申請文書至關(guān)重要,因?yàn)閷δ阈膬x的學(xué)校來說,錄取或拒絕你常常取決于申請文書上的差別,這里集合了一些文書寫作專家的建議。
The essay is your megaphone — your view of the world and your ambitions. It’s not just a resume or a regurgitation of everything you’ve done. It needs to tell a story with passion, using personal, entertaining anecdotes that showcase your character, your interests, your values, your life experiences, your views of the world, your ambitions and even your sense of humor.
申請文書就是你的話筒——它傳遞著你的世界觀與抱負(fù)。它不僅僅是一封簡歷,或是對你已經(jīng)做過的事情的回顧。它需要你滿懷熱情地去講述一個(gè)故事,用個(gè)性化的、有意思的趣聞來展現(xiàn)你的性格、你的興趣、你的價(jià)值觀、你的生活經(jīng)歷、你對世界的看法 、你的抱負(fù),甚至是你的幽默感。
Emphasize volunteer work or other ways you’ve helped people or made your community a better place. It helps if the activity is related to the subject you want to study. For example, Christopher Rim of Command Education Group, which coaches students, remembers that one student who wanted to become a dentist, set up a nonprofit and held fund-raisers to distribute toothbrushes, toothpaste and other dental products to homeless shelters. Admissions staff members want to know how your presence will make the college a better place.
強(qiáng)調(diào)你所做過的志愿服務(wù)工作,或是你幫助過他人或讓你所在的社區(qū)變得更好的其他做法。如果你想要學(xué)習(xí)的學(xué)科與此相關(guān),那么這些經(jīng)歷將大有幫助。舉個(gè)例子,克里斯多夫·里姆(Christopher Rim)是教育咨詢機(jī)構(gòu)指揮教育集團(tuán)(Command Education Group)的一員,他記得一名想要成為牙醫(yī)的學(xué)生曾經(jīng)創(chuàng)辦了一個(gè)非營利組織,并組織募捐者向給流浪者收容機(jī)構(gòu)發(fā)放牙刷、牙膏及其他牙科產(chǎn)品。錄取招生官們想知道的是,你的出現(xiàn)將如何把學(xué)校變得更好。
Mention internships, summer courses, extracurricular activities or lab work that show steps you’ve taken to learn and understand your field of interest. That will help show you know the field you’ve chosen to study and are passionate about it.
提及的實(shí)習(xí)經(jīng)歷,暑期課程、課外活動(dòng)或是實(shí)驗(yàn)室工作,以展現(xiàn)你為學(xué)習(xí)和理解自己感興趣的領(lǐng)域所做出的努力。這樣有助于展現(xiàn)你了解自己所選擇學(xué)習(xí)的領(lǐng)域,并對此充滿熱情。
Explain with knowledge and passion why you want to study at this particular college rather than at others. Tell why the school’s size, curriculum, social atmosphere, location, professors or history influenced your choice.
用學(xué)識(shí)和熱情解釋你為什么想在這所學(xué)校、而非其他學(xué)校學(xué)習(xí)。講出為什么這所學(xué)校的規(guī)模、課程、社交氛圍、地理位置、教授或是歷史影響了你的選擇。
Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation are critical. Use grammar, syntax and writing with a level of sophistication that shows you’re ready for college. Never use text-style abbreviations or rude or profane language. 正確的拼寫、語法和標(biāo)點(diǎn)非常關(guān)鍵。使用具有一定復(fù)雜程度的語法、結(jié)構(gòu)和措辭能展現(xiàn)出你為上大學(xué)做好了準(zhǔn)備。千萬不要用短信風(fēng)格的縮寫,或是粗魯?shù)退椎恼Z言。
After the essay is submitted, check your email and voice mail daily to make sure you see and respond promptly to messages from admissions staff members. Many students check only texts and sometimes miss emails asking follow-up questions or requesting an interview.
在文書提交以后,每天查看你的郵件及語音信箱,確保你看到并及時(shí)回復(fù)錄取招生官們發(fā)來的信息。很多學(xué)生只查看短信,而且有時(shí)會(huì)錯(cuò)過那些詢問后續(xù)問題或邀請面試的郵件。
Hafeez Lakhani of Lakhani Coaching summed up the essay this way: “Every college is like a dinner table. What will make you the most interesting contributor to that dinner table conversation? What will make you help everyone else have a more interesting experience?” A good essay, rich with anecdotes and personality, will answer those questions and stand out from the pile.
拉卡尼教育咨詢機(jī)構(gòu)(Lakhani Coaching)的哈菲茲·拉卡尼(Hafeez Lakhani)這樣總結(jié)申請文書:“每所大學(xué)就像是一張餐桌。什么能夠使你成為餐桌交談中最有趣的貢獻(xiàn)者?什么能夠使你讓其他每個(gè)人都獲得更有趣的體驗(yàn)?”一篇充滿趣聞軼事與個(gè)性色彩的好文書將會(huì)回答那些問題,并從人群中脫穎而出。