<p>So far, I've considered talking about my older friend who has been a model for me throughout my high school years. We share the same passion for chemistry and I admired her for her achievements, but also for her hard work to achieve her goal of going to the IChO. That made me work as hard as I could to achieve the same goal. But I didn't make it.</p>
<p>Now I think this essay would make me seem like a nerd or like someone who is not strong enough to succeed in what I really want.</p>
<p>My second option would be talking about my former English teacher. I had her in class for 3 years and I liked her for being close to her students and stuff like that. But my essay would be about the latest period. She got married over the summer and resigned from school in order to live with her husband abroad. Even if she was very busy, she found some time to write me the recommendation letters before leaving. Now we keep in touch over the Internet and she continues to help me with the application process and other school stuff, although she has no obligation anymore. I admire her for caring about the persons she left behind and I want to do the same when I leave for college.</p>
<p>My concern about this essay is that it shows a too recent event, that the adcoms may think I am still under its impact and on the long term I may not consider it a major influence.</p>
<p>So what do you think? Which one would show me in a better light?</p>