Dear Dissertation Coach:
I am applying to doctoral programs and many of the programs ask for a writing sample. I have a wonderful short story I wrote. Would that be a good writing sample to send in?
Sincerely,
Prospective doctoral student
Dear Prospective doctoral student,
As with any writing, consider your audience. If you are applying to an MFA or a doctoral program in creative writing, then yes, send in your short story. If you are applying to a physical or social science doctoral program, then likely they will not be impressed by a piece of creative writing.
Why do admissions committees to a doctoral program ask for a writing sample? They hope to find in the writing sample evidence that a student can string sentences and paragraphs together to form a coherent argument. What is the problem that the writer is addressing? What are the arguments for and against solutions that have already been posed by other people? What solution is the writer suggesting to the problem? What are the pros and cons of that solution?
Hopefully, you already have a paper that you have done the research for, possibly a class paper you wrote. If you were in an MA program, before applying to the doctoral program, you could use the introduction or a chapter from your thesis. Maybe you presented at a conference, that would be impressive to research faculty to read that paper.
One caveat to using a class paper to submit as a writing sample. Rewrite and revise the paper. I was the graduate coordinator at the University of Texas’ Communication Studies Department back in the old days when students had to submit paper packets of application materials. One student submitted a class paper with the grade and suggested improvements that the instructor had made on the paper. Dear prospective doctoral student, an instructor took the time to show you how to improve the writing of your paper. Take the time to use that feedback and rewrite the paper. By sending in the unrevised paper, this student told the admissions committee that they didn’t understand the effort or the value of the instructor’s comments. Don’t be that person.
I had a student ask me if they should write a new paper to be submitted to the admission committee for admission to our doctoral program. I generally suggested that wouldn’t be the best idea. A good paper takes many revisions and rewrites. If you are committed to the best writing sample you can submit, it is likely best to start with a paper that you have already spent some time with. Reread it. Find the spots that could be improved. Is each sentence exactly how you want it to read? Does the argument flow? You are trying to impress these people with your best writing. Ask someone who is a good writer to read your paper and make suggestions for improvement. That’s not cheating. Believe me, it is rare that one person is responsible for good writing. Even the best authors have editors.
I hope what I’ve said helps you, Prospective Doctoral Student. Do your best to submit the best writing you can.
Warmly,
Your Dissertation Coach
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