Mesaana

That is sooo very true! It's akin to a catch 22. Thank you very much lotf629! Your advice has definitely put my mind at ease and is probably the best course of action to assume in this scenario. I guess one has to be stoic to persevere through this harrowing process since it is such a crapshoot. Thank you comfect, miratrix and lotf629 for your wonderful advice, hope you all get into a program which bodes the best for your future!

Thanks Comfect. I realize that now -- in retrosepct unfortunately. I was thinking of contacting my remaining programs and asking them if I can replace my sample. Would that help mitigate matters or am I being mypoic in thinking that the adcoms would tolerate such an action (possibly in the middle of a review).

Hi! This is just to put my paranoia to rest and I hope you guys will be able to provide me some sembelance of solace in that regard. After having had to deal with a rejection and 2 wait lists as of late I am starting to think that my writing sample might be the weak link in what many would consider a solid applicant profile (research exp., publications, excellent GPA and GRE scores). The reason for this being that I submitted a sample that is not only unrelated to my expressed interests in the SOP (Sexuality & Culture) but more importantly belongs to entirely another discipline (Theology). However it is extremely well written and by far my best work, despite the fact that I already had draft for a paper I am due to present at the ASA later this year that is closely attuned to my SOP professed interests. I decided to err on the safe side with regards to perceived quality and cogency of the narrative. Do you think this could (and probably has) hurt my chances with with adcoms?