Writing Sample

[readeatsleep]

so, we all know that the writing sample is an important (perhaps the most important) element of a successful application. id like to get down to the nitty gritty.

1. do you think its important that a writing sample is about one's proposed field of interest? and then, how close should it be? surely, if one is applying to study political philosophy and submits work on metaphysics, this is a bit off. but say, one wants to study hegel, and submits a paper on rousseau?

2. is it bad if one submits a piece of writing that has already been published? or that one has presented at a conference?

discuss!

[rwsc]

If you haven't already read this, you may want to.

Everything in the application process varies. I know members of admissions committee who do not even look at the writing sample.