jeanxxlqz

Here's a good guide with some examples: http://schwitzsplinters.blogspot.com/2012/05/applying-to-phd-programs-in-philosophy.html

If you’re interested in ethics, I believe the University of Memphis offers an online B.A. in philosophy with a concentration in applied ethics. I did not attend this program, however, so I can’t speak to it much otherwise.

I’d agree with both the previous comments for the most part. I’d add that if you can get the second major (provided of course that it is in a subject relevant to your interests), maybe you could also still find time to take a couple extra philosophy classes by knocking out other general education requirements over summers.

At my current institution, that is not the case at all. In fact, compared to other graduate departments I’ve seen at this institution, the philosophy grad students are exceptionally friendly, collaborative, and supporting. There is a similar congeniality among faculty, though, and I think the grad students tend to model their behaviour after those faculty. Ive heard it can be more like what you describe at Ivy and some top Leiter programs (but I wouldn’t know which). Seems like the sort of thing you might be able to figure out at campus visits.

It's kind of hard to say. Judging from conversations with faculty and grad students in my department, and by the frequency with which I see E cited in articles I read, there are pretty high odds that name recognition will happen if someone in the specialty is reading the letter. But I don't have a clue beyond that, and I do know it would be the least personal letter of them all... so I don't know that the relative fame would make up for that. Cursory internet searches suggest it wouldn't, but it being a fourth letter might make that less of an issue.

Hey philosophers. So I don’t have anybody else that I know applying this year and I’m just really wanting to talk about this. I’m trying to make final decisions for rec letters. Here are my options: (a) TT prof who I’ve worked with closely for 5 years, would write incredibly strong letter, AOS is my main AOI, recently got PhD, on thesis committee, done 1 grad and 3 UG courses w them (b) senior faculty, very reputable in my AOI, taken 1 undergrad course and 2 grad courses with this prof, thesis advisor (c) dept chair, not at all my AOI, have worked closely with for 3 years, taken one UG and one grad class with this prof, quite reputable in their AOS (d) TT prof who publishes in a sub field quite close to my main AOI, taken 4 UG courses w them (e) senior faculty, famous in their AOS which has little overlap with mine, taken 1 grad course with them (f) full prof, non-philosophy but in adjacent field relevant to a secondary AOI for me, taken 1 grad course with them, they are on my thesis committee, done other independent work with them In my view, a, b, and c are the obvious choices. It is those apps which allow for additional letters that give me pause. Anyone dealing with similar tough decisions? Any thoughts on this?

Hey everyone, I have 3 areas in philosophy that I am most interested in studying in grad school (in the US), and I have no idea which to emphasize in my statements of purpose and the writing sample. I've found potential grad programs where I could reasonably expect to pursue any of them, though they of course differ in which area they are strongest in. For instance, say I have interests in A, B, and C -- Program 1 is known for A, and has a handful of faculty working on B, and maybe a certificate program with an allied department where I could work on C, whereas Program 2 is known for B, has a handful in C... you get the idea. My undergrad thesis is in one area, I have a publication in a different one, and I have relevant language skills in a third altogether. I have conference presentations in each of these and a few others. I'm not applying until the fall after next, and I'm planning on figuring out the writing sample this upcoming fall... so I also don't know what area would be best for the writing sample. I was sort of leaning towards submitting a writing sample in the area I have language skills for, since the completed thesis (which I will hopefully be able to publish part of in the next year) and the existing publication should already speak to my ability in those areas. However, my concern is that I'll be spreading myself too thin, which leads me to consider instead trying to show depth by submitting a sample in one of the other two areas. (Of course, the three areas intersect in what I think are very interesting and important ways, but I can't demonstrate that adequately in a 15 page sample.) Obviously, I'm going to consult with faculty members at my university, but for now I was wondering whether anyone else applied to grad school with very open research interests, and how they "sold" that, so to speak. I don't have a dissertation project in mind already, and I don't intend to by next fall. I could honestly see myself being happy working on any of the three, and I imagine it'll depend a bit on which program I end up in (assuming, of course, that I get into grad school at all!). I'm tempted to emphasize different areas in different SoPs, but I realize that could backfire. In short, my question is this: has anyone gone through or is anyone in the process of going through applications with very diverse and broad research interests? How did you demonstrate ability in each? How did you sell yourself as a promising candidate without having a specific dissertation project in mind? (Also, any advice concerning my own situation is welcome and appreciated!)

Not my application season yet, but I'm wondering how much I should be putting aside specifically for apps in the meantime. So, I'm wondering how much you all paid in total, how many programs you applied to, what sort of unexpected fees you ran into, etc. Any and all info is appreciated. Obviously saving up as much as possible is ideal, so I'm looking less for advice about how much I myself should put aside as I am looking for others' experiences and maybe what to expect. Thanks in advance!