What is a writing sample?

[matilda]

We had to submit a writing sample, but where I come from, a writing sample is something that I never heard of before. So, I submitted my MA thesis proposal (1 page, professor named, short description of the process, etc.). I feel like I did the wrong thing. And this thesis is actually from another MA I am doing right now (Chemistry), and not for MA I applied for in my scholarship (Pharmacy).

Where did I go wrong, because something feels like I did the wrong thing.

The lady I contacted from the embassy said that Writing sample is basically something for the Committee to see how my English was.

[Branwen daughter of Llyr]

We had to submit a writing sample, but where I come from, a writing sample is something that I never heard of before. So, I submitted my MA thesis proposal (1 page, professor named, short description of the process, etc.). I feel like I did the wrong thing. And this thesis is actually from another MA I am doing right now (Chemistry), and not for MA I applied for in my scholarship (Pharmacy).

Where did I go wrong, because something feels like I did the wrong thing.

The lady I contacted from the embassy said that Writing sample is basically something for the Committee to see how my English was.

The writing sample is a piece of scholarly work (usually a research paper), ranging from 10 to 25 pp (depending on the program you are applying to), which shows your scholarly and research capabilities (obviously, your writing level, as well). A 1 page thesis proposal is definitely NOT considered a writing sample. I don't know how important the writing sample is in the sciences, but in the humanities and most social sciences, it's paramount - one of the most important parts of your application.

[matilda]

Thank you for your response!!

Hm, too bad. Because there was no explanation. It was like : "This is basically so that they see how your English is....".

I would never even think on giving 10 pages for them to read. I was published before, in couple of Journals, but this was a first application for a scholarship.

Too bad.

[aginath]

Writing samples are very common in admissions applications and some competitions. This may be why the woman at the embassy responded to your question in such a simplistic manner. I would suggest that any time you're unclear about a requirement and/or you receive a response from the organization that doesn't completely answer your question, seek an alternate source (as you did here) or re-phrase your question for the organization before you submit your final application materials.

[matilda]

Writing samples are very common in admissions applications and some competitions. This may be why the woman at the embassy responded to your question in such a simplistic manner. I would suggest that any time you're unclear about a requirement and/or you receive a response from the organization that doesn't completely answer your question, seek an alternate source (as you did here) or re-phrase your question for the organization before you submit your final application materials.

The good thing about all of this - is that I learned something. Even better thing is that they called me for an interview, so basically, my papers were good. Even though I know I made mistake.

Thank you all for clarifying this to me.

[strokeofmidnight]

The writing sample is a piece of scholarly work (usually a research paper), ranging from 10 to 25 pp (depending on the program you are applying to), which shows your scholarly and research capabilities (obviously, your writing level, as well). A 1 page thesis proposal is definitely NOT considered a writing sample. I don't know how important the writing sample is in the sciences, but in the humanities and most social sciences, it's paramount - one of the most important parts of your application.

This is 100% true for English (and probably applicable to some degree to the other humanities fields). It isn't necessarily the case in other fields where the type of writing that we do are not quite as central to the discipline. While I don't know enough about the health and science fields to articulate what a "good" writing sample might look like in their fields, I suspect that a one page thesis proposal might actually serve the purpose.

*Grins* I complain enough when non-humanities people vehemently tell English applicants that they MUST contact professors or else they are DOOMED--advice that is absolute true for their fields, but doesn't apply to ours. It's worth noting that the (problematic) cross-disciplinary assumptions can go both ways.

[Branwen daughter of Llyr]

This is 100% true for English (and probably applicable to some degree to the other humanities fields). It isn't necessarily the case in other fields where the type of writing that we do are not quite as central to the discipline. While I don't know enough about the health and science fields to articulate what a "good" writing sample might look like in their fields, I suspect that a one page thesis proposal might actually serve the purpose.

*Grins* I complain enough when non-humanities people vehemently tell English applicants that they MUST contact professors or else they are DOOMED--advice that is absolute true for their fields, but doesn't apply to ours. It's worth noting that the (problematic) cross-disciplinary assumptions can go both ways.

very true - I do know it's paramount in the humanities, and in some social sciences (for example, you can't get in to a good International Relations program without a spectacular paper of some sort).

I'm the first to admit that I have no clue what the hard sciences construe as a "writing sample".

and yes. it's also funny about the contacting professors bit.