Harry Balsagna

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

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

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

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.

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