[KelliV]

Alright, so the original essays were sample college apps with discussion after as you said. Obviously he is getting you ready for college. Part of the class did not turn it in, a significantly large portion, so he made this assignment. This assignment is much like the ones I get in college, except instead of 4 pages it is 10, and still due a week from the date assigned. You are lucky that you get to experience this before it is thrown at you the week before your finals in college.
I agree with the teacher, yes it is finals and those are hard but as you stated this was not an optional assignment, he has all the right to give your class one to fill its place seeing as the assignment itself is not done. If your class knew that you would need to discuss these as part of the class then you should have encouraged the other students to do their work for the class, instead of work that is designated for summer.
Sorry guys, I am with the teacher, he is successfully preparing you for college, and the work world and has all the right to assign this.