Ambition Quote by Robert Hass
“When I applied to Stanford, I applied for graduate work in the PhD program, not to the creative writing program, mostly because though I had some vague ambition of becoming a writer and I was trying to write poems and essays and stories, I didn't feel like I was far enough along to submit work to some place and have it judged.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Public Radio, 1999
The author felt unqualified for a prestigious program, choosing a less demanding path despite creative ambitions.
In simple terms: Felt not ready for top program, chose a lower‑pressure option.
Key Takeaway
Accept where you are, then grow.
Themes
self‑doubt
career choices
creative ambition
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
advisory
personal narrative
When to use this quote
- applying to graduate school
- choosing a major
- seeking mentorship
Key Concepts
impostor syndrome
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you have gained by applying to the PhD program?
- How can you build confidence in your work?
A Different Perspective
May limit exposure to challenging opportunities.
![“[On being first black woman to earn a PhD in economics and first black woman admitted to Pennsylvania bar:] I never looked for anybody to hold the door open for me. I knew well that the only way I could get that door open was to knock it down: because I knocked all of them down.” quote by Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4eb/sadie-tanner-mossell-alexander_admitted_on-being-first-black-woman-to-earn-a-phd_451217.jpg)
