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.
申请文书至关重要，因为对你心仪的学校来说，录取或拒绝你常常取决于申请文书上的差别，这里集合了一些文书写作专家的建议。
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.
申请文书就是你的话筒——它传递着你的世界观与抱负。它不仅仅是一封简历，或是对你已经做过的事情的回顾。它需要你满怀热情地去讲述一个故事，用个性化的、有意思的趣闻来展现你的性格、你的兴趣、你的价值观、你的生活经历、你对世界的看法 、你的抱负，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.
强调你所做过的志愿服务工作，或是你帮助过他人或让你所在的社区变得更好的其他做法。如果你想要学习的学科与此相关，那么这些经历将大有帮助。举个例子，克里斯多夫·里姆(Christopher Rim)是教育咨询机构指挥教育集团(Command Education Group)的一员，他记得一名想要成为牙医的学生曾经创办了一个非营利组织，并组织募捐者向给流浪者收容机构发放牙刷、牙膏及其他牙科产品。录取招生官们想知道的是，你的出现将如何把学校变得更好。
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.
提及的实习经历，暑期课程、课外活动或是实验室工作，以展现你为学习和理解自己感兴趣的领域所做出的努力。这样有助于展现你了解自己所选择学习的领域，并对此充满热情。
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.
用学识和热情解释你为什么想在这所学校、而非其他学校学习。讲出为什么这所学校的规模、课程、社交氛围、地理位置、教授或是历史影响了你的选择。
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.
正确的拼写、语法和标点非常关键。使用具有一定复杂程度的语法、结构和措辞能展现出你为上大学做好了准备。千万不要用短信风格的缩写，或是粗鲁低俗的语言。

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.
在文书提交以后，每天查看你的邮件及语音信箱，确保你看到并及时回复录取招生官们发来的信息。很多学生只查看短信，而且有时会错过那些询问后续问题或邀请面试的邮件。
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.
拉卡尼教育咨询机构(Lakhani Coaching)的哈菲兹·拉卡尼(Hafeez Lakhani)这样总结申请文书：“每所大学就像是一张餐桌。什么能够使你成为餐桌交谈中最有趣的贡献者？什么能够使你让其他每个人都获得更有趣的体验？”一篇充满趣闻轶事与个性色彩的好文书将会回答那些问题，并从人群中脱颖而出。