man, just think as a phd, do as a phd, live as a phd broke up with you gf, mate with your professor turn down WJS, check Journals everyday as you did with newspaper no concert, go to the conference etc.... that's beyond serious, that's called xxxxxxx (I reserve that word only to me).
You should try top 15. Research is not difficult but you need to love it. If you love it, any average iq person can be a competent mkt professor. Sky is the limit. Aim high, have guts. Don't be timid. Be assertive in a nice way.