TOEFL iBT Independent Writing, main reasons for attending college - rewrite -

Writing Topic

There are many different reasons to attend a college or university. What do you think are some of the main reasons so many people are interested in attending college or university? Include specific reasons and details in your response.

☆Let’s Think

1.      How do the answers to the following two questions differ?

A) What do you think are some of the reasons people go to college?

B) What do you think are some of the main reasons people go to college?

2.      Fill in the blanks describing in detail how college-bound students and non-college-bound students differ in each aspect of life printed on top of the table.

	Study	Horizon	Future Career	Relationships	Independence
College- bounds
Non-college- bounds

3.      Discuss ideas related to the topic that you did not when you answered Question 3.

Notes

1)    The first sentence of the writing topic says that people go to college for “many different reasons.” This is the premise of this topic. Some believe that a college diploma promises a good job. Others regard college years as moratorium before going into workforce. Some might want to receive higher education so that they can study the subject they are interested in, while others might go to college just because they feel it is better for them to do so although they are not so sure why, and still others may intend to make friends with as many interesting people as possible during their college years.

2)    The question requires you to name some of the MAIN reasons why people think of going to college. Minor reasons such as exemption from military service might be irrelevant.

☆Ideas and expressions

WHY GO TO UNIVERSITY

Taken from http://www.upforitclub.org.uk/whataboutuniversity/whatwherewhyhow/whygotouniversity/

INDEPENDENCE: You could get the chance to live away from home during term time and won't have somebody telling you to tidy your room and do your homework. It's a great way of finding your feet before you move out completely.

OPPORTUNITIES: You get to meet people from all over the world who are interested in the same subject as you. You can join clubs and societies for almost every interest you can think of.

COURSES AND CHOICES: If you are thinking about university, then hopefully you have a course in mind that you may like to study. If you enjoy the subject and find it interesting, university allows you to explore and expand your knowledge for three years, normally with the use of fantastic facilities and experts in that subject who teach you.

SOCIAL LIFE: You get to socialize and take advantage of some fantastic facilities right on your doorstep! Never again will entertainment be so cheap and you'll meet people who might possibly end up being your friends for life.

JOBS: Graduates are much more likely to get a job, particularly at a 'professional' level and when they are working, graduates earn about a third more money than non-graduates. If you want to work in certain areas like medicine, teaching or law, you'll need a degree in the subject before you start.

☆Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】 I think people think of going to college for wider perspective, for academic pursuit, and for their future careers.

【Reason 1】Spending another four years at school is attractive for many people who feel that they need some more years to expand their horizon.

【Reason 2】 Pure interest in the subject may well be another reason.

【Reason 3】 People go to college to get a good job.

【Conclusion】Many people are interested in going to college because they want to become a well-rounded, intelligent person equipped with college diploma.

Your Sample Essay Structure

【Introduction】

【Reason 1】

【Reason 2】

【Reason 3】

【Conclusion】

☆Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】People go to college to get a good job.

【Supporting Details】They think having a college degree is an advantage when they look for a job. Most high-paying jobs require at least a Bachelor’s degree. Also, finding a regular job without going to college is very difficult in today’s job market.

【Follow-up】It is often said that interpersonal skills count in employment more than academic background, but the latter is easier to prove than the former because it takes the form of a document.

【Wrap-up】 It is natural to think that it is safe to get a college degree before starting work.

Your Sample Paragraph Development

【Main Idea】

【Supporting Details】

【Follow-up】

【Wrap-up】