If not, rethink your answer and work to speak from the heart. In your day-to-day life of classes, extracurricular activities, tests, and relationships, is Abe Lincoln really influencing your behavior? If he is, fine. Such answers, however, can come across sounding like you're trying to make a good impression, not like you're answering the question sincerely.

Gandhi or Abe Lincoln-If you have great respect for an admirable historical figure, that's wonderful.

Colleges want to admit students who help each other out and work as a community. However, if you answer this question with yourself you will sound self-absorbed and selfish. You may, in fact, be self-reliant with no real heroes.

Myself-In truth, you probably are the person who is most responsible for your success.

A Community Member-Do you have a mentor in the church or some other community organization? Community members often teach us to think outside of the narrow sphere of our families.

Try to articulate how your coach has helped you succeed in areas other than sports. As long as your response doesn't reveal that you value athletics more than academics, a coach can be a great choice.

A Coach-Coaches often teach us leadership, responsibility and teamwork.

Do you have a close friend who has helped you succeed in high school? Or, depending on how the question is worded, do you have a friend who influenced you in a negative way?

A Friend-For good or bad, your close friends have a huge influence on your decisions and behavior.

A Teacher-Is there a particular teacher who got you excited about learning, a subject area, or continuing your education? Since you're interviewing in an effort to continue your education, focusing on an educator can be an excellent choice.

Just make sure you can articulate the specific ways in which the family member influenced you. Answering with a family member is fairly predictable but also perfectly appropriate.

A Family Member-For most of us, parents and siblings have a huge impact on our lives.

Someone has an effect on you