influential person college essay

Sample Essays: Influential Person

Please select from the following sample application essays:

Essay 1: Wellesley | Essay 2: Harvard | Essay 3: Harvard

Note: The following essays were not edited by EssayEdge Editors. They appear as they were initially reviewed by admissions officers.

Sample Essay 1

Wellesley, Influence of mother

It took me eighteen years to realize what an extraordinary influence my mother has been on my life. She's the kind of person who has thoughtful discussions about which artist she would most want to have her portrait painted by (Sargent), the kind of mother who always has time for her four children, and the kind of community leader who has a seat on the board of every major project to assist Washington's impoverished citizens. Growing up with such a strong role model, I developed many of her enthusiasms. I not only came to love the excitement of learning simply for the sake of knowing something new, but I also came to understand the idea of giving back to the community in exchange for a new sense of life, love, and spirit.

My mother's enthusiasm for learning is most apparent in travel. I was nine years old when my family visited Greece. Every night for three weeks before the trip, my older brother Peter and I sat with my mother on her bed reading Greek myths and taking notes on the Greek Gods. Despite the fact that we were traveling with fourteen-month-old twins, we managed to be at each ruin when the site opened at sunrise. I vividly remember standing in an empty ampitheatre pretending to be an ancient tragedian, picking out my favorite sculpture in the Acropolis museum, and inserting our family into modified tales of the battle at Troy. Eight years and half a dozen passport stamps later I have come to value what I have learned on these journeys about global history, politics and culture, as well as my family and myself.

While I treasure the various worlds my mother has opened to me abroad, my life has been equally transformed by what she has shown me just two miles from my house. As a ten year old, I often accompanied my mother to (name deleted), a local soup kitchen and children's center. While she attended meetings, I helped with the Summer Program by chasing children around the building and performing magic tricks. Having finally perfected the "floating paintbrush" trick, I began work as a full time volunteer with the five and six year old children last June. It is here that I met Jane Doe, an exceptionally strong girl with a vigor that is contagious. At the end of the summer, I decided to continue my work at (name deleted) as Jane's tutor. Although the position is often difficult, the personal rewards are beyond articulation. In the seven years since I first walked through the doors of (name deleted), I have learned not only the idea of giving to others, but also of deriving from them a sense of spirit.

Everything that my mother has ever done has been overshadowed by the thought behind it. While the raw experiences I have had at home and abroad have been spectacular, I have learned to truly value them by watching my mother. She has enriched my life with her passion for learning, and changed it with her devotion to humanity. In her endless love of everything and everyone she is touched by, I have seen a hope and life that is truly exceptional. Next year, I will find a new home miles away. However, my mother will always be by my side.

The topic of this essay is the writer's mother. However, the writer definitely focuses on herself, which makes this essay so strong. She manages to impress the reader with her travel experience, volunteer and community experience, and commitment to learning without ever sounding boastful or full of herself. The essay is also very well organized.

Back to top.

Sample Essay 2

Harvard, Favorite fictional character

Of all the characters that I've "met" through books and movies, two stand out as people that I most want to emulate. They are Attacus Finch from To Kill A Mockingbird and Dr. Archibald "Moonlight" Graham from Field of Dreams. They appeal to me because they embody what I strive to be. They are influential people in small towns who have a direct positive effect on those around them. I, too, plan to live in a small town after graduating from college, and that positive effect is something I must give in order to be satisfied with my life.

Both Mr. Finch and Dr. Graham are strong supporting characters in wonderful stories. They symbolize good, honesty, and wisdom. When the story of my town is written I want to symbolize those things. The base has been formed for me to live a productive, helpful life. As an Eagle Scout I represent those things that Mr. Finch and Dr. Graham represent. In the child/adolescent world I am Mr. Finch and Dr. Graham, but soon I'll be entering the adult world, a world in which I'm not yet prepared to lead.

I'm quite sure that as teenagers Attacus Finch and Moonlight Graham often wondered what they could do to help others. They probably emulated someone who they had seen live a successful life. They saw someone like my grandfather, 40-year president of our hometown bank, enjoy a lifetime of leading, sharing, and giving. I have seen him spend his Christmas Eves taking gifts of food and joy to indigent families. Often when his bank could not justify a loan to someone in need, my grandfather made the loan from his own pocket. He is a real-life Moonlight Graham, a man who has shown me that characters like Dr. Graham and Mr. Finch do much much more than elicit tears and smiles from readers and movie watchers. Through him and others in my family I feel I have acquired the values and the burning desire to benefit others that will form the foundation for a great life. I also feel that that foundation is not enough. I do not yet have the sophistication, knowledge, and wisdom necessary to succeed as I want to in the adult world. I feel that Harvard, above all others, can guide me toward the life of greatness that will make me the Attacus Finch of my town.

This essay is a great example of how to answer this question well. This applicant chose characters who demonstrated specific traits that reflect on his own personality. We believe that he is sincere about his choices because his reasons are personal (being from a small town, and so forth). He managed to tell us a good deal about himself, his values, and his goals while maintaining a strong focus throughout.

Sample Essay 3

Harvard, Family illness: Mother's fight with cancer

I am learning, both through observations and first-hand experiences, that there are many mishaps in life which seem to be unexplainable and unfair, and yet have devastating consequences. Disease fits into this category. Its atrocity does not stem from the fact that it is a rare or uncommon occurrence, since illness and disease pervade our lives as we hear numerous stories of sick people and come into contact with them each day. However, there is a marked difference between reading in the newspaper that a famous rock star or sports icon has tested H.I.V. positive and discovering that your own mother has been diagnosed with cancer.

Undoubtedly, the most influential people in my life have been my mother and father. It is to them that I credit many of my accomplishments and successes--both inside and outside of school. Throughout my childhood, my parents have always fostered and encouraged me in all my endeavors. At all my sporting events, spelling bees, concerts, and countless other activities, they have always been front row and center. My parents, in conjunction with twelve years of Catholic training, have also instilled in me a sound belief in a loving, caring God, which I have come to firmly believe. It therefore should not come as a surprise that the news of my mothers sickness would greatly alter my entire outlook on life. Where was my God?

My mother, in fact, had been aware of her condition in the spring of my junior year in high school. She deliberately did not inform my sister or me of her illness because she did not want to distract us from our studies. Instead, my mother waited for the completion of her radiation therapy treatments. At this time, she brought me into her room, sat me down on the same wooden rocking chair from which she used to read me bedtime stories, and began to relate her story. I did not weep, I did not flinch. In fact, I hardly even moved, but from that point onward, I vowed that I would do anything and everything to please my mother and make her proud of me.

Every subsequent award won and every honor bestowed upon me has been inspired by the recollection of my mother's plight. I look to her as a driving force of motivation. In her I see the firm, enduring qualities of courage, strength, hope, and especially love. Whenever I feel discouraged or dispirited, I remember the example set by my mother and soon become reinvigorated. Instead of groveling in my sorrow, I think of all the pain and suffering that my mother had to endure and am revived with new energy after realizing the triviality of my own predicament. For instance, last year, when I was playing in a championship soccer game, my leg became entangled with a forwards leg on the other team, and I wound up tearing my medial cruciate ligament. I was very upset for having injured myself in such a seemingly inane manner. Completely absorbed in my own anguish, I would not talk to anyone and instead lamented on the sidelines. But then I remembered something that my mother used to say to me whenever something like this happened: If this is the worst thing that ever happens to you, I'll be very happy, and you'll be very lucky. Instantly, many thoughts race through my mind. I pictured my mother as a young thirteen-year-old walking to the hospital every day after school to visit her sick father. She had always told me how extremely painful it had been to watch his body become emaciated as the cancer advanced day by day and finally took its toll. I then pictured my mother in the hospital, thirty years later, undergoing all the physically and mentally debilitating tests, and having to worry about her husband and her children at the same time. I suddenly felt incredibly ashamed at how immature I had been acting over my own affliction. I gathered my thoughts and instead of sulking or complaining, helped coach my team to victory.

I am very happy to say that my mother is now feeling much better and her periodic checkups and C.A.T. scans have indicated that she is doing very well. Nevertheless, her strength and courage will remain a constant source of inspiration to me. I feel confident to greet the future with a resolute sense of hope and optimism.

The majority of the suggestions for this essay highlight the danger inherent in relying on an overly poignant topic, in this case the writer's mother's bout with cancer. Part of why the reactions to this piece are so passionate (and why there are so many of them) is because had the applicant just taken a slightly different approach, he could have had a powerful and touching composition on his hands. It is always frustrating when a piece with so much potential misses the mark. In this case, the material and emotion are all there. Had he spent more time and written with more sincerity, this essay might have been a real winner.

I wish this kid had started the essay with his mom sitting him down in the rocking chair. That would have been a powerful beginning. In general, using the introduction of the essay to paint a scene or mood can be very effective.

He should begin with the most simple and striking sentence possible, such as "On January 5, 1995, my mother learned that she had cancer." Use real times and exact places. Let the most dramatic point go where it belongs, at the end of the sentence--also known as the stress point.

Because this topic is so personal, I yearn to know more about the student's reaction to his mom's cancer, how he and his family dealt with it over time. As written, things just seem a bit too tidy.

The author describes a valuable life lesson, but I find the writing style to be artificial and a bit maudlin. I imagine he resorted to the thesaurus more than once.

The writer tells us a sad story about his mother with cancer and how he has strived to do his best because of what his mother has been through. The topic can be a tear jerker, but this essay lacked the depth and richness that other essays with similar topics possess.

The experience obviously impacted the student very much. But what students do not realize is that they do not have to share such personal issues within the confines of a college essay.

I don't believe the "epiphany" in the conclusion as it's described. It's too easy and convenient to be believable. He begins his description with "For instance," which negates almost everything that follows. When he sees his mother in his mind, he "instantly" thinks this and "suddenly" does that, and finally "helped coach his team to victory." He "coached" the team. "Cheered" maybe. "Coached?" No way.

