<p>Here is the October SAT topic that was used on the East Coast. Would really appreciate it if West Coasters and International students would write up your essay topics. East Coast topic was not conducive to a five paragraph three example essay:</p>
<p>Essay Prompt: Why do we not value the creative arts more than we do? Why are subjects like music, drama, photography, and creative writing always the first to be cut from school budgets during hard times? Many would answer that unlike math, science, history, and other subjects taught in school, the arts are unnecessary. But this is so untrue. The arts are as necessary as these other subject areas - possibly even more necessary.</p>
<p>Assignment: Is it absolutely necessary for people to study the creative arts?</p>
<p>ESSAY PROMPT: Some people say, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” meaning that when you are in a new culture, place, or setting, it is best to change your behavior to adapt to the rules and customs of your new surroundings. But does that old saying still apply in today’s world? Isn’t the world better off when people facing a change–whether it is a transfer to a new school, the start of a new job, or travel to a foreign country–retain their individuality and way of life instead of changing?</p>
<p>ASSIGNMENT: hould people adapt to their new surroundings, or should they refuse to change? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.</p>
<p>^I tutor some local high students to earn extra money. College is expensive. I take the test so I can discuss it with my students.
^^ College Board used to release all the essay questions a few days after the test. Now they don’t. PR and other big test prep companies take the test and thus have a full record of the essay questions. So yes, I am trying to level the playing field and help everyone.</p>
<p>Assignment 1: Is it absolutely necessary for people to study the creative arts?
Assignment 2: Is it important for people to spend time outdoors and to learn to appreciate the natural environment?
Assignment 3: Should originality always be more highly praised than conformity?
Assignment 4: Should people adapt to their new surroundings, or should they refuse to change?</p>
<p>God dammit. I would have NAILED that west coast essay. I have absolutely no interest on any level in the creative arts and had difficulty arguing for them, and with coming up with examples. In terms of adapting to new surroundings… I spent a year on a Rotary Youth Exchange in Chile… writing about that (I have plenty of practice for the common app and supplements) would have gotten me a 11-12 easily. As is I am stuck with my lousy 9.</p>
<p>I was West Coast and I got, “Assignment 2: Is it important for people to spend time outdoors and to learn to appreciate the natural environment?”.</p>
<p>^That wouldn’t be that hard, I imagine. Talk about how nature only gets in the way of technological advancement and how total technological immersion is the ideal way of life in some Japanese guy’s best-selling novel.</p>