Phil PhD and MA Programs - Help Choosing Where to Apply (any advice is much appreciated)

[Snapplebsjgb]

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.

[magog]

I think your research interests are a little broad - my suggestion would be to tailor them to each dept you apply to, and also depending on who your POIs are.  For instance, you might say "I am interested in studying transcendentalism with Professor X, and Latin American philosophy with Dr. Doom," etc.  

 

Other than that, I'd say 10 - 15 apps is a good number, that's about how many most of the successful applicants I know applied to.  Also from what I know of those schools they seem to fit your interests well.

 

Oh, also, to get more responses I'd suggest posting this in the philosophy forum.

Edited June 14, 2013 by magog

[Snapplebsjgb]

I think your research interests are a little broad - my suggestion would be to tailor them to each dept you apply to, and also depending on who your POIs are.  For instance, you might say "I am interested in studying transcendentalism with Professor X, and Latin American philosophy with Dr. Doom," etc.  

 

Other than that, I'd say 10 - 15 apps is a good number, that's about how many most of the successful applicants I know applied to.  Also from what I know of those schools they seem to fit your interests well.

 

Oh, also, to get more responses I'd suggest posting this in the philosophy forum.

 

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! 

[greenwintermints]

If you can afford 15 applications, I'd go for it! But make sure you have the time to thoroughly research 15 schools and tailor your applications to each one - you'll be more successful that way! My list had about 15 schools but I'm slowly narrowing it down to 8 or 10 (12 is my maximum!) so that it's more manageable.

[tomjonesy517]

You need to look at Stony Brook. Very strong in feminism, plus Mendieta is a translator of Dussel.

Edited June 21, 2013 by tomjonesy517

[bar_scene_gambler]

I second tomjonesy's advice. I had the opportunity to speak with Mendieta at a conference that I presented at, and if you're interested in Latin-American philosophy, he's definitely the guy to study with.

[Snapplebsjgb]

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