<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am a current college student starting my sophmore year. I have fallen in love with continental philosophy and hope to obtain a phd in the area. So far, in my freshmen year, I have taken two philosophy courses and recieved an A- in both. My grades in all of my other classes are pretty good too.</p>
<p>What should I be doing to get into a top graduate program in continental philosophy? And, I have to start a language my upcoming year and I am having a hard time deciding between French or German. Eventually I will learn both but I dont know which to start with now.</p>
<p>Read the first page of posts in the "Grad School Admissions 101" thread.</p>
<p>Then forget about grad school until spring of your junior year. At this point all you can do is get good grades and get to know your professors. </p>
<p>In Classics German carries a bit more weight than French coming out of undergrad. Obviously you'll have to be more fluent than usual given your field. So I'd suggest going for as much German as you can squeeze in - your school will probably have upper level reading classes in German philosophers that will directly relate to your interests. </p>
<p>Check with your professors and departmental advisor for the truth as it exists at your school.</p>
<p>For graduate schools to consider:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/breakdown/breakdown29.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/breakdown/breakdown29.asp</a></p>
<p>In continental more so than analytic philosophy there is a need to be very familiar with German and French. I would recommend at least getting acquainted with both languages as an undergrad. </p>
<p>Other than that though just keep taking classes you're interested in and do well in them. Get to know your professors and consider doing some independent study in the areas that interest you. That's about all you can do at this point.</p>