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Tag Archives: How to Apply

How to Apply: Writing Sample

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Applying, How to Apply, writing sample

Post by: Kate Hoeting, MTS ‘21, Graduate Assistant in the HDS Office of Admissions 

This article is part of our “How to Apply” series, which answers common questions about the application process and includes these articles:  

  • “How to Apply: Letters of Recommendation” 
  • “How to Apply: Statement of Purpose” 
  • “How to Apply: Reapplication” 
  • “How to Apply: Test Scores” 

Since the writing sample is a new component of the application this year, I’m adding this article to the series to walk you through guidelines and best practices. We know that the writing sample can be an intimidating part of the application process, but remember that the requirements are open-ended on purpose, and always feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have. 

What does the admissions committee look for in a writing sample? 

The writing sample serves to demonstrate your academic writing ability. You may choose to submit:  

  • An excerpt of an academic paper in any subject area within the humanities or social sciences 
  • An adapted piece of professional writing 
  • An original work that is based upon a topic that you are interested in studying here at HDS 

The writing sample should be 1,000-1,500 words long and give the admissions committee a sense of your strengths in writing, research, and/or critical analysis. 

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How to Apply: Test Scores

11 Wednesday Dec 2019

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Applying, GRE, How to Apply, Test Scores, TOEFL/IELTS

Post by: Kate Hoeting, MTS ‘21, Graduate Assistant in the Office of Admissions 

This article is part of our “How to Apply” series, which answers common questions about the application process and includes these articles: 

  • “How to Apply: Letters of Recommendation” 
  • “How to Apply: Statement of Purpose” 
  • “How to Apply: Reapplication” 
  • “How to Apply: Writing Sample” 

In this article, we walk through the requirements and best practices for the TOEFL/IELTS and the GRE. Please note that the GRE is optional for all applicants! 

 
I. TOEFL/IELTS  

Is the TOEFL or the IELTS required for me?  

All international applicants whose native language is not English must take the TOEFL or IELTS, unless you attended an undergraduate institution where English was the sole language of instruction (e.g. a school in the U.S. or the American University of Paris). Even if your major or all the classes you took were taught solely in English, this policy is based upon the entire institution’s medium of instruction. 

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Last Minute Application Tips from a Current Student

07 Monday Jan 2019

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Advice, How to Apply, Waiting

Post by: Tessa Steinert Evoy, MTS 2020, HDS Office of Admissions Graduate Assistant 

This time last year, I was right where you are, making that difficult decision to finally press the submit button. Were there things I was forgetting, last edits I should have made, did I upload the wrong version of my statement of purpose? These were all questions that I asked myself before submitting. Looking back a year later, I wanted to share some last tips with you before you press that button.  Continue reading →

How to Apply: Reapplication

18 Tuesday Dec 2018

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Tags

Advice, How to Apply, Reapplication

Post by: Mikaela Allen, MTS 2019, HDS Office of Admissions Graduate Assistant

Note: This post has been updated to reflect the requirements for those applying to admission for the 2020-21 academic year.

This article is part of our How to Apply series, answers common questions about the application process and includes these articles:

  • “How to Apply: Letters of Recommendation”
  • “How to Apply: Statement of Purpose“
  • “How to Apply: Writing Sample” 
  • “How to Apply: Test Scores” 

Continue reading →

How to Apply: Statement of Purpose

10 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Advice, How to Apply, SOP

Post by: Natalie Solis, MTS 2020, HDS Office of Admissions Graduate Assistant

This article is part of our How to Apply series, which answers common questions about the application process and includes these articles:

  • “How to Apply: Letters of Recommendation”
  • “How to Apply: Reapplication”
  • “How to Apply: Writing Sample” 
  • “How to Apply: Test Scores” 

Continue reading →

How to Apply: Letters of Recommendation

01 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by HDS Admissions Blog in Applying

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Tags

Advice, How to Apply, Recommendation Letters

Post by: Mikaela Allen, MTS 2019, HDS Office of Admissions Graduate Assistant

This article is part of our How to Apply series, which answers common questions about the application process and includes these articles:

  • “How to Apply: Statement of Purpose“
  • “How to Apply: Reapplication”
  • “How to Apply: Writing Sample” 
  • “How to Apply: Test Scores” 

Continue reading →

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