PhD English - 2026 Application Cycle

[hm25]

Didn't see a thread yet, just finished all my applications today across three disciplines including English/Lit so very anxious about my first cycle and waiting period! Good luck everyone

[ottessamoshfegh]

I'm applying this cycle as well! 11 schools total, finished my December 1 applications yesterday. 

[Nikis]

I’ve applied to 4 programs so far: Emory, Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins( Comparative Lit) and UTK. Thoughts? 

[Mystic_Sunshine]

Thank your creating the thread!! Is Anyone rhet comp? I've applied to 10 schools and plan to apply to 2 more. 

[labradoodle]

Applying to Duke Literature, Yale English, Johns Hopkins Comparative Thought/Lit, Oxford English, was going to apply to Stanford MTL before they cancelled, as well as some other programmes: Exeter English, Cambridge History Philosophy of Science, Cambridge Digital Humanities, University Utrecht Humanities, and possibly LSE philosophy (still need to reach out to a supervisor) and Harvard English (but they require a separate 300 dollar English test from me so probs not)

[hm25]

Good luck everyone, sounds like we're all casting a wide net! The waiting to hear back anxiety hit me harder already than I thought it would. With my master's I applied so last minute I had no time to think so now I'm on the edge of my seat far too early haha

[Salt_Shaker]

Hi All! I only had one deadline that was due on 12/1 (that being UTK), but I made sure to get my other ones applied and over with. Now the wait begins!

 

Out of curiosity, does anyone know when UTK starts contacting folks? Or any program with a 12/1 deadline. Just wondering how long it might take to hear back.

[Shane1]

I intend to apply to 7 programs overall and already submitted to 4 programs (PennState, UW Madison, UT Austin, and Rutgers). Have anyone applied to these?

[Mystic_Sunshine]

9 hours ago, Shane1 said:

I intend to apply to 7 programs overall and already submitted to 4 programs (PennState, UW Madison, UT Austin, and Rutgers). Have anyone applied to these?

I applied to Penn state, Madison, and Austin.

[Shane1]

4 hours ago, Mystic_Sunshine said:

I applied to Penn state, Madison, and Austin.

Oh May I ask what your research interests are? 

[Mystic_Sunshine]

18 hours ago, Shane1 said:

Oh May I ask what your research interests are? 

Rhet comp with an emphasis in cultural rhetorics. You?

[Shane1]

6 hours ago, Mystic_Sunshine said:

Rhet comp with an emphasis in cultural rhetorics. You?

Contem brit lit

[Salt_Shaker]

I'm applying for a PhD with a dissertation in creative writing (is anyone else here is too?) Has anyone heard any movement yet from UTK and/or any other schools? Let me know if you hear anything!

[Mystic_Sunshine]

20 hours ago, Salt_Shaker said:

I'm applying for a PhD with a dissertation in creative writing (is anyone else here is too?) Has anyone heard any movement yet from UTK and/or any other schools? Let me know if you hear anything!

I've heard from Syracuse (but not CW). I'm assuming most schools will start having significant movement at end of Jan/early Feb.

[ottessamoshfegh]

Officially finished my last application today! Now the dreaded wait begins...

[Mystic_Sunshine]

On 1/5/2026 at 11:09 AM, ottessamoshfegh said:

Officially finished my last application today! Now the dreaded wait begins...

best of luck!

[Jaydena]

On 1/2/2026 at 12:20 PM, Mystic_Sunshine said:

I've heard from Syracuse (but not CW). I'm assuming most schools will start having significant movement at end of Jan/early Feb.

Has Syracuse already given decisions?

[Nikis]

Did anyone get an interview request from any universities? Emory/ Vanderbilt?

[polt29]

19 hours ago, Nikis said:

Did anyone get an interview request from any universities? Emory/ Vanderbilt?

I think one person posted an Emory interview request from yesterday

[Nikis]

Thanks, Polt. I didn’t see it. Was it here? 

[JPReaper]

I applied to these cycle 26:

NYU Phd in Comparative Lit

Howard University Phd in English 

Backup MA programs: Hunter College (Cuny) and McGill (Canada)

[polt29]

On 1/17/2026 at 4:23 PM, Nikis said:

Thanks, Polt. I didn’t see it. Was it here? 

Yeah, its on GradCafe results, not in the forum

[Mystic_Sunshine]

On 1/13/2026 at 11:52 PM, Jaydena said:

Has Syracuse already given decisions?

It may depend on what actual program you applied to. I'm not a lit person

[environhum]

Anyone claiming the UMass waitlist? Any others accepted/rejected from UMass yet?

[environhum]

Nevermind - rejected lol