What is the Proctored Writing Sample, and why does it matter in Los Angeles private school admissions?

The Proctored Writing Sample is possibly the most overlooked hero of the private school application. It’s not an essay contest or a spelling bee, and no, ChatGPT can’t help your child during it (sorry, not allowed). It’s a timed writing task administered online or in person, designed to test how well students think, organize, and write under pressure.

And in LA, where schools like Harvard-Westlake, Marlborough, and Brentwood aren’t exactly handing out acceptance letters like free tote bags, this piece of writing can tip the scales.

Many top schools use this sample to see the real, unedited voice of the student, not the polished version written with five rounds of parent edits and a thesaurus. Schools want to know: Can your child write clearly? Stay focused? Communicate an idea without melting into a puddle of commas and clichés? That’s why we treat this sample seriously. And yes, so should you.