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常春藤联合会是一个美国东北部的老牌名校的联盟，8个成员几乎都是美国最有影响力的私立大学，学费很贵，学校很有钱，故通常被看作“贵族”学校本文是flytowest.com网站整理的这些学校招收本科时Essay的要求
What the Admissions Committee Seeks 招生委员会希望看到什么
In a tumultuous world economy, getting into an Ivy League school is more
competitive than ever. Each year, Harvard, Yale and other Ivy League programs
receive thousands of applications from candidates who have exceptional
grades and SAT scores. How can you possibly distinguish yourself in such
a formidable applicant pool? With an impressive and unforgettable set
of essays.
Undergraduate applicants are required to submit several essays relating
to their career objectives, life experiences and personal goals. For many
students, they constitute the most important aspect of the application.
While specific questions may vary among universities, the essays will
require you to discuss: 文章应该讨论你的下列问题
a) your career goals and potential for professional success 职业目标和潜力
b) your unique personal attributes 独特的个人品质
c) your qualifications and experiences 资格和经历
The essays must also accomplish a fourth objective, which is to demonstrate
that you possess both the hard (academic) and soft (interpersonal) skills
required to succeed at an Ivy League university and as a leader in your
chosen profession. Not an easy task! 文章还应该有第四个目标，也就是要说明你不仅学习好，而且善于交流
Competition for Ivy League programs is fierce, as they are the most prestigious
in the world. Your personal statement carries more weight in the admissions
process than you may realize. Perfect grade point averages and SAT scores
are expected at this level, as are maturity and excellent communication
skills. Your best chance to stand out in the crowd is by conveying the
exceptional personal attributes that will make you a unique, well-rounded
addition to the university. Ironically, applicants often minimize the
importance of the essay and the personal interview. Yet they are your
best opportunities to demonstrate your strengths outside the classroom.
成为 常春藤联合会学校学生竞争激烈
The essay is the only aspect of the admissions process in which money
does not offer an advantage, as there are few resources available for
its preparation. Wealthy students often take expensive preparatory classes
for the SAT, ACT and TOEFL, gaining a competitive advantage in this area.
Affluent students also have the benefit of attending expensive college-preparatory
programs, which offer more electives and a more diverse educational experience.
Yet the application essay is the same for everyone and effectively levels
the playing field. It provides all applicants the same opportunity to
demonstrate their personal strengths and unique contributions. 体现个人优势和独特贡献
Admissions officers that we interviewed told us that they seek the following
traits in undergraduate applicants: motivation maturity enthusiasm
honesty independence creativity strong ethics humor confidence curiosity
perseverence communication动机，成熟，激情，诚实，独立，创造性，幽默，信心，好奇，毅力，沟通
Your personal statement is your opportunity to show the committee that
you are a unique, well-rounded, confident person who is committed to succeed
in life. You cannot gain acceptance into an Ivy League school without
compelling personal essays.
We recommend that you avoid four common pitfalls: 以下四个是应该避免出现的问题
a) Rehashing of your academic achievements 重复学习能力
b) Manipulative or argumentative essays on controversial issues 谈论富有争议的话题
c) Technical essays that don't reveal your personal side 过于技术性，不能体现个性的文章。
d) Idealistic, naive essays that suggest you will single-handedly solve
the world's problem过于理想化和幼稚的。
In our admissions work, we frequently see well-intentioned essays fall
flat because they don't capture the reader's interest and convey the writer's
true personality. Far too often, the essays simply reiterate material
that is presented elsewhere in the application, which wastes a golden
opportunity to present a new side of yourself. 一定要吸引读者的兴趣。
Don't underestimate the committee's interest in your maturity and interpersonal
strengths (or lack of them). Due to the high ethical standards and level
of critical thinking expected in the Ivy League, your character and motivation
will be highly scrutinized during the admission process. Use the essay
set to sell your whole self, not just the individual pieces that you think
they want to see. 招生委员会对你是否成熟以及交流能力非常关注，你的个性和动机
Writing Tips 写作提示
In a typical day, an admissions officer will read between 25 and 50 application
essays from candidates around the world. What stands out and makes a positive
impression? Contrary to popular opinion, it's not simply academic prowess.
Indeed, many candidates with exceptional grades are rejected each year.
For most competitive applicants, the key to admissions success is selling
your unique (non-academic) strengths. 推销自己非学术方面的优势
Before you write, consider your audience and their objective. Committee
members are vibrant people with unique personalities and talents. Their
goal is to select a class of diverse, passionate students who will best
contribute to the class. The ultimate class roster will include talented
athletes, musicians, scientists and poets. No two successful candidates
are alike, nor are their essays. A "great essay" can be about
football, a dance recital, a family vacation or an embarrassing moment.
