For some students, one of the most intimidating parts of the college application process is writing the application essay. And many scholarship applications—for both school and outside scholarships—require an essay as well. Here are some tips for both students and parents on mastering the college essay.
很多学生表示，在申请大学的过程中，最可怕的部分之一就是写申请文。而许多奖学金的申请——无论是学校奖学金还是政府奖学金——都需要一篇优秀的申请文。以下为学生和家长提供几个掌握书写申请文的小技巧。
Writing a scholarship essay will fall mainly to the student, but as a parent there are ways to support and assist your child with this important task.
虽然书写申请文的重担主要落在学生们肩上，但是作为家长，这里有一些可以支持并帮助孩子们完成这项重要任务的方法。
1. Research: Before your high school student attempts to begin an essay, it’s helpful to do some general research on what makes a good essay. Help your child research the specific schools being applied to and scholarships being applied for. Know as much as possible about what the person or committee who will be reading the essay is looking for.
1.调查研究：在您的孩子着手申请文之前，做一些关于如何能写一篇好的申请文的研究是很有帮助的。帮助您的孩子调查一些特定的学校和奖学金的申请。尽可能多的了解阅读这篇申请文的人或委员会期待的是什么样的学生。
2. Brainstorm topics: Coming up with ideas for an essay is often the hardest part. Sit down with your student and, together, make a list of all the experiences he or she has had in high school. Write down everything, no matter how small. And don’t limit yourselves to school activities. Include work experiences, church involvement, and community work. These things should help spark ideas for essay topics.
2.集思广益找话题：为一篇申请文提出一些想法通常是最困难的部分。和您的孩子一起坐下，列出他或她高中时期的所有经历，把一切都记下来，无论多小的事也不要漏掉。不必局限于学校的活动，还有工作经历，和礼拜相关的事以及社区工作。这些东西将有助于激发寻找申请文话题的灵感。
3. Proofread your student’s work: As a parent, you shouldn’t be involved in writing your child’s essays, but every writer needs a good editor. Proofread your student’s essays and encourage him or her to seek out trusted teachers and counselors to do the same.
3.检查核对孩子申请文：作为家长，你不能帮孩子去写这篇文章，但是就像每个作家都需要一个好的编辑，你应该检查核对孩子的申请文并鼓励他或她去向自己信任的老师和辅导员寻求同样的帮助。
4. Be specific: College admissions representatives receive hundreds of essays each week, and I’d guess that the first ones to hit the trash are those that are too general. Avoid broad statements about yourself. Instead of saying you are a natural leader, write about a time when you were faced with a leadership challenge. Instead of saying you are organized, write about how your organizational skills helped you to complete a project.
4.要具体有细节：大学的招生代表每周都会收到几百份的申请文，我想开始被丢进垃圾桶里的就是那些写得过于普通的文章。避免泛泛的描述自己。比起说你是一个天生的领导者，不如写写当你不得不面对领导力挑战的那次经历。比起说你是做事有条理的人，不如写写你的组织技能是如何帮助你完成项目的。
5. Make it personal: Include personal anecdotes and examples of whatever is unique about you. Use descriptive language and imagery so that admissions officers gets a feel for who you are and what your life is like.
5.让申请文变得有个人特点：包含一些个人轶事以及任何关于你的特别的事情。使用描述语言和比喻的方式，让招生负责人对你和你的生活有一个感性认识。
6. Stay narrow: Going in-depth on one or two ideas is often better than trying to fit all your accomplishments into one essay. Use your résumé to list everything you’ve done. The essay, on the other hand, should give extra insight into one or two of your most meaningful experiences.
6.保持深入：深入陈述一两个观点通常比试图把自己的成就纳入一篇文章中要好。利用你的简历去罗列你所做过的一切。而另一方面，这篇申请文则应该给出你众多有意义的经历中的一两个进行深入分析。
7. Get the easy things right: Don’t give college admissions representatives reasons to disregard your essay. Stay within their word limit; turn everything in on time; and stick to the essay prompt.
7.简单的事一定要做对：不要让大学招生代表找到忽视你的理由。符合他们要求的字数限制；按时上交所有资料；信守申请文的提交时限。