This essay smells of contrivance. Yes, his mother's bout with cancer affected him. Just not in the way he wants me to believe. This is the "lasting sanctifying effect" essay. Look at what the writer is actually saying (using his own words): I used to be "absorbed in my own anguish" and "lament" my bouts with adversity. But, "instantly" or "suddenly" (take your pick), I became a young man "confident to greet the future with a resolute sense of hope and optimism." Why not say, "I used to be a thoughtless, immature teenager. My mother got cancer. I'm now a thoughtful, mature adult. You should admit me to _____." His essay is no less subtle.

Return to: Lesson One: College Essay Questions

Here are the facts and trivia that people are buzzing about.

• 720-279-7577

‹‹ BACK TO BLOG

Essay Tip #2-The "Influential Person" Essay

Mark montgomery.

• August 4, 2011

Many college applications, including  The Common Application  , ask an essay question about “the most influential person in your life”. Why, or how, that person influenced you. A key tip to answering this essay is to remember that it is not necessarily about whom you choose to write about but how you write the essay and connect it back to yourself.

One of the most common responses that students give when writing on this essay topic was that it was either a parent or a grandparent who influenced them. For some, it may be a teacher, a coach, a friend, a child, a counselor, or numerous other options.

When writing this essay think about spending less time writing about whom that person was. But actually how they influenced you. Remember that the admission counselor reading your application wants to learn about you,  not necessarily the person who influenced you.

For example, if you choose to write about your grandfather consider the following. Many students write that their grandfather influenced their life. Because they were kind, generous, overcame adversity, taught them new things, were hard workers, etc.

Some students spend the entire essay spouting all of the wonderful attributes about their grandfather. But forget that the essay is supposed to show the admission committee who they (the student) are. You don’t want the admission committee to want to admit your grandfather at the end of reading your essay- you want them to want to admit you!

This is not to say don’t write about your grandfather (or grandmother, mother, father, or person of your choice). It is simply to say, think about writing the essay in a way that connects the individual you choose to write about back to you. What makes you a person that the college would want to have as part of their community?

Can you elaborate on specific examples from your relationship with that influential person that impacted your way of thinking? Or, can you discuss certain actions you took as a result of lessons learned from that individual? Perhaps, you can even consider relating what you learned from that influential person to something that you hope to do, or accomplish, in college or in the future.

Archive by Date

Recent posts.

• Navigating the U.S. College Application Process as an International Student in 2024
• Class Size & Student to Faculty Ratios: What Research Says?
• How Long Should a College Admissions Essay Be?
• The Perfect College Essay: Focus On You
• The Perfect College Essay: Tell a Good Story

Join our Facebook Group ›› Stay informed about college admissions trends and ask questions of experts who can give you Great College Advice.

How to Write a College Essay About an Influential Person

• November 2, 2022

When brainstorming topics for your college essay, you’ve probably considered writing about a person who has influenced or inspired you–a parent or grandparent, a sibling, a teacher, or another significant figure in your life. You may be writing an essay of your own design or responding to the fourth prompt on this year’s Common Application: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

Writing about someone else in a college essay can be tricky—after all, your ultimate goal is still to tell admissions officers enough about you to help them decide whether to offer you admission. But there’s a way to do that even while writing a specific, insightful essay centered on another person. In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of choosing someone to write about, brainstorming, and pulling your ideas together into a finished essay.

Choosing a person to write about

One of our favorite college essays about someone other than the writer is Zoya Garg’s essay about her mother, which was published in the New York Times . Garg writes about her mother’s dreams of a career as a stand-up comedian and how a gift from Garg helped set her on the path to achieving those dreams:

“My mom finds a baffling delight from drinking from glass, hotel-grade water dispensers. Even when three-day-old lemon rinds float in stale water, drinking from the dispenser remains luxurious. Last year for her birthday, I saved enough to buy a water dispenser for our kitchen counter. However, instead of water, I filled it with handwritten notes encouraging her to chase her dreams of a career.”

One of the things that works well about Garg’s essay is how precisely Garg pinpoints the ways her mom has inspired her—Garg mentions her mother’s curiosity, her sense of humor, and her ability to “light up conversations” with and “reach the hearts of” everyone she encounters. If you’re going to write an essay about someone else, choose someone about whom you can identify these kinds of details, rather than someone who has inspired you from afar.

Inspiration doesn’t always have to be positive—perhaps you were inspired by not wanting to be like a particular person in your life. But if you choose to write about someone who inspired you in a more indirect or negative way, be mindful of the tone you’re striking in your essay and the impression it might leave on an admissions officer. Remember that your essay is an opportunity to show the kind of community member you would be if admitted to the school.

Brainstorming your essay

A successful essay about someone who has inspired you will have two key ingredients: examples and reflection. (To learn more on the importance of reflection in the college essay, check out our Complete Your College Essay Online Course .) But unlike a recipe, you don’t have to add these ingredients in any particular order—you can begin by brainstorming either one and still find your way to a powerful finished essay.

If you’d like to start with examples, spend some time thinking about moments when this person inspired or influenced you. Try to pinpoint them as precisely as possible: Did you have a conversation with your father or a driving lesson with your mother that particularly taught you something? Did time spent with an older sibling while on a family vacation show you something about the person you hope to become?

Once you have your list of moments, try writing a sentence or two about what you learned in each instance. For example: Driving with my mother, who always wanted to take the scenic route, reminded me of the importance of patience, something I have long struggled with. 

If you already know what you’ve learned from the person you’re focusing on, you can just as easily do this brainstorm in reverse. Try first writing out the “lessons” you’ve learned. Then, under each one, list as many examples as you can think of that illustrate how this person taught you what you’ve learned from them—the driving lesson, the meaningful conversation, the morning spent surfing, and more. The most evocative examples and moments on the list will be excellent material for your essay.

Beginning to write

You’ve probably spent a lot of time with the most important people in your life. (If you haven’t, that might be an essay in itself!) That can make those people even harder to describe, because we know so much more about them than can fit into a single essay.

As you begin to write, return to some of the questions you asked during the brainstorming process:

• What one illustrative story can you tell about this person?
• What one or two key things have you learned from them, or what one or two things have they inspired you to do?
• Was there a specific experience one of you went through during which they inspired you?

Think back to Zoya Garg’s anecdote of a birthday gift, which tells a much larger story about her relationship with her mother and about Garg’s own ability to understand and support those around her.

Sometimes the easiest way to build this kind of essay is to work backwards. Consider this person’s traits – what does the reader need to know most about the person, and what have you learned from them? Perhaps it’s your mother’s fondness for taking the scenic route, or your sister’s willingness to try new things. Then make a list of experiences, traits, or adjectives that best capture those elements: Is it the way they laugh, how they take charge in difficult situations, how they walk into a room? In Garg’s essay, one telling detail is her mother’s “baffling delight” in drinking out of fancy glass water dispensers, which kicks off the entire story. Those are the perfect kinds of characteristics and small moments to include in your essay.

And remember—it isn’t enough just to describe this inspirational person. You’ll also need to describe how their influence shows up in your life, in big or small ways.

Revising your essay

Once you’ve drafted your essay, and perhaps taken some time away from the draft, look at your essay with fresh eyes . This is a great opportunity to check that your essay is specific and precise in the way you describe the person who inspired you, so that the admissions officers reading your essay will come away feeling like they know that person. Keep in mind that even if you’re writing about an experience of anti-inspiration, or someone who inspired you not to be like them, it’s worth trying to strike a positive tone in your essay.

And finally, remember that your ultimate goal is to give the admissions committee insight into who they might be inviting into their campus community. You want them to feel as though they’ve gotten to know you —no matter who else you introduce them to along the way.

Complete your College Essay

Conquer the Common Application Essay with confidence from the comfort of your home with our virtual on-demand course, providing videos, resources, prompts and weekly office hours to help you achieve success.

Students will walk away with a complete, authentic Personal Statement that they can be proud to submit to the colleges of their dreams.

Related Post

College Essay Tips from Admission Counselor Jason Locke

In the following Q&A, former Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Cornell University Jason Locke shares college essay tips from admission

Boost Your Writing Skills and Connect with Other Writers: 3 Reasons to Join Write the World’s Virtual Writing Summer Camp

Looking to Improve Your Writing Skills? Join our Virtual Writing Summer Camp Now! Whether you’re an aspiring writer seeking to

3 Crucial Steps for Revising Your College Application Essay

Why is Revision Important? Writing the college application essay is a challenging feat. It is one of the only pieces

Subscribe now to learn more about our virtual camps, college essay programs, and more.

20 University Road, Suite 500, Cambridge, MA 02138

• Login / Register

Influential Person - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

An essay on an influential person can profile someone who has made a significant impact on society, whether in politics, science, the arts, or other fields. It can delve into their life story, achievements, and the lasting legacy they have left behind, highlighting the qualities and actions that made them influential figures. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Influential Person you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Who is the most Influential Person in my Life

The most influential person in my life would have to be my husband. He has always been there since day one and always will be. He has inspired me to do my best and work my hardest in all I do, and whether I succeed or not, he has always been there to give me a big hug and tell me 'I love you'. He is my role model and I will love him tell death do us part! You […]

Marco Polo was a very Influential Person

"Marco Polo was a very influential person who amazed the world, during his twenty-four year journey, that took place during 1271-1295. His expertise in the trade community caused a rise of respect, and trade in goods as they had never seen before, like gold, jewels, Chinese silk and fireworks. Through trial and toil, he traveled, made friends, learned new languages, and did much more, including serving Kublai Khan. He was not the first man to travel to China, he was […]

Michelangelo as the most Influential Artist

The world of art changed during the 1500s when Michelangelo was alive. The intricate designs of human beauty and accomplishment replaced the popular medieval, gothic styles. He showed the true potential of art and the full creativity of the human brain when let free. He left a massive legacy and created a ton of art work that will keep his name known for all time. Michelangelo was the only one said to equal Leonardo Da Vinci, he brought his own […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Martin Sheen: an Influential Person Beyond the Shadow of Fame