What's the common denominator? Your writing must reveal your true personality,
whatever that may be. Show us who you are and what you will bring to our
program. Show us the contribution that only you can make. 一个好的文章可以是关于足球、家庭旅游或者一个尴尬的时刻。写作必须反应出你的个性。
Are there specific guidelines to follow? Absolutely! We surveyed thirty
admission officers on what they expect to see in college application essays.
Here's what works:
1. Answer the question that was asked. Many candidates try to
dodge tough questions, particularly those about ethical issues, personal
weaknesses and failure. Yet the committee asks these questions for a reason.
We want to understand how you respond to adversity and the specific insights
you developed from those experiences. Answer the tough questions honestly
and directly. Don't try to sell us the artificial "canned" response
you think we want to hear.一定要回答问题
2. Write naturally, but concisely. Use simple sentence structure
and your normal everyday vocabulary. Don't waste time on fancy introductions;
get to the point quickly and reinforce it with specific examples. 自然简明，要有例子。
3. Use excellent grammar and punctuation. Use logical paragraph
breaks to separate your thoughts and to make the essay easier to read.
Proofread your work carefully before sending it in. Don't let simple carelessness
ruin your chances.拼写正确（www.flytowest.com整理发布）
4. Show your real personality (let us get to know you). Too many
essays are long, boring theoretical pieces about politics, the economy
or complex business issues. No matter how well-written or researched,
they don't tell us a darn thing about the candidate. Anyone can write
a rational, detached paper, but that's not what we are looking for. We
want to get to know you and the unique contribution you will make to our
school.不要太长，不要写太多政治或者复杂商业问题等的理论。一定要紧凑，不要面面俱到。
5. Personalize your essay as much as possible. Write about your
own unique, funny, interesting experiences. Provide details to add color.
Adopt a relaxed, conversational style. 写出个性的东西
6. Use humor only if it works. Few people can write humorous prose
or recount funny experiences effectively. If you have this gift, by all
means use it. Before sending us a "funny" essay, have several
different people read your material to make sure it comes across well
on paper. Avoid anything off-color or mean-spirited.幽默（www.flytowest.com整理发布）
7. Convey a positive message (avoid cynicism). Many applicants
choose to discuss a misfortune they have experienced and how it shaped
their personality. Be very careful of your tone if you decide to write
about a hard-luck story. Avoid the "victimization" perspective
and focus on how you overcame the situation. Show us how the experience
helped you to demonstrate your stamina, perseverance and intelligence.
If written well, these essays show us that you can succeed in the face
of terrible obstacles. If written badly, you may sound plaintive, self-righteous
and bitter.不要愤世嫉俗
8. Write about topics you are passionate about. Nothing lifts
an essay off the page more than genuine enthusiasm! Yet few candidates
have the confidence to write about a passion if they feel it is silly
or frivolous. Questions about your favorite hobby or childhood memory
are designed to flesh out your non-academic side. Yes, we really want
to know! Nothing is more precious than your unique memories about key
people and experiences in your life. We've read magical essays about eating
ice cream and singing in the shower and absolutely dreadul ones about
triglyceride synthesis. When choosing your topics, pick what genuinely
excites you. Your enthusiasm will show in the final product.体现你的热情。
9. Use the active voice. Nothing is more tedious than trying to
read an essay written in the cold, detached passive voice. While popular
with scientists who publish in technical journals, it is pretentious and
verbose in everyday writing. Keep your verbs simple and active. What's
the difference?Active Voice: The cow jumped over the moon.Passive Voice:
The moon was jumped over by the cow.Yes, it sounds that silly when you
use it, too!（www.flytowest.com整理发布）
10. Explain events whenever appropriate. Many of your accomplishments
are of interest to the committee because of why you tackled them, what
you thought about them and what you learned. Tell us the reasoning behind
your decision and how your life changed as a result of the experience.
11. Be specific and focused. Rather than listing several items
or events, give a full description of just one. The more details you include,
the more personal your essay will be. 一定要具体集中，有细节。
12. Proofread several times and get feedback from valued sources. Explain
to them what you hope to convey in your writing and ask whether you met
your objectives. The true test of your writing isn't what you intended
to say, but what the reader actually understands.
