GMAT Essays (AWA)

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The following appeared in an article on the op-ed page of an urban newspaper.

Although the redevelopment proposal for the blighted inner-city neighbourhood has prompted criticizm from senior citizens, advocates of low and middle-income housing, and community residents fearful of inconvenience or even displacement, it promises to create not only a number of upscale apartment buildings but also numerous construction jobs as well.
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The newspaper aritcle is suggestive of redevelopment proposal of the inner-city neighbourhood which would include widespread construction of upscale apartments and the chic shopping malls and wealthy environs. The speaker fails to acknowledge that there would be in-ordinate amount of inconvinience the displacement of the poor from their homes. The issue is controversial and needs to be carefully addressed,as on one hand we have development while on the other people.My view is of taking a middle path.

The chief reason for my view is that although I agree with the statement to the extent that any change in the neighbourhood should improve the infrastructure for the convinience of the residents, nevertheless it should not come at the cost of the residents. For example if the new locality is complete with posh locales, upscale apartments and malls, the old local market that served the middle and low income people would eventually die. The locals would be forced to leave. Instead providing better health with hospitals, schools,parks, public transport etc would bring about the real upliftment of these people.

Another reason for my view is, although the construction would bring about new jobs for the residents, after the construction, there would be no livelyhood for the people, nither would there be any place for them to live. The poor would have no choice but to leave the community. Specifically, in the past this trend has been seen in most cities across the world. The result is, the poor get more poor and lose whatever little they have.

Some might argue,the development would bring about jobs and good life to the poor
Yet, its a fact that the real upliftment of people is going to come not from upscale apartments which are exclusively for the rich.

In the final analysis I would agree that the development of the community should be taken up, but should involve the individuals of the community since they would know what is best for them. On the whole I would request the author to review his motives for the development of the community.

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The following appeared in the editorial section of a Bedford Falls newspaper.

"A recent nationwide study of high schools reveals that the percetage of students who graduated on time is higher for private schools than for public schools. For this reason, Bedford Falls parents who want their children to graduate from high school should send their children to private schools." Discuss how well reasoned...
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Citing an article which appeared in a Bedford Falls newspaper, It concludes that it would be better for parent to send their children to private schools, then sending them to public schools, as children take more time to graduate from public schools. However the argument relies on unproven assumptions and a nationwide study from a firm from an uproven background and record.The quality of education and the reasons for the delay in graduation are also not mentioned.The editorial therefore is unconvincing as it stands.

To begin with, the argument looks down upon students who do not graduate in time. Yet the mere fact that a student takes more time to graduate hardly suffices to infer whether the quality of studies have been better. It is a fact that public schools admit many gifted children including autistic and dyslexic children who would find no room in the private schools. Children who might take a break from studies to represent their country in Sports, Art, Science, Culture and World issues would be far better off in the longer run. Without better evidence of the reasons of the more time for students to graduate it is just likely that one is making a hasty judgement. For that matter going to a private school may or may not develope the wholistic personality of the young mind.

Even if there is an indication that shows the relation between taking more time for graduating and unruly or bad behaviour,young students growing up to become bad citizens it is unfair to assume that public schools are a cause for this. A proper justification of how this is true should be given. Moreover it is entirely possible that the percentage difference between public and private college is negligibly small. Also since we do not know the credentials of the firm which took the nationwide survey its possible that the firm itself is serving the vested interests of private schools and becoming a mouthpiece for propaganda against the schools. The author should cite the source of the survey and provide the facts and figures to help the common-man judge the correctness of the statement.

The evidence in support of conclusion that public schools are not good enough as students have more likelyhood to graduate late is not reasonable. The merits and demerits of passing out late from school should be cited. Also the source of the survey should be cited. The difference in numbers between the public and private schools should also be given. Without these the editorial of the newspaper would be as hollow as it can be.