In the realm of Hollywood, where the glitz and glamour often eclipse the personal lives of celebrities, the story of Martin Sheen, father of the famous Charlie Sheen, emerges as a narrative rich with its own merits and achievements. Martin Sheen, born Ramón Antonio Gerardo Estévez, is not just the patriarch of a high-profile acting family, but an accomplished actor and activist in his own right, whose career spans several decades and encompasses a multitude of impactful roles. Born on […]

Father as Influential Person

So much is given. Much is required. Generational curses today — have been disturbed. Because as a young woman, I once walked without my father. As a young woman, I once walked in the streets of Houston Texas with lonely thoughts. But today, the young woman who walked that quiet out there is still standing up, except she is stronger than ever before. A sense of humbleness, compassion, and selflessness overcame me as I grew to understand that my father […]

Julius Caesar Personality Biography

As a person who was cherished but also resented by many, Julius Caesar left a valuable impression on those during his lifetime, and even to this day. Although Caesar was a skillful leader who helped extend the Roman Republic, in reality, he was a greedy, immoral man who used the factors of manipulation in order to bring himself to success. Born on July 12, 100 BC, Julius Caesar’s birth was said to have “marked the start of a new era” […]

10 Essential Skills Needed to be a Charming Person 

Being drawn to people is an art. Getting closer with people of the right attitude is even better. There is no better relationship than one with a polite, agreeable, trustworthy, and kind individual. Simply say, a charming person. These are the kind of persons that you would really want to build a personal and working relationship with. So, have you wondered why some people are more charming than the others? Let’s discover them together. First, I will list them out, […]

Bob Marley as the most Influential Artists

Bob Marley was one of the most influential artists that I learned about this semester so far. Along with his influence, he was extremely talented. Bob Marley spread his message of positivity and love throughout his music. He was anti-war and anti-violence. Many, if not all, of his songs express those ideas. Bob Marley's success came from the unlikeliest of situations. He pushed past his hardships and circumstances and formed a career that would change the world. Robert Nesta Marley […]

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel Biography

To the average person, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel is more of a concept than a person. She, or rather, her ?brand?, is best known for the “effortless” and minimal chic associated with the bourgeois lifestyle and demographic it caters to. As Karl Lagerfeld appropriately testifies to Chanel’s legacy as a fashion titan, “[she] had time to tell the world that she had invented it all, that she was the modern woman... All the other designers, some of them as influential as […]

Influential Women – Ellen DeGeneres

I believe that Ellen Lee DeGeneres deserves more credit and ovation for what she has done in her life by inspiring men and women all the world. She was born in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. Growing up she wanted to become a veterinarian but said she wasn't “book smart”. Ellen grew up a funny girl, she started doing stand-up comedy at a young age. In a article I read, the author stated “At the age of 23, […]

A Special Person in my Life: a Guiding Light

The Special Person in My Life "The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation." -James E. Faust. I believe that this quote couldn't be more true because my mom taught me everything I know about how to be a better person. My mom is important to me because she raised and took care of me my whole life with patience and kindness, always tolerating me when I was being rude or hard-headed. She taught […]

Why are Celebrities Bad Role Models: Impact on Children and Teens

Introduction How is social media affecting the way children view celebrities' lifestyles? Children and teens spend most of their time on social media, which can be very reasonable on why they act out. Kids spend more time on social media than with their own family, Parents need to encourage children to spend less time on cell phones and more time focusing on school work. The stars of social media are just as likely to be a role model as traditional […]

The most Influential and Controversial Sociologists

Karl Marx is considered to be one of the most influential and controversial sociologists of all time. Marx was born in Prussia in the year 1818 to Jewish parents. His father was a successful lawyer, devoted to the struggle for a Prussian constitution. Both his Jewish heritage and father’s occupation contributed to Marx’s standpoint. His Jewish background exposed him to prejudice and discrimination that may have led to a longing for social change. He first studied law like his father, […]

The Formative World of Alexis Stewart: Influences on an Influential Person

The early life and background of Alexis Stewart, daughter of the lifestyle mogul Martha Stewart, offers a fascinating glimpse into the shaping influences behind a public figure known both for her sharp wit and private nature. Born in 1965, Alexis grew up under the shadow and tutelage of a mother who would become a household name for her domestic prowess. This essay delves into the notable events and experiences from Alexis Stewart's childhood and upbringing, exploring how they molded her […]

Calculating Time: Reflecting on Adam Levine’s Age and Influence

In the ever-evolving world of music and celebrity, few figures have remained as consistently in the spotlight as Adam Levine. Born on March 18, 1979, Levine has not only carved out a significant niche for himself in the music industry but also in the broader landscape of pop culture. As we sit in the current year of 2024, Adam Levine has reached the age of 45, a milestone that prompts a reflection on his career, influence, and the passage of […]

The Timeless Impact of an Influential Person: Oprah Winfrey

In discussing the age of Oprah Winfrey, one doesn't merely recount the years since her birth but reflects on the timeless impact she has made on media, philanthropy, and public discourse. Born on January 29, 1954, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, Oprah Gail Winfrey has traversed decades, evolving from a local television anchor to a global media mogul and philanthropist, whose influence transcends the conventional boundaries of age. Oprah's journey through the years mirrors a tapestry of resilience, innovation, and empathy. Her […]

Additional Example Essays

• How Did Martin Luther King Changed the World
• Followership and Servant Leadership
• Martin Luther King Jr Biography
• Martin Luther King Speech Evaluation
• Letter From Birmingham Jail Rhetorical Analysis
• Ruby Bridges Biography
• Martin Luther King Jr.: Civil Disobedience in Challenging Injustice
• Rosa Parks Civil Rights Movement: Igniting Change
• Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.: Inspiring Change through Small Acts
• A Complex Analysis Of The Raisin in the Sun
• Shakespeare's Hamlet Character Analysis
• Hitler was influential, determined, and strategic

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

How to Write a Descriptive Essay on an Influential Person in Your Life

How to Write a Speech About Someone I Admire

A descriptive essay on an influential person can be about someone who has had a positive or negative impact on your life. This person can be a teacher, a coach, a family member, a friend, an employer, a political figure, a historical figure or even a fictional character. The key element of writing this type of essay is to reflect on how and why the person has influenced you.

Focus Your Essay

As in any essay, when writing about an influential person in your life you should include a thesis statement. In this case, the thesis statement declares how or why this person has influenced you life. For example, if writing about your soccer coach, you may write, "Through his advice and the example of his character, my soccer coach has inspired me to never be lazy, to get back up after a fall, and to be a confident leader." The thesis statement gives you, the writer, a focus and direction so that you are not only describing a person, but exploring the causes and effects of that person's impact on you.

Start With an Anecdote

Instead of starting the essay with an explicit physical or personal description of the person, you can more meaningfully reveal who the individual is by sharing a personal story. For example, if you are writing about your sibling, you can begin the essay with a specific memory of a moment or experience you shared in which your relationship or your sibling's strengths and weaknesses are revealed through actions. This is an engaging way to entertain the reader while imparting valuable information about the person you are describing.

Describe the Person

At some point in the descriptive essay, you need to describe the influential person. This description -- which can include physical attributes, biographical information and personality traits -- should be related with concrete language. The description should paint a vivid picture of all that matters about the person. The writer needs to be judicious in which descriptive material she selects for inclusion in the essay; the information should be determined by the overall point being made in the essay. For example, if your thesis statement is about how Abraham Lincoln is your hero because of all his accomplishments relative to the social and political conditions of the time, descriptions of his favorite hobbies or hair color may not be pertinent. The description serves to give a deeper and more vivid portrait of the influential person, but should ultimately serve the higher cause of the thesis statement and the effect of the person on the writer.

Describe Your Relationship

When writing about an influential person, you have to talk not just about the person, but also about the reason the person has made an impact on your life; this means you have to talk about yourself, what specific things you have learned from this person, and how those lessons affect you today. An important strategy for successfully describing the relationship between the person and the writer is to give specific examples. For example, don't just say, "my grandmother is generous"; give specific examples of her generosity: "she always makes sure everyone is fed before eating," or "she sold her jewelry to help pay for a car so that I could drive to work." These specific examples are more powerful and evoke more empathy than general descriptive words such as "kind" or "generous."

Related Articles

How to Write an Autobiography for a Scholarship

How to Write a Self-Portrait Essay

How to Determine the Tone of an Essay

How to Write a Good Personality Essay

How to Write a Retreat Letter

How to Write a College Character Analysis Essay

How to Write a Thesis Statement for "Robinson Crusoe"

Purpose of a Pronoun

• The University of Texas at El Paso: How to Write an Expressive or Descriptive Essay
• Butte College: Writing a Descriptive Essay

Soheila Battaglia is a published and award-winning author and filmmaker. She holds an MA in literary cultures from New York University and a BA in ethnic studies from UC Berkeley. She is a college professor of literature and composition.

• Choosing the Right College
• College Transfers
• Extracurricular Activities
• Miscellaneous
• Standardized Tests
• Underclassmen
• Applying Early
• College Interviews
• Essay Writing
• Supplementary Material
• Tips and Strategies
• University Policies
• Personal Finance
• Scholarships & Grants
• Preparing for College Life

All about college essays: Tips on how to answer the “Person who has had significant influence on you and describe that influence” question

Application Process , Essay Writing | Aug 16., 2010 by admin | 1 Comment

Post By : COYD Staff

-Purpose of asking the question

-Most common answers to this question

-How to figure out the answer to the question from your library of experiences and relationships

-Extra tips on this specific question

Today we are going to discuss essay #3: Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence .

Purpose of the question

The admissions officers are looking for 2 things when asking this question: 1) What are your values? What qualities and attributes do you value in others and strive to attain? 2) How the person has influenced you, shown on the rest of your application.

Describing the person that influenced you will either show the attributes you value or the ones you don’t value depending on if this person positively influenced you or negatively influenced you. Either way, this question will reveal a lot about your values and what you strive to become in your life.

Some of the values that admissions officers are looking for are: Ability to learn from mistakes, Accountability, Concern for others, Creativity, Defined goals, Dignity, Discipline, Ethics, Goal-oriented person, Honesty, Humility, Introspection, Leadership, Lucidity, Maturity, Positivity, Self-awareness, Team-oriented, Uniqueness, and Vision.

