ETA: Happy Birthday Barb!
ION: pace/fret/pace/fret/secondguess/overthink
The program I want to get into has 'writing sample optional' with a big "looking for **scholarly writing**" overtone. I have scholarly writing... it is aged and hoary (see that? GRE word, right there). I have semi-scholarly writing that VCraxy has used on their website, and an article I'm co-writing now that I'm pretty happy with, but it's co-written, so not representative of my own writing in their eyes. I have a narrative transcript from a master's program that talks about my scholarly writing (nicely, if they read it). So I'm waffling about whether to find something that fits what they want, sort of, send something old, or just hide and light candles.
Also? The GRE is making my brain all bendy and angry. Why am I doing this? I don't know. I'm too old for this. And yet? I want very much to do this. I'm probably going to be freaking out and also requesting serious get-accepted-into-that-program-now~ma in a few weeks, brace yourselves & apologies in advance.
ETA2: verb required in last sentence.
There's a restaurant in Palm Springs with a bacon flight.
I was terrified of the GRE and ended up very pleased with myself when it was over and I had surprised myself with decent results. You'll do great! I took a course (Kaplan, I think) mainly to force myself to dedicate time to it. It was worthwhile as they taught you ways to eliminate incorrect choices and other little tricks. Of course, it was also rather costly...
Sox, I would take your best "aged and hoary" scholarly piece, and edit it. No one says a writing sample has to be the one you submitted for a class...they are looking to make sure your writing and analytic skills are up-to-par for their program.
Choose one that you think is strong on the analysis, and revise it. Remember, you have plenty of writers here (me, for one) who would be happy to go over a paper and help a bitch out.
I'm in charge of creamed spinach and mcaroni & cheese for my parents' anniversary dinner. Would anyone like to share a favorite recipe for either of those?
I don't have any advice on the writing sample, Sox, but good for you for going ahead even though it bends and angrifies the brain. Go you!
Thanks Glam (yup, doing similar prep work), Erin & -t! I need all the cheerleading I can get right now. I'm so tempted to submit an excerpt of the co-written piece because it is newest, but it's also the strangest. And the hoary piece? The audience for that is very literary. This? nsm. Gak. I can edit both and see... then prey on a set of readers here and elsewhere for their opinions.
pace/pace/pace/pace/fret/study
Good: I am home.
Bad: I have to go back to work.
Good: Off to NOLA tomorrow.
Bad: I have to pack all the things.
Stupid blue screen of death. Stupid monthly reports. Stupid poor time management skills. Stupid tired brain. ::sigh::
