GreenEyedTrombonist

Writing Samples often vary depending on the program. For instance, I had one that required the entire Master's thesis, another that required "The thesis abstract and one or more chapters", another that just wanted it to be less than 30 pages, and another that wanted it to be 15-20 pages in length. Still, other programs on my list recommend including a sample but give no specific length or content information as it's not required. 
First things first, you probably don't want to turn in an entire thesis unless it's asked for by the program. Theses are long and adcoms probably won't want to read through it all. Better to give them a chapter or so that exemplifies your work. In my case, I reformatted my Findings chapter to meet the requirements as it hinted at methodology, research design, and my ability to think analytically about my topic. Since there were no citations in this chapter, I did not include a reference list, but you should if citations are present. Reference lists do not count against your page total. 
The goal of the writing sample is to show adcoms that you are able to engage in the research process and academically communicate that process. It gives them the best sense of your writing style and the caliber of the work you will produce if in their department, as most academic programs still heavily rely on written deliverables as the main output (articles, papers, dissertations, etc). 

Speak with someone at each program (probably the DGS) and tell them your concerns. If you don't test well in math it may not be something you can improve with another testing. However, if you speak to the programs and let them know that you don't do well on tests, they may be able to offer advice. That advice could be anything from "still apply" to "apply and address it in your SoP" to "ehhhh try and improve that quant score." Personally, I don't see any point in delaying your apps when you know what the problem is but haven't spoken with the programs about it yet. They're your best bet of learning if a lower quant will actually hurt your app in this case.

Speak with someone at each program (probably the DGS) and tell them your concerns. If you don't test well in math it may not be something you can improve with another testing. However, if you speak to the programs and let them know that you don't do well on tests, they may be able to offer advice. That advice could be anything from "still apply" to "apply and address it in your SoP" to "ehhhh try and improve that quant score." Personally, I don't see any point in delaying your apps when you know what the problem is but haven't spoken with the programs about it yet. They're your best bet of learning if a lower quant will actually hurt your app in this case.

_kita did a thorough response and I'd go with their advice. When I was contacting professors, I'd mention a bit of my background, my research interests, and how I've read some of their work that I think aligns with my interests. I'd mention I had some questions about the program and was wondering if they'd be willing to talk a bit (in nicer language). Since I'm switching fields, I also contacted the DGS of my intended programs. Again I'd mention my background and research interests, then ask about my concerns with switching fields. I'd always thank them in advance for their time.
It is important to note, though, that you should not tell a POI you've read their work if you haven't and shouldn't say you have questions if you don't. Be respectful and honest in your communication with potential advisors.
Results for Me: I contacted all of the programs I was interested in and, of the 7 schools I'm applying to, I spoke on the phone with professors at 4 schools and had a longish email exchange with the DGS at another. One of the schools does not allow for contacting professors before submitting the application so I used their automated system instead and received quite a bit of information. So, allowing for the one school where I can't contact profs early, 5/6 spending the time to speak with me in depth is pretty good. I also learned a lot more information about the program, surrounding area, and the professors by doing this. However, it should be noted that it is definitely not required for acceptance into a program. 

This is way too broad a question. What are your research interests? What research into programs have you already conducted? What are your ultimate career goals? Although this forum can be extremely helpful through the process, it is not a substitute for researching programs on your own nor do I think it should be the very first step in your application process. 
Figure out what your research interests are and, if you haven't already, read articles related to these interests. Make note of the authors and who they cite, then look up if these people are professors and where they teach. This is probably the quickest way to find the best programs for you, get a head start on future lit reviews, and give you background knowledge of potential PoIs so that, if you contact them, you have something to discuss. 

Though probably not in your case, I thought I would add one more to fuzzylogician's list.
By Email: The program provides an email address to which your writers will submit their letters directly. This is outside the application form. Only one of my programs has this requirement, but thought it was still worth mentioning.

If they say you need both, include both. Check if there are any specific prompts for the cover letter or research statement and try to complement (but not copy) the information in each.

I write articles as my main source of income at the moment and I do think that experience can be beneficial in an app. However, I do not list each of my articles under my publications. Instead, I've listed each of the websites that have hired me as a writer in my Related Work Experience section. Part of this has to do with space (I've written upwards of 80 articles) and part of it has to do with content (I'm fairly sure adcoms don't want to see how many articles I've written about DnD and Pokemon Go). Given you've written two blog posts that are academic in nature, I don't see why you wouldn't include them on the CV. Just be clear they are not peer-reviewed publications.

