weakbutscrappy

Hi all - we are in the thick of it! This is my first time through the PhD application cycle. I've got a few Skype interviews coming up, and am looking to see if anyone who has been down this road before might have some advice. Moreover, I'm pretty unsure of what interviews really mean (hesitant to get my hopes up) — just a weed-out round type of situation, or something more promising? Really have no idea, so any comments would be appreciated. Thanks, and good luck to everyone!

Hi all—here because I'm currently working on SoPs/editing writing samples/CV for PhD programs and am feeling pretty unqualified as I'm applying straight from undergrad. I'm a senior RS major at Kenyon College with a 3.89/4.0 GPA, completing an honors thesis (60-100 page independent research), and have 2 years of French lang study (no other languages). I've also presented at regional AAR with original, independent research through a fellowship. Haven't taken the GRE yet, but will in September. I'm applying for PhD programs in American Religions at Penn, Northwestern, Indiana University, Yale, and Brown as of now, though the list may change a little. Many of their sites say students applying straight from undergrad have to be particularly promising, and I'm not sure if I would fit the bill or not. Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.