<p>Do you think saying that community that has most shaped me is the “American community” a cop out or a poor answer? Any constructive thoughts will be appreciated.</p>
<p>I think that it all depends on how you frame the rest of your answer.</p>
<p>^indeed, the actual community named is a very minor point. Your explanation of why it has shaped you most is what counts.</p>
<p>The “American community” sounds like a political clich</p>
<p>If you can write a compelling essay about that, do it.</p>
<p>In addition to making it compelling, make sure it fits with your overall application. It doesn’t matter how compelling you make it sound if they notice you are from the other side of the world and have never been here before (extreme case but the idea is to make sure it fits with who you present yourself as).</p>