Qualities that they aren’t looking for are: Anger, Arrogance, Bad writing, Blind Ambition, Ego, Entitlement, Immaturity, Mediocrity, Perfectionism, Poor judgment, Prejudice against race/gender, and Vanity.

The second purpose often gets overlooked. Students spend so much time describing the person, they forget to describe how this person has had an influence on them. Admissions officers want to see that this person has actually had an influence on your life, so that influence should reflect within your application. Show concrete examples of how their influence translated to some action on your part, whether it be joining an organization, playing an instrument, running for a leadership position…etc.

Most common answers to this question

Mom and Dad. It’s great to see that high school students value their parents, but unless you have an extraordinary story, try to stay away from writing about Mom or Dad. I’m not saying that they didn’t have the most influence on you. For most of us (including me), they did. It’s just that so many people mention their Mom or Dad, and I don’t want your essay to get lost in the crowd. If you absolutely have to write about your Mom or Dad, there are a few ways to avoid your essay getting lost in the pile of similar answers: write an extremely compelling introduction, write the nicknames of your Mom or Dad, tell an extraordinary story about your Mom or Dad. The more details you put into your essay the better. Use more examples and less adjectives.

Remember, the individual who has deeply influenced you does not always have to be someone you admire. However, if you do answer this question with someone whom you don’t admire, try not to sound hateful and angry.

How to figure out the answer to the question from your library of experiences and relationships

– Think of a time where you had a strong emotional reaction to an experience or conversation. Who was involved in that experience? – Who has influenced you to change something about yourself? – Who has influenced you to take a risk in your life, leave your comfort zone, or challenged you? – Who has influenced you to believe in yourself? – Who do you think of immediately when you are asked the essay question?

– What experience are you most proud of, and who was involved in that experience?

Extra tips on this specific question

If the university allows, add a picture. The picture should add to the text of the essay. If the picture doesn’t add much, don’t include it, but if it reveals a part of that person that you can’t fully explain in words, attach a picture.

I read an amazing essay that was written about a student’s grandmother. She attached her grandmother’s photograph. The photograph was a close-up picture of her grandma with her hands folded. The focus of the picture was on the hands and she wrote about how her grandma’s hands revealed her grandma’s life. The picture was profound and gut wrenching. The picture spoke a thousand words, and it made the words in her essay even more powerful.

Note: Check with your university first to see if you can attach a picture to an essay question.

Tags: a personal who has influenced me , application essays , college admission essay , college admission essays , college admissions , college admissions essay , college admissions essays , college application essay help , college application essay topics , college application essays , college applications essay , college essay help , college essay writing , common application essay prompt , common application essay questions , common application essay topics , common college application essay questions , how to write a college application essay , how to write college application essays , influential person essay , most influential person essay , sample college application essay questions , writing college application essays

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

[…] Tagsadmission college admissions college applying to college choose a college choosing a college that is right for you choosing a university choosing right college chosing a college college admission college admissions college admissions advice college admissions essay college admissions essays college admissions help college admissions interview college admission tips college application essays college application help college entry essay college essay help college interview college interview help college interview question college interview questions criteria for choosing a college factors in choosing a college financial aid help choosing a college help paying for college how to choose a college how to pay for college how to transfer colleges how to write a college application essay money saving tips for college students Paying For College paying for college tuition paying for college without going broke picking a college reasons for choosing a college selecting a college steps to choosing a college students paying for college transfer colleges transferring colleges video resume « All about college essays: Tips on how to answer the “Person who has had significant influence … […]

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (Required)

XHTML: You can use these tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>

CAPTCHA Code *

Search College Of Your Dreams  

Recent articles.

• Be smart about student debt!
• Top Things to Do in College
• Scholarship scams: Watch out!
• Common Application 2011-2012: Updates and Tips

Terms and Policies

Search our site.

© 2024 College Of Your Dreams. All Rights Reserved.

Sample Common Application Essay for Option #5

• Essay Samples & Tips
• College Admissions Process
• College Profiles
• College Rankings
• Choosing A College
• Application Tips
• Testing Graphs
• College Financial Aid
• Advanced Placement
• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Life
• Graduate School
• Business School
• Distance Learning
• Ph.D., English, University of Pennsylvania
• M.A., English, University of Pennsylvania
• B.S., Materials Science & Engineering and Literature, MIT

Jill writes about a person who had a significant influence on her. Her response works well for Common Application essay option #5: "Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others."

As you read the essay, note how it is about much more than the woman who influenced Jill. Jill uses her interactions with a strong-willed and difficult woman to reveal to the admissions folks an important moment in her own personal growth.

Sample Common Application Essay

"Buck Up"  by Jill

Susan Lewis is a woman that very few people would consider a role model for anything. A fifty-something high-school dropout, she has little more to her name than a beat-up truck, a Jack Russell Terrier and a ragtag herd of aging and/or neurotic horses with which she's run a largely unsuccessful riding lesson program for twenty years with no business plan to speak of and little hope of ever turning a profit. She curses like a sailor, is perpetually un-punctual, and has an erratic and often terrifying temper.

I've taken weekly riding lessons with Sue since middle school, often against my own better judgment. Because for all her seemingly unredeemable qualities, she inspires me - not necessarily as a person I'd strive to emulate, but simply for her unwavering perseverance. In the five years I've known her, I've never once seen her give up on anything. She would sooner go hungry (and sometimes does) than give up on her horses and her business. She sticks to her guns on every issue, from political views to hay prices to her (frankly terrible) business model. Sue has never once given up on herself or her horses or her business, and she never gives up on her students.

My dad lost his job not long after I started high school, and horseback riding quickly became a luxury we couldn't afford. So I called Sue to tell her that I wouldn't be riding for a while, at least until my father was back on his feet.

I hadn't expected an outpouring of sympathy (Sue, as you may have guessed, isn't an overwhelmingly sympathetic person), but I certainly wasn't expecting her to yell at me, either. Which was exactly what happened. She told me in no uncertain terms that I was ridiculous for thinking that money should stop me from doing something I loved, and she would see me bright and early Saturday morning regardless, and if she had to drive me to the barn herself that she would, and I'd better be wearing a good pair of boots because I'd be working off my lessons until further notice.

Her refusal to give up on me said more than I could ever put into words. It would have been easy for her to just let me leave. But Sue was never a person to take the easy way out, and she showed me how to do the same. I worked harder in Sue's barn that year than I'd ever worked before, earning every minute of my riding time, and I'd never felt more proud of myself. In her own stubborn way, Sue had shared with me an invaluable lesson in perseverance. She may not be much of a role model in any other respect, but Susan Lewis does not give up, and I strive every day to live by her example.

Analysis and Critique of Jill's Common Application Essay

What can you learn from how this essay was written? The essay is interesting and written in an engaging style, but how well does this work for the purpose of the Common Application essay?

The Essay's Title

The title is the first thing a reader sees. A  good title  can immediately pique your reader's curiosity and grab his or her attention. The title frames and focuses on the words that follow. A missing title is a lost opportunity, and a weak title is an immediate handicap. Unfortunately, coming up with a good title can be remarkably difficult.

Jill's title "Buck Up" is good in that it plays with the word "buck." On the one hand, the essay is about horses. On the other, it is using the phrase "buck up" to mean "showing some courage or backbone." This kind of playfulness can work well in a title.

"Buck Up," however, does have some shortcomings. Namely, it isn't entirely clear to the reader what the essay will be about. The admissions folks may end up appreciating the title, but only after they read the essay. A title that makes sense only in retrospect obviously isn't doing the best job preparing the reader for the essay.

The Essay's Focus

By focusing on Susan Lewis, someone who in many ways isn't even likable, the essay isn't typical, and it shows that the author can recognize the positive in a person who has a lot of negatives going for her. The college admission reader will be impressed that the author has shown she is a creative and open-minded thinker. The essay fully explains the influence Susan Lewis has on the author, leading her to appreciate hard work and perseverance. This was an important step into adulthood for the author.

Also, think about the broader implications of the essay. If a teenager is able to recognize the positive qualities of someone as unlikable as Susan Lewis, that student is also likely to do well in a residential college where different personalities are thrown together in close quarters.

The Essay's Tone

Striking the right tone can be a big challenge in a college application essay. When writing about someone who is rather unlikable, it would be easy to come across as mocking or condescending. The essay points out many of Susan Lewis's shortcomings, but it keeps a light an playful tone. The result is that the author comes across as loving and appreciative, not deprecating. However, it takes a skillful writer to provide just the right balance of levity and seriousness. This is a danger zone, and you will need to ensure you don't fall into a negative tone.

The Quality of the Writing

"Buck Up" is not a perfect essay, but the flaws are few. Try to avoid cliché or tired phrases such as "sticks to her guns" and "back on his feet." There are also a few minor grammatical mistakes.

Jill does well when it comes to the essay's style . The narrative has a pleasing variety of sentence types ranging from short and punchy to long and complex. The language is playful and engaging, and Jill has done an admirable job painting a rich portrait of Susan Lewis in a few short paragraphs.

Every sentence and paragraph adds important details to the essay, and the reader never gets the sense that Jill is wasting space with a bunch of unnecessary fluff. This is important: with the 650- word limit on Common Application essays, there's no room for wasted words. At 478 words, Jill is safely within the length limit.

The most admirable thing about the writing here is that Jill's personality comes through. We get a sense of her humor, her power of observation, and her generosity of spirit. A lot of applicants feel like they need to brag about their accomplishments in their application essay, yet Jill shows how those accomplishments can be conveyed in a pleasingly understated way.

Why Colleges Ask Applicants to Write Essays

It's always important to keep in mind why colleges ask applicants to write essays. On a simple level, they want to make sure you can write well, something that Jill has demonstrated effectively with "Buck Up." But more significantly, the admissions folks are indicating that they have holistic admissions and they want to get to know the students they are considering for admission.

Test scores and grades don't tell a college what type of person you are, other than one who works hard and tests well. What's your personality like? What do you truly care about? How do you communicate your ideas to others? And the big one: Are you the type of person we want to invite to become part of our campus community? The personal essay (along with the  interview  and  letters of recommendation ) is one of the few pieces of the application that helps the admissions folks get to know the person behind the grades and test scores.

