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Hello community, I've been applying to phd programs and just realized that some schools provide an opportunity to upload a writing sample (optional) on their online application but other schools don't even ask for it nor do they offer an opportunity to upload one. I've been uploading my writing sample only if there is a place to attach it. However, I just realized it would help if I could upload it to school online apps that don't offer a place to attach it as a file.... Wouldn't it help to give a writing sample to the committee (if its good) regardless? Would I be at a disadvantage if I don't upload it to a school that doesn't ask for one? For those schools that don't provide a place to upload it, what should I do? Should I attach my writing sample to the end of my SOP and upload the entire file in the SOP uploading section? Or email the phd program or grad admissions if I can have them attach my writing sample manually? Advice would be much appreciated!!!

Hi all! I am applying to the University of Manchester for their Economics doctoral program and have a few questions which I am listing below: 1. I am confused about how the reference process works. Like in the US, do professors receive an email and then post their comments through the link provided in that email or do I need to collect the letters from my professors and then upload it along with my other documents. I am asking because in the section where I am asked to upload supporting documents, i see that there are options to upload referee letters as well which is confusing me. Has anyone been through this process and can helpme out please? 2. How does funding work in the UK universities? Do i need to secure my own funding or would the department consider me for funding like in the US? 3. Is it absolutely necessary to lock in a supervisor/professor before I submit my application? I am asking because I see that programs that uni like Manchester and LSE are offering includes coursework ( 1 or 2 years depending on your background) much like the US and which would allow time for me to actually talk and discuss in person my research interests with professors before locking one in ( ... and not merely choosing one off a list on the website and trying my luck). Thank you. I would be extremely grateful for any input in this matter. :)

This may seem like a small problem with deadlines fast approaching but it has me worried. As I’m finalizing some apps I am lost when it comes to submitting undergrad transcripts with no instructions. Mainly the university of Illinois has a section where I add an institution then upload a digital transcript. It doesn’t say it has to be official or unofficial and it doesn’t have a way to mail them in. I don’t have access without getting a mailed copy to a transcript from a college that provided 2 classes in high school and i won’t be able to get a mailed copy to me then scan and upload a digital copy before the December 1st deadline. Plus I only have an unofficial online transcript from undergrad that I uploaded since it doesn’t specify what it wants. Anyone else running into this problem. On on another note Michigan State doesn’t even have an option to upload transcripts or even ask for GPA which seems very odd to me. Unless it asks after I submit my application the only useful information I provide on that application is my name and statement of purpose.