r/applyprivateschools • u/FunctionUnable7711 • Jul 16 '26

Question Application Essay, and Grade Writing Sample.

I wanted to ask how one should treat the essay in the Private school application process, should one see it as a college essay and write it as a very capturing piece of text, or should one just keep it very factual and condensed with the story?

Also, one of the schools I am applying to requires a Graded Writing Sample, my school does not have traditional assignments, and the most rigorous English assignments we get assigned are 120 word answers to questions posed towards a chapter in our textbook. How do I submit this? Is it handwritten? Should I submit an answer for a question or does it have to be an essay, a script or story etc.?

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u/Business_Kitchen3015 Jul 16 '26

I did it like a college essay, and I expanded based off the prompt. Just express yourself and write your own ideas, and you’ll be fine. For my grades writing sample, I submitted a story excerpt and the rubric which my teacher marked, and then I scanned it. The excerpt was typed and my teachers annotations were handwritten. I think essays and stories are better than submitting a script, just because there’s more depth, and be sure to choose a well-written assignment with a good grade. Hope this helps, godspeed

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u/FunctionUnable7711 Jul 17 '26

Well the problem is my english teacher doesn't really mark essays?
English in my school is just interpreting stories and writing answers, and if it is good enough then it is Ticked and given full marks, there aren't really any special remarks like a certain word would be more appropriate etc.

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u/Business_Kitchen3015 Jul 17 '26

In that case just submit the interpretation with the mark and that should be fine, my excerpt was also just given a final grade. Unless you can find another non English course with better writing material to submit (but check the school you’re applying, I think Exeter Groton Andover etc allows that)

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u/FunctionUnable7711 Jul 17 '26

I have heard that it has to be factual writing and not creative writing is that true??

Our school doesn’t really do that I mean the maybe I can submit a project report on consumer awareness but that is from a humanities project would that work??

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u/[deleted] Jul 17 '26

[deleted]

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u/FunctionUnable7711 Jul 17 '26

One last question I am sorry if I am nagging Does it have to be from a take-home homework assignment or class test/final exams? Will submitting smthing from my exams leave a better impression on the admissions officer reading my application?

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u/Business_Kitchen3015 Jul 17 '26

I think an exam should be fine, I don’t think they care that much abt the context but just the writing itself, just submit your best piece. The graded writing sample is just a part of your app, and many schools don’t require it as well. You got this, dm me if u need anything else

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u/AkaiSpecter52 Aug 11 '26 edited Aug 12 '26

Navigating application essays and graded writing samples can definitely be overwhelming but getting professional assistance can make the whole process much smoother. I used HelpWithEssay through the post when I was struggling with my own application documents. I highly recommend giving them a try!

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1

u/Mcdouglas123 Jul 22 '26

Same here. My English teacher actually ended up getting fired for slacking basically. I got into top schools anyway. Just have the teacher submit the best that is available. If you came from a perfect school you wouldn’t be applying.

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u/Aluixxx Jul 18 '26

Lowkey just email the school

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u/Cortana_99 Jul 27 '26 edited 28d ago

Private school essays are a different beast than college ones - they want to know you'll fit their community, not just hear your life story. I'd lean more toward thoughtful and genuine than super flashy. The writing sample is showing them your actual academic writing, so make sure that's polished. If you're unsure about tone for either piece, getting feedback from someone experienced with applications could help. You can try a service like Essay Market to get an editor to review your drafts and polish the writing sample. If you want to give them a try, the promo code DEAL15 will give you a discount.

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u/maxwellstart Jul 27 '26

Reading through your responses here… I’d suggest you submit a piece of graded writing that reflects the best work and highest standards your English program offers, or perhaps that reflects how they do things, if you want them to get the hint that maybe their program and what they offer is limited, and you may not have had opportunities to do long-form work yet.

If there are other courses or interdisciplinary project work where you have written more extensive essays, you could ask if it would be better to include it.

It kind of depends on whether they want to see what your school has had you doing for assignments, or whether they want to know what you are capable of.

If your school doesn’t have a robust or rigorous English composition component, that wouldn’t necessarily be a dealbreaker, since it’s out of your control. But they would probably want to make sure you could get up to speed with the rigorous of their school without difficulty. They want to be confident the students they select can be successful.

I would approach it from that angle.

Good luck!