Jill's essay, whether deliberately or not, answers these questions in ways that work in her favor. She shows that she is observant, caring, and funny. She demonstrates self-awareness as she narrates the ways in which she has grown as a person. She shows that she is generous and finds positive qualities in people who have a lot of negatives. And she reveals that she gets pleasure out of overcoming challenges and working hard to achieve her goals. In short, she comes across as the type of person who would enrich a campus community.

• "Handiwork" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• Tips for Writing an Essay on an Event That Led to Personal Growth
• How to Write a Great College Application Essay Title
• "My Dads" - Sample Common Application Essay for Option #1
• "Gym Class Hero" - a Common Application Essay Sample for Option #3
• The 2021-22 Common Application Essay Prompts
• "Grandpa's Rubik's Cube"—Sample Common Application Essay, Option #4
• A Sample Essay for Common Application Option #7: Topic of Your Choice
• Sample Application Essay - Porkopolis
• Striking Out: Sample Common Application Essay
• Common Application Essay Option 4—Gratitude
• Sample College Admissions Essay - Student Teacher
• Tips for the Pre-2013 Personal Essay Options on the Common Application
• Sample College Application Short Answer Essay
• Common Application Essay Option 2 Tips: Learning from Failure
• Tips for an Application Essay on a Significant Experience

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Influential Person — Who is the Most Influential Person in Your Life

Who is The Most Influential Person in Your Life

• Categories: Influential Person

About this sample

Words: 1797 |

Published: Sep 25, 2018

Words: 1797 | Pages: 2 | 9 min read

Works Cited

• BBC. (2019, December 20). Greta Thunberg: Climate Crisis Activist Gets Comic Book Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50861907
• CNN. (2019, September 23). Greta Thunberg: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know.
• Greta Thunberg's official website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.gretathunberg.org/
• Svenska Dagbladet. (2018, August 20). Greta Thunberg: "Skolstrejken för klimatet kan pågå i åratal" [Greta Thunberg: "The school strike for climate can go on for years"]. Retrieved from https://www.svd.se/greta-thunberg-skolstrejken-for-klimatet-kan-paga-i-aratal
• The Guardian. (2019, March 11). Greta Thunberg: The Fifteen-Year-Old Climate Activist Who Is Leading a Global Movement.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Heisenberg

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

5 pages / 2403 words

5 pages / 2220 words

4 pages / 2000 words

1 pages / 593 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Influential Person

I have always interacted with a lot of people who possess various characters and personalities. These interactions had various impacts on me on different degrees and with different impacts. The person who has made a huge impact [...]

When it comes to reflecting upon the people who have had a profound impact on one's life, it is difficult not to think of those who have contributed to our personal growth, values, and aspirations. Throughout my life, I have [...]

NBC News. 'Kanye West's Sunday Service is a New Dawn.' NBC News. https://relevantmagazine.com/culture/music/kanye-wests-sunday-service-taught-me-about-grace/

'Kanye West Biography.' TheFamousPeople.com. https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-kanye-west-mental-health-tweet-20180425-story.html

Temple Grandin, an extraordinary woman with autism described herself as different, but not less. In the 1950s and 60s, there was less tolerance for people with autism, than there is today. No one understood Grandin, or what she [...]

History: The sport is invented by Christopher Monck the second Duke of Albemarle. He arranged a boxing match between his butcher and butler. Christopher was an English soldier, and a politician who sat in the House of Commons [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

We use cookies to provide you with a good service. By using this website, you agree with our Cookie policy. Read more .

Admissions Essay on an Influential Person: Writing Tips

College admissions essays often focus on an influential person. It may be your parent, coach, friend, or anyone else who has had a significant impact on your life and development. Such essays can be really good if you know how to write them properly. Thus, we at college-writers blog decided to help you.

Six years ago, one of the Common Application essay prompts asked applicants to write an essay about an influential person. Although there were no such prompts in 2018, you are still allowed to write about an important person from your life if you go with the option called “topic of your choice.”

1. Don’t just describe — analyze

An essay on an influential person shouldn’t just describe this person. Describing doesn’t require you to use your critical thinking so you won’t be able to write a thoughtful reflective essay. Instead of describing, you must analyze the impact of the chosen person on your life, explaining your relationship with them.

2. Mom or dad is not the best option

Of course, you can write about your mom or dad, but keep in mind that thousands of applicants write about their parents every year. Your essay must stand out so we suggest that you write about your parents only if you have really special or unusual relationships with them. If you just say that your father was a great role model for you, such an essay will be generic and not interesting for anyone but you.

3. Avoid writing about celebrities

Don’t write about your favorite singer or actor because such an essay will not provide any valuable insights into your personality. Your favorite celebrity may have millions or billions of fans, so the only thing your readers will learn from such an essay is that you love pop culture.

4. Unusual subjects are good

If you manage to write a good, inspirational essay on an obscure and unusual subject, it will certainly stand out and attract attention. Write about how you were a young kid and found the best friend in your life in a summer camp. Or write about a completely ordinary person who somehow inspired you.

5. Significant influence doesn’t mean a positive influence

Most essays about an influential person focus on role models (parents, teachers, coaches, etc.). Writing about people who had a positive influence on you is good, but such an approach is also predictable. You can make your essay more unique if you write about some terrible person who showed you an example of who you don’t want to be. You can also describe how a relationship with a hateful or abusive person made you stronger.

6. Your essay is also about yourself

An essay about an influential person is not only about that person but also about yourself. Be introspective and reflective. To analyze somebody’s impact on your life, you should also understand your strengths and weaknesses. In addition, don’t forget that the admissions essay must give readers an understanding of who you are, what are your passions, interests, and character. The main purpose of the admissions essay is to prove that you’re a person who can make a positive contribution to the campus community.

With us you get

• 10+ years experience in the custom writing market
• A wide range of services
• Satisfied and returning customers
• 6-hour delivery available
• Money-back guarantee
• 100% privacy guaranteed
• Professional team of experienced paper writers
• Only custom college papers
• Free amendments upon request
• Constant access to your paper writer
• Free extras by your request

• Admission Essay
• Statement of Purpose Editing
• Personal Statement Editing
• Recommendation Letter
• Motivation Letter
• Cover Letter
• Supplemental Essay
• Letter of Continued Interest
• Scholarship Essay
• Role Model Essay
• Our Editors
• College Admission Essay Examples
• College Cover Letter Examples
• College Personal Statement Examples
• Graduate Personal Statement Examples
• Graduate Statement of Purpose Examples
• MBA Essay Examples
• MBA Personal Statement Examples
• MBA Resume Examples
• MBA Recommendation Letter Examples
• Medical School Personal Statement Examples
• Medical School Recommendation Letter Examples
• Pricing Plans
• Public Health
• Dissertation
• Research Paper
• Thesis Editing
• Academic Editing
• Motivation letter
• Letter of Recommendation
• Personal Statement
• Statement of Purpose

The Most Influential Person In My Life Essay Sample

EssayEdge > Blog > The Most Influential Person In My Life Essay Sample

I met Erika two years ago. Erika grew up in a provincial Mexican town called Leon. According to the region’s conservative customs, women are expected to marry and serve their husbands. Practically all women there accept their fate; Erika is one notable exception. Rebelling against the constraints imposed on women, she risked social rejection by persuading her parents to let her study engineering in Mexico City. She hoped to influence people’s lives and become a well-rounded individual.

At that time, there were only two women studying engineering at the university. Professors didn’t expect a woman to become a good engineer and didn’t dedicate much time to her, so she had to put in twice the effort to obtain the same grades as her male classmates. She graduated with honors and decided to join P&G, where I met her. Very soon, her strong business vision and leadership skills earned her a fast Brand Manager promotion. However, she felt that P&G was not giving her all the skills needed to help people, so she enrolled in a London MBA program.

When she returned to P&G, she was promoted to Director. She had been planning to start a non-profit organization to help illiterate women when her mother was struck with cancer. Without a moment’s hesitation, she left her promising career to achieve her goal in life: helping others. She now spends half of each day taking care of her mom and the other half teaching illiterate women.

Erika has had a deep influence on me. What I most admire about her is her strong belief that we have the responsibility to help others become better persons. She lives according to this credo, which she has used as a guideline since she was very young. She has shown me the importance of attaining a balanced life and contributing to society while accumulating practical skills. Most recently, she has encouraged me to obtain an MBA, because it gave her the skills needed to complete her development and help others.

Need help? Check out EssayEdge editing services:

EssayEdge is more than a PhD dissertation editing service. Students ask us to help them with papers required in admissions, and it’s a chance for our editors to showcase their skills. Besides it, we share writing guides and samples like this in the blog to help students find the right direction. Contact us to get top-notch editing assistance.

Popular Posts

June 2, 2022 How To Start a Scholarship Essay: Catch Reader’s Attention Fast

May 16, 2022 My Role Model Essay: A Few Ways to Elaborate on The Subject

May 3, 2022 How To Start a Personal Statement? | Writing Tips and Samples

Related Posts

April 7, 2024 How to Write a Compelling College Essay Introduction? + [Examples]

April 25, 2023 5 Colleges that Will Provide Students with a Great Return on Investment

March 1, 2023 Questions to Ask In a College Interview

©2024 Student Media LLC. All rights reserved.

EssayEdge: Essay Editing & Proofreading Service.

Our mission is to prepare you for academic and career success.

•   Log In  
•   Sign Up  
• Forgot password

Unable to log in? Please clear your browser's cache and then refresh this page and try again

Reset password Please enter your email address to request a password reset.

Check your email We’ve just sent a password reset link to your email.

This information is used to create your account

Personal Essay Example:  The Most Influential and Impactful People in My Life

Typically, high school students have a best friend that is relatively the same age as them. Well, my best friend is a middle-aged man. My best friend is my dad. When I think of someone who has impacted my life, my mind immediately goes to him. I think about all the things I have told him that can only come from a certain amount of trust. When you share a decent amount of trust with someone, a bond seems to form, one unlike any other. A bond that makes a person your best friend. My dad is and always will be my best friend. 

