Sending two writing samples?

[wintergirl]

I plan to send two writing samples to some of my schools, including one of the Dec. 1st schools. The overall length for that school (USC) is 20 pages combined.

I don't have a specific question, just wondering if other people are sending two. If so:

- Have your schools specifically asked for two?

- How are you selecting the two samples?

- How are you cutting/expanding to meet combined length requirements?

- Are you including any introductory notes to tie them together?

Meep.

[lolopixie]

I am only sending 2 to one school, and that is because the school asks for it.

[Timshel]

I am only sending 2 to one school, and that is because the school asks for it.

Same, for the same school.

[wintergirl]

Same, for the same school.

I am only sending 2 to one school, and that is because the school asks for it.

Yes, USC asks for two to "show your range"--thank goodness.

So how are y'all framing, selecting, or cutting the two to fit the length? I've got a game plan and wondered how other people were doing it.

[lolopixie]

They don't indicate a specific page length on either. The program just indicates to send 2 writing samples.

[Timshel]

Well, Kansas doesn't tell you how long either need to be, so one will be the sample I am using for other schools, which is around 15 pages, and the other will be a condensed version of one of my thesis chapters, which will also probably end up being around 15 pages or so.

[lolopixie]

I wouldn't recommend sending 2 samples unless the school asks for 2.

[yank in the M20]

I have to send two to Virginia with a max page limit of 25. I trimmed my 20 page paper that I'm submitting to other universities to 19 pages and condensed a 12 page conference paper into 6. I thought about excerpting the longer piece, but it was really strong and I was advised against that.

[Timshel]

I am trying to get my second writing sample ready for Kansas, and I have decided to use a chapter of my thesis. I'm just not sure what to do about all the background information I provided chapters before. The chapter is already 20 pages long, and that is just jumping right into the character analysis. It doesn't give anything about what other people have said about the topic, etc. Grrrr...This is so difficult. I don't know if I should just submit it as is or completely recontexualize it.

[woolferine]

Yes, USC asks for two to "show your range"--thank goodness.

So how are y'all framing, selecting, or cutting the two to fit the length? I've got a game plan and wondered how other people were doing it.

uh oh (for myself, not you!) -- I am looking back now at the USC site and it said "Two writing samples (one if you wish to combine both) totaling no more than 20 pages" -- I read that "one if you wish to combine both" as permission to submit one 20 page document...was that totally misreading the guidelines, or am I maybe ok (but prob not)? #headdesk

[Grunty DaGnome]

Wow, USC needs to get one of their English majors to redraft that sentence. It is totally unclear.

[Timshel]

If I use a chapter from my master's thesis as my second sample, could I just give an abstract explaining what came before it, etc, and then that way I don't have to touch the chapter, or should I still fix it up to work as a separate entity. I like the chapter as it is. It was edited to death through the thesis process, so I really don't want to change anything. I would rather just slap an abstract/explanation on it, especially since they will get a second sample that is a complete paper that is an independent entity.

Does that sound okay? What do you guys think?

[rainy_day]

I think an abstract sounds like a great idea! Because a. you probably don't have that much time to rework the whole thing and b. you'll probably have to sacrifice something in reworking it, and that's a bummer.