Philosophy 2014

[temporalparts]

This is for everyone applying to graduate programs in Philosophy during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Again, I've set this thread with the same settings as last year's. Remember, try to not post direct links because posts with them might get caught in the filter.

GL!

Comments

[anonymous]

I have a question. Are writing samples generally reviewed by faculty members who specialize in the area that the writing sample concerns? Does this depend on the department?

[anonymous]

I would imagine that this depends on the department, and what the department's application pool looks like (e.g., the number of applicants that have written in the particular speciality).

[anonymous]

It depends. Sometimes a faculty member can be asked to give his advice on a paper that is in his specific area, to evaluate just how original and important it is, but this might just be something done at the last stage after most applicants have been rejected, and the faculty are trying to decide on 8 admittances out of a pool of 20.

Or if the paper requires a decent bit of specialized knowledge, say a paper in logic, they might bring someone in early on to give their opinion.

[anonymous]

In general, yes. It's much easier (and makes much more sense) for someone familiar with the literature and debates to evaluate the quality of a paper in a particular area.

[anonymous]

Thanks for setting this up for this year.

[anonymous]

Where do you plan to apply this year?

[anonymous]

Just putting in one application to NYU.

[anonymous]

I am going to take GRE on November 10. Could anyone perhaps tell me if that's too late?

[anonymous]

As an international applicant I was told that the GRE should be taken at least 6 weeks before application due dates, and several schools I am interested in have December due dates, so the November test would be too late for me! I'm not sure if the same advice applies to Americans

[anonymous]

Thanks for your reply. Could you be more specific as to why it might take longer for international applicants?

[anonymous]

I forgot to mention that I am taking the paper based test, so the delay might be longer because of the manual marking. The six week deadline is just what I have seen written on a few department websites (can't remember which ones off the top of my head) and speaking with a professor at my home institution. I am not entirely sure why it takes longer, but it might have something to do with the fact that international applications require more review in general (particularly if nobody is able to accurately judge the quality of their transcript at a glance).

[anonymous]

Anyone here apply last year? If so, what are some things that you have done (or plan to do) differently?

[anonymous]

be aware that what you post here may get read by professors, other grad students, people on ad coms...