For as long as I can remember, basketball has been one of my dad’s favorite things. He would always talk about his teams, who they were going to play, and how well the competition would be. My dad has coached girls basketball for eleven years, ranging from coaching seventh grade to ninth grade. I have always admired how connected my dad was with his teams. When I would go to his games, I could see how much trust he had in his players and how much trust they had in him. While playing a school sport, it is guaranteed that there will be some amount of drama. Players would try to tear the team apart by fomenting drama or parents will be insatiable with their child’s playing time. I heard about all of this at home. I would hear about how frustrated my dad was getting because he heard a parent complaining to another parent about his coaching skills. It has always been hard seeing him get frustrated with these sorts of things because he doesn’t normally let the words of parents get under his skin. He rarely brings up what they say and he barely ever shows that he is paying attention to what they are saying. 

My dad has always been the kind of guy to push me to be my absolute best. He’s not the kind of guy to let me get away with putting half of my effort into anything. At work, my dad is a manager. Well, the manager of his department. He comes home all the time talking about how his coworkers will make him so mad because they seem like they don’t even want to be there. My dad has always told me, “If you’re going to do anything, always leave it all out there.” My dad and I both get very frustrated with ourselves when something is not going the way we want it to. My dad has managed to find something he calls the Reset Button. When he presses the Reset Button, he moves on from whatever is bothering and upsetting him. This magical button has never helped me. Brief exchanges of looks between me and my dad have always seemed to be my Reset Button. When I am frustrated and I make eye contact with my dad, it is almost like an entire conversation happens in thirty seconds. I don’t know if my dad means for that to happen, but it does. The words he says by saying nothing always seemed conducive to me. Like I know that no matter what happens, he is always going to be proud of me. 

I have always been a gullible person. You say something to me and I will believe it. I have a hard time with confrontation; therefore, I always believe the best in people and put all my trust in them. My dad; however, people have to earn his trust. When we have conversations about my gullibility, the conversation almost always ends with me in tears. My dad always tells me that if I continue to believe the best in people, they will always run me over. I have never really comprehended what he meant. I would hear what he said, and I’ve heard it multiple times, but I continue to put all my trust and believe the best in everyone. My dad has never told me why he continuously asks me to stop being so gullible. Maybe it was because he got hurt in the past believing people too much and he doesn’t want me to go through that same pain; however, I have never been able to ask him why. 

Collecting sports cards has become an obsession of my dads. Taking up an entire room in our house to be exact. To spend time with my dad, I went to a card show with him. As we rode in the car, I realized I had no idea what to expect going into the building; however, the excitement on my dad’s face made the uneasiness disappear. As we walked up to the exposition center and through the halls, I could see the excitement flowing from him. If you were to compare my dad and a kid in a candy shop at that exact moment, I truly believe you wouldn’t be able to tell a difference. When we finally got to the part of the building that was holding the card show, the countless tables full of objects ranging from cards to signed shoes astounded me. My father; however, was tremendously comfortable with the crowded environment. He made his way through the tables speaking the card addict lingo and by the time we were walking out the door, he was leaving with exactly what he had gone in looking for.

Car rides are always my favorite when I am with my dad. The things we talk about are all over the place. When you get in the car, you never really know what is going to happen. We could talk about sports, college, drama, or even the things that go on at home. My dad has always been the parent I feel more comfortable going up and talking to. When in the car with my dad, I feel safe. I feel like I can say anything and know that he is going to listen. Most of the time, when I am stressed about school, I always find myself talking to him about it in the car. At times, it feels like I am just talking to myself, but when that happens, I know my dad is listening to every word I say. I would say my dad is a very observant person. He always wants you to say everything and have your full stance before he chimes in with another component. 

While my dad can be straightforward, he is also one of the most humorous people I know. My dad will always try to make us laugh and it always brings a smile to the whole family. When my dad busts out his dance moves from back in the day, the amount of laughter that fills the room is astronomical. Or when he unleashes his vocals, that’s a household favorite. If one of us kids has a bad day at school, my dad will tell us a funny story from work. I wouldn’t say my dad is a people pleaser, but I think that when he truly wants to make someone’s day, he will find a way to make them smile. The amount of joy that my dad has in him seems to surprise some people. Some people will say that my dad is scary. When really, once you get to know him, he is a pretty exceptional guy. 

My dad has always told me and my siblings that no matter what we decide to do in life, he will support us no matter what. The belief in knowing that my dad has my back has always been so reassuring to me. When I decided to no longer take part in a sport that I had been participating in for what seems like forever, I truly thought my dad was going to be frustrated with me. I didn’t want him to believe I was just giving up. When he wasn’t upset, it took me by surprise. It had made me feel like the love my dad had for me had overridden his love for the sport and that he just wanted me to be happy. My whole life, having my dad’s approval on everything has been so important to me. One of my biggest goals ever since I was little has been to make my dad proud. My dad has been understanding of every decision I have made. When I decided on my career path, I could see how proud I was making him. The approval of my parents when choosing where I want to go to college and what I want to do after has always been important to me. I know no matter what I choose to do, my dad will be there and be my biggest supporter and scream my name the loudest at either my accomplishments or at my failure. I know he will be proud I tried and he will always be there to pick me up if I fall. 

Dad, you have been one of the most influential and impactful people in my life. You have made me see things from a different perspective. You have helped me get through things that I wouldn’t have been able to get through on my own. You have had conversations with me about things that are incredibly important to consider regarding my future. You are someone I feel like I can always go to, no matter the reason. You have made me laugh harder and more uncontrollably than anyone else. You have made me feel safe, and you have made me feel loved. Dad, I am so grateful for everything you have done for me. You are my forever best friend.

Related Samples

• Reflective Essay Example: How it Feels to be Different Me
• Is It Easy to Be Young? Essay Example
• Comparison Between City Life and Country Life Essay Example
• Persuasive Essay Example: Huskies Are the Best Pets
• Reflection Essay Example: What Advice Would a Dog Give About Life if It Could Talk?
• Personal Narrative Essay: One Thing I Would Change About the World
• Essay on My Experience with Basketball
• Essay about Can Failure Strengthen A Person?
• How Technology Has Improved Our Lives Essay Example
• The Importance of Planning in Life Essay Example

Didn't find the perfect sample?

You can order a custom paper by our expert writers

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

Scholarships in Ink

Sample Scholarship Essay #3

Who is the most influential person in your life and why?

W ho is your role model? This is a typical question every kid gets at as they grow up. My answer to this question as a kid was always changing with the news cycle, depending on who was the latest celebrity to hit the headlines. 18 years later, I am a lot wiser— always striving to go beyond the obvious in what I see in people, or how they are portrayed.

Most people see in their role models something that they feel resonates with their personality or life goals. For some, it is a shared background, philosophy, or goals. For others, it is the struggles and hardships that their role models overcame. I belong to the latter.

See, my mother wasn’t always the stunning lady that she is today. The story of how she beat insurmountable odds to be where she is today inspires courage. It tells of a woman, who against all odds stacked against her, found inspiration in her tribulations and used stones cast at her to build a strong foundation, one that my brother and I anchor our dreams to. It is for this reason that I can proudly say that my mother is the most influential person in my life. She always has been.

Richelle E. Goodrich, a renowned author, once said: “there would be no cloud-nine days without rock-bottom moments left below.” My mom’s bottom came after ten years in an abusive relationship as a single mother of two boys. While the events of the ten years left her bruised, they serve to remind us of her journey. “My family never treasured education,” she says. Seeing her siblings and members of her extended family, I can tell you that the consequences have been far-reaching. When she decided enough was enough, she left her hometown for another city in the hope of starting over. “The thought of starting over was scary,” she recalls. Luckily for her, she had completed high school. She worked as a janitor at a high school in South Carolina for six years. For her, it was about breaking the curse of the Martins, as she refers to her family. The only way she knew how was to educate her children. This didn’t mean she was ready to throw in the towel as far as her education was concerned. She wrote one application after another, seeking scholarships for college. And when her lucky break came, she enrolled for a B.A Psychology at the University of Texas Permian Basin.

She is currently working as an event planner, part-timing as a Life Coach. While being the only member of her family to pursue a college degree gives her a sense of pride, she says it reminds her that she should set the bar so high that “her two boys” will have to work twice as hard to surpass her achievements.

Her story inspires me to step out of the comfort zone and take on challenges, and applying for this coveted scholarship is me stepping out of the comfort zone.

Feedback on this essay.

• Very nice essay overall.
• Didn’t like that the essay opens with a question, but the applicant did a good job tying the question to the  main idea. As I read through the introduction, I was hooked and saw why he opened with this particular question. That’s what you want your opening paragraph to do. Hook the reader. While I don’t condone starting your essay with a question, but if you do, it must make sense and tie in with your main concept.
• There are good transitions between each paragraph.
• I loved that he not only tells us about his role model, but explains why he chose her, so we didn’t have to guess.
• There are a few unnecessary words here and there. For example, “It is for this reason that I can proudly say that my mother is the most influential person in my life.” I’d suggest rewording this to, “That’s why my mother is the most influential person in my life.”
• The closing is good, but a bit abrupt.
• Overall, the applicant does the job, answers the prompt, and shares an inspirational story that stands out.

What’s the verdict? Scholarship or not?

Yes, he’s definitely a contender. I love his story. Picking a role model close to home was a smart move that gives us a glimpse into his family and background. He also does a good job answering the topic and following the instructions.

Everyone has a story to share. Your story is yours and doesn’t need to be a sorrowful account, full of trials and tribulations. Be sure to include a unique story that draws readers in. Finally, follow all the instructions for your scholarship essay.

Quick Links

Getting Started Applying for Scholarships Scholarship Essay Tips Sample Scholarship Essays with Feedback

Scholarship FAQs Scholarship Essay Outline Scholarship Planning Worksheets Glossary of Scholarship Terms

Contact Us Our Services Affiliate & Privacy Disclosures

Sample College Admission Essay

The college admissions essay section will help you prepare your admission essay. This section contains sample college admissions essay to help guide you in your writing process.

