Turn in Non-Required Writing Sample?

[iamellyn]

I'm currently applying to graduate atmospheric & oceanic science programs. As a physical science applicant, few programs require writing samples. Is it a good idea to submit one anyway? I believe my writing skills set me apart from other students, but on the other hand, I should be able to establish those in the SOP. Unfortunately, I do not have any published work or senior thesis to submit. 

 

I have considered submitting either 1) The two page research proposal I submitted for funding for my current project. (OR) 2) A term paper from a remote sensing course that would establish my ability to technically write (the paper goes in depth in aerosol attenuated backscatter retrieval). Both of which have downsides. The proposal has been combed over extensively, and I received a lot of feedback from my PI and supervising post-doc so I know it's a good piece of writing. But I also feel weird submitting something I got so much feedback on, especially because I am applying to the university I currently attending. The term paper might not fit because it's very long and hasn't gone through as much revision as the proposal. 

 

Any thoughts? 

 

Thank you!

Edited December 9, 2013 by iamellyn

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

This is a tough one. If you expect your writing to set you apart, then there's definitely an advantage to submitting something. I'd lean toward your term paper personally (how long is too long?). Your SOP should already have some elements similar to what your research proposal would show, no? And you're trying to show as much of yourself as possible. 

 

Since you already go to the university, why don't you ask an adviser for her/his opinion?

[iamellyn]

Thank you! That is all really good advice and I will definitely ask his opinion. 

You're right that the proposal is basically a longer, more detailed version of the portion of my SOP where I talk about my experience/research interests, so it would definitely repetitive. The term paper is 15 pages though and that just seems annoyingly long for them. I will keep asking around about it. Thanks again for your feedback. 

This is a tough one. If you expect your writing to set you apart, then there's definitely an advantage to submitting something. I'd lean toward your term paper personally (how long is too long?). Your SOP should already have some elements similar to what your research proposal would show, no? And you're trying to show as much of yourself as possible. 

 

Since you already go to the university, why don't you ask an adviser for her/his opinion?

[lilgreycells]

I can't speak to the sciences but for during my cycle I submitted a writing sample that was 24 pages including references. And a number of colleagues submitted samples around the same number of pages. So I don't think 15 is a crazy number of pages.

[katethekitcat]

Submitting a writing sample gives you one more part of your application that you have 100% control over. You might never be perfectly satisfied with your GRE, you can't control what your recommendations say, it's too late to fix your GPA - but you can choose writing that sets you off to your best effect. If they're willing to spend more time reading additional information, and that information shows what you do well, send it in.

 

I also wouldn't feel weird sending in something you've gotten feedback on. Academically, ever paper you write from now on is going to receive feedback from PIs, fellow grad students, etc. As long as you're the one who still did the actual writing and the edits, it's your work. Proposals in the science are often a product of the communities around them.

[iamellyn]

Submitting a writing sample gives you one more part of your application that you have 100% control over. You might never be perfectly satisfied with your GRE, you can't control what your recommendations say, it's too late to fix your GPA - but you can choose writing that sets you off to your best effect. If they're willing to spend more time reading additional information, and that information shows what you do well, send it in.

 

I also wouldn't feel weird sending in something you've gotten feedback on. Academically, ever paper you write from now on is going to receive feedback from PIs, fellow grad students, etc. As long as you're the one who still did the actual writing and the edits, it's your work. Proposals in the science are often a product of the communities around them.

 

This feedback is really helpful! Thank you so much. Would you submit a paper that has been reviewed and polished many times but might be slightly redundant (the proposal) or new material (the term paper)?