A writing sample with teeth

May 13, 2009 4:10 PM

I am applying to (social psychology/Sociology) PhD programs this upcoming fall semester (5 months away). I know which programs (see: professors) I want to work with and I would like to present a writing sample that shows my interests and helps to make up for some of my academic shortcomings. Help Me Choose what type of writing to use.

My academic background is in the practice of conflict resolution and conflict communications. But in my M.S. I realized that I had a deep passion for more theoretical and research based aspects of conflict resolution. Because I had not focused on research in my undergrad, and my program did not have much of a research budget, I could not get a research assistantship in my program. With the economy as it is now I have only been able to get a volunteer research assistantship after I finished. I have done extensive research on my topic and am becoming intimately familiar with my chosen professors works in preparation for starting to communicate with them (wait for a posting on how to do this in the coming weeks). I am doing everything I can to build a strong application.

But, my worry is that even with my recent research experience my lack of research background and training will hurt my chances. This is where I hope my writing sample can help me out. While I am on the verge of resubmitting a journal article I wrote that has decent chances of getting published (my first submission was well received but with some large changes needed for that specific publications slant) I don’t know if it is the best piece of writing to put forward. It focuses on applying others research without showing my capability for doing research.

Should I instead work on taking some of the research that I was planning on working on during my PhD, when I can get human subjects approval, and writing up the research plans? Or, Should I focus on using the research of the academics who I hope to work in another application based or theoretical work?

posted by elationfoundation to education (4 comments total)

Er, not to be a wet blanket, but haven't all the deadlines passed for Fall PhD programs?
posted by messylissa at 6:01 PM on May 13

I think it would show that you are coming in with interests and background if you present your own original research and ideas--you can be a fresh voice and perspective, AND be authentic to yourself. It is probably not be the case that those professors are looking for carbon copies of themselves, or people who will follow them around, quoting their papers. :)
posted by so_gracefully at 12:21 AM on May 14

PhD Admissions Committees understand that the writing sample is from folks who don't yet have PhDs, so they aren't looking for PhD work. They are, however, looking for folks who have potential, meaning that they can demonstrate the capacity to do the kind of work in that field (in sociology, for example, demonstrating through your writing that you have sociological imagination would be key). It is in your personal statement that you define a doable research project and argue why doing it at that particular institution makes sense.
posted by Pineapplicious at 12:55 PM on May 14

Messylissa: for next year.

So_gracefully: I have focused on certain academics because I their research is innovative and valuable to my own research. The paper I am trying to get published is not using their work, but there work is beign used elsewhere in my research. I would hope to be both authentic and show my connection to their research, giving a solid foundation for why they would be a good fit.

Pineappleicious: Thank you, This is just what I was looking for. I will develop my current paper to show the positive qualities and save my future focus for my statement.
posted by elationfoundation at 10:46 PM on May 14