Writing about a president's influence a no-no?

College Essays
1

<p>I’m writing my common app essay and I was just wondering if me writing an essay on a presidents influence would be bad because college admission officiers might have political bias?</p>

<p>I was just wanted to ask before I got too far into the essay.</p>

2

<p>It depends on what president you’re talking about. Abe Lincoln is probably safe; Richard Nixon, maybe not.</p>

3

<p>But, you know the CA personal statement isn’t like a school assignment, right? -and, that you need to show how this person influenced you, even altered you own thinking or actions, not just recall his many influences on many people, institutions and events, right? Not how his actions benefitted you or others.</p>

4

<p>Kennedy and anyone before are generally fine. Johnson and anyone after are still considered “partisan.”</p>

5

<p>So is Truman fine?</p>

6

<p>Truman should be fine, yes.</p>

7

<p>I would say don’t go that route.</p>

<p>Talk about some regular guy who influenced your life, not Churchill or FDR.</p>

<p>Great leaders have influenced and inspired everyone.</p>

8

<p>

Well, Churchill was a murderous ■■■■■■■, but that aside, if Harry Truman has had an inspirational influence on the OP, that can be a good essay topic, if done right. It would be far more cliche to do a “My mom is my hero because…” essay, no?</p>

9

<p>Just remember to make the essay about YOU and SHOW a CHANGE based on the influence. How has Truman made you smarter, stronger, more tolerant, wiser, more vigilant, etc? Show that transition in your essay.</p>