Choosing a subfield in the grad application

[doubledogd]

Hello all:

I'm applying to a bunch of PhD programs in English this season and had a question about the applications. Looking through, most applications seem to ask you to choose a subfield from a drop-down list. My concern is trying to choose between a literary time period (20th-century American, etc.) or the general Critical Theory subfield. Given what I want to study, I could choose either option, but I am wondering what is at stake in the decision.

Does this question determine who will look over my application? Is there a smarter or more competitive choice? How does my answer to this subfield question affect the way my application is handled?

Thanks in advance for any responses!

[Ramus]

It could possibly affect who reads your application, but it will certainly affect how you are "categorized" by the adcomm. If you select 20C, you'll be treated as a 20C applicant, and the same holds if you select theory. So it matters quite a bit. Couldn't tell you which one would be "smarter or more competitive," though. That's going to depend on the particular school and the particular application year. 

[ProfLorax]

Ramus, though, I wonder if DDD's selection from the drop-down menu will be the deciding factor of who reads the application OR if the statement of purpose will be. I'd imagine the latter. 

[Ramus]

Yeah, you're probably right about that. I had thought DDD's question about the drop-down menu was really one about being clear what their subfield is. That was careless thinking on my part.