phd application writing sample

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How to choose a writing sample for graduate school

If you’re serious about pursuing a post-bachelor’s degree, it’s never too early to start gathering all the materials you’ll need. Most programs will ask you to submit one of the following: an essay response to a prompt or a writing sample. If you’re in need of guidance on the latter, keep reading for advice on how to select and prepare an impressive writing sample for your graduate school application.

We gathered expert insight from Dr. James R. Martin, an associate professor and assistant director of interdisciplinary leadership at Creighton University. Dr. Martin has reviewed hundreds of applications throughout his career, so consider his advice about what makes a great graduate school writing sample. But first, it’s important to understand the purpose of this application element.

What is a writing sample for grad school and why is it important?

Writing samples are a key part of most grad school applications. They show the admissions committee the quality of your previous work and demonstrate interest and proficiency in your chosen field.

According to Dr. Martin, reviewers are generally evaluating samples for the following criteria:

• Solid writing skills : Is all spelling and grammar accurate? Is it free of typos?
• Organization and clarity : Is there a logical flow to the ideas presented? Is the purpose of the sample clearly identified and accomplished?
• Critical thinking : Does it demonstrate a thorough understanding of the topic, including consideration of alternate theories or approaches? Are all claims backed by reliable research?
• Consistent citations and references : Have sources been properly cited throughout the work? Do all citations have a corresponding reference?

How to choose a writing sample for grad school

Some schools don’t specifically state what kind of writing sample they are seeking. In that case, it’s best to err on the side of academic work. Some common writing sample examples include essays, dissertations, theses, journal articles, capstone projects or research papers. If possible, you want to submit a piece that demonstrates your proficiency in analyzing a topic in the same (or related) field as the program for which you are applying.

There are some professions and corresponding graduate school programs that accept work-related writing samples, such as white papers, policy briefs, news articles and grant applications. If you’re pursuing higher education in marketing, communications, public relations, public policy or other similar fields, these could be good writing sample ideas.

However, Dr. Martin cautions prospective students to vet their choices carefully. If you do send in materials you wrote for work, make sure you’re the only author — and write a secondary note explaining the context and authorship. After all, reviewers are evaluating you , not your team.

How long should a writing sample be?

There’s no simple answer for this question, as the target length depends on the program you’re applying for. The importance of reading and following all of the instructions carefully throughout your application cannot be overstated.

If your desired school doesn’t state specific requirements, Dr. Martin advises choosing an academic paper. Or better yet, you can take the initiative to reach out for clarification.

“Most departments have a director of graduate studies or admissions specialist who would be happy to have a conversation,” he says. “This interaction could end up working in your favor down the line.”

Components of a good graduate school writing sample

Now that you know how you will be evaluated and what kind of sample to submit, you need to make sure your work is as polished as possible. Whether you choose an academic paper or other professional work, apply these writing sample tips before submitting:

• Have someone you trust read it and provide feedback that you can choose whether or not to implement. 
• Run the entire paper through a spelling and grammar check multiple times. You could also consider using a free tool like the one available at Grammarly.com .
• Make sure there are no typos, formatting discrepancies, comments or tracked changes, run-on sentences, repeated paragraphs, etc., in the final version.
• Rename your document to include important information that will make it easier for busy admissions staff to find. (Try using the following example: Writing sample_Name of applicant_Title of paper or project.)
• •Make sure your citation style is consistent and correct throughout the entire document.

Your writing sample format will vary depending on the type of sample you choose. But if you are submitting an academic paper, make sure it contains all of the following sections, at minimum:

• Introduction
• List of references

Craft a solid grad school application

With the tips stated above, you should have everything you need to begin choosing and refining your writing sample for graduate school. If you’re still not feeling confident, take the following advice to heart:

“Remember that the writing sample is just one piece of your application, and we evaluate it as a whole,” Dr. Martin shares. “As a Jesuit school we strive to meet people where they are. We want to help them succeed.” Now that you have some writing sample examples and advice, you can focus on other important elements of your application. Check out our article “ How to Secure the Best Letters of Recommendation for Grad School .”

If you’re looking for a high-quality and best value graduate school program, review the requirements for Creighton University by visiting our How to Apply page .

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A writing sample is required for all programs. Some programs may have specific requirements when submitting a sample; please check the department’s website for further information.

