I am preparing for the ACT and currently getting 32-34 on practice tests. I wrote my first essay yesterday (I just used the prompt from the red book to start with) and I need to know where I am and how to improve. Any help is appreciated! Thanks 
Prompt: “Should high schools adopt a dress code?”
Teachers, school faculty, and parents are becoming growingly concerned with the quality of education students receive due to the inappropriate clothing. They believe, along with a majority of students, that a dress code should be adopted to serve as a guide for what students are allowed to wear on campus. However, adopting a simple dress code could get unorganized and difficult to control. A better apt solution would be adopting a school uniform system.
A school uniform system brings up the debate of freedom of expression on campus. However, this freedom often disrupts students’ ability to learn. Our culture is inspired by famous celebrities who wear suggestive clothing. Students who try to mimic these “role models” show up to school in clothes such as short dresses or tank tops which can distract many teenagers. The distraction problem can simply be solved by adopting a uniform system. Not only does a uniform system prevent distraction, it also has several advantages personally, financially, and academically.
From a personal perspective, it takes an hour for me to get dressed every morning. I shuffle through dozens of outfits every morning to find the “perfect” outfit. This not only creates a mess but also wastes 30-40 valuable minutes. When a hard calculus or biology test is coming these precious minutes could potentially make a huge difference to my overall grade. Spending nearly an hour every day, I also fear not seeking the approval from my friends. Uniforms can relieve the anxiety and the need for approval from your peers. Uniforms, in the end, are huge confidence boosters. Adapting to this system also allows a more focused environment on a personal level. With the extra half an hour and hassle-free days, students can easily stay focused during class all year!
Finance is a growing problem in families all over the United States. Financially, uniforms help in a few different perspectives. First of all, purchasing three or four school uniforms is far less expensive compared to purchasing multiple tops, bottoms, and accessories. Since the typical modern day high school is materialistic, students are pressured to buy things from expensive companies such as Polo, Hollister, American Eagle, etc. Without a label, students may be singled out which will poorly reflect on their performance in school. As a result, this can cause an exploitation of the poor and emphasize and expand the gap between rich and poor. Implementing a uniform system, on the other hand, would prevent, and even close up, the gap between rich and poor, and help school systems become a more accepting and unified place.
Lastly, implementing uniforms would create a safer environment. Many incoming freshmen and students hear rumors about gangs and are told not to wear a certain type of clothing. Unaware students could accidently wear a favorite shirt and unknowingly “challenge” a gang. They could find their perfect day to be turned upside-down. Wearing uniforms eliminates this threat completely. Thus, uniforms create and promote a safe learning environment.
In conclusion, I wholly support enforcing a school uniform system all over the United States. Uniforms would better address the “distraction” issue caused by a dress code, which is difficult to enforce. Uniforms will not only create a safer learning environment but also solve inequality issues and create more time to focus on difficult classes.