2017 Applicants - Intro

[Boa]

Hello everyone!

I am well aware that it might be way too early but is there anyone preparing for the upcoming application season?
I am finishing my 2y Research Masters Program in the Netherlands and I planning to apply to both North America and Europe: 
Princeton, Columbia, GSU, Pitt, Toronto, Oxford, Birmingham, King's College London, Central European University, Stockholm and Helsinki.
My interest include philosophy of psychiatry and bioethics.
Cheers!

[bookofletters]

Hello,

I am an undergrad at a small school. I plan on applying to Notre Dame, Toronto, Marquette, Catholic University of America, Vanderbilt, Duquesne, Purdue, Kentucky, UC Santa Cruz, UM-StL, and Tufts.

AOI medieval islamic philosophy.

Edited June 5, 2016 by bookofletters

[goldenstardust11]

Hi there,

I'm gonna go ahead and try to revive this thread. I'm applying to programs for fall 2017 as well - there must be more than three of us lurking here? Getting anxious and it feels like the deadlines are already creeping up. How's everyone else doing?

AOI 19th century German philosophy and Ancient philosophy.

[dgswaim]

Not a 2017 applicant, but will be around lurking and posting from time to time, probably. I'm in my first year at Penn, and would be happy to answer any questions that folks have, if they're applying/end up wait listed/get admitted. Cheers!

[Dialectica]

Struck out last year. Applying again this Fall. At some point I think I might create a seperate thread for reapplying folks; I'm thinking something could be gained by doing so. 

[goldenstardust11]

Whoa when did they bring signatures back? (yes, I've been lurking for a long time before signing up/posting)

Edit: Though apparently not lurking very closely...

Edited September 8, 2016 by goldenstardust11

[Dialectica]

17 hours ago, goldenstardust11 said:

Whoa when did they bring signatures back? (yes, I've been lurking for a long time before signing up/posting)

Edit: Though apparently not lurking very closely...

Lurk *harder*

[goldenstardust11]

@Dialectica perhaps it's because the majority of my lurking is done on a mobile device ;p

[Duns Eith]

I plan to apply to 15 programs this Fall. Sheesh! ... I am estimating $1400, after GRE an' transcripts an' errrrythin'.

Edited September 10, 2016 by Turretin

[goldenstardust11]

Welcome back to the admission cycle, @Turretin. I have 17 programs on my list, so I feel your pain- I've made a spreadsheet detailing the cost of apps/gre (plus a lovely 8.25 fee per transcript from my undergrad school).

What's your AOI?

Edited September 10, 2016 by goldenstardust11

[matchamatcha]

Also reapplying this year.  I'm still trying to finish a first draft of my new writing sample (hopefully by the end of this week).  So far, it seems I'm applying to around 12 schools, but since I applied to so few last year, I'm hoping to add a few more schools to my list.

[MentalEngineer]

I'm a successful reapplier with an unhealthy appetite for giving advice, so I'll be around this year again too.

[SamStone]

Hi all!

I'll be reapplying this year (I only made it onto a couple wait-lists last year). I've written a new writing sample, so I hope it serves me better! I'm still in the process of deciding on which schools I'll apply to. But I'll probably send out around 15 applications. 

[The_Last_Thylacine]

Hello, everyone! 

I found this website today, and I really couldn't be happier right now! I've been reading all the posts from the 2016 application season and it's all very encouraging to me. I really don't know what to expect from this application season because I have such an atypical background. I try to talk to my friends and family about all the stress I feel, so I'm elated to know that there is a community for people experiencing the same thing. My favorite philosopher is an epistemological philosopher who graduated from USC in 1978. I want to go to USC very badly because it was his alma mater and because of the department's specialty in the philosophy of law, but I don't necessarily like the cost of living in Los Angeles. As such, my ears are not closed to other departments, and choosing amongst any these incredible programs will be difficult. My research interests are in (1) epistemology, (2) the philosophy of law, and (3) the philosophy of religion. 

Here's where I applied, along with the corresponding [Philosophical Gourmet Report] ranking: 

1. University of Southern California [9];
2. University of Texas at Austin [19];
3. University of California San Diego [23];
4. University of California Riverside [29];
5. University of Colorado Boulder [32];
6. University of Virginia [36];
7. University of South Carolina [not ranked]. 

Here's the "not so good" about my application: 

• I majored in criminal justice, rather than philosophy, at an obscure undergraduate institution. I had a 3.84 GPA.
• My GRE score is not awesome (162 V; 153 Q; 5.0 A). 

