pageturning
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« on: December 11, 2011, 07:22:29 PM » |
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Hi all,
I am submitting an application soon, and according to the website the writing sample (only 1) the word limit is "ca.3000 words."
Even the shortest chapter of my thesis is north of 6000 words,So I've been working my rear end off trying to make a super succinct paper that is roughly 3000 words. And I couldn't do it. the best I can do is about 4000. It's a solid paper, and I have 1) developed a conceptual scheme that draws from two threads in a newly emergent literature that is kind of still on the outskirt of my field and 2) applied said scheme to data collected in original and independent (but supervised) research. I can't chop off anymore than I have lest either 1) or 2) will make no sense. This is my best work, and my advisor is pretty happy with it.
So here's my question. How far can I stretch the "circa"? and if you are on the ad.com, will you be so pissed that a paper is say, 3 pages longer than you had planned on reading? I probably will have to submit it either way, but I'd like to know how much trouble I'll be in.
Thanks y'all.
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systeme_d_
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« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2011, 07:28:14 PM » |
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If it's under 4k, send it. Just don't put it in a tiny font to make it seem shorter than it is. It won't work, and it will piss off old folks like me who won't be able to read it.
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Systeme_D is right. <rah rah RESEARCH!> |
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seniorscholar
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« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2011, 07:28:31 PM » |
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In my department (125+ applicants for a PhD every year) yes, I'd be very annoyed by reading anything over 3000 words. It's possible, however, to leave out one of the sections of your chapter, inserting an explanation of what you've skipped in brackets set off by spaces.
People often send their whole 60 page honors thesis when we ask for ten pages. In most cases, we just dump the application.
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systeme_d_
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« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2011, 07:30:42 PM » |
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I'd listen to Seniorscholar on this one. But I stand by my "no tiny fonts" plea.
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Systeme_D is right. <rah rah RESEARCH!> |
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pageturning
New member
Posts: 13
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« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2011, 07:36:39 PM » |
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If I do a super brief and oversimplified version of argument no.2 I can get it down to about 3500.
Should I
1. chop all of argument no.2 out and
do something like this
[To meet the word limit I have chopped this part of the paper. Basically I am suggesting blah blah blah.]
and my intro, conclusion, and paragraph in SOP will hopefully fill in the blank. And they can see the complexity of my analysis in argument no.1
2. keep it?
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pageturning
New member
Posts: 13
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« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2011, 07:43:48 PM » |
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also, duly noted on small fonts, system_d :D. and thank you seniorscholar.
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arty_
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« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2011, 09:22:05 PM » |
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Do you have any idea how grateful we are when you send less? If you knew, you'd cut it to 2500.
+1 no tiny fonts
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mended_drum
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« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2011, 09:22:04 AM » |
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+100 words max. The SC does not have time to deal with more and would probably prefer less.
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