writing sample for sociology programs

[itsghastlycrew]

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be applying this fall to UC-Berkeley and NYU (and maybe others) for Fall 2009. My question is this: how important is the actual content of the writing sample? I've been told by a few people that they're really just going to skim it to see whether or not I can write well and demonstrate knowledge about something. I wonder

Comments

[caernarvon]

Well, it depends on the focus of the particular department

If you know that there is someone you'd really like to work with at department X, then tailor your writing sample so that it would be something that would catch the eye of Professor Y or whoever is doing the readings...

The key is to try and pick your best stuff and the stuff that you feel best exemplifies you

[itsghastlycrew]

Is there a way to find out who does the readings for grad school applications?

[caernarvon]

Well, a good assumption for the department would be the grad direction/advisor...

your main focus, though, should be to make it the best possible piece of work that you can...

[itsghastlycrew]

Thanks!

[itchyglow]

I wouldn't expand a paper to fit a certain page count. I really don't think page count matters; it's how well you express your argument. And the more concise, the better. If the paper you're considering submitting received a good grade, then don't mess with it.

[itsghastlycrew]

Unfortunately, I actually haven't been required to write a paper longer than like 6 pages since my first semester, so I think I'm going to have to write one independently. It's a kind of a bummer :/

[saunders]

While I agree with you that a well constructed argument is the most important thing, I think that page count matters from a certain perspective: to see if a student is capable of doing graduate level/length work. I would not expand a paper arbitrarily, but I think it is important to meet the minimum page count.

[dreadnought]

Is there a way you could get extra credit for writing a paper? Could you still add a independent study course (which basically consists of writing a paper?) Because yes, I think meeting the minimum page count is important.

But think of it this way - you can write on whatever you want! No being fenced in by course requirements! :)

[itsghastlycrew]

I've spoken to one professor about it so far. She said she couldn't assign me anything in particular, but we have a research project we're doing in a group that will be presented to the class; I think I could easily make this into a paper and she said she'd be happy to read it and help me edit or whatever. I mean to talk to my theory prof tomorrow to see if he's got any other ideas. I think it's too late to add an independent study course :/. My best bet is probably something informal.

Thanks for the suggestion! The page count was definitely worrying me quite a bit.

[dreadnought]

I think 20 pages is about the perfect length. 30 is more article-length, which is my favorite. It sounds daunting, but if you pick the right topic it's really not. I wrote a 100-page honors thesis in six months...and the actual writing was probably two weeks tops (though not all at the same time, of course!) It's totally do-able.

[forgivenskeptic]

Ha! I am applying to NYU and UC-Berkeley's Sociology PhD programs as well. They are my top two choices. Best of luck!