u/Idosoloveanovel

I did not do a thesis track for my MA program. Now I’m worried though that this is going to ruin my chances at getting into a PhD program. I am gathering my application materials and I want to provide a good writing sample, but I don’t feel any of my papers were long enough or exceptional enough to use that I wrote for any of my MA courses. One of my former instructors basically made it sound like I have to have a thesis of some kind but it’s too late for that because I have already graduated. I just don’t know what to do. Is it acceptable to develop and write my own research paper and use that? Even if it’s not a thesis? I just don’t know what else I can do at this point. Does everyone who applies to a PhD program use a thesis paper for their writing sample? I tried before I graduated to get an instructor to do an independent study with me but he made it sound like that was not necessary. I’m just really confused now what they are expecting as a writing sample and I don’t want to submit the wrong thing and ruin my chances.

I sometimes need to take my pants off and wear just my underwear for some portions of my appointments. I have a female therapist and I’m also female. Have a lot of natural body hair on my inner thighs though and pelvic area. Naturally, she sees this if she’s working with my legs or pelvic area where she has to touch me because I’m there for pelvic floor therapy primarily. She’s never seemed bothered but I feel self conscious a lot and worry it’s weird for her. I guess I’m just asking, is this something people notice? Does it bother anyone?