writing sample

[latenight]

hello, writing from way outside of denver where i'm all alone in the mountains to face the beginning of the application process. i'm applying to comparative literature and french programs, and i've got a query:

where can i get advice on writing samples? all the programs i'm looking at require them, i've heard they're super serious, and i'd like to hear about how to pick 'em, how much and how to edit them. i haven't published any articles, but i wrote a senior thesis that i could pull from, as well as papers in the past year that i've been doing a masters in france.

which brings me to another question:

should i be applying this year (while i'm writing my dissertation and earning my masters), or should i wait another year until i have my MA and a dissertation to offer as a writing sample? my initial thinking was to apply this year, in case i don't get in, and then have another year to try again, instead of potentially having two years to fill up while applying.

any thoughts?

[bgk]

If you intend to graduate in summer/spring '09 then I think you should apply now. I don't know much about your area but people usually apply in the final year of their previous degree. Unless you want to spend some time 'out in the real world', in which case wait :-) Or maybe just apply to a few schools to get the feel for the process.