In a world that rewards speed, visibility, and viral moments, it’s no surprise that many young people feel pressure to “make it” early. From TikTok stardom to 30-under-30 lists, today’s culture celebrates those who achieve recognition fast. But is this really the best path to success? Or should young people be encouraged to focus on long-term, realistic goals instead?
That’s the core question behind a popular GRE Analyze an Issue essay prompt. In this post, we’ll walk through how to break down the issue, explore both sides, and understand what makes a high-scoring response stand out.
Understanding the Prompt
The GRE issue prompt in question essentially asks:
Should young individuals be encouraged to pursue immediate fame and recognition, or should they focus on achieving long-term, realistic goals?
This prompt leaves room for interpretation. “Fame and recognition” could refer to social media influence, public accolades, or rapid career success. Similarly, “realistic long-term goals” might include earning a degree, building a business, or developing expertise in a trade.
As a test-taker, your job is to clearly take a position and defend it with sound reasoning and relevant examples.
Arguing for Immediate Fame and Recognition
There are some valid points to be made in favor of chasing early success:
- Boost in confidence: Recognition at a young age can validate hard work and fuel motivation.
- Lucrative opportunities: Social media fame, for example, can translate into brand deals, partnerships, and financial independence.
- Networking and visibility: Early recognition can open doors to people and industries that are hard to access otherwise.
However, these benefits often come with caveats, which brings us to the other side of the argument.
Arguing for Long-Term, Realistic Goals
Many argue that sustained success comes not from early fame, but from setting goals that take years to achieve:
- Structure and purpose: Long-term goals give young people a roadmap and a sense of direction.
- Character development: Patience, discipline, and resilience are often built over time—not through flash-in-the-pan success.
- Sustainable achievement: What’s earned slowly tends to last longer. Building a career or reputation over time often leads to more meaningful and lasting fulfillment.
High-Scoring Example Response
Curious what a top-tier GRE essay looks like for this prompt? Check out an ideal essay example below. It presents a thoughtful, persuasive argument backed by strong reasoning, clear organization, and a confident writing voice.
The Importance of Encouraging Young People to Pursue Long-Term Goals
The pursuit of fame and recognition has become a common ambition among young people today. With the rise of social media platforms and constant exposure to celebrities and influencers, it’s easy to see why instant fame can be so alluring. However, I strongly believe that it is far more beneficial to encourage young individuals to focus on long-term, realistic goals rather than chasing immediate recognition.
To begin with, setting long-term goals provides young people with a sense of direction and purpose. When they are focused on achieving a meaningful objective over time, they are more likely to develop persistence and a clear vision for their future. In contrast, those who fixate on immediate fame may lose sight of deeper aspirations, distracted by the fleeting nature of online validation or public attention.
Moreover, short-term fame often lacks depth and substance. Viral trends or momentary recognition rarely translate into lasting impact. While gaining followers or media coverage can feel rewarding in the moment, these accomplishments can be superficial and short-lived. By comparison, working toward long-term goals requires consistent effort and personal growth, leading to achievements that are more substantial and enduring.
In addition, the process of pursuing long-term objectives cultivates essential life skills. Time management, resilience, and discipline are not easily acquired through the pursuit of fame but are natural byproducts of striving toward meaningful milestones. Whether it’s completing a degree, launching a business, or mastering a craft, these goals demand sustained effort—training young people in skills that are crucial across every career and life path.
Some may argue that early fame can open doors. Exposure and networking opportunities might come more easily to those who gain public recognition. While this can be true, such opportunities often depend on factors outside one’s control and may not translate into sustainable success. Fame without foundation is fragile. On the other hand, long-term goals are grounded in personal development and strategic planning—offering a more stable path forward.
In conclusion, while fleeting fame can offer short-term benefits, encouraging young people to focus on long-term, realistic goals sets them up for deeper success. This path provides structure, builds resilience, and leads to achievements that carry lasting significance. As mentors, educators, and role models, we should help young individuals look beyond momentary recognition and instead support their journey toward meaningful and sustainable accomplishments.
Why This Essay Scores a 6
This essay succeeds by doing several key things:
- Takes a clear stance in the intro and maintains it throughout
- Supports arguments with real-world reasoning and structured development
- Acknowledges and refutes a counterargument, which strengthens the main point
- Uses logical transitions to maintain flow and coherence
- Ends with a strong conclusion that reinforces the writer’s position
These qualities—clarity, structure, and depth—are exactly what GRE raters look for when awarding top scores.
Key Takeaways for Test-Takers
If you get a prompt like this on test day, here’s what to keep in mind:
- Choose a side and stick to it. You don’t need to be neutral; you need to be persuasive.
- Back up your claims with examples and logical reasoning, not vague generalizations.
- Use structure to your advantage—a clear intro, body paragraphs with topic sentences, and a strong conclusion make a big difference.
Prefer Audio? Listen to the Podcast!
Want to hear the breakdown on the go? We’ve got a podcast episode that explores this very prompt, complete with writing tips and strategy suggestions. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.