关于美国大学申请门户网站详解

Common Application是一个用于申请部分美国高等院校(包括47个州和华盛顿特区)的应用网站。近期公布了针对2017-18年的一些新的变化。

●在Common Application上传统来讲，学生邀请自己的在校申请顾问参与申请过程的指导，现在，学生也可以邀请校外的一些资源比如community-based organizations，outside advisor，independent counselor等;这意味着，除了本校升学指导顾问外，学生还可以有其他的人来参与指导其申请，独立申请顾问也可以参与进来。这一变化是重大的，也是向其对手平台Coalition学习借鉴的结果。

●成绩Self-reported系统，也就是允许申请者自己填写所学习课程和成绩分数;因为一些大学是要求学生在申请过程中自行填写课程和成绩分数的，这样的举措是为了方便申请者和一部分大学的录取要求，并将在2017年8月1日后正式启用。

●和Google Drive的整合，允许学生直接调用存在Google Drive上的文件和资料用于申请的补充，包括简历、作业、项目等。

稍早不久前，Common Application也宣布了新近加入其组织的大学新成员，这使得在未来一年，将有来自美国49个州、全世界18个国家(美国)、约700所院校使用该系统。

Common Application之前公布了2017-18申请季的最新文书题目，在局部调整之余再增加了2个题目和选择，这样目前申请者就有了7个选择。题目如下：

1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. [没有变化]谈重要的背景信息、个性化特点、天赋、有意义的经历等。

2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience? [修改]谈挑战、挫折或失败。

3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [修改]谈曾经挑战过的观念和想法。

4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [没有变化]谈自己曾经或今后想解决的问题。

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [修改]谈成就、事件或个人成长等。

6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more? [新增]谈激发了兴趣、自己花费了大量时间的话题、想法或概念。

7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design. [新增]自由话题。