教授想要从PS中寻找的6大关键特性

　　To a large degree, the particulargraduate program you are applying to will dictate the content of a successfulapplication essay. However, certain qualities of these essays apply equally toall fields. Admissions committee members are looking for interesting,insightful, revealing, and non-generic essays that suggest you havesuccessfully gone through a process of careful reflection and self-examination.Your essay should offer a very thorough, probing, andanalytical look at yourself and your objectives.

　　1、 Insight Into Your Character ( 洞察你的个性特征)

　　When we say "non-generic" above, we mean a personal statement thatonly you could have written, one that does not closely resemble what otherapplicants are likely writing. You achieve this type of statement by being personal and analytical.Don't waste space on superficial generalizations about your life. Instead, givethe reader specific, personal details so that he or she will be able to understand your character and motivation. Then analyze thosedetails in a way that drives home clear, illuminating points.

　　2、 Sincerity (真实)

　　Don't focus too heavily on what you think admissions officers want to see, atthe expense of conveying your own message in your unique way. Be yourself rather than pretending to be the "ideal"applicant. Inundated with countless cliché-riddenessays, admissions committees respond very favorably to honesty. Don't beafraid to reveal yourself(真的吗?). Admissions officersare interested in finding out about who you are, and they appreciate candor.

　　Sincerity is important tostress because it's hard for most of us to achieve, despite the fact that it seems so simple. The pressures andanxieties of the situation have locked us into a mindset that prevents us fromwriting honestly. Further, because we are not used to writing about ourselvesand being so close to the subject, we cannot assess the sincerity of our ownwriting. Thousands of students every year will read this same advice, whetherin a guidebook or even in the application instructions themselves, but theysimply will not be able to put it into practice. If you can be one of the fewwho truly understand what it means to be sincere, then you will already have separated yourself from the pack in acrucial way.

　　You might question how a reader who doesn't know you can judge your statement'ssincerity. The basis for judgment usually lies in the context your reader hasdeveloped from reading hundreds or thousands of other essays. Assessing your essay against othersis one essential area in which we can offer a more critical eye than yourfriends, relatives, or teachers who have not accumulated the expertise specificto the personal statement. Moreover, our perspective in reading your essay isjust as objective as your admissions reader's perspective will be.

　　3、 Background and Motivation (综合背景和学习动机)

　　Detail your interest in and exposure to your particular discipline in athoughtful way. You are aspiring to become a professional in your field;therefore, you should express an interest in contributingsomething novel to it. Make clear that youhave a realistic perception of what thisfield entails. Refer to experiences (work, research, etc.), classes, conversationswith people in the field, books you've read,seminars you've attended,or any other sources of specific information about thecareer you want and why you're suited for it.Remember not to make this a laundry list inwhich you rattle off impressive names or theories. Anyspecific people or ideas you mention should be thoughtfullyaddressed and seamlesslyinterwoven intothe essay as a whole.

　　4、(目标)

　　When you were applying to colleges, no one expectedyou to be certain about your future. At thegraduate level, however, you need to demonstrate amore mature sense of what you want to do,and how the program you're applying to fits in withthat intended path. Although admissions officers arewell aware that people's goals will change, they at least want to see somesense of direction so they can evaluate your self-awareness and commitment.

　　"I seek a sense of commitment, a sense of discipline, and a sense specifically ofwhat the student wants to do.I don't think it's advisable for anyone to write that he or she just lovesEnglish literature and wants to read and write. People have to know what fieldthey want or are most likely to work in, or what specifickinds of projects they want to pursue in a field."

　　-Graduate English Department, UCLA

　　"I think the main thing is to see whether the student is aware of and has thought about the field to which he or she isapplying."

　　-Graduate Engineering Program, California Institute of Technology

　　5、Attributes of the Program (专业特征)

　　Explain why the particular school's unique featuresattract you. Again, graduate study is much morefocused than undergraduate work; it's not a time for unbounded exploration. Foryour own sake, you need to determine whether a specificprogram meets your needs, and sharing what you discover with the schools can show them whyyou're a good fit. Do the research necessary to find out what sets your choice apart from other universities or programs.

　　Do not, however, waste space on empty praise. For example, don't cite the "world-renowned faculty"and "diverse student body" as your main reasons, because these aretrite, obviously prepackaged points that you could say about any school.Instead, refer to specific courses or unique aspectsof the curriculum, and show an interest in specific clubs or organizations.

　　"You really have to let the admissions committee know what it is about this program in particular that interestsyou."

　　-The Woodrow Wilson School of Public andInternational Affairs, Princeton University

　　"It helps for the student to have done some research on the universitybeing applied to. It is easy to differentiate an applicant who really wants tocome here because of our special resources from someone whose knowledge of theprogram comes simply by way of the brochure we send to all interestedapplicants."

　　-Graduate English Department, UCLA

　　6、Writing Ability (写作能力)

　　Again, the importance of writing ability varies according to differentprograms. A great flair for language will not get you admitted into abiochemistry program, but it's still essential to demonstrate strong writtencommunication skills. On the other hand, you should also keep in mind that awell-written essay makes its points clearly and forcefully, so your contentbenefits as well.

　　Good writing means more than the ability to construct grammatical sentences.You also must create a coherent structure andensure proper flow as the piece progresses.Because the process of developing ideas and putting them down on paper is sointimate and personal, all writers end up needing editors to assess theeffectiveness of their product. You should consult people whose writing yourespect for advice or even more hands-on help.

　　1.个性特征：特别的个性、有分析性力，要有具体的、个性的细节让人了解你的性格、动机。分析细节，让教授能清楚地了解申请者，并能看到他的闪光之处。

　　2.可信度：要经得起考验，教授要看非常多的同类PS，所以在对比中就能发现问题。

　　3.背景动机：要表达出一些新颖的让你感兴趣的理由，通过工作、研究等经验，此领域相关的你交流过的人，你读过的书，参加过的学术交流会，或其他具体职业相关信息源，证明适合你的理由。别用一些刚记住、学会的理论，著名人物弄成一个细物清单。所提及的人或理论要贯穿整个文书。

　　4.目标：表面尽量成熟的想法、方向，你所申请的项目怎样适合你的预期计划的。

　　教授选的是有诚信、有纪律性，明确自己目标打算的人。申请者要知道什么领域他们想或最可能工作的，或者此领域内哪个具体的项目他们要去追求的。教授会考察申请者是不是对所申请的领域有明确的认识。

　　5.专业特征：解释特定学校哪个特别的条件吸引了你。申请者要清楚哪个具体的、特别的项目符合你的要求，或表明你所发现的学校适合你的东西，为什么你选择此学校而不是其他的。别用空泛的赞扬，而是具体的信息，如具体的课程、课程里哪些独特方面、对什么俱乐部或组织感兴趣等。

　　6.写作能力。