lj123 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm finishing up my last applications (yes, I'm slow), and one of the schools says that a writing sample is not required but is accepted. In that case is it better to submit one or not? I think I have a reasonably strong writing sample, but it's rather long, so I'm not sure they'd appreciate me including it. I feel like there's a hidden message behind that statement that I just don't follow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roll Right Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 always submit one, it wont hurt you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lj123 Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 Yeah, that's what I figured. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacib Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Yeah, that's what I figured. Thanks! No doubt submit one! You should definitely include all the optional things (with the possible exception of a diversity statement if you're feeling really undiverse that day). Well, at least this is the rule with undergrad apps... regardless, I don't see how submitting an optional thing could hurt you (unless it was like 6 recommendations where the decent ones drown out the great ones). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coffeeandtoast Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I see the writing sample as another chance you give them to admit you over other candidates who do not submit any. In other words, through a writing sample, you are showing them your additional skills and giving them more ways to get yo know you. I don't have a sociology background, so I submitted an article I co-authored that was published in a peer-review journal. Not sociology-related, but hopefully they find it interesting at least Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogue Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I would definitely send the sample. It's just another chance to shine, you know? Only one of my programs said a sample was optional. For that one, I actually ended up submitting two samples (but this was on the advice of a professor there). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luar de ouro Posted January 6, 2010 Share Posted January 6, 2010 Considering the writing sample is the only other organic piece of the application besides your SOP, I feel like you shouldn't even consider not sending one in. This is what fleshes you out beyond the numbers, and shows the adcom how you tick. Definitely go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lj123 Posted January 7, 2010 Author Share Posted January 7, 2010 Thanks, guys. I more or less knew the answer before I posted, but at times I'm not the most confident about my writing sample and just want to hide it away... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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