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UChicago for me as well. Actually, I think I'd be happy at any of the schools that I'm applying (I'm applying to 6).

Just to be clear: originally, I thought I was doing independent work, until I learned that A is doing exactly what I was considering of doing (but of course, at a much more profound level). So this is not about me being obsessed with A, but rather the interest, which happened to be something already done by A and his 'predecessors' (either dead or non-US) in some regard. (In that sense A is not exactly the pioneer but is definitely someone who consolidated the thought and brought it into spotlight, especially to US.) Therefore, what I want to do, naturally, is to study what they've already done, and start from there to find my own path, instead of trying to do something from scratch without any reference to A whatsoever, because that's just a waste of time. *This* is why I want to study with A -- he's knowledged in this field, and I can see that studying with him would be useful, not that I want to admire him and simply replicate what he's doing. In other words, as long as I am going to follow this interest, I'll have to engage with A's work in some way or other, and what's better than to do it as a student, and not through a book or an article? But this is not to disagree with what you've said. I think I now finally see that my job is to make it clear to the admission committee that I intend to do work along the lines of A, but as an independently thinking scholar. Also, I think I can see myself doing something a little different but nevertheless in strong connection with A's work, and then make my way from there. I'm not sure why this wasn't so clear at first. Probably stress and anxiety. Anyway, thanks for hearing me out, and for the helpful comments. They are much appreciated.

Thank you for your advice. I guess I was having difficulty trying to take A out of the picture because the whole field has got to do with A and his work. It's like I'm a physics student in the 1920s, I am interested in the theory of relativity, and A is Einstein. It's kind of hard to not talk about Einstein when I want to express my interest in relativity, like as if this is my original idea. Of course, I intend to pick up relativity because I can see potential in expanding it to other areas, but it's kind of strange to ignore mentioning Einstein when everyone knows that this is all about Einstein. But then again, your advice was helpful. Thank you.

Hi, thanks for the quick response. I will most likely do that (i.e. make generic paragraphs and custom tailor them to each school) but 1) I don't want to be just a mirror reflecting the department's interest, because even if I do get in, I imagine I won't be enjoying what I'm doing; 2) A's research interest is narrow and most programs don't offer it, or at least, is not obviously stated on their websites (but it could be a secondary interest for some faculty members, just that they didn't feel like stating it). But then again, I'm only applying to schools that have some substantive connection to that specific interest (a common ground / context, if you may) -- in other words, if I deem that a certain department is not doing anything close to this interest, I will most likely not apply to that department from the start. But again, I get your point that I should make some compromises on my end, and I think that's probably the answer to all these, but still ... I feel restricted. Idk if I should just forgo all these and pursue it later as post-doc or some time during my PhD program as a personal interest (assuming I become a PhD student). to Cesare: I'm a humanities student, and for myself, this interest came to me quite recently (this year) and I haven't managed to produce anything on it, although my previous works arguably contain some 'groundwork' that could possibly have led to this new field ... or not. Anyway, like you, I can't possibly see myself doing anything else after having come across it. I guess I should try doing what you did ... but it's going to be hard.

Hi, I have a strong interest in the works of a certain well-known professor (call him A) which is kind of unique in the field, such that when I mention anything close to it, people who are familiar in this field will probably recognize that I'm talking about A's work. I am wondering if I should go ahead with mentioning this interest in my SOP because it may sound too narrow (considering it is still somewhat uncommon in the US) and not many will identify that as 'fitting' with their interests. Of course, this will not be a problem for the school where A's teaching at, but I'm applying to several other schools, and considering that A is teaching in a very competitive program, I think it's not a good idea to risk all my other apps just for this hard-to-get-in program. I can always cater to each program by writing different versions of the SOP. Then again, I am wondering if it'll be worth in the end to sacrifice my primary interest for something secondary. And if the schools think that I'm not a fit, then that's probably true. So I guess the real question boils down to this: how much should I 'cater' to the program when I am writing the SOP? Or, how are you dealing/have you dealt with this? I am probably going to write different versions of the SOP (but still clearly mentioning that narrow focus) and hope it'll work out somehow. But I am also just curious what others have to say about this. Any advice?

Sorry for the late reply, but thanks to both. UCR is somewhere I never thought about but now I'm very interested. I'm interested in NU as well but it seems from the faculty / courses that they are more analytic-oriented than continental (I may be wrong) and that's what is discouraging me from applying. UChicago is my top choice.

I see. Thank you. If you are looking for philosophy departments, can you share which ones are you looking at? By the way I think this restriction between philosophy and theology is although somewhat understandable, ridiculous. I think they should at least look at the writing sample or the cv before just categorically deciding one's capacity in doing a certain work. :/

Hi, I'm a philosophy MA student looking for divinity programs with faculty doing work heavily in philosophy, particularly phenomenology. So far I've looked at Chicago's divinity school, and other philosophy departments (mostly catholic / jesuit). Any recommendations of programs and specific faculty members will be helpful. Also, what do you think are the chances of a philosophy major getting into a divinity phd program? Thank you.

Hi, I'm a Master's student and I'm applying this december. My interests are: German idealists (Kant, Hegel, post-Kantians); phenomenology, primarily Husserl, and thinkers who influenced his work, such as Spinoza, Leibniz, Kant, etc.; and although not as a main interest -- Plato, Aristotle -- only in so far as they interact with phenomenology. I'm also interested in religion, specifically the interaction between phenomenology and theology, and naturally I'm inclined towards the French phenomenologists (Levinas, Derrida, Marion, Chretien et al.) but I haven't had the chance to study them in depth yet (this is a recently formed study interest) -- maybe next semester. I'm currently looking for schools/faculty and I'd like some recommendations, if you have any. Also, is it recommended that I approach the faculty that I'm interested in via email before the application? And if so, how do I go about doing that? What I mean is, what kind of questions should I ask, and what kind of response should I expect? Thank you.

Thank you. I guess it's safer to go that way. Oh well. The competitiveness is affecting me already.

Hi, I'm a newly admitted grad student and I'm looking for advice. My question is about the Logic course (requirement): should I take this as credit (shows up on transcript) or non-credit (nothing on transcript)? Does this affect in the application, in the sense that schools are looking for applicants with 'ability to think philosophicaly' etc.? I might be overthinking this but breaking into the philosophy department was rather difficult because I haven't done any undergrad work on philosophy (though somewhat related) and there is just too much competition. Just any insight, even something like what made you take it as credit/non-credit, will be helpful. Thank you.