13. Revise and polish until it is perfect. Give yourself enough
time to do the essays well. Successful applicants usually invest several
hours considering each question, deciding the correct approach, constructing
an outline and writing a first draft. You may have to write and revise
multiple drafts before you are satisfied with your essay. 多次修改直至完美（www.flytowest.com整理发布）
In addition, they advise all applicants to avoid the following common
mistakes:
1. Don't let anyone else tell you what to write. Well-meaning parents
and advisors often interfere in the writing process, sabotaging the candidate's
chances. Use your own best judgement in choosing a topic and writing your
essay. Don't let anyone else influence you. We read thousands of essays
each year, and have developed a keen eye for authenticity.
2. Don't oversell yourself or try too hard. Many candidates manage
to squeeze every accomplishment they've ever had into a single one-page
essay. Others explain emphatically how much they "really, really"
want to attend our school. Don't take such a desperate approach. Answer
the questions to the best of your ability and be yourself.
3. Don't rehash information that can be found elsewhere in the application.
We already know your grade point average, standardized test scores, academic
awards and honors. Use your limited essay space to discuss experiences
that aren't revealed anywhere else. Consider your essay to be an informal
interview, your exclusive "one-on-one" time with the committee.
Show us why we should accept you into our academic community.
4. Don't write a scholarly or overly academic paper. The essay
is your opportunity to demonstrate your non-academic strengths, particularly
your personality. Don't waste the opportunity to let us get to know the
real you. 不要写得太理论化。
5. Don't appear overly idealistic or preachy. Don't use trite,
tired themes for the focus of the essay. Be original. Each year, we receive
hundreds of essays that discuss the horrors of nuclear weapons and the
dangers of global warming. Sadly, they don't tell us anything we don't
already know. If you choose to discuss a meaningful issue, do so in the
context of your demonstrated commitment to change it, either through your
career or volunteer work. Don't confuse passive idealism (or future intentions)
with productive action. A demonstrated commitment to a cause is worth
writing about; passive idealism is not.
6. Don't try to explain blemishes on your record. With rare exceptions,
it is impossible to explain poor grades and test scores without sounding
irresponsible or defensive. Neither will enhance your admissions chances.
If you have a compelling excuse for an academic disappointment, place
it in a separate addendum to your file, rather than in the body of an
essay or personal statement.
7. Don't use large, pretentious words. Use the simplest possible
language to explain your meaning precisely. Using three-dollar words to
impress the committee usually backfires, as it comes across as presumptuous
and arrogant.
8. Don't be boring and safe; tell a real story! A fresh and well-written
essay will enhance your credentials and aid your application effort.
9. Don't lie or exaggerate. Applicants seldom realize how easy
it is to detect lies and half-truths in admissions essays. Don't pretend
to be someone you are not. After reading your file, committee members
have an excellent "feel" for your character and can tell when
a reported event or achievement isn't consistent with the rest of your
history. Lying is a fatal mistake. A single misrepresentation on your
application will lead us to doubt all of your other assertions. 不要夸大其词
10. Don't be gimmicky. Avoid using definitions to begin your essay.
This crutch was extremely popular in the late 90's, but is now synonymous
with sloppy writing. Avoid using cute or "meaningful" quotations,
unless they perfectly fit the character and tone of your essay. Quotations
are terrific if they are seldom-quoted and deeply relevant to your chosen
topic. All too often, though, their usage is cliche and the resulting
essay is unimaginative. 不要试图引用所谓有意义的引言
11. Don't play games with the word limit. Don't use a miniscule
type size or invisible border to shrink an essay to the stipulated length.
Except in extreme circumstances, your finished essay should adhere to
the maximum word limit. In many cases, less is more. Convery your points
quickly and efficiently; don't feel obligated to "fill" extra
space.一定要符合字数要求，别耍聪明。
From our experience, the biggest mistake applicants make is trying too
hard. Most essays are long, boring laundry lists of achievements that
are already presented elsewhere in the application. Ironically, unsuccessful
candidates rarely reveal enough about themselves for the reader to get
to know them. Rather than reveal their unique personality, many try to
impress the committee with their youthful idealism and good intentions.
They write a long, boring piece about the need to promote world peace
or end hunger. Sadly, these preachy "Miss America"-type essays
are rarely successful. The essays of successful applicants will probably
surprise you. They are seldom academic in nature, and may seem risky (or
frivolous) to those who are diligently trying to put their best foot forward.
That's why studying them is so valuable. They reveal the heart and soul
of each writer and demonstrate what the candidate would add to the university.
最大的问题是 很多文章过于艰涩
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