加州大學(xué)的申請文書，是需要學(xué)生從學(xué)校給出的8個問題中，自由選擇四個問題進行回答，從不同角度對自己進行多方位的描述。這對于平時寫一篇文書都很吃力的學(xué)生來說，加州大學(xué)的申請文書寫起來無意是有難度的。來看看外籍導(dǎo)師David怎么說?

加州大學(xué)的「個人觀點問題」解讀

什么是「個人觀點問題」?你在說什么?加州大學(xué)不接受普通形式的申請文書?!這是真的，但也你不必灰心喪氣。你還是可以用同一篇文書來申請加州系統(tǒng)中的9所學(xué)校，我會盡力幫你。
But what’s that? What did you say? UC doesn’t accept the Common App?! Yes, it’s true, but don’t eat your shirt. You can use the same UC app for any of the nine UC undergrad programs, and I’m here to help.

那么我們有哪些需要解決的問題呢?加州大學(xué)的申請系統(tǒng)提出了8個問題，你需要從中選擇4題作答，而且每一題的答案要控制在350個單詞。答案要求的字數(shù)確實不多，但也沒有想象中那么少。正常情況寫文書，當你寫了200多個單詞，你就會想要把答案分成2-3段。

So what are we dealing with? The UC App gives us eight lovely prompts. We must choose four prompts to answer with a limit of 350 words for each. These are short answers, but not that short. If you write over 200 words, you will still want to break your response into two or three paragraphs.

這比普通的申請文書也簡單了許多(普通申請文書的字數(shù)要求是650個單詞)，而且簡短的文書更加注重內(nèi)容而非寫作技巧。但于此同時，你也需要構(gòu)思四個觀點，而不是一個。這對于部分考生來說倒還好，但對于另一部分考生來說，就是件頭疼的事情了。

This is EASIER than the Common App essay (650 words) because the shorter essays focus more on content than writing skill. But you need four essay ideas instead of one, which is fine for some students, but painful for others.

“需要表達的重點有三項：你是誰?你認為什么是重要的?你想和加州大學(xué)分享些什么?”這是加州大學(xué)招生部門給出的說法。要求你的答案具體明確，獨樹一幟。這就像情侶約會一樣，加州大學(xué)想要更多的了解你。明白嗎?加州大學(xué)甚至還寫了指南，用來幫助你回答他們所提出的問題。多么善解人意，快去閱讀吧!
 

參考網(wǎng)站
復(fù)制下方鏈接到瀏覽器，或點擊文章底部的「閱讀原文」查看《加州大學(xué)官網(wǎng)-申請指南》
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/files/uc-personal-questions-guide-freshman.pdf
 

8大問題的分析與應(yīng)對

有兩種方式：
Two ways：

第一種，拿出一張紙，并標上從1到8這8個數(shù)字。然后依次閱讀問題，審題的同時，在對應(yīng)的題號后面寫下腦海中的觀點或想法?？纯茨男╊}目令你靈感突現(xiàn)?哪些題目令你激動不已?或者說，哪些題目至少沒有令你無可奈何，痛苦不堪?迅速下筆，相信你的直覺。
First, get a sheet of paper and number it 1) through 8). Then read through the 8 UC prompts. When you read each prompt, write down any ideas or thoughts that pop into your head. Which prompts did you have immediate ideas about? Which prompts did you feel excited to write about? Or, at least, which prompts didn’t make you groan? Do this fast and trust your instincts.
第二種，想清楚你要在申請文書中呈現(xiàn)的個人經(jīng)歷或品質(zhì)。然后選擇一個能夠最大程度的讓你表達你的經(jīng)歷或品質(zhì)的問題。
Second, think about the experiences or qualities you want to demonstrate in your application. Then choose the prompts that will give you the best opportunity to write about those experiences and qualities.

接下來我們來看下這些問題。
Now let’s look at the prompts.
1、描述一次表現(xiàn)你領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的經(jīng)歷，包括你積極正面地影響他人、幫助集體解決爭論或你為集體作出的貢獻。
Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
你是否有可以展示出你領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的經(jīng)歷?你是否可以用講故事的方式來進行表達?如果有，就選擇這個問題;如果沒有，就繼續(xù)思考。體現(xiàn)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的經(jīng)歷可以涵蓋方方面面：比如組織社會活動，或者成為競技運動隊伍的領(lǐng)袖。
Do you have a moment of leadership you could tell a story about? Then chose this prompt! If you think you don’t, then think again. Leadership experiences could include anything from organizing social events being the captain of a competitive e Sports team.
作答關(guān)鍵在于選擇一個具體的經(jīng)歷，并通過講故事的方式呈現(xiàn)出來。不要盲目地列舉自己的簡歷。相反，展示出其中的一個時刻，以此來展現(xiàn)出自己性格當中一些全新的東西。
The key is to choose a specific experience and tell it like a story. Don’t get lost listing your resume. Instead, show us a moment. Reveal something new about your character.

