Common Application即美国大学通用申请系统,简称Common App、CA,是美国本土以及国际申请者一站式完成大学申请材料的公用申请平台。Common App最近公布了2023-2024年申请季的最新文书主题,大家可以参考后与申请美国寄宿学校的规划相结合,日常累积一些足以回答这些问题的经历经验和日常感悟,对于美高申请和面试都都有非常大的帮助。
Q1:Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it.lf this sounds like you, then please share your story.
翻译:“有些学生会觉得,自己的背景、身份、兴趣或天赋如果不在申请里展现,他们的申请将会不完整。如果你是这样的学生,那就分享一下你的故事。”
这个题目沿用很多年了,是CA最常见的题目之一,就算经过了多年改革,这个题目依然被保留了下来。如果你有较为独特的成长背景、文化经历或身份认同,或者你有一些特别的兴趣和天赋,那么非常鼓励你回答这个话题。你要专注于思考你身上的这些特质给予了你什么,你又做了什么去回应它,你最终获得的又是什么?
Q2: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge. setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
翻译:“我们从困难中学习的东西往往会成为之后成功的基础。回顾一次你所经历的挑战、挫折或失败。这一经历是如何影响你的,你有从中学到了什么?”
招生官会想要了解学生遇到困难和失败,会有什么样的反应。这也是经常出现的文书主题之一,题为描写失败,但实则应该透过失败的经历展现自己的成长。
Q3: Reflect on a time when you guestioned on challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
翻译:“对一次你质疑或挑战一种信仰或观念的经历进行反思。什么激发了你的思考?你思考的成果如何?”
这个题目对中国学生比较有挑战,考察学生是否敢于调整权威的质疑能力。学生需要思考是什么引发了质疑和挑战,最终结果是失败还是成功不重要,重要的是敢于提出质疑的过程。
Q4: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
翻译:“以一种令人惊讶的方式回想某人为你所做的让你感到幸福或感激的事情。这种感激是如何影响或激励你的?”
CA解释,这个题目灵感来源于感恩话题的探讨,特别是写别人对我们生活的积极影响的好处。可能是由于疫情,我们都可能受益于他人帮助、支持,而这些动人的故事,可能激发我们感恩他人、回馈社区等,以及我们有哪些实际行动等。描述的重点不仅是别的人对你的影响,还有你在他们的影响下产生的实际行动。
Q5: Discuss an accomplishment, event, on realization that sparked a period of persona growth and a new understanding of yourself on others.
“谈一谈使你获得阶段性成长,并对自己或他人有了新认识的一个成就、一件事或一次对想法的实现。”
这个题目与题目四有相似之处,但是范围更加广泛,但不局限于感恩和回馈,也可以强调个人成长和自我认知。事件可大可小,通过写一件具有特殊意义的经历,让我们在思想变得更加成熟。
Q6: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
“描述一个十分吸引你,以至于让你废寝忘食的话题、观念或概念。它为什么吸引你?当你想了解更多的时候,你向谁或什么寻找了帮助?”
准备这一题时,首先要明确你感兴趣的究竟是什么?你的好奇心是怎么引发的?之后可以用更多一些的篇幅讲述你为了了解更多而做了什么,结论如何?这个过程中你有对自己有什么新的了解?
Q7: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
“分享一篇短文,主题任选。这篇短文可以是你已经写好的, 也可以是回应其他题目的,又或者是你自己构思的。”
这是一道开放题,题目自选,可以是你之前写好的文章或者任何你自创的选题。鼓励学生在这个话题下展示一些之前题目没有涉及的非常规的内容。
Covid-19 附加题目
Where can I explain how COVID-19 had an impact on me?
COVID-19 has affected students in dramatically different ways. If you need it, the COVID-19 and natural disaster question in the Additional Information section is a place for you to describe the impact of these events
The question is not intended to be an extra essay. There's also no need to describe how your school responded to these events. Your counselor will have an opportunity to discuss impacts like closures, online instruction, and grading policies. instead, consider how these events may have impacted you, your family, and your learning ervironment. Examples might include:
Illness or loss within your family or support network
Employment or housing disruptions within your family
Food insecurity
Toll on mental and emotional health
New obligations such as part-time work or care for siblings or family members
Avaiability of computer or internet access required to continue your studies
Access to a safe and quiet study space
A new direction for your major or career interests
学生可以谈论疫情对自己的个人生活,未来计划,家庭等方面的影响。无论如何疫情都是学生申请过程中的重要热门话题,学生应该对此话题提前做好准备。
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