I come from a non-philosophy background and was fortunate enough to be admitted to some great programs. Though I've looked at some of the more common – and contested – resources like PGR, I'm having trouble getting an overall vibe of how UPenn is viewed by other philosophers and peer institutions. Disciplinary prestige doesn't mean everything to me, but it is a deciding factor. For additional context, I'm interested in ethics and fielding a competing offer from the University of Michigan, which has guaranteed six years of funding to UPenn's five. I'd be happy at either institution, so I'm just ..read more

This question isn't specific to philosophy but thought I'd post it here anyway. I'm only applying to masters programs this year, but thinking ahead to if/when I apply to doctoral programs, one thing I see pretty often (in the results board, and in different forums) is someone saying they'd reached out to relevant professors at a school before applying.  I see the benefit, especially if you're going to mention a specific prof in your SOP, or if only one or two professors at a school could possibly serve as your advisor if you were accepted.  Just wondering a few things. How important ..read more

Anyone heard from Baylor ..read more

Hello all, I've already applied to three schools (Tufts, SFU, NIU) and I'm about to apply to at least 4 more by the end of this month (all funded MA programs). But now the fact that I got a C+ in Intro to Symbolic Logic in my Sophomore year and then never took a logic course again is really making me nervous. It's an outlier compared to my philosophy grades (A's and A-'s otherwise, with one B+ from a course I took in German on study away), but I suspect it will look pretty bad to the admissions committee (because it raises doubts about my ability to finish the logic prerequisite).  Worse ..read more

All phd applications are turned in, and we are in the waiting game. I applied to 20 schools (mid to top tier). But now I wonder how my profile really looks to the admission committee and want to hear some honest opinions. I already got rejected from WUSTL.   Undergraduate GPA: 3.31 (Major GPA: 3.43) -- from one of the top public universities in US MA GPA: 3.87 -- from one of the top 10 programs on PGR I didn't take GRE since most schools did not accept it or made it optional. I showed my writing sample to 5 professors, 1 postdoc, and 1 classmate. The general reception was very positive. I ..read more

TLDR: I have been working in business the last 8 years. Have been taking online Phil classes for last 2 years and would like to pursue more seriously by applying to terminal MA programs. Current phil dept will not give online students letters of recs. What should I do? I have been in industry for 8 years post-undergrad (investing business) in US. I took a few (12 credits) philosophy classes in undergrad, while majoring in business, and had always loved them. Over the last 2 years, I had some pretty significant personal life things happen that made me question the meaning of my work (this work ..read more

Well? Best of luck to all ..read more

I am applying for PhD programs in philosophy, and I had a 4.0 in my Masters program up until this last semester where I received a C in an ethics seminar (I feel somewhat unjustly). My GPA is now 3.76 and I am wondering if this sounds the death knell for my application. Should I note somewhere in my application (personal statement) why I feel I received this grade? Does it matter as much since my AOS is metaphysics and the C was for an ethics course? For context, my undergrad GPA is only 3.23 due to a heavy workload of double-majoring in philosophy and math and graduating early.  Thanks i ..read more

A very esteemed continental philosopher and literary critic has agreed to write me a recommendation. I have no doubts about the quality of the recommendation, but a couple of professors have expressed worries that admissions committees might hold it against me that he is a continental philosopher (since I'm applying to exclusively analytic programs). My other two recommendations come from analytic philosophers. Should I go with a less senior but also analytic philosopher as my third recommendation? I do feel a little awkward since I've already asked the continental philosopher for a recommenda ..read more

I don't have strong grades from my 2nd MA in Philosophy (from a good funded MA in Philosophy in the US). My GPA is 3.6. But I have a publication in a top journal and strong letters and no GRE. Any advice? Apply for PhD or get a third MA (to get better grades ..read more