Writing sample - which should I send?

[cara susanna]

Hi all,

One of the programs to which I'll be applying requires a writing sample. I was wondering if you had any thoughts as to which paper I've written would be best to send, since I didn't do a thesis or any paper based on my own research that would stand out as the best option.

- Research report on the study I did for my experimental psych class; however, I wrote it with three other people
- A research report on dissociation in children who have been sexually abused for my Psych of Abuse class
- A research report on the history of CBT for my History of Psych class, based mainly off of the original writings of the theorists involved
- Researched field ethnography on online pro-anorexia communities for my Advanced Composition class (not a psych paper, but incorporates psychology studies in the lit review)
- Philosophy paper discussing whether or not the field of psychology is in a paradigm, for my Philosophy of Science class (also not a psych paper, but is APA-style)

I received A's on all of these papers, so none really stands out as better than another. That's part of the reason I'm so torn. Also, none really pertain to my research interest, though the CBT topic is probably the closest.

As always, thanks in advance!

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[KillerDiller]

I would say it depends on what type of research you intend to do in grad school. Are you going to be working with child abuse, eating disorders, or outcome evaluation for CBT? If so, send the related paper.

 

[cara susanna]

Neither, like I said; I want to work within the areas of mindfulness and emotions.

 

[KillerDiller]

Guess I missed that part. I would probably send the CBT paper. The first option you list would probably be best if it wasn't for you having written it with two co-authors. I'm not sure how that would look for a writing sample (although some applicants submit published works they've done with co-authors, so it may not look strange at all).

Does the child abuse paper focus on DID? If so, I wouldn't send it unless it specifically goes into the controversy surrounding the diagnosis. DID is a hot button issue with some psychologists and it might be the kiss of death if it happens to be read by someone who doesn't think the disorder should exist.

 

[deleted176373]

Hi all,

One of the programs to which I'll be applying requires a writing sample. I was wondering if you had any thoughts as to which paper I've written would be best to send, since I didn't do a thesis or any paper based on my own research that would stand out as the best option.

- Research report on the study I did for my experimental psych class; however, I wrote it with three other people
- A research report on dissociation in children who have been sexually abused for my Psych of Abuse class
- A research report on the history of CBT for my History of Psych class, based mainly off of the original writings of the theorists involved
- Researched field ethnography on online pro-anorexia communities for my Advanced Composition class (not a psych paper, but incorporates psychology studies in the lit review)
- Philosophy paper discussing whether or not the field of psychology is in a paradigm, for my Philosophy of Science class (also not a psych paper, but is APA-style)

I received A's on all of these papers, so none really stands out as better than another. That's part of the reason I'm so torn. Also, none really pertain to my research interest, though the CBT topic is probably the closest.

As always, thanks in advance!

I like the philosophy paper, especially since you are getting a Doctorate in Philosophy (unless you are going for a Psy.D.) I really march to the beat of a different drummer so something a little more off the beaten path is my style. My thought would be to pick the strongest one, but when you have multiple papers that all have A's, it's like picking a favorite child... you love them all. 🙂

Mark

 

[cara susanna]

Guess I missed that part. I would probably send the CBT paper. The first option you list would probably be best if it wasn't for you having written it with two co-authors. I'm not sure how that would look for a writing sample (although some applicants submit published works they've done with co-authors, so it may not look strange at all).

Does the child abuse paper focus on DID? If so, I wouldn't send it unless it specifically goes into the controversy surrounding the diagnosis. DID is a hot button issue with some psychologists and it might be the kiss of death if it happens to be read by someone who doesn't think the disorder should exist.

Nope, I purposefully avoided DID for that reason. 😉 Just dissociation.

Yeah, I'll be applying to PhD programs. It is very hard to choose, isn't it?