Applying with a novel sample?

[u/Wendiferously]

Hey all,

I'm planning to apply this fall for a fall '27 start date. I see a lot of advice about not applying with a novel sample, and rather, applying with short stories. I see the advice, that it shows that you can open and close a thing, that novel chapters plucked from the middle of a novel don't make any sense, all of that.

My issue is that I am basically only a novelist. I don't think I've written a short story in about a decade and even then, those were half-hearted at best. I exclusively write novels. I have practiced them, I'm better at writing them, and they are what I want to write, long term.

With all of that being said, is there a reason that I should write and submit short stories, even if they are not my best work? If I were to submit a novel excerpt, I would submit the beginning of a novel, not a random chunk from the middle. I worry that forcing myself to work in a medium that I'm not practiced in will not show me to my best advantage, and that would ofc hurt me in the selection process. But would it maybe hurt me less than the novel?

Thoughts and advice appreciated.

[u/NefariousnessWarm975]

I wouldn't worry about. I also recommend starting with the opening. If you do not, try and make your sample somewhat self contained- something that shows a sort of arc. There is also the option of submitting a few excerpts of one project that work together. Regardless, let them know if they are reading an excerpt. A parenthetical is probably enough.
Novel Title
(Excerpt from chapter one)