MCAT Writing Sample Prompts
Ready for the MCAT Writing Sample Section? If not, try practicing with some of these prompts below. If you need an explanation for how to answer these bad boys, read the MCAT Writing Section article for full details.
The wisest leaders follow the advice of those around them.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which a wise leader might not follow the advice of others. Discuss what you think determines when it is wise for a leader to follow the advice of others and when it is unwise.
Education occurs when the student has a desire to learn.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which education might occur without the student's having a desire to learn. Discuss what you think determines when education requires that the student have a desire to learn and when it does not.
Developed nations have an obligation to provide aid to the underdeveloped nations of the world.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which a developed nation might not be obligated to provide aid to an underdeveloped nation. Discuss what you think determines when developed nations have an obligation to provide aid to underdeveloped nations.
Travel is the best way to learn about different cultures.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which travel might not be the best way to learn about different cultures. Discuss what you think determines whether or not travel is the best way to learn about different cultures.
Artistic freedom should take precedence over what the government might consider objectionable.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which artistic freedom should not take precedence over what a government might consider objectionable. Discuss what you think determines when artistic freedom should take precedence over what the government might consider objectionable and when it should not.
To master technology is to become enslaved by it.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which mastering technology might not mean becoming enslaved by it. Discuss what you think determines whether or not mastering technology means becoming enslaved by it.
Television has more influence on people than books do.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which books have more influence on people than television does. Discuss what you think determines whether or not television has more influence on people than books do.
In education, the newest way is not always the best way.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in education when the "newest way" might in fact be the best way. Discuss what you think determines whether or not innovation in education is an improvement.
Computers are bringing the world closer together.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which computers might not be bringing the world closer together. Discuss what you think determines whether or not computers are bringing the world closer together.
Youth and innovation are sometimes more beneficial in politics than age and experience.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific political situation in which age and experience were or might be more beneficial than youth and innovation. Discuss what you think determines whether youth and innovation are more beneficial that age and experience in politics.
Revolutions often destroy more than they create.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which a revolution might create more than it destroyed. Discuss what you think determines whether revolutions will be destructive or creative.
The public's right to information should override the government's need for security.
Write a unified essay in which you perform the following tasks. Explain what you think the above statement means. Describe a specific situation in which the public's right to information might justifiably not override the government's need for security. Discuss what you think determines when the public's right to information should take precedence over the government's need for security.
Again, if these prompts are overwhelming, check the MCAT Writing Section article for instructions on how to proceed!
