<p>The essays #2 asks for you to "Describe the world you come from, for example your family, clubs, school, community, city, or town. How has that world shaped your dreams and aspirations?"
How flexible are the admission officers regarding the essay topic? Is it OK if I focus the essay on my research mentor and how he shaped my dreams and aspirations or is that too off-track?</p>
<p>Sorry if this is a dumb question.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>I don't have enough knowledge to be sure, but I think it would be OK. After all, your research mentor is part of the world you grew up in. Just make sure not to lose your focus and end up describing him instead of describing your influence towards you. Maybe you should try to mention something about your hometown, in the introduction perhaps.</p>
<p>Anyone else has an opinion on this? Thanks.</p>
<p>I think it should be okay. mentor IS part of your "world" . One of the things in the example list was like family, that shows writing about a "person" is fine. It is important to focus it on the effects on you, instead of just how great your mentor is. It might be a good idea to also write about another aspect of "your world".</p>