A somewhat pathetic writing sample issue.
So, I did my undergrad in Creative Writing. I have plenty of lengthy papers on Victorian lit. But three semesters ago, I came back to school to get a second major in anthropology, so as to have that background and be able to apply to grad school for archaeology.
I'm applying to MA programs. Not all even require a writing sample, but one (the one I want most) does. Plus it's probably a Very Good Idea for the others.
Unfortunately, my archaeology classes have been largely exam-based. I did write one ten-page research paper this semester, but I already know that it's not that great and it needs a lot of work.
Due to budget constraints, only one anthropology research methods class has been offered in my time at this university, and it was in cultural anthro. (I went to an archaeology field school this summer but that was just fieldwork and lab, no papers). For my cultural anthropology class, I've got a 15 page ethnography that is all original research. And it's pretty good, in my opinion.
Now, obviously the kind of writing you do for archaeology is VASTLY different than ethnographic writing. BUT my ethnography does tie into my archaeological research goals; they're both tied to similar theoretical issues.
So, on the grounds of theory, could I somehow explain this in my SOP? Again, these are MA programs. The ethnography is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a stronger piece of writing, and it's my own research.
Gah.
(Anthropology is WEIRD.)
I'm applying to MA programs. Not all even require a writing sample, but one (the one I want most) does. Plus it's probably a Very Good Idea for the others.
Unfortunately, my archaeology classes have been largely exam-based. I did write one ten-page research paper this semester, but I already know that it's not that great and it needs a lot of work.
Due to budget constraints, only one anthropology research methods class has been offered in my time at this university, and it was in cultural anthro. (I went to an archaeology field school this summer but that was just fieldwork and lab, no papers). For my cultural anthropology class, I've got a 15 page ethnography that is all original research. And it's pretty good, in my opinion.
Now, obviously the kind of writing you do for archaeology is VASTLY different than ethnographic writing. BUT my ethnography does tie into my archaeological research goals; they're both tied to similar theoretical issues.
So, on the grounds of theory, could I somehow explain this in my SOP? Again, these are MA programs. The ethnography is, beyond a shadow of a doubt, a stronger piece of writing, and it's my own research.
Gah.
(Anthropology is WEIRD.)