(Untitled)

[faye_noire]

I'm applying to media and culture PhD programs. My research interest or intended dissertation topic is a social history of Grey's Anatomy and the queering of the show (both cannon and meta). I spend a great deal of time talking about specific topics and methods in my SOP (which isn't quite polished enough for LJ yet). I started this research in my

Comments

[lifeofbai]

No, I would not specify why you're including this as your writing sample (WS) in your SoP. Presumably, you are submitting it as your WS because it best showcases your research potential and your writing abilities, and that it really what adcoms want to see.

However, in your SOP, I think you should mention that you published this article and discuss the methodology used (I just wouldn't state why it's your WS submission). In fact, since you said that your intended methodology for your dissertation is the same as that in this article you've written, referring to this article would be great way to showcase how you've used these methods before and what motivates you to use them.

- Ray

[faye_noire]

Thanks for your input. It's really helpful.

[sumrndmgrl]

I agree with Ray. They assume what you submitted is your strongest work, regardless of your special area. It helps to have your specialty tie into the example but it's not necessary. Many people don't have their final interest solidified when they are applying and that is okay. It's better to have a stronger sample than a weak, yet related, one.