I am applying this cycle as well, rosestark!
As for UT-Austin, I'm currently an undergraduate student there. The department is so small and cozy. The professors are such a pleasure to work with, and I feel fortunate to have them as fantastic mentors. However, I'm not sure there is anyone here whose interests align 100% with yours, though Prof. Tissières' work looks promising. She has extensive knowledge in African and Caribbean Francophone literature, film, and art.
My top choice at the moment is Michigan. My main areas of interest involve the problematic issues surrounding courtly love and representations of the female body in medieval literature. Intersections between race, gender, and sexuality are also of interest. I need to refine my research interests for sure, and I hope I'm able to do so in graduate school. What an exciting process!