The writing sample is not a paper written specifically for your application but a written work submitted for either a grade or publication. The preferred paper to submit is one closely related to the field of study you wish to pursue in the Division. Departments prefer single-author papers, and should you submit an item with a collaborative work, all writers’ names should be included with your name highlighted, along with a memo explaining your contribution to the work.

PhD programs strongly prefer a singular writing sample. MA programs also prefer a singular, cohesive work; however, they will accept two shorter argumentative papers.

The writing sample must be in English. Multiple writing samples must be combined into a single pdf before upload.

The writing sample should be 20 to 30 pages for PhD programs, or 15 to 20 pages for MA programs, excluding bibliography or appendices. Writing samples longer than 30 pages are read only at the discretion of the departmental review committee. Applicants who would like to submit longer samples such as an M.A. thesis are strongly encouraged to provide an excerpt shorter than 30 pages, and which includes a one-page coversheet contextualizing the excerpt within the larger body of work.

We do not set a requirement for formatting or font; however, applicants are encouraged to use one of the common academic formatting styles in their field (APA, Chicago Manual of Style, MLA, etc.).

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How to Pick a Grad School Writing Sample

If you’re looking to take your academic career to the next level, no doubt you know that a key factor in getting into grad school is showcasing your writing abilities. Writing samples are arguably the most important part of showing off just how talented and capable you really are – but knowing how to choose the best sample for those applications can feel like an impossible task!

Don’t worry; this guide will walk you through every step necessary so that when it comes time to send in those applications, you’ll have confidence knowing that each sample you put forward is your absolute best work.

What is the point of the grad school writing sample and why does it matter?

An integral factor of your graduate school application is often the writing samples you provide; they give evidence to the admissions committee of your potential and enthusiasm for your target field. This reflects not only on your academic aptitude but also on how well-versed you are in that particular subject matter.

A writing sample is also a great way for admissions committees to get an idea of how you can contribute to the graduate program. It demonstrates your capacity to engage with innovative concepts, present your research clearly and concisely, build upon current trends within the field, and articulate compelling arguments or theories. By assessing your academic writing and critical thinking proficiency, the faculty seeks to select candidates who possess the necessary abilities to thrive academically. Moreover, they want assurance that you can be properly mentored throughout your educational journey.

When assessing samples, reviewers usually consider the following criteria:

• Structure and clarity : Is the essay’s structure sensible and cohesive? Does it clearly articulate its purpose and successfully achieve it?
• Critical outlook : Does the work display in-depth insight into the subject, including analysis of other theories or methods? Are all assertions supported with reliable evidence and research?
• Methodological apparatus: Have all sources been accurately cited throughout the paper? Are there corresponding references attached to each citation?
• Writing skills : Is every single word spelled correctly and are all the sentences grammatically flawless? Are there any oversights when it comes to typos or missed words?

(If you are wondering if you have selected the right graduate program for you? Watch this quick video where I break down mistakes to avoid.)

How to pick the right grad school writing sample

Despite applying to several graduate programs within the same domain, various universities require different lengths when it comes to writing samples. Some may ask for as many as ten pages while others permit up to twenty. Before fine-tuning your writing samples and refining them, be sure that you have already carefully considered the places where you would like to apply. In certain cases, more than one sample may even be asked for. Put in the effort beforehand so you can save yourself time later! Taking the time to ensure you understand all of the expectations for your writing sample up front will save you loads of time down the line!

No need to write something new!

A writing sample for your application is usually taken from a paper or thesis you wrote and was evaluated by college professors, whether it be at the undergraduate or graduate level. Whether it is an excerpt from a master’s thesis or a senior capstone class, any publication that reflects thoughtful consideration of key concepts in the field and meets the maximum length requirement can make you stand out. If you earned a top grade for your paper, it is already in excellent shape and can be submitted as-is. However, to make the paper even better, you may want to incorporate feedback from your grader into its structure or answer any questions that were left unanswered. You should also take this opportunity to add new citations if necessary – just don’t go overboard with modifying the project!

Creating an entirely new writing sample specifically for your application can be a burden if you don’t have the luxury of getting feedback from a professor, or even worse – take away precious time that could otherwise be spent preparing other parts of your application like the statement of purpose. Therefore, it is best to avoid creating something from scratch unless absolutely necessary. As long as your paper is well-written (and graded accordingly), you can submit a piece from a different discipline or one with an out-of-date subject/conclusion. The selection committee’s primary focus is on evaluating your writing, research, and analytical capabilities rather than the topic of your upcoming degree program. Therefore, if your best paper fits this bill even if it doesn’t directly relate to what you’ll be studying – go ahead and send it in.

