Writing Sample
Some degree programs require uploading a writing sample with the admission application in the space provided. Please be sure to review the document before uploading and submitting the application. Writing samples should be written in English unless otherwise noted. The page limit does not include bibliography or title page. The Graduate School has no specific formatting requirements; however, each department or program may have set their own. An applicant may upload a revised version of the writing sample before the deadline. After the deadline, no revised documents will be accepted.
For any questions about the writing sample, please contact the department or program directly. Prior to submitting, please review file upload requirements.
Requirements
If a writing sample is required, it will be listed in the degree program’s requirements on the fields of study page. Also, the online application will prompt you to upload a writing sample only if it is required by the department or program you have selected.
Writing samples are required for the following:
- Anthropology: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- Architecture (Ph.D. only): At least three samples of written work, no page limit. Please save as one file and compress; file size is limited to under 25 MB.
- Art and Archaeology: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum, plus illustrations up 10 MB.
- Classics: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- Comparative Literature: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- East Asian Studies: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- Economics: Sample of written work, 25 pages maximum
- English: Sample of written work, approximately 25 pages
- French & Italian: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum, preferably in French
- German: Sample of written work, circa 20 pages
- History: Sample of academic writing, 25-35 pages
- History of Science: Sample of academic writing, 25-35 pages
- Musicology: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- Music Composition: Sample of written work recommended, 25 page maximum
- Near Eastern Studies: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- Philosophy: Sample of written work, 5,000 to 10,000 words
- Politics: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- Population Studies: Sample of written work recommended, 25 page maximum
- Religion: Sample of written work (9000 word maximum) that is relevant to the proposed academic subfield
- Slavic Languages and Literature: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- Sociology: Sample of written work, 25 page maximum
- Spanish and Portuguese: Sample of written work, 15-25 page essay on any literary and/or cultural topic, written in Spanish or Portuguese
- Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (Ph.D.): Sample of written work, 25 page maximum