Hey everyone. I'm in the process of drafting my college essays and I was thinking about writing one on a person who has greatly influenced my life. Any tips on how to approach this topic? Do colleges generally prefer these types of essays to be about personal figures like family members, or famous historical figures? Thanks for any advice.
Writing about an influential person can potentially create a strong and personal narrative for your essay. Here, it is important to remember that the focus should still be on you and your growth, rather than only on the character traits of a personal or historical figure. The person you choose to write about should serve as a platform to highlight your own experiences, reflections, and perspectives. So whether family, teacher, coach or a famous figure, it doesn't really matter as long as they provide a context for revealing more about your personality and aims.
At the end of the essay, the admissions officers should be able to gain insights into your personal growth, your problem-solving abilities, your values, and your character traits from the situations/incidents/events you describe in relation to the person who influences you to demonstrate these qualities. To ensure your story remains personal and unique, you could depict specific incidents or events where this person's influence is palpable, instead of broadly detailing their life achievements.
Moreover, while it can be a good idea to discuss how a person has influenced you, avoid over-glorification and try not to let the person overshadow you in the essay. Instead, use the influence to focus more on your actions, responses, and how it shaped your world-view.
Finally, always remember to link the influence or the lessons you've learned back to how it helped you in making choices and decisions. Discuss how this will further guide your future pursuits in college and beyond. This ensures the essay remains tied to your personal development and creates a coherent narrative that effectively tells your individual story. Keep your writing style engaging and sincere – you're telling your story, after all!
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