Pick a grad school writing sample that reflects the writing you will be required to do in your program

When a school fails to give clear instructions (and they often do!), it is advisable to present an academic writing sample such as an essay, dissertation, journal article, or research paper. The focus of your submission should be in line with the major you are applying for. Doing so will highlight your aptitude for analyzing and exploring ideas within that particular field.

If you want to be considered for a research-based graduate program, such as a Ph.D. or Master of Science, your writing sample should illustrate your aptitude for producing research papers. If you are applying for any program other than creative writing or journalism, you should demonstrate your academic abilities and engagement in ideas by submitting an appropriate piece of written work. Choose a paper that was assigned to you as part of coursework rather than essays, memoirs, blog posts, or newspaper articles. Consider the research you have done and your accomplishments in your field, then select an example that reveals how adeptly you can analyze a great deal of information as well as introduce innovative concepts.

Your writing sample should not simply reiterate the already established research. Instead, showcase your own ideas and arguments while maintaining awareness of where they fit in an existing conversation within your field. Provide sufficient context to show that you understand how academics can guide you as a researcher, writer, and scholar – but also demonstrate why you have what it takes to be an influential member of the research community.

For professional programs like an MBA or MPA degree , an ideal paper would demonstrate skills like crafting business case studies and policy analysis respectively. When submitting your application for a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, make sure to include the best creative writing sample you have. For those applying to Journalism programs, it would be most beneficial to send along a long-form journalistic article that accurately reflects the type of work expected during graduate studies; don’t submit anything that isn’t reflective of what will be taught and is required!

If you are seeking to obtain a graduate school degree in marketing, communications, public relations, public policy, or other related areas of study and have work-related writing samples such as white papers, policy briefs, news articles, and grant applications submitted then this could be an excellent option for you. However, exercise caution when creating your portfolio. If you choose to include content that was written for work purposes, ensure it is solely authored by you and accompany the piece with a separate explanation regarding its origin and authorship. Keep in mind that reviewers are judging and assessing you as an individual!

How long should my grad school writing sample be?

There’s no simple answer to the question, as the target length depends on the program you’re applying for. The importance of reading and following all of the instructions carefully throughout your application cannot be overstated.

If your institution doesn’t provide specific instructions, opt for a scholarly essay. Even better, get in touch with the department to ensure you’re on track! Most departments have experienced directors of graduate studies and admissions specialists who are more than willing to help guide you through this process. Moreover, this experience could prove an invaluable asset when you apply for the program later on.

Don’t exceed the maximum word limit

When submitting a writing sample as part of your graduate school application, it is important to respect the word limit specified by the institution. This is because admissions officers often have hundreds or even thousands of applications to read and evaluate. Sticking to the word limit demonstrates that you can follow instructions, work within constraints, and present yourself clearly and concisely – all important skills for success as a graduate student. Furthermore, if you go over the word count, this could make it difficult for someone who has limited time to review your entire piece. By respecting the word limit given and crafting a concise yet meaningful piece of writing, you are more likely to stand out in the minds of admissions committee members!

Which part of your honors thesis or master’s thesis should you send as a sample if you have a word limit?

When selecting a sample from a long piece of writing, such as a thesis, to send for graduate school admissions, it is important to carefully consider the kind of content you are sending. Your sample should reflect your writing abilities, research interests, and expertise in a specific field. Choose a section of your writing that you are particularly proud of and that demonstrates both your knowledge and writing skills in a meaningful way. It is also beneficial to include a short introduction that outlines the focus, purpose, and aims of your writing to help the admissions team gain a better understanding of the context and scope of your writing.

Depending on the program, you may want to select a part of your thesis that specifically pertains to the focus of the graduate school. For example, if you are applying to a program in literature, you may want to submit an analysis of a text or a comparison between two texts. When selecting the content, be sure to pick something that demonstrates your knowledge of the subject and your ability to think critically about it.