Here's the better stuff:

• I will be awarded the Juris Doctor from a mid-level law school in May;
• I have two years of experience working as an editor for an academic journal (it's an international law review); 
• I have a published article on the dialectical tensions within the ECtHR's law of discrimination;
• My writing sample was personally edited and supervised by a brilliant law professor with the highest GPA from the University of Chicago;
• My letters were graciously written by the dean of my law school, the associate dean, and my favorite professor. 
• I received the highest grade in Jurisprudence in law school;
• I will only be 23 years old when I am awarded the J.D. and sit for the Virginia State Bar. 

I am so nervous and apprehensive about the future, but it will be an exercise in patience for sure. I look forward to hearing from you all, in addition to taking joy in your stories and successes!

[dgswaim]

4 hours ago, desolesiii said:

Hello, everyone! 

I found this website today, and I really couldn't be happier right now! I've been reading all the posts from the 2016 application season and it's all very encouraging to me. I really don't know what to expect from this application season because I have such an atypical background. I try to talk to my friends and family about all the stress I feel, so I'm elated to know that there is a community for people experiencing the same thing. My favorite philosopher is an epistemological philosopher who graduated from USC in 1978. I want to go to USC very badly because it was his alma mater and because of the department's specialty in the philosophy of law, but I don't necessarily like the cost of living in Los Angeles. As such, my ears are not closed to other departments, and choosing amongst any these incredible programs will be difficult. My research interests are in (1) epistemology, (2) the philosophy of law, and (3) the philosophy of religion. 

Here's where I applied, along with the corresponding [Philosophical Gourmet Report] ranking: 

1. University of Southern California [9];
2. University of Texas at Austin [19];
3. University of California San Diego [23];
4. University of California Riverside [29];
5. University of Colorado Boulder [32];
6. University of Virginia [36];
7. University of South Carolina [not ranked]. 

Here's the "not so good" about my application: 

• I majored in criminal justice, rather than philosophy, at an obscure undergraduate institution. I had a 3.84 GPA.
• My GRE score is not awesome (162 V; 153 Q; 5.0 A). 

Here's the better stuff:

• I will be awarded the Juris Doctor from a mid-level law school in May;
• I have two years of experience working as an editor for an academic journal (it's an international law review); 
• I have a published article on the dialectical tensions within the ECtHR's law of discrimination;
• My writing sample was personally edited and supervised by a brilliant law professor with the highest GPA from the University of Chicago;
• My letters were graciously written by the dean of my law school, the associate dean, and my favorite professor. 
• I received the highest grade in Jurisprudence in law school;
• I will only be 23 years old when I am awarded the J.D. and sit for the Virginia State Bar. 

I am so nervous and apprehensive about the future, but it will be an exercise in patience for sure. I look forward to hearing from you all, in addition to taking joy in your stories and successes!

Good luck! Although I'm sure you'll do just fine.

[The_Last_Thylacine]

On 9/9/2016 at 10:10 PM, goldenstardust11 said:

Welcome back to the admission cycle, @Turretin. I have 17 programs on my list, so I feel your pain- I've made a spreadsheet detailing the cost of apps/gre (plus a lovely 8.25 fee per transcript from my undergrad school).

What's your AOI?

To where are you planning on applying, goldenstardust11? 

[goldenstardust11]

On 9/27/2016 at 8:33 AM, desolesiii said:

To where are you planning on applying, goldenstardust11? 

Took a while for me to narrow it down, but the final total is 16: BC, BU, UChicago (Committee on Social Thought), CUNY Grad Center, Depaul, Duquesne, Georgia State (MA), Loyola U, Miami U (MA), UNM, New School, Northwestern, Oregon, Texas A&M, Toronto, Villanova 

Oof. 

[The_Last_Thylacine]

20 minutes ago, goldenstardust11 said:

Took a while for me to narrow it down, but the final total is 16: BC, BU, UChicago (Committee on Social Thought), CUNY Grad Center, Depaul, Duquesne, Georgia State (MA), Loyola U, Miami U (MA), UNM, New School, Northwestern, Oregon, Texas A&M, Toronto, Villanova 

Oof. 

These are some great, reasonable choices! I spent around $900 on application-related costs, so I can only imagine how daunting those costs can be to you.  Of course, it'll all be worth it when you're accepted though! Looking forward to seeing your success.

[goldenstardust11]

@desolesiiiThank you! Just hoping to get in somewhere at this point I look forward to your success as well. So you've already finished applying? Impressive. I'm still revising my sample and working on my SOP.

