Hi everyone
I’m a junior in political science with minors in philosophy and business at Cornell with around a 3.5-3.6 GPA
I’m interested in doing a PhD in philosophy and am wondering what my chances are at programs/ does anyone have any recommendations?
Haven’t taken the GRE
Have been published in an academic journal
(Published in philosophy)
Even if we could predict chances for a PhD, we certainly can’t predict them from the small amount of information that you’ve given here. Also, programs vary: most people have better odds at UNL’s PhD program than Princeton’s.
Here’s what I can say:
-A 3.5-3.6 GPA is pretty good for a PhD program and shouldn’t keep you out.
-Having been published in an academic journal is a good thing. What kind of journal was it?
In philosophy, any writing samples/independent research and scholarship you’ve done will be good. Are you writing a thesis? Do you have a writing sample that’s highly polished and vetted by a faculty member in your department?
Do you have three professors who can write you strong letters supporting your application?
Do you have clear ideas about what kind of scholarship you want to produce in philosophy? Not only will that help you pick programs, that will help you write your statement of purpose.
Take the GRE over the summer; that way, if you want to retake it you have time.