Tips Before Sending

Before submitting your work, whether it be an academic paper or other form of professional sample, make sure that you put in the necessary effort to ensure that your final result is as polished and perfected as possible. To do this effectively, follow these steps:

• Invite a person you trust to review your work and offer their thoughts, which you can then choose whether or not to incorporate.
• Thoroughly proofread your paper several times to ensure all spelling and grammar are correct.
• To ensure your writing is flawless, check for any typos, formatting errors, comments or tracked changes, run-on sentences and duplicated paragraphs.
• Optimize your document by renaming it with essential details that make it easier for busy admissions personnel to locate. For instance, you can use a format such as: Writing Sample_Name of applicant_Title of paper/project.
• Ensure that you utilize a consistent and accurate citation style throughout your document for optimal results.

Ensure your academic paper is comprehensive by including all of the following sections as a minimum: an introduction that set the topic, a cohesive body, a clear conclusion, and references.

After taking the time to find the best grad school writing sample for grad school, you are now ready to take your next step and apply with confidence. You should feel incredibly proud of yourself for reaching this milestone. This process takes hard work, dedication, and a willingness to evolve and improve your writing. As you continue through this journey, remember that you are always capable of infinite growth– and often there is great comfort in seeking guidance from an expert who can provide valuable insight and direction. If you’re looking for supportive advice or a professional opinion on any part of the application process, consider signing up for a free consultation today. It’s never too late to take steps toward realizing your dreams; congratulations on embarking on this amazing journey!

With a Master’s from McGill University and a Ph.D. from New York University, Dr. Philippe Barr is the founder of The Admit Lab . As a tenure-track professor, Dr. Barr spent a decade teaching and serving on several graduate admission committees at UNC-Chapel Hill before turning to full-time consulting. With more than seven years of experience as a graduate school admissions consultant, Dr. Barr has stewarded the candidate journey across multiple master’s and Ph.D. programs and helped hundreds of students get admitted to top-tier graduate programs all over the world .

Follow me on Instagram and TikTok for tips and tricks on navigating the grad school application process and weekly live Q&A sessions!

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The Writing Sample for Graduate School

Applying to graduate school and choosing academic writing that showcases your academic excellence can be challenging. Don’t worry! Although your writing sample is crucial, it doesn’t need to be perfect. It should effectively communicate, demonstrate your potential for advanced academic work, and importantly, show your ability to specialize in a program’s field of interest. We offer tips to help you select the best writing sample for your graduate school.

Use an Appropriate Professional Style Guide

Your writing sample should show topical expertise, but also an understanding of professional research. Find the standard style guide for your chosen field, and make sure it’s applied consistently–not just citations, but also any formatting for cover pages, pages numbers, and bibliographies.

Keep it Relevant

Select a sample that closely reflects your areas of potential interest. This means the sample with the highest grade may not be the best. It may be worthwhile to revise a B+ paper and use it a writing sample if it’s more relevant to the field you want to study than that A paper from a different academic area.

Take your time!

If there’s no obvious pick that’s OK. Don’t rush when selecting a writing sample. Instead, take some time to review your options–pick something that will make an impression on the admissions committee, and don’t be afraid to revise. You may be tempted to write something new for submission – this is almost always a bad idea. Remember that previous work has been written for a reason and has likely seen feedback from trusted advisors.

Make Sure it is Free of Errors

As already hinted, you may need to edit the sample you choose. Remember you want to express your professional readiness for advanced studies with your writing sample, so triple check for typographical and other errors before submitting it with your application package.

Follow the Instructions!

ay close attention to any requirements set out for you application materials, and make sure you meet the required length. Typically, you don’t want to exceed them either–more is not always better. Remember that graduate applications are also about showing that you can follow directions.

Structure and Organization Matter!

Academic writing should be a well written with a concise beginning, clear middle and an effective end. Make sure that each part of your essay is clear, compelling, and, well, present in your writing sample. Even the most brilliant ideas and research get lost in a poorly structured essay.

Showcase Your Research Skills!

This can take different forms depending on your field. If you’re applying to an experiment-driven program in physics or sociology you may need to demonstrate your grasp of research best practices in field. In a scholarly program such as history or literature you may need to demonstrate a meaningful grasp of research with primary documents, or applying specific methodologies in analysis.

Demonstrate Your Critical Thinking

A strong writing sample showcases your critical thinking skills, which means evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of a prevailing view and drawing conclusions based on evidence. Your writing should engage with existing work in the field. In the writing sample, you show the reader what you already know and what questions you want to explore.

Reveal Yourself as an Effective Communicator

Finally, choosing a well-written academic paper for your application involves communicating complex ideas effectively, whether your own or others’ (with proper attribution). The best samples balance engaging with existing ideas and introducing your own. This balance is crucial for grad school success, offering a chance to showcase this skill and engage your reader through your writing sample .

