Hi! I just discovered this website and am very excited and hopeful about receiving some feedback on my first practice essay. It may be a lofty goal, but I'm going for that perfect score, or at least a 5.5.
Below is the prompt, directions, then my response. Thank you so much for any/all feedback. I will repay the favor by contributing to other posts, hopefully I'll be helpful.
Universities should require students to take courses only within those fields they are interested in studying.
Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.
Most universities, especially public institutions, have very similar program requirements and structures in order to acquire a degree. These requirements usually include a conglomeration of options for classes within different fields of study. Especially in the early years of a university student's career, individuals oftentimes choose both classes that revolve around their specific interests as well as required general education classes that form a base of reasoning that the unversity has deemed necessary for all graduates.
Although there are potential flaws within this structure, the suggestion that universities should require students to take only courses within fields of interest seems to contain flaws as well. While in the current university structure, it is plausable that a fine arts student may have no need to take an introductory math course in order to graduate, this requirement adds to the idea of a 'well-rounded' graduate. While students should always have the option for choosing classes that revolve around their interests, they should not be required to only take those classes as that may close off exposure to topics they may not have considered.
The average incoming freshman at a university is about 18 years of age. It does not make logical sense for an 18 year old to know exactly what their areas of interest are or will be. We know that the prefrontal cortex of an 18 year old is not fully developed, meaning their higher reasoning and decision making is not as nuanced as an older individual. The fact that the average university student changes their major about five times throughout their college career exhibits this fact. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that the average college student does not enter college knowing exactly what their interests are. Were this policy enforced in universities, there is at least a chance that students will never be introduced to a topic they never would have known they were interested in.
As the policy is stated, there is no distinction made between upperclassmen and lowerclassmen, which could present a problem. The current university structure is designed to hopefully expose students to a wide range of topics, both that the student knows they are interested in as well as general education topics that they will be exposed to. As the student continues their education, their focus becomes narrowed and they take classes towards the field of study they have chosen. If students at all stages of study are required to only take classes of interest, it may be more difficult to pin down a specific topic to go into further study. The construct of higher education currently enforces many college graduates with many different degrees to enter graduate school to further specify skills. If a student were required to take only courses of interest throughout their college career, they may have a more difficult time chosing a graduate program that suits the potentially noncohesive collection of classes they have chosen throughout their undergraduate experience.
While the currently structured process of procuring a university degree may leave something to be desired, the idea of students being required to take courses only within their field of interest poses a concern due to the nature of students changing areas of interest throughout college. While students should absolutely be encouraged to persue their interests, they should also be required to be exposed to topics they have not considered.