Writing sample ideas - not SOP

[twip25]

I must provide a writing sample for a program I want (no this is separate from the statement of purpose). I could write about anything under the sun, the application did not specify a topic, what is the graduate committee looking for? original thought and writing skills?

I was thinking of a compare and contrast essay or should I write about a topic I would like to research and how I would do it?

Did anyone else endure this? I am lost with this.

Thx for any suggestions

[Ferrero]

Well, if it is anything under the sun, I would write about the time you had a life-changing experience that made you want to pursue the field you're applying to. Get creative -- conduct a personal interview with yourself and then cite it using the Chicago Manual of Style. Use a unique Old English typeset on parched paper so it reads like an interesting fable. You want your application to stand out as much as possible and convey the impression that you are unique amongst hundreds of other applicants. To this end, appending a glamour shot might be a boost -- if you're not ugly.

[rising_star]

I would provide a writing sample that's a research paper from class.

[twip25]

My degree is in electrical engineering, I assume a social science admissions committee wants to be bored to death with information of circuits and programming research paper. Therefore I must select something else. They want it 1000 words max.

Did anyone in this forum submit a separate writing sample?

I was thinking of a literature theme, but that wouldn't be original, but I don't want to overcomplicate this.

Does anyone have suggestions of ideas? I don't want an exact title but some general ideas.

ie I can't write about my life b/c that will be in my SOP.

thx

[rising_star]

They want an academic writing sample. It doesn't matter if it bores them. The purpose is to show them your ability to do research, write well, and present information to an audience. I would NOT write a wholly new paper unless you plan to get feedback on it from the same professors writing your recommendations. I would give them an electrical engineering paper. They'll understand that it's your background.

P.S. I don't think a literature theme would necessarily go over any better with a social sciences admissions committee than a paper on circuits or programming. This is more about the ability to do research and less about the specifics.

But, it's your life. If you want to write something new, do it. But make it the best damn thing you've ever submitted.