Graduate Admissions Support

In conclusion, we know that applying for graduate school can be a stressful process. We’re here to help you navigate the ups and downs. Check out more helpful tips and articles demystifying graduate school admissions on our blog . Looking for help with your application essays? We have samples of real Personal Statements that got people accepted to graduate programs – with our expert feedback to help you write your essays.

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Graduate Application Checklist: The Ph.D. Academic writing sample

You have three options available to meet this requirement..

• Option 1 : You may submit a paper that you have authored relating to any topic or issue regarding the education of students with disabilities or to a related topic. If you have published one or more articles in professional journals, you may select one such article to submit. All papers or articles must be in English and must represent your scholarly work. Thus, for example, you should not submit a paper or article on which there are multiple authors and for which you were involved in a secondary manner.
• Option 2 : If you completed an original thesis as a requirement of your master's degree, you may submit a copy of the approved document. While you may have had feedback during its preparation, it should reflect your independent thought and writing skills.
• Special education is defined in IDEA (2004) as specially designed instruction at no cost to the parents to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Historically, special education has been seen as a "place" where students with disabilities are served. How do these two views of “special” education challenge practice? Discuss the types of specially designed instruction to be provided. Possible discussion points: How can students with disabilities be included in educational reform efforts? What needs to occur to ensure that students with disabilities are not marginalized by such reform efforts? What measures of accountability can be used to ensure that students with disabilities are effectively served in America's schools?
• Despite the emphasis on active parental and student involvement in educational planning, many barriers remain to meaningful involvement by parents or students. Why is such involvement so difficult to achieve? What strategies lead to effective parent or student involvement?
• What strategies are effective for including preschool students with disabilities in general education programs?
• IDEA (2004) states a preference toward educating students with disabilities in typical classrooms with supplementary supports and services. What effective practices have emerged to include students with disabilities in general education classrooms? What barriers remain?

Additional Professional Work Sample

The application requires three professional work samples, with two of these samples being scholarly writing (e.g., academic papers, published journal articles) as noted above. The third professional work sample is of the applicant’s choosing; either another written sample or a multimedia-based submission of professional experience (e.g., video of applicant teaching, video of applicant conducting a professional development, the applicant’s professional website, etc.).

Official GRE Exam Results

The GRE exam is not required but can be considered for admission to the Department of Special Education as a doctoral student. Request your GRE scores to be submitted as stated: for electronic submission (ETS), the Institution Code is 6871 and the Department Code is 3705. If you have an official copy of your GRE exam results, please upload a copy when applying online. The Admission Committee can use unofficial copies of the exam results for reviewing applications. Official scores must be submitted if recommended for admission.

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Preparing Your Applications

From taking standardized tests to writing personal statements, applying to grad school can take quite a bit of time. The earlier you start, the easier the process will be and the more time you will have to tackle any possible hurdles that may appear along the way.

The overall application for most graduate programs generally includes the following:

• Personal statements
• GPA and transcripts
• GRE scores (check if the general and/or subject exams are required)
• Letters of recommendation
• Biographical information from your essays or résumé/curriculum vitae that describes your academic, research, and professional experiences
• Writing sample (for some programs in the humanities and social sciences)
• Interview (for some graduate programs, often in the biosciences)

In general, faculty and admissions committees use these components to determine if you are a suitable candidate for graduate school. In particular, they are trying to determine if you are a suitable candidate for their specific program.

1. GATHER INFORMATION ON EACH OF THE GRADUATE PROGRAM’S REQUIREMENTS

• Get online applications started and create online accounts.
• Many universities give waivers for participants in diversity grad-prep programs.
• Here are Stanford’s application fee waiver info  and grad application website .
• Check if there is a separate application for financial support.
• Mark deadlines and take them seriously!
• GRE Subject Test (recommended or required?)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), Test of Spoken English (TSE)

