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作者简介:
Andrey P
加州理工学院 | 化学学士
剑桥大学 | 物理学硕士
斯坦福大学 | 材料科学博士
现在斯坦福大学攻读博士的Andrey主要研究清洁能源的开发。早在加州理工学院读本科时,Andrey就通过学生会副主席的职务在当地的高中调查这个课题,与同学们一起向着这个目标努力。在剑桥大学读硕士时,他也曾以盖茨学者的身份继续研究创新太阳能电池技术。【>>>查看更多】
正文:
有些文章写作是用以理解问题,但个人陈述却是用以让读者了解你。审阅个人陈述的负责人通常具有以下特点:(1)阅读速度极快;(2)阅读量极大;(3)阅读范围极广。因此,他们绝对是世界上最难讨好的读者群。但事实上,讨好他们不是你的第一要义;重要的是你能够在个人陈述里向他们展示自己满满的正能量。
这里权且列举一些你能够做的:
——清楚直接:审阅官从不会深思你文章里的暗示或任何引申含义,但由此产生的理解偏差却会要你的命。所以,如果你希望他们考虑某些问题,就请直白地说出来。
——真挚诚恳:审阅官可以敏锐地察觉到你文章里的某些内容是否只是为了能被成功录取而刻意为之,因此千万不要那么做。写个人陈述时,能有多诚恳就写多诚恳,至于相信与否,留予他们自行判断即可。因为这件事的关键之处在于:你越真诚,那么你笔下的故事也就越独特、越引人注目。你应当尽己所能,写出惟你独享、别人无从经历的世界。
——乐观积极:从你自身经历中选取一个有助益的视角解读。这样一来,相当于你在告诉审阅官,“我是一个具有附加潜力的人才”,因为你不仅能够在完成自我成长,还可以帮助别人获得进步。相对地,切忌在文章中涉及悬而未决的问题或是你所作决定中的种种不确定因素——这类内容会让审阅官对你的个性和潜力产生怀疑,而这样的怀疑无疑会对你的申请带来负面影响。
英文原文:
Some writing is done to understand a problem, but the personal statement is written to be understood by an audience. This audience (1) reads essays fast (2) reads a lot of essays (3) has seen every variety of essays on Earth. They are a tough audience to please. In fact, pleasing them is not the answer. Offering them positive value is the answer.
Here is what you can do:
- Be direct: they must never wonder what you mean or imply. Their confusion will hurt you. If you want them to think something, say it directly.
- Be genuine: they will know if you are saying something just to gain admission, so do not do that. Write your story as compelling as you can, and offer it for their judgment. The more genuine you are, the more unique and notable your story can be. Write something no other person can write.
- Be positive: find a constructive viewpoint on your experiences. This will send the message that you will thrive and help others thrive: that you will add value. Do not talk about unresolved tensions or uncertainties in your decisions. Both of those things raise doubts about your character and potential, and doubt will hurt you.