Writing Sample

[Diplomer]

Hello!

I am just wondering what they expect to read in a writing sample. Do they want to see an essay-like discussion about one topic, for instance "How parliamentary systems work and how they could be improved?" Or something like a masters thesis like "Partisan voter behaviour explained by third generation prospect theory with state dependent reference points"? Or what?

I have to admit that I do not have any idea about what kind of writing could be expected. Perhaps somebody here could provide information about their writing samples. How long, what topic (or field) and so on? This would be very helpful!

How important are these writing samples?

Kind regards
Diplomer

[Demisel]

I wrote a 2-page comment on a news event at the time of my application, and used it as my writing sample. Although I managed to cook up a little mathematical model, it was exceedingly simple. Since I got admitted to the programs I applied to anyway, the writing sample must not have been the most important factor. Having said that, some schools might treat the writing sample more seriously. For instance, from Chicago's website: "Applicants must also submit a 10-20-page writing sample, perhaps from a seminar paper, senior thesis or M.A. thesis."

By the way, your Masters thesis sounds impressive.

[Diplomer]

Thank you, Demisel.

The requirements for the writing samples seem to differ a lot. NYU requires a 30-50 pages writing, whereas Rochester does not say anything about the length of it.

However, do you think that it would be a disadvantage if the writing sample is more about an economics topic than about political science? NYU says that it is supposed to show my ability to communicate clearly and to think analytically. This could be done with economics as well.

Kind regards
Diplomer

[Demisel]

NYU requires a 30-50 pages writing? They certainly don't take this requirement seriously then.

However, do you think that it would be a disadvantage if the writing sample is more about an economics topic than about political science?

I guess it depends on what the economics topic is. If it's political economy, game theory, or econometrics, it's quite related to political science, and hence should be fine. On the other hand, if it's something like (say) optimal taxation or asset pricing, I imagine it'd be less relevant and useful as a writing sample.

[Diplomer]

NYU requires a 30-50 pages writing? They certainly don't take this requirement seriously then.

Well, this is what they tell in their admissions requirement pdf:
http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/grad.pdf.deadlines page 30. Do you study in
NYU?

Kind regards
Diplomer

[Demisel]

Well, this is what they tell in their admissions requirement pdf:
http://gsas.nyu.edu/object/grad.pdf.deadlines page 30. Do you study in
NYU?

Yeah. As I said, I submitted a 2-page writing sample to NYU and I got in. The same with Rochester.

[rsen123]

I have a question abt the writing sample. Is it important to send in a writing sample on the same topic as the proposed PhD topic [as mentioned in the personal statement]? Is it ok if it is in the same subfield [say, IPE/IR]?

[Demisel]

I have a question abt the writing sample. Is it important to send in a writing sample on the same topic as the proposed PhD topic [as mentioned in the personal statement]? Is it ok if it is in the same subfield [say, IPE/IR]?

In my experience, it doesn't matter. Even if it does, I can't imagine you have to know much about your PhD topic at this point, as you have 5 years to think about it. With respect to that, having a writing sample in the same subfield is more than enough. Many people don't even know what subfield they're interested in at the start of their PhD.

[kevinparker]

You have to write 3 to 4 page for it. they just wanna see your writing style and way to describe things.
[links removed]

[PhDintrelfun]

Dear all,

I'm new to the forum and have (potentially) a number of questions regarding admissions.

I've got an MBA specializing in Global Management. I've read that at most universities they don't see an MBA equal to an MA, which means that I would either have to take a full MA (in the case of Columbia Univ.) or I would have to take a 1 yr "degree" which would then lead me into the PhD.

Anyway, having given that background, I would like to know what type of paper I should submit to a potential University? I have a number of business oriented papers that I wrote over the span of my MBA, but they have very little to do with my chosen subfield which is International Relations.

Someone mentioned that they took a modern article and gave a brief summary of that. Would that suffice to these universities if I did that?

Any help is greatly appreciated.