2、每個人都有創(chuàng)造性的一面，并且通過不同的方式體現(xiàn)出來：比如解決問題的能力、創(chuàng)新思維、甚至藝術(shù)方面等等。描述一下你是如何表現(xiàn)自己的創(chuàng)造性的?
Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
如果你是一個充滿藝術(shù)細胞的人，那選擇這一題就是明智之舉。但這一題幾乎對于任何人來說都是一個優(yōu)勢。盡量描寫出你在解決一個困境時所采取的充滿創(chuàng)造力的方法，或者展示你是如何解決一個工程或科學(xué)難題的。
If you’re an artistic person, this is a winning choice. But this question can be great for almost anyone. Try describing a creative way you resolved a tough social situation, or explain your solution to an engineering or science problem.
再次強調(diào)，最佳答案不是去講述創(chuàng)造力而是去展示它。例如：
Again, the best answers to this question won’t just TELL about creativity; instead they will SHOW that creativity. For example:
發(fā)動機在運轉(zhuǎn)，車輪也在轉(zhuǎn)動，但汽車卻還一動不動。已經(jīng)晚上9點了，我們卻還陷在距離市區(qū)數(shù)英里的泥地中。為了遠足，我和朋友們籌劃了整整一周，但現(xiàn)在我們沾滿爛泥，筋疲力盡，無比沮喪。我們已經(jīng)竭盡全力 ...(接下來作者就將描述，他是如何運用充滿創(chuàng)造力的方式把汽車移出泥潭的)。
The engine revved, the wheels spun, but the car didn’t move. It was 9:00 at night, we were miles from the city, and we were stuck in deep mud. My friends and I had planned all week to go hiking that night, but now we were muddy, tired, and frustrated. We tried everything . . . [The writer would continue to describe his creative solution to moving the car out of the mud].

3、你認為自己最大的才能或技能是什么?一直以來你是如何培養(yǎng)和表現(xiàn)這一能力的?
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
有些才能是顯而易見的，例如唱歌。但還有很多其他的才能。你是否擅長組織活動，社交，追逐時尚或者會修手機?
Some talents are obvious, for example, if you sing on television. But there are MANY other talents. Are you good at organization, networking, fashion, or fixing cell phones?
我想再強調(diào)一下這個問題的第二部分。它甚至比前半部分還要重要。這個問題目的是讓你描述自己是如何培養(yǎng)才能的，也就是展示你的自律、毅力以及學(xué)習(xí)的意愿。
I want to emphasize the second part of this question. It may be MORE important than the first part. This question wants you to describe how you have developed talent, meaning they want you to demonstrate your discipline, perseverance, and willingness to learn.
因此不要僅僅羅列出你的才能和成就，要重點描述你為了獲得某個才能而戰(zhàn)勝的挑戰(zhàn)。
So DON’T just list your talents and accomplishments. DO describe the challenges you overcame to acquire your talent.

4、描述你是如何利用一次重要的教育機會，或者如何努力克服你面對的教育障礙的?
Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
注意，你可以描述機會或者障礙，這個問題比較大眾化。如果你想談?wù)摍C會或障礙對你的激勵，那這個問題是一個不錯的選擇。
Note that you can write about opportunities OR barriers, so this question should apply to everyone. If talking about your opportunities/barriers inspires you, this question is a good choice.
不要過多地關(guān)注障礙或者機會本身，要關(guān)注你自己以及自己克服障礙或者抓住機會的具體方式。學(xué)校想要知道你對學(xué)習(xí)充滿熱情，并懂得如何充分利用資源?；卮疬@一問題的方式之一，便是展示自己將如何充分利用加州大學(xué)所提供的資源。
Don’t focus too much on the barrier or opportunity itself. Focus on yourself and some specific ways you overcame or took advantage of it. Schools want to know that you are passionate about learning and that you know how to make the most of resources. A good way to conclude this essay is by explaining how you will take advantage of some specific opportunities offered by UC.

5、描述你面臨的最重要的挑戰(zhàn)以及你為克服這個挑戰(zhàn)做了哪些努力? 這個挑戰(zhàn)對你的學(xué)業(yè)成績產(chǎn)生了怎樣的影響?
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
這一問題和上面的問題非常類似。再次強調(diào)，不要關(guān)注挑戰(zhàn)，而要關(guān)注自己克服挑戰(zhàn)的方式。如果你曾經(jīng)克服過一個巨大的挑戰(zhàn)，比如糟糕的家庭境遇，重大疾病，或者至親之人的離世，那么你可以描述出來。但如果你寫的是一個戲劇性的事情，要小心掉進“贅述事情本身”這一陷阱。
This question is very similar to the previous question. Again, don’t focus on the challenge, focus on your response to it. If you are someone who has overcome a major challenge, such as a bad family situation, an illness, or the death of a loved one, then this is the place to write about that. But if you do write about a dramatic event, be careful to avoid the trap of writing more about the event than yourself.

