[Am I a strong candidate for PhD programs?]

I'm entering my senior year and so will be applying for PhD programs this fall. I've heard a lot of different things about how competitive the process is, so I'm wondering where I stand/what a realistic expectation would be as far as where I'll get offers from. Here's my general profile:

-Undergrad institution ranked in the low 50's overall, not particularly strong in philosophy though (small department, young but promising profs)

-On track to graduate summa cum (overall GPA of at least 3.9, will probably end up around 3.92 or so)

-4.0 in the Philosophy major (completed)

-3 essays published in various undergrad journals, 1 that I'm told might land in a professional journal

-Writing sample probably quite a bit above average

-Have not taken the GRE, but consistently scoring mid 700's on both sections in practice tests

-Scoring low 170's on practice LSAT tests (going to apply for joint PhD-JD programs, not sure if the Phil departments even see LSAT though?)

-Summer research with the dept. chairperson

-Will TA for the dept. chairperson next year, supposedly I'll get to lecture at least a few times

-Letters of Rec. will have nothing but outstanding things to say, and all will be from philosophy professors with whom I've worked closely

So, what am I looking at here? Any chance of getting offers from a school in the top 10? Top 20? Top 30? Funded offers? Or should I just study for the LSAT more and consign myself to a boring legal career?

You should probably just apply for a job as a paralegal.

[San Francisco State vs. Cal State L.A.]

I got my MA in philosophy from Cal State LA in 2010. CSLA is great place to springboard into solid phd programs. I myself will be starting my PhD in the fall -- all thanks to CSLA. I have a good understanding of the program and I can answer any questions you might have.

[Windsor, ON]

I don't go to school in Windsor, but since I visit family there I can comment on the city in general. It's right across the river from Detroit, which means the under 21 Detroit kids come to Windsor to take advantage of 19 year drinking age. They mostly party in the downtown strip. The rest of the city is average in many respects, but seems to be dealing with a lot of poverty -- especially since many have lost jobs due to the tanking auto industry. You must eat at Pizza Plus! It's a 24 hour pizza and wings joint. They also have foosball and neo-geo.

[Stony Brook, NY]

Are there not a lot of apartments in Stony Brook? Other posters make it seem like renting a house with roommates is the only option. I don't like living with people.

- Is there grad housing? What's that like?

- Is the cost of living as high as NYC?

Thanks!