What can I do to put my heart at ease?

[Just Jeff]

Hi, everybody.

 

I'm an MA student at NYU's Draper Program. My focus is comparative literature. I'm applying to some PhD programs for next fall, but I want to attend NYU's comp lit PhD program. I have some other places, but this is the one I really, really want.

 

My GPA: 3.881

GRE Scores: Verbal 155

Teaching Experience

Research Experience

Fluent in 3 languages

 

Do I have a shot? I feel so scared and sad all the time, and I can't stop worrying.

[unbrokenthread]

Yes, you have a shot. Rest easy and good luck!

[juilletmercredi]

It's kind of not possible for us to tell you whether or not you have a "shot" based solely on the vague information that's presented here; it depends on a lot of intangibles - the quality of your research and teaching experience, how excellent your letters and statement of purpose is, your fit with that department, whether or not you know anyone in that department, and who you are competing with - as well as other things not under your control like funding levels, who's retiring or leaving in the next 2-3 years, etc.

 

The best thing you can do for yourself is

 

1) Give your application your all.  Put forth the best effort you can.  and

2) Once you are done, put it aside and focus on something else - your MA thesis, a hobby, reading, something.  Worrying about it will only stress you out.