如何寫一篇出色的大學申請文書

Here are some tips compiled from experts for writing that all-important application essay, which can often mean the difference between getting accepted — or rejected — by the school of your choice.

申請文書至關重要，因爲對你心儀的學校來說，錄取或拒絕你常常取決於申請文書上的差別，這裏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——它傳遞着你的世界觀與抱負。它不僅僅是一封簡歷，或是對你已經做過的事情的回顧。它需要你滿懷熱情地去講述一個故事，用個性化的、有意思的趣聞來展現你的性格、你的興趣、你的價值觀、你的生活經歷、你對世界的看法 、你的抱負，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.

強調你所做過的志願服務工作，或是你幫助過他人或讓你所在的社區變得更好的其他做法。如果你想要學習的學科與此相關，那麼這些經歷將大有幫助。舉個例子，克里斯多夫·裏姆(Christopher Rim)是教育諮詢機構指揮教育集團(Command Education Group)的一員，他記得一名想要成爲牙醫的學生曾經創辦了一個非營利組織，並組織募捐者向給流浪者收容機構發放牙刷、牙膏及其他牙科產品。錄取招生官們想知道的是，你的出現將如何把學校變得更好。

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.

提及的實習經歷，暑期課程、課外活動或是實驗室工作，以展現你爲學習和理解自己感興趣的領域所做出的努力。這樣有助於展現你瞭解自己所選擇學習的領域，並對此充滿熱情。

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.

用學識和熱情解釋你爲什麼想在這所學校、而非其他學校學習。講出爲什麼這所學校的規模、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、語法和標點非常關鍵。使用具有一定複雜程度的語法、結構和措辭能展現出你爲上大學做好了準備。千萬不要用短信風格的縮寫，或是粗魯低俗的語言。

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.

在文書提交以後，每天查看你的郵件及語音信箱，確保你看到並及時回覆錄取招生官們發來的信息。很多學生只查看短信，而且有時會錯過那些詢問後續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.

拉卡尼教育諮詢機構(Lakhani Coaching)的哈菲茲·拉卡尼(Hafeez Lakhani)這樣總結申請文書：“每所大學就像是一張餐桌。什麼能夠使你成爲餐桌交談中最有趣的貢獻者？什麼能夠使你讓其他每個人都獲得更有趣的體驗？”一篇充滿趣聞軼事與個性色彩的好文書將會回答那些問題，並從人羣中脫穎而出。