submitting a previous essay as a writing sample
When applying to universities, graduate programs, or jobs that require writing skills, you will often be asked to submit a writing sample. While the prompt may encourage you to write a new piece specifically for your application, you may opt to submit a previous academic or professional essay instead. Using an existing essay as your writing sample is perfectly acceptable if it appropriately showcases your writing and analytical abilities. There are some important factors to consider when choosing and preparing a previous paper.
Choosing the Right Essay
The essay you select needs to align well with the goals and focus of the program or position you are applying to. Make sure to carefully review the instructions or guidelines to understand what type of writing sample is preferred. For example, an admissions committee may be more interested in seeing an analysis of literary themes than a summary of scientific research findings. Consider essays that demonstrate the core skills relevant to the opportunity such as critical thinking, persuasive arguments, organization, and clarity of writing.
Additionally, choose an essay where you can truthfully say the work is your own. Do not submit anything that significantly borrows from other sources without proper attribution. The writing sample should be a showcase of your individual abilities, not a patchwork of others’ ideas. It also needs to be recent work that still accurately reflects your current writing and analytical skills. An essay from your freshman year of college may no longer be as representative compared to something from last semester.
Proofread and Polish
Before submitting a previous paper, you must thoroughly proofread and polish it. Check for any errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, or style consistency. Have at least one other person proofread as well to catch anything you may have overlooked. Consider tightening up wordy or redundant sections to achieve tighter, more impactful prose. You also want to ensure all citations, references, and quotations are properly formatted according to the most recent style guide requirements.
Update or expand elements like the introduction or conclusion as needed. Review your thesis and argument structure to verify they are clear and cohesive. Be prepared to explain or expand upon any part of the analysis if asked in an interview. You may also want to tailor some elements of the content if the original paper does not fit perfectly with the current opportunity. For example, emphasizing certain parts of an analysis or adding a brief paragraph highlighting specific skills that relate to the program goals.
Supplemental Materials
When using an existing paper, consider bolstering it with additional context. Provide a brief cover letter highlighting the most relevant skills demonstrated and how they connect to the position or field of study. A one-page summary highlighting key arguments and conclusions is also useful to help readers get right to the core substance efficiently.
You can also note how the sample represents your growth as a student or professional over time. For instance, an introductory paragraph such as “This paper was written for an upper-division course I took last year. Since then, my writing and analytical abilities have further developed through additional assignments and experience working as an intern.” Supplemental documentation reassures readers that you fully understand your sample in its proper context.
Presentation Matters
Regardless of the quality of content, a poorly formatted or presented writing sample risks leaving a poor first impression. Ensure the document is neatly structured with appropriate headings, font style and size, margins, and line spacing. Submit as a standard Microsoft Word or PDF file so it can be easily opened and read digitally or in print. Provide any required paperwork such as permission to submit a course assignment or confirming your ownership and original authorship of the work.
Clearly label the cover page with your name, program or position applying to, date, and other necessary contact details. Some applicants even include a table of contents or abstract to give extra context on overall structure and arguments at a glance. Take care that all pages are correctly numbered and included with the submission. Sending your work in an organized, professional manner shows respect for both your own efforts as well as the readers’ time.
With care and diligence invested in selecting, revising, and presenting a previous academic or work sample, it can be an excellent representative piece for your application. Using an existing essay demonstrates your strengths while relieving some of the timing pressure compared to starting from scratch. Just be sure to put in the effort to fully prepare your sample as a cohesive, relevant, and compelling snapshot of your exemplary writing abilities.