写好申请文章的十个秘诀

　　Obio Ntia 来自美国纽约，是美国霍山大学（Mount Holyoke College，2012年度US NEWS美国文理学院排名第29）的前任招生官。现在，他担任宁波镇海中学担任升学顾问。以下是他最近写的关于写好大学申请文书的十个秘诀。
　　A good application essay distinguishes you from the rest of the pack of applicants. It gives you an edge. And it enhances your overall application. Do not run the risk of having your essay fall flat. I read international student applications at Mount Holyoke for several years. Many of these tips are for students in general,but many of them apply to Chinese students especially.
　　出色的个人陈述能让你脱颖而出，还能会为你的整个申请加分。所以千万不要把自己的陈述写得平淡无奇。我在霍山学院负责审阅学生的个人陈述已经好几年了。下面的建议中有的是通用的，有的则专门针对中国学生。
　　1.Follow the directions 根据要求写，不要离题
　　This is a very basic suggestion, but it still takes first priority because many students submit responses that do not directly address the essay prompts. Similarly, word limits are there for a reason. To ensure that your essay answers the prompt question, write out a one-sentence answer to the essay prompt before you start writing your essay. This sentence can be used as your thesis statement in your essay and can make your essay more effective.
　　2.Determine a structure 定下文章结构
　　A good essay has a logical order. The ideas flow smoothly from one to the other and they stay within the scope of the essay topic. Along with having a clear thesis, you need to have structure.
　　3.Incorporate your personality 体现个性
　　Your essay is a chance for you to reflect how you think. If you manage to make your personality shine through in some way, you avoid having your essay appear generic.
　　4.Know what makes you unique 明白哪些东西让你与众不同
　　注意，由于申请海外名校的中国学生越来越多，这一点尤其重要。
　　A good way to distinguish yourself is to write about what makes you unique. In my former admission office, we would be able to conjure certain essay to mind months after they were read just by mentioning their primary distinguishing characteristic. If you have an uncommon hobby, interest, or viewpoint then incorporate that somehow, as it can make your essay memorable.
　　One added note here for Chinese students is that many admission offices are now getting flooded with higher numbers of Chinese applications. Some officers have trouble distinguishing one from the other since many essays use a similar approach. So, try to push yourself to present a singular, unique essay that does not feel standard or generic.
　　5.Know your school 了解自己学校的优势和项目
　　This is especially important in your school-specific supplemental essays. Show that you are aware of the school's strengths and programs, but do not dwell on those. You do not need to restate all the marketing information from the school brochure, but you should be able to point to certain attractive aspects of the school to highlight how you are confident that you and that particular institution are a good fit for each other.
　　6.Know your audience 了解自己的读者：招生官
　　Your readers will be admission officers who are looking for clues that you are academically, emotionally, and culturally prepared for the challenge of studying at their institution. They've probably also read almost every type of personal statement imaginable several times over. Make sure you express your ideas in a way that your readers will not have to "read between the lines" to get your meaning because they may just not have the time (or patience) to be able to do that.
　　7.Balance your details with reflection 平衡细节和反思的比重
　　If you are writing about an experience, the details are often less significant than your reflections. By thoroughly reflecting on what happened to you, you show your reader that you are thoughtful, observant and mature. If you just tell a story of something that happened to you,you just have a story. But if you are reflective, you bring your reader along with your growth and character development.
　　8.Be specific with your goals 提出具体的目标
　　If you are mentioning your future academic and professional terms，do not be general like: "I want to study business and help society" because many admission offices will expect more fully developed thoughts than that from your goals will be stated in more specific terms when you actually write your essay, ask yourself several questions before you even begin writing.
　　Use these questions as a guide, but feel free to come up with your own questions.
　　9.Rewrite 反复修改
　　Your first idea and first draft are not likely to be your best. Essay writing is not a one-and-done process. You should revisit and revise your ideas and drafts over time so your final product is a display of your best work.
　　10.Proofread 校对文字
　　This goes hand in hand with rewriting but it must be addressed separately. A great essay can easily be merely a good essay because of one or two typos. If you have several spelling, punctuation and grammar errors then you risk having those errors, rather than your original thoughts become the main take-away from your essay. So, proofread and proofread again. Then have a teacher or counselor proofread your essay for errors before submitting it.——By Obio Nita