<p>I've been thinking of people who have influenced me (Common App prompt number 3 or 4). I want to write an essay that is true and sticks out to the admissions office (so far, I'm interested in going to Case Western Reserve University and John Carroll University), and a few people come to mind. Some fictional characters that have influenced me come from Harry Potter; namely Dumbledore and Neville Longbottom. A person who has influenced me a lot is Judge Judy. Which would be better? I feel like Harry Potter has been done a lot before and I want to stick out from other appliers. But are both of these things to informal to write about? Please, any help would be appreciated greatly :D</p>
<p>stick to what you think is better, not what the addmission officers think is better.
an uncommon experence or example is not necessarily better.
nothing wrong to write something common</p>
<p>Neither is too informal, and I think you could almost do a better job doing Dumbledore or Neville because they have such vivid characteristics/personalities.</p>
<p>you should write about what makes you happy and what makes you passionae</p>