<p>A few of the colleges to which I am applying ask that I submit a recent analytical or critical essay showing teacher notations, comments, grade.</p>
<p>How will this be used for admissions, does anyone know? Will it be evaluated on its academic merit? Will it be used to put the grades on my transcript in context? Are they just going to use it to validate my AP/SAT writing scores, or check the writing style against my application essays? </p>
<p>I have a few options for this sample: a draft of a comparative essay for English class, or one of any number of history essays. The English essay isn't by any means stellar, and the grade is rather low, but then, I don't pretend to be a particularly exceptional English student. I think essays I've written for history class are of a higher quality, but my history teacher doesn't comment on them any further than a few check marks. I'm inclined, then, to send the lower-scoring English essay. </p>
<p>Advice? Comments? Thanks.</p>
<p>Nope, send your better essay. They are evaluating you, not your teachers. </p>
<p>However, I must admit that I have no idea what they would use the grades/comments for. If you are still concerned about this, you could: 1) contact the admissions office and ask why they want to see teacher comments, and 2) tell your history teacher your situation and ask if he would help you out by adding a few extra comments to your paper.</p>
<p>Ask your teacher if you can revise your paper (for the same grade) so there are no mistakes on the copy you send out. If there aren't enough comments now, he or she can add new ones on the updated copy. I did this for one application last year. Although the grade was high already, she let me revise it so there were no minor mistakes, and then left similar (but all positive) comments on the new copy.</p>
<p>I would definitely use your highest-graded paper, as it does not look good if your best work sample has a low mark. The admissions officers will think that none of your papers are strong, and that your overall grades have little merit. </p>
<p>I think the reason they ask for this is a combination of the ones already stated. They want to verify that you wrote the application essays on your own, and it also helps them to evaluate your academic merit and writing skill.</p>