u/Business_Clue_5606

https://preview.redd.it/wvvpnrywtk0h1.png?width=1388&format=png&auto=webp&s=a24674b9c409812fc601f3d61d8534a3347a2b8d

There’s different constellations for different memories,

a melancholy picture of the past,

brings you smile.

A joyful moment makes you cry.

And thats why,

You constellate us as far apart.

One memory, two different sights,

You laugh at it as if it was a childish time

I cry for it, because childhood is pure and high.

Alike a pair of stars, One is shinning,

And the other is gone, Turned into a black hole,

But still shines on some where far away,

You think it gleams.

And I gravitated my own light.

Found this old poem in my notes. It was inspired by the idea that memories change depending on who carries them, almost like different constellations formed from the same stars.

This post is not about admission, but rather how to get ready for admission.
I’m a first-year philosophy student at York University in Canada, and my long-term goal is to apply to top PhD programs like NYU, Rutgers, Pitt, Oxford, etc. I know it’s extremely competitive, and I’m trying to realistically understand where I stand and how much first-year grades matter.

My grades so far are roughly:

• A in Perception, Knowledge and Causality
• A in Freedom, Determinism and Responsibility
• B/B+ range in several philosophy courses
• C in Technology and Social Disruption
• B in Logic

I’m especially interested in philosophy of mind, language, AI, causation, and cognitive science. Recently I’ve started taking writing more seriously, reading outside coursework, attending seminars, and trying to build relationships with professors.

I know these grades are nowhere near “NYU level” right now, but I also know first year is not the end of the story. I’d really appreciate honest advice from people in philosophy academia:

• How much do first-year grades matter for top PhD admissions?
• What should I focus on most over the next 2–3 years?
• Is it realistic to recover from a weak first year?
• What separates students who actually get into places like NYU from strong but ordinary applicants?
• How important are writing samples, references, conference activity, and independent reading?

I’d appreciate realism rather than false encouragement. I genuinely want to improve and understand what the path actually looks like.

I’m a first-year philosophy student at York University in Canada, and my long-term goal is to apply to top PhD programs like NYU, Rutgers, Pitt, Oxford, etc. I know it’s extremely competitive, and I’m trying to realistically understand where I stand and how much first-year grades matter.

My grades so far are roughly:

• A in Perception, Knowledge, and Causality
• A in Freedom, Determinism and Responsibility
• B/B+ range in several philosophy courses
• C in Technology and Social Disruption
• B in Logic

I’m especially interested in philosophy of mind, language, AI, causation, and cognitive science. Recently I’ve started taking writing more seriously, reading outside coursework, attending seminars, and trying to build relationships with professors.

I know these grades are nowhere near “NYU level” right now, but I also know first year is not the end of the story. I’d really appreciate honest advice from people in philosophy academia:

• How much do first-year grades matter for top PhD admissions?
• What should I focus on most over the next 2–3 years?
• Is it realistic to recover from a weak first year?
• What separates students who actually get into places like NYU from strong but ordinary applicants?
• How important are writing samples, references, conference activity, and independent reading?

I’m a first-year philosophy student at York University in Canada, and my long-term goal is to apply to top PhD programs like NYU, Rutgers, Pitt, Oxford, etc. I know it’s extremely competitive, and I’m trying to realistically understand where I stand and how much first-year grades matter.

My grades so far are roughly:

• A in Perception, Knowledge, and Causality
• A in Freedom, Determinism and Responsibility
• B/B+ range in several philosophy courses
• C in Technology and Social Disruption
• B in Logic

I’m especially interested in philosophy of mind, language, AI, causation, and cognitive science. Recently I’ve started taking writing more seriously, reading outside coursework, attending seminars, and trying to build relationships with professors.

I know these grades are nowhere near “NYU level” right now, but I also know first year is not the end of the story. I’d really appreciate honest advice from people in philosophy academia:

• How much do first-year grades matter for top PhD admissions?
• What should I focus on most over the next 2–3 years?
• Is it realistic to recover from a weak first year?
• What separates students who actually get into places like NYU from strong but ordinary applicants?
• How important are writing samples, references, conference activity, and independent reading?