Edited September 28, 2016 by goldenstardust11

[The_Last_Thylacine]

4 minutes ago, goldenstardust11 said:

Thank you! Just hoping to get in somewhere at this point I look forward to your success as well. So you've already finished applying? Impressive. I'm still revising my sample and working on my SOP.

In law school, most classes have one, cumulative final exam that counts for 100% of your grade (usually timed essay). I knew I couldn't be bogged down writing applications and taking the GRE during the later half of the semester with the impending doom of exams and journal deadlines. I would be too distracted. That's the only reason I applied so early. How's the sample coming along?

[goldenstardust11]

35 minutes ago, desolesiii said:

In law school, most classes have one, cumulative final exam that counts for 100% of your grade (usually timed essay). I knew I couldn't be bogged down writing applications and taking the GRE during the later half of the semester with the impending doom of exams and journal deadlines. I would be too distracted. That's the only reason I applied so early. How's the sample coming along?

Gotcha. I took a couple gap years, so juggling work with apps isn't any harder later than it is now. Sample's coming along slow and steady

[Duns Eith]

On 9/9/2016 at 10:10 PM, goldenstardust11 said:

Welcome back to the admission cycle, @Turretin. I have 17 programs on my list, so I feel your pain- I've made a spreadsheet detailing the cost of apps/gre (plus a lovely 8.25 fee per transcript from my undergrad school).

What's your AOI?

Sorry for the delay!

I am a huge fan of spreadsheets. So my number is as accurate as the websites (one site didn't say what their app fee was, so I guessed). This app season I will be sending transcripts from three institutions (undergrad, MA in religion, MA in philosophy).

What's my AOI? History of Early Modern, especially metaphysics. Side interests that are getting out of control: applied ethics, fundamental/(neo)aristotelian metaphysics, thomistic studies (more philosophical theology than philosophy of religion).

On 9/28/2016 at 11:01 AM, goldenstardust11 said:

Took a while for me to narrow it down, but the final total is 16: BC, BU, UChicago (Committee on Social Thought), CUNY Grad Center, Depaul, Duquesne, Georgia State (MA), Loyola U, Miami U (MA), UNM, New School, Northwestern, Oregon, Texas A&M, Toronto, Villanova 

Oof. 

That's a good, diverse list. Lots of we-don't-think-continental-is-terrible schools!

I take it you're applying straight from undergrad and are not confident you'll get into a PhD, so you're applying to MAs? Not a bad route. about 3/4 of applicants who are accepted into PhD programs hold an MA.

[goldenstardust11]

2 hours ago, Turretin said:

Sorry for the delay!

I am a huge fan of spreadsheets. So my number is as accurate as the websites (one site didn't say what their app fee was, so I guessed). This app season I will be sending transcripts from three institutions (undergrad, MA in religion, MA in philosophy).

What's my AOI? History of Early Modern, especially metaphysics. Side interests that are getting out of control: applied ethics, fundamental/(neo)aristotelian metaphysics, thomistic studies (more philosophical theology than philosophy of religion).

That's a good, diverse list. Lots of we-don't-think-continental-is-terrible schools!

I take it you're applying straight from undergrad and are not confident you'll get into a PhD, so you're applying to MAs? Not a bad route. about 3/4 of applicants who are accepted into PhD programs hold an MA.

Cool. And thanks. Yes, I'm applying straight from undergrad. I think my records are strong, but there's never a guarantee, so I'm applying to a diverse list including some MAs :). But that statistic of yours is definitely making me confident in the decision to include MAs! 

[psm1580b]

Hey all, I'll be lurking here from time to time as well. Currently in my 1st year of my PhD program up in the Great White North. Lackluster undergrad GPA, excellent MA GPA (fairly unremarkable state school), first year was rejected completely and worked as an adjunct for a year before re-applying and being admitted my second year as an international student (from the US to Canada). 

So, in one way or another, I've spent some time on most of the emotional roller coasters that you may find yourself on. You're welcome to ask any questions. 

[Visilliis]

Hi all! I'm about to finish my 2nd MA in STS (Science and Technology Studies) with a specialisation in Philosophy of Science and Technology. Before that, I did an MA in Philosophy at KU Leuven.

I'm planning to apply to University of Edingburgh, Warwick, Heidelberg, Freiburg, and Humboldt Berlin.
Getting anxious about my research proposal!

AOI? Like a good KU Leuven scholar: Phenomenology and Existentialism. Now mainly phenomenological approached to philosophy of technology.