2. TAKING THE GREs

• Check if graduate programs in your field typically require GRE exam scores for the general and subject tests. Many graduate programs require them, but these GRE requirements have recently been changing.
• Start preparing early (junior year of college).
• Take a practice exam to determine where you currently stand: free from www.kaplan.com or www.princetonreview.com , or buy the ETS Official Guide to the GRE General Test.
• Use online and university resources: two full computer-based GREs are in ETS’s own GRE Powerprep II with math review and info on analytical writing, available from www.gre.org  and included with the above book.
• Take a course. But if you don’t, get both Kaplan/Princeton Review GRE prep books. Each comes with 3-4 practice computer GREs (get both books for the practice exams that come with each).
• Find out how far you are from the scores you need to be competitive.
• Getting more familiar with the computer-based exam and its format
• Learning the way the different question types work and the types of wrong answer associated with certain question types (PR/Kaplan/Manhattan Prep/Magoosh books very helpful here!)
• Getting comfortable using educated guessing when stumped
• Increasing your focus and endurance
• Focus on replacing your current problem-solving approaches with PR/Kaplan methods.
• Try not to worry so much about how you’re doing while studying.
• Focus on observing your problem solving and improving it.
• Embrace your mistakes and errors — learn from them so you don’t make the same errors on the exam.
• While you’re studying, practice managing anxiety, tension, and attention for optimal performance.

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Gradate Application Writing Sample Requirements

Department of comparative literature.

Please provide an example of your scholarly writing, normally a seminar paper, approximately 5000 words, in English. Choose an essay that reflects your best literary-critical or analytic work. It should not be a sample of creative writing. Although not required, you may additionally provide a short example of your writing in a language other than English.

Department of French and Italian

Please submit 2 samples of 20 pages each, one in English and the other in French or Italian, demonstrating the applicant's skills at literary analysis of French or Italian texts. While these academic research papers best demonstrate applicants' skills at the tasks we stress in this program, if students would like to add a (short) writing sample using literary critical skills in another genre, they are welcome to do so.

Department of German Studies

Submit a critical or analytic sample of scholarly writing, approximately 5000 words, in either German or English. Choose a sample that reflects your best scholarly work. The writing sample should not be a sample of creative writing. The writing sample and letters of recommendation should indicate your preparedness for conducting scholarship in German Studies, and why your interests in German Studies would be best served in a program such as ours.

Department of Iberian and Latin American Cultures

Please submit 2 samples of 20 pages each, one in English and the other in Spanish, demonstrating the applicant's skills as a literary critic.

Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures

Please submit a sample of about 20 pages in English, demonstrating the applicant's skills at literary analysis of Slavic texts. If students would like to submit an additional short writing sample in Russian or another relevant language, they should feel free to do so. While research papers best demonstrate applicants' skills at the tasks we stress in this program, if students would like to add a (short) writing sample using literary critical skills in another genre, they are welcome to do so.

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The following programs require writing samples submitted as part of their application for admission. To learn more about these samples click on the name of the program you are interested in.

• Art History (MA and PhD)
• Childhood Foreign Language Education (MA)
• Criminology (MA and PhD) *Writing samples are strongly encouraged for admission to this program.
• English (MA and PhD)
• Fashion Studies (MS)
• MA in Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• MA in Languages, Literatures, Cultures and Pedagogy (MA-LLCP)
• History (MA and PhD)
• Linguistics and Cognitive Science (MA and PhD)
• Nursing: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Preservation Studies (PhD)
• Political Science and International Relations (MA and PhD) *Writing samples are strongly encouraged for admission to this program.
• Sociology (MA and PhD) *Writing samples are strongly encouraged for admission to this program.
• Winterthur Program in American Material Culture (MA)

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Department of Writing & Rhetoric Studies

College of humanities, main navigation, how to apply, application portal now open.

The Department of Writing and Rhetoric Studies at the University of Utah announces its new stand-alone graduate program. Effective Fall 2021, we offer degrees through our department for the MA/MS and the PhD. Our nationally renowned, award-winning faculty prize on providing ongoing individualized mentoring to students. Our graduate program prepares graduates for various opportunities in academia, private industry, and nonprofit organizations. Full-time students have teaching and research opportunities both in and outside the department. 

Apply Now  

Applications due December 15th, 2023.

For more information, visit writing.utah.edu   or contact Dr. Maureen Mathison, Director of Graduate Studies at   [email protected]

The application process varies slightly between each department, but the majority of the requirements are the same. Listed below you will find a general checklist for applying to the graduate program in Rhetoric and Composition, followed by links to the department specific requirements. In each case you will apply first to the University of Utah's graduate school and then to the specific department. If you have any questions at any point in the process, please contact Writing & Rhetoric Studies for assistance.

