Research Proposal as Writing Sample

[pospsy]

should i submit my nsf research proposal (2-page single-spaced) as my writing sample?

there are no specific instructions from the dept or the grad school.

I think this is my best piece of writing and it can show my thoughts too.

I have done an honors thesis, but i don't really like it when i look back, and i think it would take way more time than i want to polish it.

anyone sending their proposals as their samples? if not, what's your take on it?

if it helps, i am applying to psychology phd program.

[JustChill]

i'm not in psychology, but don't you need more than just a 2 page writing sample for the phd programs? I'd be surprised if they accepted a writing sample that short. Most SoP are longer than that.

[pospsy]

i'm not in psychology, but don't you need more than just a 2 page writing sample for the phd programs? I'd be surprised if they accepted a writing sample that short. Most SoP are longer than that.

That's my major concern for submitting a proposal, but there are no specific instructions from the dept.

so i guess my question is what the adcom looks for in a writing sample? is it just about english? my ability to make a cogent and coherent argument? or my ability to write a long essay?

[fuzzylogician]

so i guess my question is what the adcom looks for in a writing sample? is it just about english? my ability to make a cogent and coherent argument? or my ability to write a long essay?

The WS is mostly about your ability to make a cogent and coherent argument, but part of making that argument is supporting it with previous studies, examples, background, etc. - which makes for a longer essay that also shows your command of the English language. I think it would be a good idea to work parts of your nsf application into your sop, specifically the parts where you describe the research you'd like to do in grad school. You should submit something longer as a WS, 10-15 pages is a good estimate if the school doesn't give guidelines. 2 pages are not nearly enough and will not make a good impression, regardless of how well written they are.

[mudlark]

Fuzzylogician is exactly right. You need to showcase your ability to organize detailed support of an argument in your writing sample. The SOP has the big ideas, but your writing samples shows that you're able to translate those ideas into well researched pieces of writing on a realistic scale.

[anxious2011]

Fuzzylogician is exactly right. You need to showcase your ability to organize detailed support of an argument in your writing sample. The SOP has the big ideas, but your writing samples shows that you're able to translate those ideas into well researched pieces of writing on a realistic scale.

I am considering using my independent research paper as the required 10 page writing sample, however it is about 20-25 pages long. What sections should I omit/emphasize? What do most people do in this situation?

Is it best to simply start with the abstract, add the introduction and theoretical background related sections with a conclusion? Is admissions looking for the detailed write up on any statistical analyses performed? I am quite confused on what to do here!

P.S. - research was done in the area of corporate finance, and was empirical in nature (involved collecting a data-set and then subsequent regression and event study analyses)

[fuzzylogician]

I am considering using my independent research paper as the required 10 page writing sample, however it is about 20-25 pages long. What sections should I omit/emphasize? What do most people do in this situation?

Is it best to simply start with the abstract, add the introduction and theoretical background related sections with a conclusion? Is admissions looking for the detailed write up on any statistical analyses performed? I am quite confused on what to do here!

P.S. - research was done in the area of corporate finance, and was empirical in nature (involved collecting a data-set and then subsequent regression and event study analyses)

There are several options here. One is to choose some parts of the paper (e.g. intro, main section, conclusions) and omit others (e.g. theoretical background, detailed stats or proofs, etc). What you choose probably depends on your field and I'm not an expert in yours. Maybe someone else can offer advice, and you should ask your professors as well. I think it would make sense to choose the parts that are your own original thoughts and contribution, not the theoretical background section. Another option is to send the whole paper with instructions to read e.g. sections 2-3. This way your readers can place the excerpts in the context of the whole paper, and they can choose to read more, if the want. A third option is to rewrite the paper to a smaller size, maybe also omitting less important parts.