"Academic Writing Sample" in Unrelated Field

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello everyone,</p>

<p>I studied English for my undergrad and am now pursuing a Masters in International Development. Because of this switch in disciplines, I am conflicted about what "academic writing sample" to submit. </p>

<p>One of my colleagues (who is also a professor) told me that I should submit a writing sample based on fieldwork research I've been conducting at my NGO job. However, someone from my alma mater told me an academic writing sample from my undergrad showcases my ability to write within an instructor's guidelines and limits. </p>

<p>So, you see why I'm confused?</p>

<p>My main question is: Does an "academic writing sample" have to be a paper you submitted to a professor or department? Note: the word "academic."</p>

<p>And also, what do you do if your writing sample is unrelated to the field in which you are applying?</p>

<p>I feel any undergrad paper I'd submit would not fully speak to my research and analytical capabilities. They've improved drastically over the past year because of my research experience at work. However, it might be important to also mention that I have only been out of undergrad for a year.</p>

<p>I would appreciate any advice, particularly from people who have direct experience or insight.</p>

2

<p>My main question is: Does an “academic writing sample” have to be a paper you submitted to a professor or department? Note: the word “academic.”</p>

<p>No. Academic, in this sense, does not mean “for school” but means “according to the standards that academic professionals usually adhere to.” The professors aren’t interested in whether you can write within an instructor’s arbitrary guidelines; they are interested in whether you know how to write within the accepted academic standard for your field. Fieldwork research is very appropriate, and in this case is a far better choice than an English paper you wrote.</p>

<p>My writing sample was based upon a paper I wrote for a research project I worked on in undergrad; I think I later revised it and submitted it as a seminar paper, but that’s because I had already written it. It wasn’t originally written for a class.</p>