To the Graduate School

• Apply to   the University of Utah's graduate school   (make sure that you meet the graduate school requirements before applying).
• Pay the application fee.
• Submit transcripts from all previous universities and colleges you have attended.
• International students need to submit their TOEFL scores.

To the Department

• Departmental Application: Apply here .
• GRE Scores: We do not require the GRE.
• Writing Sample: The writing sample is a critical part of your application. For Ph.D. applicants, your writing sample should be a significant paper such as a portion of your Master's thesis or a graduate seminar paper. If you are applying to an MA program, your writing sample might be a senior thesis or substantial paper demonstrating your best academic work.

In both cases, the Department of Writing & Rhetoric is looking for writing that demonstrates your analytical thinking, your sense of academic inquiry, command of rhetorical and composition tools, and your ability to engage existing literature on your topic. While your writing sample need not be directly related to the field of Rhetoric and Composition, we encourage you to select a sample that in some way addresses or engages issues relevant to writing or literacy.

• Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement: In this document, please include information that helps us better understand your motivations for pursuing graduate work in Rhetoric and Composition at the University of Utah. For example, you might discuss experiences you have had teaching writing or rhetoric, or perhaps you became interested in the field after taking a related undergraduate course. Also include the areas of Rhetoric and Composition that interest you, professors with whom you would like to work, and your future goals.
• Three Letters of Recommendation: Your letters should come from academic sources who can attest to the quality of your academic work. Please note that the English Department requires that you use a specific form for your letters.
• Application Deadlines: Both the departmental and graduate school Ph.D. and MA, with or without funding, applications are due December 15th.

If you have questions regarding the application process, please feel free to contact the Department of Writing & Rhetoric Studies.

Maureen Mathison

Department of Writing & Rhetoric Studies Email: [email protected]    Phone: 801-581-7090 Office: 3700 LNCO

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Personal Statement and Writing Sample

Personal statement.

In your statement of purpose, please discuss the following in one to two single-spaced pages:

• Your professional, academic, and community experiences
• The area of research you wish to potentially pursue as a student in the program, the name of at least one member of the PHS PhD Program Faculty or Participating Faculty who shares this research interest, A brief statement regarding your proposed research area interests with the research of the identified faculty member(s),
• Your specific interest in UNC Charlotte’s program
• Your career and personal goals including how the program aligns with your career plans
• How you plan to actively participate in UNC Charlotte’s mission to advance health equity and well-being in an urbanizing world

Writing Sample

In addition to the statement of purpose, a writing sample is required for all applications to the PhD program. The writing sample should

• Demonstrate aptitude for scholarly writing, e.g., a literature review, a report of a needs assessment or evaluation project, a master’s thesis, or a published original research article on a public health topic where the applicant is the sole or first author.
• Demonstrate conceptual and analytic skills
• Use appropriate and consistent citation and reference formatting
• Applicants without existing examples of academic or scholarly writing should develop a 10-20 page paper on a public health topic of interest that demonstrates conceptual skills and writing ability, use appropriate and consistent citation and reference formatting

MA & PhD Application

We admit students to the MA and PhD programs in rhetoric and scientific & technical communication (RSTC) only for the fall semester of each year. You must have completed a bachelor's degree before you can begin our MA program. A master's in a related discipline such as rhetoric, technical and professional communication, English, or communication studies is required to enter the PhD program. MA students making satisfactory progress have the opportunity to continue on to the PhD and transfer in most of their master's credits.

In reflection of our commitment to an equitable and inclusive admissions process, we neither require nor consider GRE scores. Nor is there a minimum required GPA. Instead, your grades are considered holistically along with your portfolio materials, experiences, and research interests to determine if you are a good match for our programs.

We welcome inquiries from prospective students who desire additional information about our admission process (email [email protected]  with questions). Admissions and applications consultations are also available to prospective students through the Graduate School Diversity Office (email [email protected] to schedule).

Application Information

All application materials should be submitted electronically via the online admissions system  by 11:59 pm CT on  January 5. 

To help you prepare to apply, we invite you to:

• read our admissions FAQ ; and
• register for one of our upcoming information sessions

The University of Minnesota Graduate School must receive all of the following materials by the deadline before your application will be considered for fall semester admission. Please work closely with your recommenders and advise them on deadlines to ensure their letters are submitted before the application deadline.

 To ensure that the application review process is consistent and fair, we only review the materials listed below. Any unsolicited or extra materials will be redacted from the application packet reviewed by faculty.

