Please evaluate MCAT essay

[alexiel99]

Hi, I've been practicing MCAT essay for a long time. I would like to know where I'm at now. Please read the following and honestly evaluate it. Thanks.

The rich have a responsibility to help the poor.
Describe a specific situation in which the rich might not have a responsibility to help the poor. Discuss what you think determines whether or not the rich have a responsibility to help the poor.
Much of the world we know today is separated into classes of the rich and the poor. These classes are primarily distinguished by how much money they have. However, various factors such as education, physical and mental abilities, and even heritage, determine who gets more money. The rich, with their basic needs met, never have to worry about hunger or cold which often plague the poor. To be a part of society and an upstanding person of morals, the wealthy who have financial security and general welfare stability, should help the less fortunate. This help can come in many forms, either financially through donations or emotionally through support groups. Many wealthy people in history are well known for their philanthropy. Bill Gate, the CEO of Microsoft, is one the wealthiest people in the world. He felt a responsibility to help those who are less fortunate and set out to help them. Currently, he and his wife, have followed the footsteps of Carnegie and Rockefeller and set up a foundation to help the poor people in Africa get food and supplies.

However, there are certain times when the poor are responsible for themselves. There are numerous reasons that contribute to poverty and laziness is one major factor. There are people who don’t work and expect to live off the government on welfare. In such cases, people who have worked hard to become wealthy should not have to devote their precious time to helping people who just want to live off others. There are numerous scholarship funds set up by the rich to reward the poor. However, the first condition on receiving such scholarships is to prove one’s worth. Many poor students get into famous universities on scholarships by first proving they have worked hard and deserve the help.

Whether the rich have a responsibility to help the poor depends on the cause of the less fortunate. Poverty can come about because of circumstance or because of personal failure to simply work hard. There are certain things that are beyond one’s control, such as mental illness or physical disability which has led people to their downfall. In such cases, the wealthy who have security in life should lend a hand to the less fortunate. Sometimes, money may not be the only concern. People who are poor are often depressed or emotionally fragile because of their unstable situations. For these people, emotional support from someone who can simply donate the time, may be even more important than money. However, help can only go so far. The poor themselves must want to work to improve their own conditions, with other people’s support. For those who simply want to live a work-free life no matter what decrepit situations, the rich do not have any obligations towards such people.