Sharka

It's certainly not impossible to make the steep climb from community college to a high ranking PhD program. I started my undergrad at PCC, too, graduated from PSU, just finished my MA at University of Washington, and now I'm heading off the the University of Chicago for my PhD. I found it easier to get into a strong PhD program after getting my MA. I applied to high ranking PhD programs straight out of my BA, and only got into one (with no funding). Getting the MA made me a much stronger candidate this time around. If this is an option for you, I'd highly recommend it.

I got my MA in Slavic at the University of Washington, and considered it a really good experience. I didn't have a specific enough focus to apply straight to PhD programs straight from my BA. Slavic programs are very much language-based. Most of my lit seminars were conducted in English, but you are certainly expected to read the literature in the original. My language skills were tested when I entered the program, and I had to pass an oral and written Russian exam before taking my comprehensive exams. How much language instruction have you had? Many programs will allow you to take or repeat 4th year Russian during the first year of the MA. Would this be an option for you?

It wasn't the kiss of death for me. A few weeks ago, I got an email from the PhD program at my dream school. I hoped/thought it was an interview request, but it was an offer of admission. Crazier things have happened.

You can certainly ask for clarification on that. For my MA fellowship, I got the minimum amount for my first year. For the second year, I applied for an increase due to increased cost of living and was awarded an additional $2000/year.