Sample College Admission Essay: Influential Person

Sample College Admissions Essay One Sample College Admissions Essay two

Note: The below essay was not edited by EssayEdge Editors. It appears as it was initially reviewed by admissions officers.

SAMPLE COLLEGE ADMISSION ESSAY: One

I felt like a cadet at West Point that first week of fifth grade. Mrs. Stith was our sergeant, commanding us to “stand at attention,” “walk single file,” “keep heads up” and “speak only when spoken to.” We had only two rules to obey in her classroom: never talk while Mrs. Stith is talking, and do your homework! We did not dare break these rules, fearing an arduous obstacle course to climb as our consequence—or perhaps a firing squad awaiting Mrs. Stith’s command to release an arsenal of bullets into our bodies.

My fifth-grade mind was not accustomed to such a demanding teacher. Coloring outside the lines, reading The Great Adventures of Encyclopedia Brown and building mobiles with construction paper had been the norm. My mouth gaped at the sight of endless reading packets and workbook pages. I was in boot camp now, and Mrs. Stith was going to toughen up the troops. Mrs. Stith could see our agony, our pleading eyes hoping she would blow her whistle and let us take a break from the work. But she yelled at the class at any sign of softness. Twenty pages of reading every night kept our stamina up. I cried at the thought of learning how to spell “dictionary,” “miserable” and “criminal.” I sweated over decimals. How could I learn all this and still have time to watch Cosby? This wasn’t a youngster’s usual anxiety. I honestly thought I hated Mrs. Stith, or “Mrs. Stiff,” as we called her, snickering as we pictured our gray-haired tyrant being lowered into a tomb. Who did this old woman think she was anyway, always barking at the class? I had always been the teacher’s pet. “Is my work not good enough?” I wondered. How could she destroy my confidence so easily?

College Admission Essay

College Admission Essay Brainstorming a College Essay Topic College Essay Structure and Outline Admission Essay Style and Tone Essay Introductions and Conclusions College Essay Editing and Revising MBA Admission Essay Law School Admission Essay Medical School Admission Essay Graduate School Admission Essay Scholarship Essay

Online Degree

University Degree Programs Universities by State Education Degrees Education Major Categories Education Programs Online Colleges by State Major Education Schools Undergraduate Online Degrees Master Online Degrees Doctoral Online Degrees Online Degree Certificates

College Student Loans

Types of Student Loans Federal Student Loans PLUS Student Loans Private Student Loans Refinancing Student Loans Consolidating Student Loans

Job Search Resources

Continuing Education Job Search Job Search Resources Resume Executive Job Search Job Search Sites Internships Networking First Job Guide Job Interview Letter of Recommendation Employers

Site or Web Search

Tell a friend, submit a resume, college admissions essay editing, scholarship searches, online degree information.

Capella University Kennedy-Western University Keller Graduate School of Business Management Liberty University Utica College Colorado Technical University Florida Metropolitan University Fielding Graduate University Kaplan University

© Resume Miners 2000-2009 All Rights Reserved | Index Privacy Statement

example of self profile essay

Influential Person Essay

<p>I wrote an essay about an influential person that I will use to apply for Princeton. Anyone care to read??</p>

<p>sure, post it up</p>

<p>I’d love to read it. Im not applying to princeton and I already submitted my only influential person essay (which I thought was very good, so maybe I will have good advice)</p>

<p>would love to read it. PM me the essay.</p>

<p>I will read it. Just got accepted by Stanford and will not apply to Princeton.</p>

POPULAR STATES

Search sat scores, search act scores, search gpa’s, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay informed with the latest from the CC community, delivered to you, for free.

CONNECT WITH US

© 2023 College Confidential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Scholarship Essays

Winning Scholarship Essay Example on Influential Person

Who has been the most influential person in your life.

As we sped down the highway, the quiet and calming hum of the car seemed somehow at odds with the late-summer lushness of the Pennsylvania landscape. Without warning this quiet calm was shattered when my Uncle Alex yelled, “Firsts!”

“Uh, military railroads”, I mumbled, drawing myself out of a sleepy reverie.

“A working submarine”, Alex countered quickly.

“Hospital ships.”

“Flame throwers.”

Back and forth we went. We were playing one of our many Civil War word games. This one consisted of calling out all of the many things that the Civil War saw the first instance of. It was a great way to pass time when on a long road trip. I remember this particular trip with such clarity for two reasons. One was that we were on our way to visit Wheatland, the home of James Buchanan, a destination that I had been looking forward to for some time. The second reason is that the very next day was my birthday. I was turning eight.

I suppose for most children it would have seemed strange to be spending their birthday at the former home of a pre-Civil War president. To me it only seemed like a long-awaited treat. My Uncle Alex was an amateur Civil War historian with an infectious love of learning. Alex's sickness took the form of believing that late 19th century American history was more exciting and more worthy of our attention than any other period of human existence. It would prove to be an illness that soon held me under it's spell also. It all started when Alex bought me an Abraham Lincoln action figure for my 4th birthday. I remember unwrapping the gift paper, revealing the strange gaunt figure as my Uncle described to me in hushed tones who this man was and what he had done for our country. The real gift that Alex gave me over the years, however, was that he never acted as if it were odd for a young boy to have a keen interest in history. Because staying up late debating whether or not Stonewall Jackson was a hypochondriac was treated as perfectly normal, perfectly normal it became.

Looking back, I first remember thinking about what I would later realize was ethics or morals in relation to Robert E. Lee and his decision to support his home state of Virginia against the Union. My first contemplation of death took place after reading the correspondence of a young Union soldier who was shot and killed at Manassas before his younger bride ever received his letter. In short, my entire awareness has been shaped and influenced by my Uncle Alex's colorful pedagogy. I don't know what my life would have been without his influence but it certainly would have been different. I'm grateful that I shall never know.

Uncle Alex didn't just teach me about a period of history. He taught me about life. He taught me the power of opening young minds to the mystery of knowledge. Most importantly, he taught me how to live life with excitement and passion. They are lessons I shall never forget.

Original Source: Collegescholarships.com

• Study Guides
• Homework Questions

Essay Proposal

• Political Science

Finished Papers

Write My Essay Service Helps You Succeed!

Being a legit essay service requires giving customers a personalized approach and quality assistance. We take pride in our flexible pricing system which allows you to get a personalized piece for cheap and in time for your deadlines. Moreover, we adhere to your specific requirements and craft your work from scratch. No plagiarized content ever exits our professional writing service as we care. about our reputation. Want to receive good grades hassle-free and still have free time? Just shoot us a "help me with essay" request and we'll get straight to work.

• History Category
• Psychology Category
• Informative Category
• Analysis Category
• Business Category
• Economics Category
• Health Category
• Literature Category
• Review Category
• Sociology Category
• Technology Category

Customer Reviews

Who is an essay writer? 3 types of essay writers

Benefits you get from our essay writer service..

Typically, our authors write essays, but they can do much more than essays. We also offer admissions help. If you are preparing to apply for college, you can get an admission essay, application letter, cover letter, CV, resume, or personal statement from us. Since we know what the admissions committee wants to see in all these papers, we are able to provide you with a flawless paper for your admission.

You can also get help with business writing from our essay writer online. Turn to us if you need a business plan, business proposal, presentation, press release, sales letter, or any other kind of writing piece for your business, and we will tailor such a paper to your requirements.

If you say, "Do not write an essay for me, just proofread and edit it," we can help, as well. Just provide us with your piece of writing and indicate what exactly you need. We will check your paper and bring it to perfection.

Advertisement

Supported by

Four Years Out, Some Voters Look Back at Trump’s Presidency More Positively

A new poll by The New York Times and Siena College finds that voters think highly of the former president’s record on the economy, but memories of his divisiveness largely remain intact.

• Share full article

By Lisa Lerer and Ruth Igielnik

Views of Donald J. Trump’s presidency have become more positive since he left office, bolstering his case for election and posing a risk to President Biden’s strategy of casting his opponent as unfit for the presidency, according to a new poll by The New York Times and Siena College .

While the memories of Mr. Trump’s tumultuous and chaotic administration have not significantly faded, many voters now have a rosier picture of his handling of the economy, immigration and maintaining law and order. Ahead of the 2020 election, only 39 percent of voters said that the country was better off after Mr. Trump took office. Now, looking back, nearly half say that he improved things during his time as president.

The poll’s findings underscore the way in which a segment of voters have changed their minds about the Trump era, recalling those years as a time of economic prosperity and strong national security. The shift in views about his administration comes even as Mr. Trump faces dozens of felony counts and will appear in a New York courtroom on Monday for jury selection in one of his four criminal trials.

How respondents’ views of

Trump have changed

From 2020 to now

Approve of his handling

of the economy

Think he left the

country better off

Approve of his handling of

maintaining law & order

of unifying America

of the Supreme Court

From 2016 to now

Think electing him is

a “safe” choice

Think he respects women

How respondents’ views of Trump have changed

Approve of his handling of the economy

Think he left the country better off

Approve of his handling of maintaining

law & order

Approve of his handling of unifying America

Approve of his handling of Covid

the Supreme Court

Think electing him is a “safe” choice

Many voters still remember Mr. Trump as a divisive and polarizing figure, giving him low ratings on race relations and unifying the country. Yet, a larger share of voters see Mr. Trump’s term as better for the country than the current administration, with 42 percent rating the Trump presidency as mostly good for the country compared with 25 percent who say the same about Mr. Biden’s. Nearly half say the Biden years have been mostly bad for the country.

Many of Mr. Trump’s key constituencies, such as white voters without a college degree, are particularly likely to have a fond view of his time in office. But a broad swath of the country — including Hispanic voters, voters over 30 and most lower- and middle-income voters — now see Mr. Trump’s years in office as more good than bad.

Maya Garcia, 23, described herself as a former “Trump hater.” But now, she says, she has come to believe that Mr. Trump’s contentious style helped control crime and maintain order in the country.

