Good Writing Sample Topics - MCAT

When I was practicing for my MCAT, I found that having a good running list of examples basically let the essays write themselves. So I thought that having a list of topics would be a good idea. That way you can avoid using cliches like Hitler and MLK

Here’s a few that I really liked that you can research and use for your own essays:

1. Triangle Shirt Waist Fire:
Crappy conditions in the factory based on utility and lack of safety concerns for the employees resulted in a massive fire that killed a lot of workers.
Uses: Speedy economic development, lack of government restrictions, money vs safety.

2. Bombing of Coventry*
Brits crack Enigma and discover that Coventry is going to be bombed. Churchill wrestles with the idea of whether to let Coventry be bombed or tell people to evacuate and reveal that they have cracked the code.
Uses: Greater good vs. the immediate gain, sacrifice, governmental control.
*This never actually happened (the cracking of the code at that time), but the story is such a widely held misconception (lots of books written saying it was true) that I would not hesistate to use it since it would be an honest mistake at worst.

3. Nelson Mandela (good replacement for MLK)
Fought against apartheid, led a violent uprising which resulted in his jailing, then became the big cheese through peaceful means
Uses: MLK replacement if you need an antiracism example, achievement of political aims through peaceful means, reformation of idealogy, one person vs. government/system/"the man"

4. Qin Shi HuangDi, First Chinese Emperor
United China through war and basically beating the crap out of everyone. Developed standard system for language, measures, money. Developed dynastic system
Uses: Argument for possible big government (antithesis most likely). Safety over liberty. Greater good over personal freedom.

5. Stalin (good replacement for Hitler)
Major asshole
Uses: Anytime you feel like using Hitler, use Uncle Stalin instead.