Strongest part of your app?

[Hopephily]

There was a thread sometime ago asking what each application took to be the "Achilles' heel" of their application. There was also a topic about how cautious everyone seemed to be about their chances in landing a gig.  

 

So what do you feel to be a particular strength (or strengths) of your application?  

[bar_scene_gambler]

I think my greatest strength is the quality of my recommendations. I was fortunate enough to be able to see them (albeit accidentally), and my recommenders say wonderful things about me as a student and as a potential philosopher. 

[Hopephily]

 I think I remember reading your post about how this happened.  That's got to be pretty reassuring.  For the rest of us, it's a deep mystery what our recommenders actually wrote. 

[MattDest]

This is a great thread - will help us to keep positive during these anxious times. 

 

I think that the strongest part of my application is either my letters, or having done well in my MA coursework. I didn't get to see my letters (lucky son of a gun), but I did get the outstanding student award for my graduate program this year and know that my letter writers think I am capable of doing quality philosophical work. It also helps that they are all very active scholars, and I know that their reputation will carry some weight when admission committees look over my application. 

 

How about you, hopephily?

[Cottagecheeseman]

Writing sample for sure. I think all my application should be strong except for my low quantative GRE scores, and possibly 1 not super strong letter.

But when my advisor read the first draft of my sample, for an independent study with it, he instantly gave me an A and told me it was one of the best papers he's ever seen written by an undergrad. Since then, I've revised the paper a lot, but the argument/shape of the paper is still generally the same. Other professors have been less enthuastic, though they all agree that it's a very good sample.

[dfindley]

what is it about??

[wandajune]

Letters, I think. My GRE and GPA are solid, but no better than most other applicants.

 

And hopefully my writing sample is as good as my professors assure me it is. I'm generally hyper-critical of my own work, so I'm not sure that I'm the best judge.

[Hopephily]

This is a great thread - will help us to keep positive during these anxious times. 

 

 

This is what I had in mind.  As for me, I feel fairly good about my writing sample--it was accepted for publication. 

[MattDest]

This is what I had in mind.  As for me, I feel fairly good about my writing sample--it was accepted for publication. 

 

Wow, congrats! By publication, are you referring to an UG journal or?

[Ryura]

This is what I had in mind.  As for me, I feel fairly good about my writing sample--it was accepted for publication. 

Congrats! Mind sharing where?

 

All the aspects of my application seem to me to be pretty similar in strength. High GPA from a notable Christian liberal arts college. High but not superb GRE scores. A well-argued but somewhat unambitious writing sample. Very strong recommendations from fairly unknown scholars. I'd guess my recommendations are the strongest part for me, but it's hard to say.

[Hopephily]

Thanks. It's not an undergrad journal.  It's a legit journal in my main area of interest.  I'm apprehensive about naming it though. 

[MattDest]

Thanks. It's not an undergrad journal.  It's a legit journal in my main area of interest.  I'm apprehensive about naming it though. 

That's fantastic. Are you comfortable with disclosing what your main AOI is? If not, I totally understand, I'm just really hoping it's not the same as mine. 

[Hopephily]

I'd rather not say on here.  But you can pm me.