<p>Hello. I'm about to sit down and finish one of my essays. The prompt asks me to talk about someone who has influenced me and what the influence is. I'm planning to talk about a teacher who has transformed me from an indifferent student to one that focuses in school. I have a few questions about the topic.</p>
<p>1) Is it wise for me to mention her name? I was thinking that since she wrote me a stellar recommendation, the fact that I too talk about her in my essays would support her recommendation and vice-versa.</p>
<p>2) Is it wise to talk about such a transformation?</p>
<p>3) Would this essay be really typical?</p>
<p>4) What key points should I make? I would like to explain what I have so far but I'm afraid to post it so openly on the forum x_x</p>
<p>1)It's all right to mention the teacher's name, but I think it would be better if you refer him/her as the 'English teacher' for example. They will figure out it's about the same person that wrote your recommendation.</p>
<p>2)It's up to you if you want to reveal those informations, but if for example your grades were low before she changed you or something, it would be a good idea to provide an explanation in that way.</p>
<p>3)Since the topic is to write about an influential person, it would be perfectly ok. Many people probably talk about a teacher (I planned to do it myself, but I changed my mind - not because it was too typical, I had other reasons-), but your situation is not very common. They usually say stuff like how great he/she explains new concepts, what a nice person he/she is and so on.</p>
<p>4)You should figure out by yourself. Nobody knows the real background, and we cannot help you even if you explain what you have so far.</p>
<p>1) Yes it is appropriate to mention the name.</p>
<p>2) Sure, nothing wrong with that.</p>
<p>3) It's not the topic, it's what you do with the topic. If your essay is personal, detailed, honest and revealing, if its details and "take" can distinguish you from other applicants, then the essay can be helpful to you, regardless of how many other people many have written on influential teachers.</p>
<p>4) The key points would be those that make the essay the most personal, detailed, honest and revealing that it can be.</p>
<p>I think names add personality to essays. Just amek sure your essay is more about yourself, not the teacher. You should connect your personal growth to your environment.</p>