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Thanks for the adivce. I hadn't considered Stoney Brook, I'll definitely look into thier program

I didn't know about the philosophy form, I should have explored the cafe more. I'll definitely try posting this there. Working with Professor X would be beyond awesome! - lol Thanks for the advice!

This coming Fall I will be applying to PhD and MA programs in philosophy. My semi-broad research interests include: American Philosophy (transcendentalism, pragmatism), Continental Philosophy, Existentialism & Phenomenology (Kierkegaard, Sartre, de Beauvoir), Philosophy of Religion (concerning the nature of belief/faith), Latin American Philosophy (Liberation, Dussel, Fanon). Also, I’ll be graduating next Spring with a B.A in Philosophy and Biology. I have a few questions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated: 1) For anyone applying/accepted into PhD programs: how specific do my research interests have to be in my SOP? I've read that they shouldn't be exceedingly specific (to show open-mindedness), but that they have to show some level of insight/philosophical maturity. From what I have listed, do my interests seem too broad? I do plan on focusing them in the coming weeks, but I'm not sure how 'specific' they need to be. 2) At present, I've done some research into the schools I'd like to apply. I have a list of about 20 schools. I've been saving my money and can probably afford about 15. However, is this an excessively high number? Should I aim lower, or possibly higher? Thoughts? 3) I tried my best to match myself up with departments that align with my research interests (esp the PhD programs) , but can only go by department websites. The following is a list of the schools I’m considering. Can anyone who has attended or has any sort of insight on these schools, in relation to my research interests, let me know what they think. Any general comments about the programs I've listed are also more than welcome. PhD: Southern Illinois Univ - Carbondale; Texas A&M Univ; Penn State; Duquesne Univ; WashU; Univ of Oregon; Univ of New Mexico; Georgetown Univ; Tulane Univ; Villanova Univ; Univ of Memphis Terminal MA programs: Northern Illinois Univ; Georgia State Univ; American Univ; Miami Univ; Louisiana State Univ; Loyola Marymount Univ; Univ of Wisconsin; Univ of Houston; Texas Tech Univ Thank you in advance for any input.