Hi! I'm a B.S. student at Troy University in Alabama. I'm desperately hoping to get into a Tibetan PhD program, focusing on religion. Here is my profile:
Old World History Major / Religion and Philosophy Minor
3.9 GPA
162V 147Q 5.5W
Passed HSK 3 Chinese Proficiency test
Completed Summer Tibetan Language Immersion Program in India
Have completed 4 Chinese courses (Up to Intermediate Chinese II), with A's
Have been studying Tibetan with my Undergraduate mentor for 2yrs
Have studying religion on location twice, once in a Summer Study Abroad program in India, and once in a Summer Study Abroad program in Nepal.
My University doesn't offer official Tibetan language classes and does not have a Religion major. I have, however, been lucky enough to have great personal relationships with my mentors here. Therefore, I'm confident I'll have great recommendation letters. I'm worried about how my language skills will hold me back, how much the GRE scores will hamper me, and my lack of a MA.
I'm trying to get into PhD programs at UVA (History of Religions), Indiana Bloomington (Central Eurasian Studies), Florida State (Religious Studies), Berkeley (Religious Studies), Columbia (Tibetan Studies) and UCSD (Buddhist Studies)}.
I'm super worried and just wanted some input as to my prospects and advice. Thanks!