Do I have a good chance of being admitted to these Ph.D. in English programs? How can I improve?

Question

I am currently applying to graduate programs in English, but I don't want to waste my money and time (nor the program's time) if I don't have a chance of getting in. I have an extremely high GPA, GRE Verbal in 93 percentile, great letters of reference, and have presented at three conferences (2 local, 1 national). Assuming my personal statement and writing sample are fine, how likely is it that the following schools will admit me?

1. University of Pennsylvania
2. University of Virginia
3. University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign
4. University of North Carolina--Chapel Hill
5. University of Texas--Austin
6.New York University
7. Vanderbilt University
8. Boston University

All of these schools are a good fit for my interests. Any advice is appreciated, even if it is only about 1 or 2 of the schools. Also, if some of these are long shots, any ideas on how I can improve to get in? Thanks.

My undergrad school is a public liberal arts college. So I guess one of my concerns in reference to the schools I listed is this: how much of a factor does undergrad school prestige play?

Answer 1

These are competitive programs. Your GRE score will help tremendously. Your qualifications are all in order, so I wouldn't worry about that.

The big factors in your case will be "fit" and the competition.
You've indicated that there are indeed faculty in these programs with specializations in your area of study, and that is critical when the faculty examine your application for "fit." The level of competition is unpredictable from year to year, however.

Without seeing your entire application, I can't really weigh your chances, but it seems like you've got a good shot, and should be admitted to more than one of your schools.

If possible, contact the DGS at each program to arrange a visit. Speaking in person to some of the faculty could be helpful in terms of admissions. But don't go directly to faculty. Tell the DGS with whom you'd like to meet, and see if it is possible. Some programs can even help defray some of the cost of your travel, and/or put you up on campus. (My program does.)

Just remember when you do receive your acceptances to weigh BOTH the level of support extended to you AND the reputation of the program.

Answer 2

I can't comment on these schools, but the one factor that you fail to mention is what college / university from which you will graduate. If your undergrad has a great reputation then you boost your chances at grad school.

If you're going for a Ph.D in English, how can you STAND the horrible abuse of the English language in this place???

Answer 3

If you talk to the secretaries in these graudate departments they will often waive the application fees. I applied for graduate school three years ago and didn't have to pay a single one!

I also wouldn't wait any longer to apply. The sooner your appliation gets there the sooner you can find out where you'll be going and start working on getting financial aid.

cheers.

ss

Answer 4

Did you get your MA lately, en course in your PhD? I do not have private revel in with this, however....I recognise 3 or 4 pupils who got here to my (best-tier) software after having left a PhD software in other places in a while after completing their MS. I consider it's rather natural to modify faculties once you have a grasp's, although you have been truthfully enrolled of their PhD software. However, it might frequently appear unhealthy should you acquired your MA in a single location, then went to yet another location and ultimately left their PhD software. .

Answer 5

For UPenn, you have a better shot of getting in if you know someone who went there to do your letter of recommendation. They are incredibly selective and sometimes having someone who has some pull there helps. Good luck.