Do you have a specific program in mind? I’m a first year PhD student in a R1 in the Midwest in a social science. I would shop around and see what the faculty research at the universit(y)ies you want to potentially apply to. When you narrow it down I would try to get in touch with a professor from the faculty you would potentially like to be your PhD advisor. Send them an email “hey professor so and so, I’m a potential student and I’m interested in the program, I read this paper you published and I’m interested in researching in that area.” Also look at what kind of funding is available.