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[theblondeassassin]

I do think that unless it's a VERY popular potential area of doctoral study with loads of superstar advisors, the applicant needs to refine the topic or other aspects of study a bit more if there are 13 doctoral programmes that he or she would apply to (not could apply to). I'm not all that impressed when I get an email with the equivalent of "I'd like to study quantitative economics at PhD level -- will you supervise me?"

On the other hand, I can think of twenty people at good programs who could supervise someone whose interests are molecular dynamics of the physical properties of alkanes.  Give me an hour and I could probably come up with fifty names of people at programs worth attending.

This might be one of those examples where there are truths on one side of the arts and sciences divide that are falsehoods on the other side.

Fit tends to be very specific in my discipline, especially because there are so many potential choices of methodology and method, which don't suit everyone equally.

I would still think that a wise applicant would consider whether all thirteen potential programmes would be "a good fit beyond the general area that [OP] is interested in" -- questions such as what's the required RTA load, do I love/hate small towns, do I love/loathe hot/cold weather, what are the course requirements, how fast do people complete, what is the record on placements, is this school above/below my reach, etc. If 50 schools meet those criteria and the applicant is indiff erent between them, then 50 applications might be appropriate.

On the other hand, when I was running our PhD programme (ranked in the top 15 in the world, >100 enrolled students) and reading 300-400 applications per year, I did want to see more than a generic, mail-merged* application that could apply to half the supervisors across several subdisciplines, with no compelling reason for the student to be studying with us.

*And I do mean mail-merged literally -- some even along the lines of "I have always wanted to study for a doctorate at [insert name here, but give the name of main rival university]" or "My dream is to study [topic not supervisable at this university] with [person gone so long I had never heard of them]".

[bodyelectric]

First, thanks so much for all your replies.

If it helps, my interests are 'the intersection of theories x and y in a relatively new form of dance'. Eleven of the departments have at least two of someone who does x, someone who does y and someone who studies dance from a contemporary and polical perspective, as opposed to a dance history scholar. The other two departments have 'superstars' of this particular area of study.

Also, according to the schools that post the number of applications they receive and the number of students they accept, generally they receive between 30 - 50 applications and accept between 2 and 6 students each year.

I think I'll go back and review the list again. While I don't think only two applications is a good idea for my circumstances, I could probably stand to whittle down the list a bit.

[totoro]

totoro, the UK is my current location, but my fourth country of residence. I did my doctoral studies in the US and got my first job from there. (Well, that's the simple version -- it's actually a lot more complicated but not very interesting.)

I am not much of an applier, though! I usually only apply if I'm specifically pressed to do so, and not always even then. Perhaps I'd have a more stellar career if I were more proactive (and less lazy).

I do think that unless it's a VERY popular potential area of doctoral study with loads of superstar advisors, the applicant needs to refine the topic or other aspects of study a bit more if there are 13 doctoral programmes that he or she would apply to (not could apply to). I'm not all that impressed when I get an email with the equivalent of "I'd like to study quantitative economics at PhD level -- will you supervise me?"

I commented on the UK because you're using UK terminology (and even spelling) about PhD degrees. I was born in the UK and live in Australia now but did a US PhD and also was a professor in the US including being director of graduate studies for my program...

Applying to do a PhD in the US if you're interest is in a big field like macro-economics it would make sense to apply to a bunch of the top schools and then some "back-ups" or "safety schools" as they all have this field. There are 5-10 top programs and 30 good ones etc. Mostly you don't need an adviser lined up. In the small specialized program that I directed it was helpful and we wanted focused applications but probably not at Harvard or MIT.

Now here in Australia you do need a supervisor lined up or we won't take you. And that's despite our PhD program in econ requiring a year of coursework, which is not the norm for Australian PhDs.

[2clueless]

I think the number of applications may be very field-dependent, as well as dependent on the goals of the applicant. In some fields, it seems like applicants merely know that they want to study basketweaving and the admissions process concentrates on aptitude in basketweaving and evidence of potential for original research, with zero expectation of previous original research. At the other extreme, there are some fields where it seems one is expected to have produced meaningful original research and have a dissertation question in mind prior to the application process.

Most of the work in writing a letter of recommendation for a grad school applicant is invested in the initial letter, so fifteen letters isn't that much worse than one, especially since you'll be able to give your writers months of notice to fill those awful checkbox forms, online drop-down menus, etc. However, it might be worth discussing your reasons for applying broadly with your letter-writers, perhaps supplying them with a list of "Schools/advisors specializing in X," "Schools/advisors specializing in Y," etc., with a paragraph at the top about how your interests cross X and Y, motivating your applications to schools with specialties in X as well as applications to schools with specialties in Y. Of course, your letter writers might also be excellent resources for information about the application process in your field and have suggestions for tailoring your list.

[bigghostdini_tha_don]

I would say apply for as many as possible.  Don't fret about the letters, your profs will just copy-and-paste anyway.

[ajaykuat]

how to write a research plan for applying Phd or ms programme

[edmonddantes]

This isn't exactly what you asked, and you sound very proactive/organized, but remember that whatever number of programs you choose is the number of applications you have to complete.

I recently applied to PhD programs in the social sciences and it took me approximately 8 hours an application--even after my generic statement of purpose etc. was already put together. 

As theblondeassasin mentioned, you have to individualize each statement of purpose.  You also may need to customize your CVs, shorten your writing sample (or the dance equivalent of a writing sample), answer all of the question on the forms etc. etc. etc.  AND, make sure that your recommenders submit their letters on time--perhaps the most agonizing part of the process.

I remind you of this because I forgot how much work the application process was while in my MA program.

That being said, my recommenders suggested that I apply to 10+ schools.

Postscript: make sure to have a back-up recommender.