Writing Sample, major problem

[Medicalbound10]

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I am having such a hard trime in trying to prepare for the writing sample, i am going crazy. Please help...English is not my first language and my major in college required barely any essays.🙁
I looked around in the form and online trying to find guides but there is not many out there. The one article i found helpful was
http://www.medhopeful.com/archive/how-i-got-a-t-on-the-mcat-writing-sample/

I don't even know how to start almost all the prompts that are listed on the AAMC website. Does anyone have any inputs maybe how I should think of the prompts rephrase them in my head to start working on them... I am just LOST. I plan to do one or two prompts a day by having a rough draft but i am not doing that well. Look at my example below that was timed I did today...
A student's academic success depends more on hard work than on intelligence.
Describe a specific situation in which a student's academic success might depend more on intelligence than on hard work. Discuss what you think determines whether a student's academic success depends more on hard work or on intelligence.


A students intelligence is needed for an academic success as new subjects are encountered but if the student does not work hard and complete all requirements, they might not succeed. It is a well known fact that everyone has unique capabilities and talents in the world. A student intelligence helps them understand new concepts easily in order to apply them without a lot of effort and support from others. Due to varying intelligence and talents the world has different individuals that excel at different fields that make new discoveries. If the student did not have the intelligence to understand the topic that is being covered then they would not understand anything to dot the work.

Work habit is a skill that is gradually developed and translates to the real world in work setting. For example, many of college courses I have taken have divided the grading system with many requirements: homework, essays, presentations and tests. Most of the time, understanding the material is crucial and highly beneficial for tests but if the student does not diligently complete the assigned homework and submit them timely, they will not get a good grade for the class. Furthermore, work ethic is very important to an individual’s success as one is expected to meet deadlines by prioritizing assignments and meeting the work requirements

The nature of the class and program of the student determines whether a student academic success depends more on hard work or intelligence. A student needs to first understand what is being thought and meet different requirements in order to succeed in the class.

Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to read the post and give ur input. Much, much, much much, is appreciated.

 

[SmurfinUSA]

hey brother~

Don't stress too much, I'm a native English speaker and still worried too. Just take it one step at a time. There's 3 parts so you can make an outline of what you think the statement says, then give an example of the opposite, and then the criteria that determines which is correct.

Practice without the time limit first to get used to it and I think you will be fine~

It will be okay!

 

[Medicalbound10]

I think you are right. I think timing myself made my writing even worse..

I plan to do one essay a day so hopefully i get better and feel better about it. Will keep trying..thanks

 

[Pons Asinorum]

The AAMC's MCAT page has all the prompts as well as sample essays if I remember correctly. I believe EK's webpage might have sample essays as well. To get the concept, google "thesis antithesis synthesis". Seriously. If you just answer the actual questions (there are three) that the prompts ask you to answer, you'll do fine.

 

[tttgo]

Your sentences sound a little choppy. Try to make them flow better.

 

[Jnorman1218]

Medicalbound,

When you write the essays, start with the thesis, move to the anti-thesis, and then write the synthesis. The thesis agrees with the writing prompt. So in this case, you would explain why you think success depends more upon hard work. The anti-thesis would counter that, explaining why intelligence is more important. And then the synthesis would bring it all together (not just a summary of what you already said). Try to use as specific examples as possible with the thesis and the anti-thesis.

Also, I agree with tttgo. Try to work on making your sentences flow as well as your grammar. Find someone who can work with you that is a strong writer. Write a ton of essays and have them read the essays and critique them. You still have a month to improve. Also remember that the writing part really is the least important section. Just get to a point where you are going to be scoring close to average. I've heard as long as you get an M or better it doesn't make much difference. As long as you included all three parts of the essay and you work on your grammar a little, that shouldn't be hard at all. Good luck!

 

[Medicalbound10]

thank you all for your replies and suggestions

I learned that I was not searching( googling) the right terms to help me with the writng sample😳 thesis, antithesis, synthesis. From now on I will work on structuring my essay this way and with a focus on the flow and grammer. I am now wishing i took some humanities courses... O well... one essay, one day at a time....

 

[Mcat35]

I'd worry about verbal before I worry about the writing lol.. get a 35+ M and you'll be perfectly fine lol.