Do all schools require a writing sample?

[gurumaster8899]

even engineering schools?

what should they contain?

thanks

[fuzzylogician]

It doesn't matter whether or not all schools require a writing sample. What matters is: do the schools you want to apply to require one? Usually, that will be stated clearly on the dept website where the application requirements are listed; usually it'll also tell you what they expect to receive, in terms of both length and content. If no writing sample req is listed but you're still concerned - contact the admissions office and ask. In any case, the basic guideline is - the writing sample should showcase your ability to conduct research. It should be well written and show you are capable of original thought, reasoning, etc.

[kahlan_amnell]

No, not all schools do.

What they should contain varies by discipline, but in general it should be something you consider your best work.

Check what the schools you want to apply to require, length requirements for writing samples vary a good bit, and as noted, some don't require them at all.

[Stories]

In my field, most schools don't. Some do, and the school I'll be attending did.

[Michelley262003]

Would you want to go to a school that did not require its future students to prove they have acceptable writing skills?

You are probably thinking: I know I can write. That is all that matters. But would you want to be accepted to a program that has not put forth the proper challenges to determine the quality of your future colleagues?

[rising_star]

Would you want to go to a school that did not require its future students to prove they have acceptable writing skills?

You are probably thinking: I know I can write. That is all that matters. But would you want to be accepted to a program that has not put forth the proper challenges to determine the quality of your future colleagues?

I think in two rounds of applying (MA and PhD), only one school required a writing sample other than the SOP. That doesn't mean they aren't concerned about the writing skills of their future students. Instead, they judge that from your SOP (which is, after all, a sample of your writing), rather than by asking for a separate writing sample. And, for what it's worth, I don't think it's a knock on me or my current colleagues that we didn't submit a 15-25 page paper along with our applications. There are other ways that programs use to assess quality which, quite frankly, must work or my discipline would be full of people that can't write since so few programs actually require a separate writing sample.

[jasper.milvain]

I want to second rising_star. I got in to four schools, and each had a different requirement for writing samples (one paper, two papers, nothing...). I ended up going to the school that didn't require an additional sample. But they had my SOP, a 400 word summary of it, grades for my writing intensive programs, and letters attesting to my writing/research abilities. There's tons of proof in an application packet that attests to an applicant's writing skills besides the sample.