Our admissions committee performs an equity-based holistic review of all completed applications. Reviewers look for strengths in the following areas:

• Academic preparation
• Scholarly and professional potential
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion statements and commitments
• Alignment with the program
• Potential for growth  

Questions or Access Requests

Please contact Allie Cooperman, Graduate Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] if you have any questions or access requests.

Writing samples for PhD applications

People often ask me what I did to get into my graduate program and assume that I must have scored very well on the GRE and probably worked with a GRE tutor.  What they don’t know, and what every potential PhD applicant in the humanities should know, is that top GRE scores are not usually the most important component of a successful application.

In philosophy (and I’ve been told the same goes for the other disciplines in the humanities), the two most important parts of one’s graduate school application are the writing sample and faculty recommendations. I’ll focus on the former today and I’ll speak from my own experience in philosophy with the understanding that analogous points hold for the other humanities. 

Performance on standardized exams is not always the most reliable guide to whether one can excel at philosophy.

Thankfully, good graduate programs know this. Even getting a perfect score on the writing portion of the GRE is neither enough, nor even necessary, for a successful philosophy application. Far more indicative of one’s philosophical abilities is an extended piece of writing on a philosophical topic, and every good graduate program requires one in their applications. An excellent piece of philosophical writing is the sine qua non for a competitive application.

The earlier that aspiring philosophy PhD students understand this, the better.

But this is not because, say, sophomore philosophy majors ought to immediately begin crafting an essay specifically for an application and then spend the rest of their undergraduate lives perfecting it. That strategy is more likely to make one miserable than to improve one’s chances of being accepted to the program one dreams of.  Rather, one should become aware of the importance of good philosophical writing in the life of academic philosophy and begin to orient oneself toward general development of one’s philosophical writing abilities. But how does one do that?

To begin, one obviously needs to take one’s writing assignments in philosophy classes very seriously.  But not only those. For while there are standards and conventions peculiar to philosophical writing, there are ones common to most disciplines as well. Take every writing assignment in every class as an opportunity to improve.

A great way to improve your PhD admissions chances would be to spend time during a summer improving your best philosophical paper to date. 

For this is exactly what developing your writing sample will turn into, and it is best for it not to be the first time you have gone through the process.  Every paper that has ever been written could be improved.  So don’t rest on the A that you received on the final paper in your upper division meta-ethics course as a sophomore, thinking it is a sure sign of acceptance to your favored program.  Bug your professor to give you more advice on how it can be improved. Stretch yourself to edit it for mistakes and to ponder ways it could be made better. Spend some time over the summer trying to make it the best paper you can. Finally, see if your professor will look at the improved version again in the fall and give you yet more feedback.

What you read is nearly as important as what you write. 

While practicing writing is the most important part of developing your writing, the proper kind of reading is of enormous importance as well.  One learns to write like a philosopher through being exposed to lots and lots of philosophical writing. This means that you need to read philosophical works not only for their philosophical content, but also for their writing style.  You need to ask yourself questions about how a paper is written. Why is the overall structure as it is? Why did the author put this particular point this way? What are common stylistic themes across the different papers I read? Another good exercise that one of my undergraduate professors recommended to me is to actually copy out extended passages from famous works and arguments in the philosophical canon.  Among other things, when done with proper focus, this can force you to confront and answer the above questions for the best writing available.

An important caveat applies to the above, though. Reading Plato’s dialogues or Descartes’ meditations (classic examples of excellent philosophical writing) over and over will not be sufficient to help you write a good sample essay. Your writing sample needs to show that you have the ability to write the kind of essays that get published in academic journals today, and that is a very different style from some of the great works of history.  So you need to read a lot of contemporary journal articles, ask for some guidance from professors, and, for some of the best ones, look beyond what they assign in class. However, this does not mean that, even here, there is nothing to learn from the masters of the past.  It just means you need a well-balanced meal of classic and contemporary philosophical writing.

So the most important thing is not only to be  aware of the importance of your writing sample, but to start doing the kinds of things that will make you well prepared for developing it.   Writing samples are almost always extended improvements on a final class paper or a piece of one’s senior thesis.  

Finally, in order to produce the best sample you can, you need to develop the kind of relationship with one of your professors such that he or she can help you select your most promising work, and then work with you to help you whip it into application-ready shape. 

Developing such a relationship goes hand in hand with improving your prospects for the other most important part of the application—faculty recommendations—but that's a topic for another post.

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