Person Who Most Impacted You Essay for A&M?

I'm working on my application for Texas A&M, and one of the essay prompts is about a person who has had a significant impact on my life. I'm struggling to choose someone to write about, any advice on how to approach this topic or examples that worked for you? Thanks for any help!

Let me begin by saying that if you want help with your Texas A&M essays, you should be looking at CollegeVine's posts (https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-texas-am-university-essays) that break down how to respond to each prompt. They are updated every application cycle so you can be sure you are getting the most accurate advice. Now, onto this specific prompt.

Selecting the right person to write about in this essay can be challenging, but it's essential to pick someone who had a genuinely transformative impact on your life. The person you choose doesn't have to be famous or hold a prestigious title, as long as their influence on your life is significant and meaningful.

First, make a list of people who come to mind when thinking about those who have impacted your life. This can include family members, friends, teachers, coaches, or even public figures whose work or story inspired you. Once you have a list, consider the following when narrowing down your choice:

1. Authenticity: Choose someone you have a genuine connection with and be prepared to explain why their influence was profound. Authenticity is vital because admissions officers want to hear about your personal experiences, not what you think they want to hear.

2. Specificity: Don't just describe the person's general qualities; write about a specific instance or aspect of their life that affected you. This will make your essay more engaging and show the depth of their impact.

3. Connect to your values and goals: Discuss how this person's influence aligns with your values, goals, or future aspirations. This will help the admissions officers see how the person shaped your life and how you plan to carry forward their influence.

4. Reflection: Use the essay not just to describe the person but also to reflect on their impact in your life. Explain what you learned, how you changed or grew as a result, and how it has guided your decisions or outlook.

Regardless of who you pick, it's crucial that you are able to genuinely connect with the person you're writing about and convey their impact on your life with sincerity and depth. Good luck with your essay and the application process, and don't forget to check that post for more help!