It's too soon. As long as they agreed to write this letter for you before you sent the request, don't freak out. Do they have all the information they need from you? When is the deadline for the app?
Remember that your writers are busy people. Part of the reason we request letters months in advance is so they can work it into their schedules, not so they can finish our letters weeks before the apps are due.
From my own experience, I have one writer who has finished and submitted all her letters because she's got her own personal deadline (going on sabbatical so needs to finish all her tasks by a certain date). I have another who will probably submit all of his in October or November. My third submits each letter on the day of the deadline. I know this because they all submitted letters for me last year (so I know what to expect). The point is that all letter writers are different and it's best not to assume the worst case scenario.
I tend to freak out as well. I think my plan will be to resend the unanswered requests Nov 1st and then send an email a week before the deadline asking if I should resend the request or if they need any other info from me (phrasing this in the nicest way possible, aka not asking why they haven't submitted yet).

Honestly? It's partially subjective. Now, the graders of the essays are quite experienced and know the guidelines inside and out, but it's still ultimately based on their opinion. That's why we get 4.5, 5.5, etc scores (that .5 is usually a discrepancy between graders that is then averaged). Ultimately, you don't need to worry about the differences between satisfactory and adequate so much as you need to worry about following the directions and fully answering the prompt.
 
If it helps, I improved my AW score from 4.5 to 5.5 between the end of undergrad and my first year of my MA. I think a large part of this score difference was that, the second time, I worried less about perfect grammar and focused on an "introduction, argument, counter-argument, argument, conclusion about how this prompt is wrong to create a false dichotomy" approach. 

Without knowing more details, it is hard to give advice, but no professional should ever call someone a weasel and a scoundrel unprovoked. If that's their response to a retraction maybe you shouldn't care if you are blacklisted. 
If you are blacklisted, it'll probably only be until that editor moves on though.

You may want to consider reaching out to the potential advisor as well. I reached out last year to an advisor whose interests closely matched my own and is well-known in my field. They told me they'd love to work with me, but no one else in the program does our kind of stuff so there was no point applying there. Then they gave me a list of programs to check out that were more embracing of my research interests and goals (note: I did not request that they do this, but thanked them after they did). Bottom line, the professor will be able to tell you if it's a waste of time applying or if their program is a good fit despite what the (potentially outdated) website might say. 
Also look at the dissertations from recent graduates of the program. See if any of them are doing research that aligns with your interests. 

Yes, the Diversity Statement is fairly tricky as an optional doc. It's one of those things where it could either help or really hurt and I don't know if there's a way to be sure which way it'll go. Have you been in contact with the DGS of each program? Maybe you can ask if a Diversity Statement would be welcome.

I would be interested to hear what others think about the Diversity Statement. Short answer to your last question is that it could hurt to provide more, but it depends on the program and the adcoms. If a program says something like "no writing sample required but highly encouraged" you should submit it. If it makes no mention of the optional supplemental material, well that's trickier. 
For me, many of my programs do not require, but "highly encourage" a writing sample so I'll be submitting a sample to every program. Only two of my programs require or mention a Diversity Statement, so I don't know about including it for the others.

CV is curriculum vitae (aka your academic resume)
WS is writing sample
SoP means Statement of Purpose (sometimes called a Personal Statement by some programs)

My MA is in applied anthro. What do you want to know?

Hey fallfish,
If you've already asked all of the questions you had and the profs left it on a good note, there is no need to reach out again imo. Instead, reach out and let them know when you've submitted the application and thank them again for taking the time to speak with you before. This puts you in their minds closer to when applications will be reviewed and doesn't take up more of their time needlessly. 
As for your second question, I'm fairly certain the chances of a prof telling you you'll get in just as long as you apply is slim to none. One professor rarely has the ability to make admissions decisions alone and it would be irresponsible of them to promise something when they have no way to actually guarantee it happens. That being said, professors can say things that indicate they think you are a strong applicant or would like to work with you if you do apply (and are accepted/choose to go there). Just today I spoke with a professor who told me point blank they want me to apply to the program and would be excited to work with me if I go to their program. Again, this is not a guarantee of admission, but is a good indicator that our conversation went well and that I can mention this prof in my SoP.
Hope this helps!

@GreenEyedTrombonist Aha, I thought you were still applying to half anthro and half communications. My advice may not be as relevant as I thought! It seems like you've figured out that your project is not a great fit for anthropology (for finicky but real methodological reasons: you could do exactly your project, but I think you'd have to frame it differently). It sounds like communications is a good fit for the way you want to do your research! Good luck.

