Uploading Writing Sample?

[mcj2930]

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Hi guys
I am an international student and struggling with writing application these days.


I would like to hear your opinion about submitting an writing sample in the online application.


Uploading the writing sample is just optional for all the schools that I am currently applying to.


So... I was actually thinking not to upload any sample writings because although I have a graduation thesis, there were many flaws (which is not a strong paper).
I am also writing a peer-reviewed journal as a first author right now (this is very strong paper) but it is not done yet... I have just finished writing Result section..


My question is..
Is it minus point for applicants who do not submit an writing sample? (if it is optional...)
Or is it better not to submit any sample writings if my sample paper is pretty bad?

I heard from my professor that if it is optional you don't really need to send an writing sample.. moreover, if you send not good one, it would be minus for reviewing your application..

I don't know what to do.. probably follow my professor's advice??
But I feel like I have to submit an writing sample...

Help me!!

Thank you guys..
I am looking forward to hearing from you..

Good luck for your application!!

 

[LHDMMD]

Optional means optional. It will not hurt your application to not submit optional materials.If your paper is as bad as you say, I wouldn't submit it.

 

[deuce22]

To answer your question, I would only submit items that strengthen your application.

I have a question in a similar vein: Some schools have a page limit for the writing sample (10-20 pages max), and so my 60+ page undergraduate senior thesis is too big to send to those schools. Should I submit a portion of this project, like my lit review or the methods section with references, or just scrap it and try and find something else. I really don't have anything else that is substantial to submit so I want to provide them with something solid to increase my chances. Also, for the schools that don't provide a page limit, do you think that this ginormous document is too big to submit as part of my application? I know that brevity is paramount to not boring the admissions committee, but again I really don't have much else (I also conducted a pilot study, which the write up for was actually longer!).

 

[syzergy]

To answer your question, I would only submit items that strengthen your application.

I have a question in a similar vein: Some schools have a page limit for the writing sample (10-20 pages max), and so my 60+ page undergraduate senior thesis is too big to send to those schools. Should I submit a portion of this project, like my lit review or the methods section with references, or just scrap it and try and find something else. I really don't have anything else that is substantial to submit so I want to provide them with something solid to increase my chances. Also, for the schools that don't provide a page limit, do you think that this ginormous document is too big to submit as part of my application? I know that brevity is paramount to not boring the admissions committee, but again I really don't have much else (I also conducted a pilot study, which the write up for was actually longer!).

I don't think anyone is going to read a 60 page paper even if you a god among applicants. I'd stick with something shorter, like just the lit review.

 

[psychdocstudent]

I agree with above that you need to at least get rid of any obvious flaws before sending them in. And if it's too long, can polish a portion and submit it.
I don't think it will help as much unless it's somewhat relevant research.
Your personal statement is already a writing sample.

I am also an international student in the US. I am probably going submit my first first-author manuscript. Well...this is the only one that has been polished enough times.

 

[LHDMMD]

I have a question in a similar vein: Some schools have a page limit for the writing sample (10-20 pages max), and so my 60+ page undergraduate senior thesis is too big to send to those schools. Should I submit a portion of this project, like my lit review or the methods section with references, or just scrap it and try and find something else. I really don't have anything else that is substantial to submit so I want to provide them with something solid to increase my chances. Also, for the schools that don't provide a page limit, do you think that this ginormous document is too big to submit as part of my application? I know that brevity is paramount to not boring the admissions committee, but again I really don't have much else (I also conducted a pilot study, which the write up for was actually longer!).

I tried to upload my thesis, but there was a limit so I took a ~70 page document and submitted about 12 pages of just the introduction.

 

[cara susanna]

I submitted an optional writing sample once and it actually really helped (at least I think it did, my POI said that I was a really good writer). So I had a good experience. But I submitted a paper that I wrote for a class, not a research paper.