6、描述你最喜歡的學(xué)科以及它是如何影響你的?
Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.
這是我最喜歡的問題。如果你對某一學(xué)科充滿熱情，無論是學(xué)校里的課程還是自學(xué)的科目，你都應(yīng)該選擇這個問題。這個問題有利于展示你的求知欲望和個人觀念。
This is my favorite UC question. If you feel passionate about an academic subject, whether it is one you studied in school or on your own, then choose this prompt. This question is excellent for demonstrating intellectual curiosity and personal perspective.
明智的回答便是描寫細節(jié)，以此來證明你對于某一學(xué)科的熱愛。如果你喜愛生物學(xué)，那就描述這樣高雅美觀的內(nèi)容：只有當鈣離子釋放時，肌肉才會收縮;而且它會根據(jù)我們的意圖來活動。如果你熱愛文學(xué)，那就描述出你最喜歡的莎士比亞的詩句。
A great response will mention specific details that prove your passion for a subject. If you like biology, describe how it so elegant and beautiful that muscles only contract when calcium ions are released, thereby allowing actin and myosin to bind when we want them to. If you love literature, describe your favorite puns from Shakespeare.
接下來描述對這一學(xué)科的熱愛，是如何塑造了你的觀念。如果是生物學(xué)，就描述當你在體育館時，大腦是如何給肌肉發(fā)送信號的。如果是文學(xué)的話，就描述當你的一位朋友深深迷戀上了樂隊里的一個女孩，他夢幻般的眼神緊緊盯著樂團建筑時，你想到了蓋茨比凝視著黛西碼頭盡頭的綠燈。
Then demonstrate how this has shaped your perspective. For biology, describe how, when you work out at the gym, you imagine your brain sending signals to sarcomeres. For literature, describe how your friend has a crush on a girl in the orchestra, and when he stares dreamily at the orchestra building, you imagine Gatsby gazing at the green light at the end of Daisy’s dock.

7、為了你所在的學(xué)校和社團變得更好，你做了哪些貢獻?
What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
不要列舉簡歷里的那些無趣的個人經(jīng)歷。要談?wù)撃切┠愀信d趣的集體話題。
DON’T just list some boring things you did to add to your resume. DO talk about community issues that you are passionate about.
例如，說說你喜歡藝術(shù)的原因，并解釋一下藝術(shù)是高中教育中一個至關(guān)重要的部分。緊接著談?wù)撘幌履銥槭裁匆谝粋€教室里設(shè)立學(xué)生藝術(shù)館，以及你為此戰(zhàn)勝的挑戰(zhàn)。最后，給出一些具體的成果，比如提供藝術(shù)作品的學(xué)生人數(shù)，或者是學(xué)校社團給出的一些積極的回應(yīng)。
For example, explain why you love the arts and why you think they are such an essential part of a high school education. Then explain why you chose to set up a student art gallery in one of your school’s classrooms, and how you overcame challenges to achieve that. In the end, give some specific results, such as the number of students who contributed artworks, or some of the positive responses from the school community.

8、列舉一件能夠讓你區(qū)別于其他加州大學(xué)申請者的事。
What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
這是最開放的一個問題，可能也是最重要的一個。即使你沒有選擇這個問題，我也建議你試著去回答一下。因為讓一個學(xué)校接受你的申請(或者是在求職過程中)，最重要的部分就是讓你和你的競爭者區(qū)別開來。把這個問題當作回答其他問題的參考。
This is the most open-ended question and maybe the most important. Even if you don’t use this question, I recommend you try to answer it. Because an essential part of convincing a college to accept you (or an essential part of applying for a job) is differentiating yourself from your competition. Use this prompt as a way to prepare to answer the other prompts.
你的回答應(yīng)該展示出自己的個性、觀點以及自我意識。事實上，這個問題和普通的申請文書很相似。如果你已經(jīng)準備好了一篇很棒的申請文書，那就試著從中摘取一些內(nèi)容來回答這個問題。
Your answer should demonstrate personality, perspective, and self-awareness. In fact, this is pretty similar to the essay you might write for the Common Application. If you have already written a good Common App essay, see if you can cut some words and use it here.
重點在于：選擇關(guān)于你自己的有趣的事情。談?wù)撃愕呐d趣、古怪的家人，或者你早晨一定會做的事。如果是展現(xiàn)你的個性，那么就談一下你的才能或者成就。
Important: Choose something interesting about your personal identity. Talk about a hobby, your strange family, or your morning routine. Only talk about a talent or achievement if it reveals something about your personality.
無論你選擇哪些問題，都要記住，回答要具體明確，娓娓道來。確保你的回答能夠涵蓋你的四個不同的方面。不要寫兩個表現(xiàn)領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力的答案，這太浪費了。
Whichever prompts you choose, remember to tell a story and be specific! And make sure your four responses show four different sides of you. Don’t write two responses that only demonstrate leadership. That’s a waste.
祝你好運!放輕松!答題愉快!
Good luck, relax, and happy writing.