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement! Will take your advice to heart. I wish you the best of luck with everything!!! 

As long as you are choosing schools based on goodness of fit, it sounds like you have a good chance of getting in (pending SoP, writing sample, and GRE). Was this a professor, a fellow student, or someone else? What are they basing this on?

I'm glad we could help out and it definitely sounds like that person is the one out of touch with reality. As samman eluded to, applicants sometimes get into the top 20 schools and rejected from their safety (usually due to goodness of fit). Write a great SoP, apply to the programs where you and your research are a great fit, and keep doing you. <3

We've talked a bit before, so take my advice for whatever its worth.
1) There may be some differences here between your area and mine. However, the way I approached this was to mention their research and how it directly ties to what I want to do. For example, one professor is using a methodology that I think will be beneficial to my project so I emphasize that connection while another has a history of looking at these areas connected to my research so I emphasize that. These are not all those profs do, but I tried to show (in a sentence or two) that I have read some of the prof's work (not just their faculty page) and am thinking about the theory and methodology that would connect my work to theirs. I do not think it's appropriate to hypothesize on someone else's work in your SoP. Rather, state that you are excited to explore X with Y professor. X can include future implications, not just the present cut and dry topic, but don't say, "I think your research could go in this direction and I want to work on that."
2) Mental development is difficult to discuss well in your SoP. If not done carefully, this can come off as childish. In your example, "Being part of a lab full time, and taking classes full time, really taught me how to meet deadlines and manage my time better" is something that (personally) makes me cringe. So you took classes and worked in a lab full time, many do. This may still be something you want to emphasize, but framing it the way you have here makes me feel like you might be unprepared for the more difficult load that is a doctoral program. This is the difficulty of discussing mental development. Although you may have grown as a person (and that's good), if you don't discuss it carefully you may give off the impression that you have not grown enough (see your feedback on my SoP about discussing my break from academia).
3) The school already knows what they have and what they don't. They don't need you explaining what they have. They do need you explaining how what they have would be useful to you and how you would be useful to them. Your E.G. tells me what the school has, but it doesn't tie that into your own intended research and ultimate professional goals. Don't leave the adcom thinking, "so what?" when they're done reading your SoP. They should have a clear idea about how they can benefit you, how you can benefit them, and that you will be the perfect fit for their program.

Before I provide feedback on this essay, remember that I am NOT someone who grades GRE essays and therefore my evaluation should be taken with a grain of salt. 

I would rate this essay either a 3.5 or 4 based on the following description of these scores:

"Provides competent analysis of ideas; develops and supports main points with relevant reasons and/or examples; is adequately organized; conveys meaning with reasonable clarity; demonstrates satisfactory control of sentence structure and language usage, but may have some errors that affect clarity."
Some of your language use seems sloppy (ex. much more quickly) and I am personally not a fan of the dashed parenthetical. Your argument is sound, but I don't think you've thought through the nuances present. Based on the prompt, this is an argumentative essay so I was expecting to see a structure of: Introduction, Argument 1, Counter Argument, Argument 2, Conclusion. Rather than taking an all or nothing approach when choosing a side, try thinking through each side and seeing if there is a compromise in the middle that would allow for environmental protection while also instigating economic growth. 

Interesting enough, I feel like I said the same thing when looking at your SOP. Yeah you're right, I'll have to find a way to show those skills, but in a concise way. Thankx!

Hey nushi,
Based on how different your methodologies would be for these projects, I would suggest rethinking your methodology. If you want to use qualitative for some research and quantitative for other projects, that will probably be easier if you look for a mixed-methods program and create a study that incorporates both trajectories.
What I've found as someone with an anthropological background who wants to study digital communities and communication: it can be exceedingly difficult to find a project that's the right fit when there's one (if that) prof interested in digital communities. I actually had a great anth professor say they'd love to work with me, but there is literally no one else in the department interested in the topic so there was no point in applying. It's just not widely adopted yet within anth. Instead, I'll be applying mainly to Comm programs where digital research is widespread and accepted. However, one of the things you can do to bridge the gap between the "too new" methods is to create a project that is 1. mixed-methods and 2. incorporates both the new methods and well-founded and accepted methods to lead to more robust findings.
For my intended research, one of the things I'm doing is a mixed-methods approach that situates the contemporary situation within the larger context of historical communication changes. This allows me to take a past, present, future approach to the project that I feel will make the work stronger and more applicable to future researchers. 
 
Sorry if any of this doesn't make sense. I was typing this during a voice chat meeting and am not sure if it messed with the way I was typing.