jc177 Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Hi all, I'm in a bit of a dilemma: I got an A- in a class (metaphysics), and I really wanted to specialize in metaphysics. To what extent does getting an A- in an area of specialization matter to admissions committees? If it even matters to a small degree, would it be advisable to choose a different AOS? I actually enjoy many different fields, so it shouldn't be too hard to pick a different AOS. However, this is still very troubling for me because the topic of my best writing is metaphysics, and I've heard that the topic of the writing sample should be tailored to one's AOS. Any help is appreciated! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goonasabi Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 19 minutes ago, jc177 said: Hi all, I'm in a bit of a dilemma: I got an A- in a class (metaphysics), and I really wanted to specialize in metaphysics. To what extent does getting an A- in an area of specialization matter to admissions committees? If it even matters to a small degree, would it be advisable to choose a different AOS? I actually enjoy many different fields, so it shouldn't be too hard to pick a different AOS. However, this is still very troubling for me because the topic of my best writing is metaphysics, and I've heard that the topic of the writing sample should be tailored to one's AOS. Any help is appreciated! Thank you! Well, I'll defer to other opinions here, but I think you're fine!. One A- won't give adcoms pause, especially if you kill a writing sample in that area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc177 Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 13 minutes ago, Goonasabi said: Well, I'll defer to other opinions here, but I think you're fine!. One A- won't give adcoms pause, especially if you kill a writing sample in that area. Thanks! I'm not too worried about getting an A-. What I'm worried about is the A- being in my AOI/AOS. Do you think this matters? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goonasabi Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 5 minutes ago, jc177 said: Thanks! I'm not too worried about getting an A-. What I'm worried about is the A- being in my AOI/AOS. Do you think this matters? I don't think so. A good writing sample in Metaphysics will cover a multitude of sins. Also, you could always ask directors of ad coms what they think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc177 Posted April 15, 2018 Author Share Posted April 15, 2018 5 minutes ago, Goonasabi said: I don't think so. A good writing sample in Metaphysics will cover a multitude of sins. Also, you could always ask directors of ad coms what they think. I see. Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
incredulous_stare Posted April 15, 2018 Share Posted April 15, 2018 (edited) 30 minutes ago, Goonasabi said: I don't think so. A good writing sample in Metaphysics will cover a multitude of sins. Also, you could always ask directors of ad coms what they think. I agree as well! I was accepted for a masters program in philosophical theology at Oxford despite getting an A- in the phil theology course I took at my institution (though it was during my sophomore year before I took a significant amount of philosophy courses) Edited April 15, 2018 by incredulous_stare Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxhgns Posted April 16, 2018 Share Posted April 16, 2018 Forget about it. It doesn't matter. What you perhaps should worry about is that there are no jobs in metaphysics, that the trend looks likely to continue, and that it's basically impossible to compete in that subfield if your PhD isn't from one of the three or four "right" programs. tmck3053 and syn 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc177 Posted April 16, 2018 Author Share Posted April 16, 2018 2 hours ago, incredulous_stare said: I agree as well! I was accepted for a masters program in philosophical theology at Oxford despite getting an A- in the phil theology course I took at my institution (though it was during my sophomore year before I took a significant amount of philosophy courses) 11 minutes ago, maxhgns said: Forget about it. It doesn't matter. What you perhaps should worry about is that there are no jobs in metaphysics, that the trend looks likely to continue, and that it's basically impossible to compete in that subfield if your PhD isn't from one of the three or four "right" programs. Thank you for your response! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neither Here Nor There Posted April 16, 2018 Share Posted April 16, 2018 (edited) I had an A- in my AOI and got into 5 phd programs, a couple pretty top tier (I am continental philosophy, though). I had a thesis (talked about in my letters of recommendation) and writing sample that showed my abilities much more than coursework. I think grades matter, but I dont' think they are picking apart transcripts that closely. If GPA and GRE makes the cut, it all comes down to the letters and writing sample. Edited April 16, 2018 by Neither Here Nor There Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
big modality Posted April 16, 2018 Share Posted April 16, 2018 I do logic, had a logic writing sample. But I got a B in a logic course. I was accepted to 17 really great programs. It definitely won't be a thing to get your application thrown in the trash. (Though because I was worried about it, I did ask the professor who gave me a B to write me a letter of rec after taking another class of his and doing well). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jc177 Posted April 16, 2018 Author Share Posted April 16, 2018 Thank you all for the replies! I really appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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