“When he was first running, I was, like, what is this guy even yapping about? Like, what is he even saying? Like, he’s saying all the wrong things,” said Ms. Garcia, a restaurant worker from Canoga Park, Calif. “But to be honest, if you look deep into his personality, he actually cares about the country.” She added: “You know at first I didn’t like it. But sometimes we need that type of person in our lives.”

Do you generally remember the years that

(this candidate) was president as mostly

good years for America, mostly bad years

for America, or not really good or bad?

Mostly good

for America

good or bad

Don’t know/

declined to say 1%

Do you generally remember the years that (this candidate)

was president as mostly good years for America, mostly

bad years for America, or not really good or bad?

declined to say1%

Ms. Garcia voted for Mr. Biden four years ago but has been unhappy with his handling of the border, crime, mental health and the rising cost of living. She plans to back Mr. Trump in November.

The shift in the perception of Mr. Trump is not unusual: Presidents are typically viewed in a better light after leaving office. President George W. Bush’s average approval rating while in office was 49 percent; voters now give him a 57 percent approval rating for his time in the White House. And President Barack Obama received a 15 percentage point bump after leaving the White House, according to Gallup .

What’s unusual about the 2024 race is that Mr. Trump is running again, transforming sentiment about his presidency into a salient and potentially influential voting issue.

Some of the changed opinions about Mr. Trump may stem from his diminished visibility. Since leaving office, Mr. Trump has faded some from public view, spending the bulk of his time at Mar-a-Lago, his private club and residence in Palm Beach, Fla., and at court hearings. He dominated the Republican presidential primary without participating in any debates; his social media posts on his own platform get less attention than they did on Twitter; and while he still holds large rallies, they are not covered to the same extent as his previous campaigns.

The most improved views of Mr. Trump center on the economy, with several voters saying they have struggled to keep up with higher costs and increased inflation during Mr. Biden’s presidency.

Marecus Maupin, 41, said he now looked back at the Trump years as a time of economic prosperity, even though he is making more money with Mr. Biden as president. He voted for Mr. Biden and now plans to back Mr. Trump.

“We all had a little bit more money in our pockets when he was in office. I think he gave out more money than any other president that I have had in my lifetime,” he said of Mr. Trump. “It now feels like, although I’m making more, I’m not seeing it.”

When asked the one thing they remembered from Mr. Trump’s time in office, a vast majority of positive comments referred to the state of the economy. Many specifically remembered the stimulus checks with his signature printed on them that were sent to tens of millions of Americans during the waning days of his presidency.

Still, large segments of the electorate’s recollection of Mr. Trump’s presidency remain unchanged. Views of his handling of the Supreme Court are nearly identical to 2020, and Mr. Trump’s low approval ratings for unifying the country remain fairly similar. The bulk of negative comments about Mr. Trump’s time in office from participants mentioned the former president’s personality and behavior.

“He’s horrific. He’s a narcissist. He’s dishonest. He’s a misogynist,” said Dodee Firestone, 74, a Biden supporter from Boca Raton, Fla. “I could never, ever, ever vote for Trump.”

But other voters said that while they disapproved of Mr. Trump’s inflammatory style, they wondered whether they had placed too much emphasis on his personality in past elections.

While 70 percent of participants said that Mr. Trump had at one point said something they found offensive, those statements were a distant memory for many. Nearly half of that group said he had not said anything offensive recently. Young voters were especially likely to say it had been a while since Mr. Trump said something they found offensive.

President Biden has devoted a significant portion of his campaign to reminding voters of some of Mr. Trump’s most inflammatory statements and failed policies, particularly regarding his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and controversial comments about Black and Hispanic voters.

And while the issue of abortion rights has been front and center in the general election campaign, less than 2 percent of voters mentioned abortion or Mr. Trump’s role in the Supreme Court’s repeal of Roe v. Wade as the main thing they remember from his presidency.

Some of the visceral fear about Mr. Trump’s presidency also seems to have faded. In October 2016, 40 percent of voters said they were scared of what Mr. Trump might do if elected. Now, 31 percent say they are scared.

Nearly identical shares of voters also say both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden would be a risky choice for the country.

Angie Leon, a 23-year-old Mexican American, said she never liked how Mr. Trump talked about Latinos. But looking back, she wonders whether Mr. Trump’s incendiary remarks about immigrants and building a border wall were just a political tactic to bolster his campaign. After backing Mr. Biden in 2020, she plans to switch her vote to Mr. Trump in November.

“I felt like it was just his marketing, in the way that he would get the attention of people,” said Ms. Leon, a human resources recruiter from Gilroy, Calif. “The country was better when he was running it, despite his comments toward the community.”

Camille Baker contributed reporting.

Here are the key things to know about how this Times/Siena poll was conducted:

We spoke with 1,059 registered voters from April 7 to 11, 2024.

Our polls are conducted by telephone, using live interviewers, in both English and Spanish. More than 95 percent of respondents were contacted on a cellphone for this poll.

Voters are selected for the survey from a list of registered voters. The list contains information on the demographic chara cteristics of every registered voter, allowing us to make sure we reach the right number of voters of each party, race and region. For this poll, we placed nearly 127,000 calls to more than 93,000 voters.

To further ensure that the results reflect the entire voting population, not just those willing to take a poll, we give more weight to respondents from demographic groups underrepresented among survey respondents, like people without a college degree. You can see more information about the characteristics of our respondents and the weighted sample on the methodology page , under “Composition of the Sample.”

The poll’s margin of sampling error among registered voters is plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. In theory, this means that the results should reflect the views of the overall population most of the time, though many other challenges create additional sources of error. When computing the difference between two values — such as a candidate’s lead in a race — the margin of error is twice as large.

You can see full results and a detailed methodology here . If you want to read more about how and why we conduct our polls, you can see answers to frequently asked questions and submit your own questions here .

Lisa Lerer is a national political reporter for The Times, based in New York. She has covered American politics for nearly two decades. More about Lisa Lerer

Ruth Igielnik is a polling editor for The Times, where she writes and analyzes surveys. She was previously a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center. More about Ruth Igielnik

Opinion | Bill Essayli: Vehicle registration fees are out…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Opinion Columns
• Guest Commentary
• Letters to the Editor
• Editorial Board
• Endorsements

Opinion | Bill Essayli: Vehicle registration fees are out of control. AB 2963 would cut car taxes and cap late fees

Why are assembly democrats afraid to give this common sense bill a hearing.

The ruling supermajority Democrat Party in Sacramento has made California the most expensive and difficult state to live in. While most of us can’t afford a fancy dinner at the French Laundry like Gavin Newsom—we all have to drive to get to work and run our lives. That’s why Sacramento Democrats’ assault on everyday commuters with the highest gas and car taxes in the nation defies logic, and it’s why I authored AB 2963 to provide some relief.

However, Democrats in Sacramento would rather spend over $4 billion to give illegal immigrants healthcare instead of providing you a break on your car taxes.

If enacted, AB 2963 would have reduced unfair vehicle registration fees for non-commercial pickup trucks, which many of my constituents in Assembly District 63 drive on a daily basis. It also would provide relief for drivers dealing with outrageous late registration fees from the DMV. 

Whether it’s gas prices nearly two dollars higher than the national average, some of the highest car insurance rates in the US, or eye-popping annual vehicle registration fees, Democratic politicians have not been coy with their anti-car, anti-commuter agenda. They want you out of your car, living in a tiny apartment, next to a public transit stop. I do not intend to comply, and I suspect neither will most Californians.

Vehicle registration fees have become prohibitively expensive for drivers to keep up with when the annual bill comes due. California tacks on all sorts of fees and additional costs that can lead to a ballooning total that many are unable to pay. According to the Franchise Tax Board, approximately four million vehicle registration accounts become delinquent every year.

For those who end up in delinquency, late fees accumulate rapidly, often doubling the original amount due in short order. The current structure of late fees for vehicle registration is punitive and disproportionately affects owners of older and lower-value vehicles, causing excessive financial strain and cyclical delinquency as customers fall further behind each year. If you do fall behind, don’t expect your state to show mercy. Nearly 1.4 million Californians annually face wage garnishment to collect debt on behalf of the DMV for failing to pay their registrations.

It certainly sounds like these are the individuals we should consider lending a helping hand to, doesn’t it? A classic case of a broken system that isn’t working for the average Californian. I introduced my bill for precisely this reason. But was that good enough for Sacramento Democrats? Of course not. They said they would not even consider my bill because “the state” can’t afford the lost revenue. What about the taxpayer, who cares if they can afford it?

AB 2963 has the endorsement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the largest and most influential taxpayer watchdog in California that has fought tirelessly to establish and defend taxpayer protections such as Prop 13. Through their many legal victories and successful tax-reduction campaigns, HJTA has saved Californians more than $528 billion since 1978.

Their support emphasizes that AB 2963 offers tangible relief to Californians struggling in our increasingly unaffordable Golden State. 

So what about the suffering Californian, already struggling to put food on their family’s table, who now faces wage garnishment to pay off their delinquent vehicle registration? Where is the compassion and empathy from Democrats in Sacramento who are denying that family this car tax relief? 

We can afford to give Californians a break on their car taxes—it’s pennies compared to the billions Democrats are spending to give illegal immigrants health care. So long as Democrats control Sacramento, common sense solutions like AB 2963 will not pass—they’re too afraid to even give it a hearing! But elections have consequences and the People have the power to evict these politicians from Sacramento and support candidates who will work for you, not their special interests in Sacramento.

Bill Essayli was elected in 2022 to represent the 63rd State Assembly District, which includes the whole cities of Norco, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and Canyon Lake, as well as portions of the cities of Eastvale, Riverside, and Corona. Assemblyman Essayli is a former federal prosecutor and Riverside County Deputy District Attorney. He is also a small business owner as partner at the estate planning law firm of Essayli & Brown LLP.

• Newsroom Guidelines
• Report an Error

More in Opinion

Opinion | Tyranny by the numbers: The government wants your money any way it can get it

Opinion | California’s homelessness programs need to deliver better results

SUBSCRIBER ONLY

Opinion | instead of bailing out student loans, america must de-bloat higher education.

Opinion | Ken Potrock: DisneylandForward – a bold vision for Anaheim