Describe an encounter or relationship with someone who has influenced you. The essay doesn't have to be about the most influential person in your life, but someone whose words, actions or mantra influenced your own behavior or beliefs. The obvious choices, such as parents, coaches or family members, aren't necessarily wrong, but they aren't automatically right either. Sometimes, a conversation with a stranger on a plane or the clerk at the grocery store can resonate more deeply than you would normally expect.
A focused description of everyday tasks, such as tying your shoes or making yourself breakfast, can reveal a tremendous amount about yourself as an individual. For example, describe how you make a sandwich, detailing not only the mechanics but the thought process behind your movements. A good description of an everyday task will indicate your work pattern, personality and quirks, all of which make you unique.
Write an essay about a vivid childhood memory. Your memory could be of something simple, like getting ice cream after soccer with your dad or braiding your little sister's hair. Your memories distinguish you from everyone else. Explain why that particular memory is so strong. The scene could be funny, like the time you tried to fly out the window holding an umbrella like Mary Poppins, or sentimental, like how your mother did character voices when she read you storybooks. Whatever memory you choose, write with sincerity and conviction.
Write about an experience that changed a previously held belief. The experience could be personal, like when your realized the class nerd was actually a pretty interesting person. Alternatively, you could write about an experience that changed a broader world view, like how working in the soup kitchen changed your perception of homeless people. Describe your previously held belief and what experiences led you to form a different opinion.