Knowing your just value : avoiding pride and self loathing

[Carnap]

I want to apply to do an MA in a prestigious uni in the States. I had the guy who does philosophy admissions on the phone a couple of times, we chatted and laughed a bit.

I just don't feel qualified. I am getting all worked up and can hardly sleep thinking about this school. I can't even calm down to fill out the application.

Two of my profs said its a good idea.


What if I get rejected? I'll be crushed.


How can I calm down to assess myself and my own capacities in order to send in an application that will be taken seriously? Any tips?


I really want to do a PhD after in philosophy. Gosh, what a dream come true that would be.

 

[Inappropriate Behavior]

I can't speak to any actual qualifications you may or may not have. You may however have some advantages that you might not be aware of. I don't know what university you seek admission to here but many American universities (may be the same in Europe) seek diversity. Ethnic and cultural. Again depending on which university, telling them you are muslim could be helpful (whereas almost in everything else over here it wouldn't be I'm sorry to say).

Basically stress what it is that you have that would not be readily found in local student populations. What in your background and experience stands out. Someone in admissions at most schools are used to the same old patterns found in American students and would be pleasantly surprised to come across an applicant with different perspectives, interests, backgrounds etc. That's all the advice I can give thus far.

 

[Decaf]

I just don't feel qualified.

What do you think is qualified? Why don't you think you have it?

Don't try to assign a rank to yourself, but rather try to extrapolate your potential from your history and your motivation. If its keeping you up it clearly seems to be something you are highly motivated to do, why? Is it prestige or do you feel like a high end university will help you better learn the subject?

Think for a minute about how you might answer the questions they would ask you and look at your answers. Chances are good that what you've written isn't far off from what many others will write. Answer them again, completely differently. Do it a third time and keep the result. I know that sounds a little weird, but as much as you're trying to stand out, you're not trying to be the teenager with the funky hair. Don't stand out because you're making a ruckus, standout because you've allowed your facade to drop and you passion to show. I don't think many can match the emotional content of an INTP in their element.

 

[walfin]

What if I get rejected? I'll be crushed.

Relax! It's good to see someone excited about something.

Anyway the risk/reward is very low. The gains of being accepted far outweigh the pain of being rejected.

Have a nice glass of wine to relax, then go finish your thing.

All the best!

And don't keep thinking you'll get rejected.

 

[Carnap]

Yeah, you're right. I looked at their admissions page and they are looking for wit and diversity of interests rather than anything else.

I'm going for it !

I've also got 3 European researchers/professors from different universities writing my letters of recommendation !

It's not the prestige I'm after, but the fact that you can, in their masters program, pick your own courses. Only two are complusory and then I can do only Philosophy of Science if I want !!!!