What tier should I aim for?

[shl67]

I know, I know, this is terribly reminiscent of those "chances" threads that are perpetually popping up on collegeconfidential. But since I just decided like last week that I want to give Ph.D. programs a shot, I thought I could use a reality check as to where I should apply.

For the record, I'm applying to a mix of English and Comp Lit programs.

So, a brief snapshot of my application package:

-GRE scores: 168 Verbal, 160 Quant (haven't gotten writing score yet)

-Fluent in French, German; proficient in Dutch, Chinese; reading knowledge of Spanish

-Academic interests: 20th Century American Literature, Gender Studies, Postwar Germany

BUT

-Did not write honors thesis

-Have not had a professor for more than one semester, so recommendations, however good, may not be very personal

So, any thoughts on what schools I should aim for? One of my favorite programs is UNC Chapel-Hill, but I'm afraid that there are too many applicants with my exact qualifications and interests. I just don't want to put all my eggs in one basket and then end up with nowhere to go :-\

Edited August 24, 2012 by Eigen
Identifying information removed by moderator at user's request.

[Two Espressos]

I know, I know, this is terribly reminiscent of those "chances" threads that are perpetually popping up on collegeconfidential. But since I just decided like last week that I want to give Ph.D. programs a shot, I thought I could use a reality check as to where I should apply.

For the record, I'm applying to a mix of English and Comp Lit programs.

So, a brief snapshot of my application package:

-B.A. English, French, German with GPA 3.93 from Ivy League school

-GRE scores: 168 Verbal, 160 Quant (haven't gotten writing score yet)

-Junior year abroad in France, postgrad fellowship year in Germany

-Fluent in French, German; proficient in Dutch, Chinese; reading knowledge of Spanish

-Have received several language-based awards and scholarships (DAAD Graduate Scholarship to study in Germany, grant to study in the Netherlands, etc.)

-Academic interests: 20th Century American Literature, Gender Studies, Postwar Germany

BUT

-Did not write honors thesis

-Have not had a professor for more than one semester, so recommendations, however good, may not be very personal

So, any thoughts on what schools I should aim for? One of my favorite programs is UNC Chapel-Hill, but I'm afraid that there are too many applicants with my exact qualifications and interests. I just don't want to put all my eggs in one basket and then end up with nowhere to go :-\

I find these kinds of posts endlessly curious and equally annoying. Your stats blow most everyone else on these boards out of the water, myself included. It's funny when people post astronomical stats such as these and say, in effect, "oh, little old me with my near-perfect GPA, GRE scores, and foreign language proficiency--how will I fare?"

The above was bitchy. I realize this.

To answer your question: I'd say any school--at any tier--that is a good fit for you is fair game. You seem to fit the bill for basically any comp lit program, not to mention English programs. If you want a reality check, though, it's this: at every school to which you'll be applying, at least for the top 20 or so, there will be dozens of other applicants with similar stats, and not every one of you will make it.

Edited August 23, 2012 by Two Espressos

[shl67]

Dear Two Espressos,

Sorry! Of course you're completely right about the annoying part. This whole process has just made me so anxious.

[TripWillis]

I'll add this: don't think of schools in terms of tiers. It's too broad. Grab a handful from across the top 75. Start with region, because chances are you don't know much else about any given school. Then once you've filtered it that way, check their course websites. If you know scholars you really like, figure out where they teach and look into their programs. The tier thing will cause you to end up applying to a lot of programs that won't suit you or your interests.

[rems]

I'll add this: don't think of schools in terms of tiers. It's too broad. Grab a handful from across the top 75. Start with region, because chances are you don't know much else about any given school. Then once you've filtered it that way, check their course websites. If you know scholars you really like, figure out where they teach and look into their programs. The tier thing will cause you to end up applying to a lot of programs that won't suit you or your interests.

I agree. Don't aim for too small a selection. You probably want to apply to 10ish schools from a wide array of tiers. Have a few "reach" schools, a few "maybe" schools and few "safely" (such a loaded word but I don't have a better one at the moment) schools. Your stats look great! I am, of course, not on an adcom but you're looking pretty darn good. You're best bet know if is to decide fit, and go from there. If you're asking for someone to tell that you have a rat's chance of hell in making it to an ivy, I can't say. But I can be an optimist and say that it can't hurt to try. At least you wouldn't be sitting around saying "woulda, coulda, shoulda" all next year.

I find these kinds of posts endlessly curious and equally annoying. Your stats blow most everyone else on these boards out of the water, myself included. It's funny when people post astronomical stats such as these and say, in effect, "oh, little old me with my near-perfect GPA, GRE scores, and foreign language proficiency--how will I fare?"

The above was bitchy. I realize this.

I agree (even though I'm pretty sure I've asked similar questions), but the point of sites like this is for people with similar interests AND anxieties to talk and vent a little. When I read those those stats I also said, "shut the f up dude -- of course you're perfect" but I completely understand the need to talk about it with people. This forum is for when our friends/significant others/family are tired of hearing about it all the time. We need somewhere to go to vent it out, and stop us from going insane. I'm not trying to tell you off or anything, I just think we're all in the same boat and we shouldn't have to be worried about "annoying" other posters.

[Stately Plump]

Funny things happen on admissions committees, which can work for or against you. Sometimes, under-qualified students are accepted to extremely competitive programs. Sometimes, overly-qualified students are left out of every program to which they applied.

There's no magic formula. The best you can do is apply to a wide variety of schools. If I were you, I would definitely apply to UNC, if you really like it. If you like the looks of Harvard's program, apply there. If you don't think you'd like being in NYC, don't apply to Columbia or NYU. Like Trip said, filter things geographically.

No one knows whether you'll be accepted. You might get into 4 or 5 schools, you might not get in anywhere.

[alleviate]

1. My first thought as well, was "damn this user is way out of my league"

2. Sometimes the most intelligent highest achievers need the most reassurance.

Hang in there

[koolherc]

Choose where you apply based on the scholars who work there and how you think they'd respond to your work. E-mail some of them. I definitely emailed professors and executive offers at programs and asked them straight up "Will my studying X here be well taken?" The pompous responses from some of them vs. the encouraging responses from others helped make the filtering process a lot easier.