Must writing samples be lead-author (or solo author) only?

[Vader Was Framed]

I plan to upload multiple writing samples to PhD programs in STEM field. I have a masters + 4 years professional experience (in research). I've had several opportunities to work on a number of neat projects, very few being solo authored. 

 

Writing Sample 1 - lead author peer-review pub (no brainer)

 

then it get's tricky. 

 

Sample 2.

 

I have a 2nd peer review publication as 2nd author. I had assumed this would be another great writing sample, but am realizing it's not just MY writing but a group of 4 authors. But it's peer review. 

 

Sample 3. 

 

Non-peer review publication with an environmental advocacy group, co-author. 

 

Other options would be digging up term papers and such, but I do not think that is as compelling for me personally. Thoughts?

[fuzzylogician]

I'd go with sample 2. In cases of joint authorship, it's important to explain your own contribution to each paper as opposed to the contributions of others. The adcoms will be asking themselves what exactly you did on each project if it's not clear from the paper itself. The papers should showcase your research and writing abilities, and it'd be good if you could say you extensively contributed to aspects of the research itself as well as the writing (though this is field-specific, in some it's really the PI who does the writing and everybody knows and expects that). I'd propose either having an addendum to each paper detailing your contributions, a short description in the SOP, or having a recommender talk about this.

[Vader Was Framed]

thanks fuzzy. good idea regarding the addendum - this journal does not describe author contribution level. 

 

i've been advised that submitting multiple samples is not advised. however, i feel like publications are my strength. plus this program does not give specific requirements about samples. any thoughts on doing more than 1? i had assumed 2-3 is fine .. not getting carried away with 4-6 or anything. 

 

Sample 1 is a lock (my lead author)

Sample 2 would provide another peer review (with addendum on my contributions). I have a feeeling a LOR writing will mention this project though. 

 

plus maybe the third..

Sample 3 would provide an example from my professional work outside of academics, but gives the ad com a better idea of what i've been up to. 

[fuzzylogician]

Yeah, generally it's better to have single-author papers and next first-author papers. Obviously, that's not possible in all fields - in some, most work is co-authored. The concern with these co-authored papers is that it's not clear what your contribution was to the paper - in some fields anyone from the PI to the person who cleans the Petri dishes gets to be co-author, but obviously not everybody contributed equally. That's why it's important to explain what you did and if possible also have a letter writer address it. If your letter writers haven't submitted their letters, ask them to address these projects so your contribution is clear. You don't need to be shy about it - remind them what you did, I guarantee that they will appreciate it. You remember your contributions much better than they can, even with the best of intentions.