Downapeg

It’ll probably show how much of a noob I am to ask this at this point in the application season, but what criteria did everyone use in deciding between applying for Masters vs PhD programs? Here in my little pond, my personal stats are strong. My advisors have been telling me to reach for the friggin stars - PhD programs. I did, and the rejections have been pouring in. I’m beginning to realize that I’ve been insulated and unrealistic in applying primarily to PhD programs, ignorant of the fact that my personal stats make me a little fish in the big pond of inter/national applicants. I’m now currently in the process of applying to a bunch of Masters programs. All this to say: this process has certainly knocked me down a peg. Is anyone else struggling with the realization that they’re not as hot shit as they previously thought?