't yet possess an MA). They just want your money.

The referral to MAPH is just a sales pitch.

When does Boston University come out with their decisions?

Could someone enlighten me as to the funding situation at Oxford? Just how bad is it for international students (US resident, Korean citizen)? I'm strongly considering the MSt at Oxford right now.

Thanks a lot! Anyone know if it's true that you get inadequate attention compared to the BPhil students in this program?

Where is that?

Anyone know anything about the MSt? Good bridge to PhD programs or not? Perception within the field? Thanks.

Anyone know anything about the MSt? Good bridge to PhD programs or not?

When do the Oxford BPhil decisions come out?

Why are these rejections from Brown happening just now? I got mine a long time ago.

Anyone who got the Chicago rejection NOT get referred to the MA?

No news from me so far :/

Hahaha, I wish I shared your optimism, but thanks so much.

Haha no worries, thanks for your comment. Do you have any insight into the competitiveness of the BPhil program, specifically?

Honestly, I've never wanted anything more, and the past few months have been pretty hellish. Anxiety about applications was one thing, but health issues last semester kept me from giving a 100% on the most important bit of all, the writing sample. I'm applying to top programs (BPhil at Oxford, top-40 PGR programs, etc.) with the following: -3.98/4.00 -170 (verbal) / 158 (quant) / 5.5 (writing) -Good letters from people working in my AOI, but from a private liberal arts university that is unranked and lacks a PhD program -A good writing sample, but nowhere near what it could or should have been -Lol I am 99% sure this matters nil but my ethnicity is underrepresented in philosophy (not my gender though) What are the odds that I just get completely shut out? Thoughts? Would extremely appreciate any advice from current/past applicants. Thanks.