NYU English

[GatsbyGirl100]

I have a master's in liberal arts, specifically humanities and social sciences, from CUNY. I came to New York for grad school although I'm not much of a city gal. CUNY wasn't the right fit for me, but I'm interested in NYU for English, specifically because I wrote my thesis on one of the professor's works. I also visited many times and sat in on some classes, with the permission of the instructors. But last summer, I actually took a summer class there in the English department.

It seems like a solid place, but I'm not sure how I can stand out. I have a bachelor's in English from U. Mass Amherst, my CUNY master's, and my teaching license, although that's irrelevant.

I'm interested in hearing your advice. Any feedback on this school would be great. Thanks so much. 

[GatsbyGirl100]

My GRE could definitely be better. Don't laugh at my scores. ?

158 Verbal

150 Quant

5.5 Writing 

[KappaRoss]

I think you could take the GRE again. It's not a vital part of the application, but if you could bump the verbal up to 90%+ and keep the writing score you'd be good to go. You're only like 10% away from 90%.

Edited March 9, 2016 by KappaRoss

[KappaRoss]

And as I said in the other thread, I think you should apply to PhD programs. I'm not familiar with NYU, but I think you should apply to several programs and go to the one that fully funds you. I see on the results board that NYU applicants typically have high GRE scores, but there are other things you can focus on. It sounds like you've got some experience at NYU with classes you've had, and it will definitely help that you did your thesis on one of the professor's research.

To stand out at NYU, I would make sure the writing sample is a fit for that professor. I would try to retake the GRE for a higher verbal. And don't underestimate your teaching experience, as you will be most likely teaching a freshman English/composition class while you are there.

I'm pretty sure your main hiccup was that you don't have LORs. Perhaps you can take more summer classes and get those LORs.

Try to work on your application between now and Fall. Obtain good LORs (which is not easy) and study hard for the GRE. The writing sample and SOP are also vitally important; you can use the LOR professors to look over these things to make them even better.

[GatsbyGirl100]

2 hours ago, KappaRoss said:

And as I said in the other thread, I think you should apply to PhD programs. I'm not familiar with NYU, but I think you should apply to several programs and go to the one that fully funds you. I see on the results board that NYU applicants typically have high GRE scores, but there are other things you can focus on. It sounds like you've got some experience at NYU with classes you've had, and it will definitely help that you did your thesis on one of the professor's research.

To stand out at NYU, I would make sure the writing sample is a fit for that professor. I would try to retake the GRE for a higher verbal. And don't underestimate your teaching experience, as you will be most likely teaching a freshman English/composition class while you are there.

I'm pretty sure your main hiccup was that you don't have LORs. Perhaps you can take more summer classes and get those LORs.

Try to work on your application between now and Fall. Obtain good LORs (which is not easy) and study hard for the GRE. The writing sample and SOP are also vitally important; you can use the LOR professors to look over these things to make them even better.

Thanks for being so helpful and nice to me. I've had an interesting time on this forum a few days ago. ?