Prompts for Portfolio Essays

-- Each essay is to be a minimum of 500 words in length --

The written component of your portfolio should exhibit the highest level of professionalism and should be free of errors.  Therefore, all essays must be word-processed, double-spaced, using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Essay 1: Academic Preparation

Consider your four years of high school.  Reflect on your study habits, intellectual curiosity, academic triumphs and failures and readiness for college and future challenges.

Essay 2: Technological Proficiency

How have your experiences in high school helped you to participate in a society centered on information and technology?  How have you used technology to facilitate research, analytical thinking, and problem solving?  How do you evaluate the validity, bias and scholarly integrity of information presented to you?

Essay 3: Problem Solving Proficiency

How have you grown in your ability to analyze and synthesize ideas in order to understand the complexity of the “big picture?”  How do you transfer your learning and problem solving skills across disciplines?  How have you participated actively in the creative process?

Essay 4: Effective Communication

Discuss the importance of communication in your personal growth.  How have you evolved as a group member and as an effective presenter?  Explore your study of world languages and identify which experiences from your high school career helped you to develop your skills. 

Essay 5: Personal Wellness

What ISA experiences have helped you to develop a sense of identity, self-esteem, personal values, individuality and life direction?  What strategies do you use to make responsible choices and cultivate productive relationships?

Essay 6: Collaboration and Leadership

How have you contributed to your school and community through service and/or efforts to create positive change?  What learning will you take from your internship experience, no matter the “outcome” of the actual internship?  Which of your high school service or internship experiences link directly to your future endeavors?  How will your ideas about community affect your future?  Include documentation of completing 120 hours of community service to accompany this essay.

Essay 7: Global Awareness

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness”—Mark Twain.  Evaluate your development as a “global citizen” during high school.  Discuss your understanding of global dynamics in regards to economics, politics, technology, environmental issues and social systems.  How have classroom, fieldtrip and travel experiences shaped your cultural knowledge, tolerance, diplomacy and communication skills?  How do you plan to utilize these skills in the future?  Describe the travel experiences that have had the greatest impact on you?  What lessons did you learn about your attitudes and prejudices toward other cultures, languages and regions?

Essay 8: The Big Reflection

Trace the development of your identity: Who were you when you started high school, and who are you now?  Evaluate your progress as a student: How have you changed, developed, and matured as a learner during your time at ISA?  What do you value and celebrate most about your experience during high school?  If you could change anything about your experience, what would it be?