<p>Okay, so, I've posted tidbits about me on parts of this forum, but with all the empirical expertise around here i thought I might as well open my own little thread and summarise my situation.</p>
<p>I am a fourth year student rounding up my MA in English at Leyden University in The Netherlands. I jus turned 22.</p>
<p>I might apply for a position in a paid PhD position in a sociohistorical linguistics research groups, the project leader has asked me to come talk to her before i even knew about the project, I see this as a good sign that they want me to join. i have good contact with a few professors and teachers.</p>
<p>My grades compare to a 3,5 unweighted GPA, but dutch grades are hardly comparable to USA grades (we don't have honours prgrammes etc. and especially no curved grading. it's absolute facts and a lot of essay marks that hardly go beyond 9,0, most people are thrilled with a 7,5). I am certainly one of the best students currently in the English department, hardly ever scoring below 9,0 out of 10.</p>
<p>I have taught classes to first and second year students (english proficiency), i have also been assistant to a resident lecturer. I am a member of the advisory committee on the apointment of a new professor of american literature.
I have been tutor to an international student for English proficiency per request of her teacher.
I have had a side job since I was 16, in shops and at the bank and in offices.
I have been on a committee that organised the activites of my students choir in the general introduction week for leyden Students (promotion committee).
I speak English at a near native level, French and German, i have passve knowledge of Latin and i am currently taking courses in Italian.
I am in the students theatre group of the English Department.
I received my first year diploma (we have those in university) with honors* (only one other person had honors, only 40% managed to complete all fist year subjects within the actual first year).
I sing in the students choir (hey, this required an audition, whic scared the hell outta me ;))
I nearly (bummer) got a paper published that i wrote as a third year...it would be if i had time to rewrite it, lol...</p>
<p>*to show how relatively low dutch grades are: honors means you have a B or higher in every subject if i convert this to USA 4 point/letter scale</p>
<p>I really woudl like to either spend time doing research on my PhD in the states or doing a second master in the field of siocio(historical) linguistics.</p>
<p>what do you think? Do i stan a chance?</p>
<p>I've never taken a test such as the SAT's or GRE...I would probably get a waive for TOEFL considering my major, having been instructed solely in English for four years and having actually taught proficiency myself...</p>
<p>So, any good programmes tha might be "reach" programmes for me?</p>