Every year, Indian students applying to Princeton get stuck on one small but confusing part of the application: the Graded Written Paper. If you’re studying under CBSE or another Indian board, your school probably doesn’t assign analytical essays in the same way U.S. schools do. So what should you submit? This guide breaks it down clearly.
What Princeton Is Asking For
Princeton wants a sample of your regular academic writing; something that shows how you think, argue, and express ideas in English.
It’s not meant to be polished or creative. The goal is to show your natural classroom writing, with teacher comments and a grade visible.
Ideally, it’s:
- Written in the last 2–3 years
- From English, History, Economics, or another essay-based subject
- About 1–2 pages (roughly 500–700 words)
- In English, with a teacher’s feedback and grade
Why This Is Hard for CBSE Students
CBSE focuses on short-answer and value-based questions rather than long analytical essays. Most of your answers are around 120–150 words; which is too short for Princeton’s requirement.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck. You just need to adapt your work or create a realistic classroom-style essay that your teacher can grade.
Option 1: Adapt an Existing School Assignment
If you already have a long written answer from English, Political Science, or Economics, you can use that as your base. Expand the argument slightly: add context, reasoning, or examples to reach one page.
Then ask your teacher to:
- Review your expanded version
- Write comments in the margin or on a separate sheet
- Assign a grade
Scan that version and submit it. This is the simplest, most authentic route.
Option 2: Write a New Essay and Get It Graded
If your school never assigned any such piece, Princeton allows you to write one now, as long as a teacher grades and comments on it.
Ask your English or Social Studies teacher to assign a short essay as a “practice analytical paper,” grade it, and add comments.
That graded version becomes your submission.
Good Topic Ideas for CBSE Students
Choose something academic but not personal. Aim for an argument, not a story.
From English or Humanities
- Is technology making human communication less personal?
- What makes a character heroic in literature?
- Relevance of Shakespeare’s plays in modern society
From Economics or Social Studies
- How income inequality affects access to education
- Environmental protection vs. economic growth: can both coexist?
- India’s digital public infrastructure as a model for inclusion
Pick a topic where you can take a position and back it up with reasoning; that’s what Princeton wants to see.
Format and Submission Rules
- Typed or handwritten are both accepted
- Must show teacher’s comments and grade
- If typed, print it, get handwritten feedback, then scan
- Keep it concise: one or two pages
- Upload the PDF through your Princeton applicant portal
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can I submit my Common App essay or another personal essay?
No. Princeton explicitly wants academic writing not creative or personal essays. Choose something analytical that reflects your classroom work.
Q2. Does the paper have to be from English class?
Preferably yes, but it can also come from History, Economics, or any subject that involves argument-based writing. STEM subjects are less ideal unless the paper involves explanation or analysis.
Q3. Can the essay be typed?
Yes. Typed is fine, but your teacher’s handwritten comments and grade must appear on it. The goal is to show it was graded.
Q4. What if my teacher doesn’t write comments?
Ask them to add brief notes on what you did well or how you could improve. Even two or three short comments are enough.
Q5. What if my school uses only online grading systems?
Print the essay, have your teacher mark and grade it manually, then scan that version. Princeton accepts this approach.
AltView Insight
For students from CBSE or ISC boards, this requirement is less about bureaucracy and more about proof of authentic academic writing. Admissions officers at Princeton know that your grades and test scores tell one story and this graded paper tells another: how you think.
Don’t over-engineer it. A clear, thoughtful essay with a teacher’s honest comments is far stronger than a flawless but artificial piece.