Janacek

I wanted to have the first chapter of my undergraduate honors thesis in good enough condition to be sent out with my application but that doesn't seem to be the case. However, I have a thesis proposal that meets writing sample length requirements (15-20 pages) and has been thoroughly edited and reviewed by my faculty advisor. Would a thesis proposal be an acceptable example of a writing sample? It relates to my intended field of study and contains a literature review, methodology, and chapter outlines. The graduate admissions website (University of Washington) isn't terribly specific about what *type* of writing the writing sample should illustrate. Assuming a thesis proposal is an unacceptable example of my writing, I'll probably have to sit out applying for admission to schools with earlier deadlines. I'm already annoyed with myself for not having a chapter of my thesis in good enough condition to be included in my packet and as a result I've already considered skipping my first deadline (Jan. 2). I'd have to pay for my materials to be overnighted which would be incredibly expensive not to mention one of my letter writers STILL hasn't uploaded her letter of recommendation to my Interfolio despite my nagging her all month. I know a lot of you out there are really stressed out but hey, at least you're not in my dismal position (and if you are, then good luck to you)!

Programs that fit my interests like a glove: University of Michigan University of Oregon University of Massachusetts -- Boston Programs that I'm considering applying to when I've combed through their faculty publications thoroughly: CUNY University of Washington Syracuse University University of Chicago "Safe" schools: UCF (my current school, an enormous but unimpressive state university) My research interests are somewhat broad. For my honors thesis I'll be writing about the theme of shame in women's fiction, specifically through the lens of affect theory. I'm doing my "research" semester presently and am surveying (mostly British) literature from Jane Austen til the present. I'm interested in sentimentality and emotion, specifically how women express themselves or have their expressions repressed in the genres of sensation and romance fiction. It's pretty exciting stuff and is also a bit of a hodge-podge of my interests like film and confessional poetry. I'm not sure if it's the kind of thing worthy of a PhD or Master's application - though my first chapter will probably be my writing sample since this will be the most intensely worked-on paper I'll have ever attempted. I feel really nervous applying to schools that get a lot of applicants. I'm trying to be reasonable with my ambitions but it's so tempting to apply to some perfectly beautiful programs.