如果說(shuō)Why Essay聽(tīng)起來(lái)有些陌生，那么大學(xué)申請(qǐng)文書(shū)中的Supplement想必經(jīng)常見(jiàn)了，其實(shí)這就是所謂的why essay，大致上問(wèn)學(xué)生“你為什么想來(lái)我們這所學(xué)校？” “我們這里哪里吸引你？”等等。這種問(wèn)題用于區(qū)分學(xué)生是否真的對(duì)這所學(xué)校有passion或者fit。要回答好這類問(wèn)題，申請(qǐng)者必須展現(xiàn)出對(duì)學(xué)校的了解，學(xué)校文化／氛圍的認(rèn)可，和對(duì)自己未來(lái)展望的認(rèn)知。

第一步了解學(xué)校

通過(guò)各種渠道去了解這個(gè)學(xué)校的特色，比如大學(xué)官網(wǎng)、www.shenqing.me、usnews、Princeton review、之前的校友，或者學(xué)校的巡展活動(dòng)。找出這個(gè)學(xué)校吸引你的地方，不論大小都可以。

第二步了解自己

一般情況下，當(dāng)申請(qǐng)者寫(xiě)到why essay 的時(shí)候應(yīng)該已經(jīng)到了申請(qǐng)中期，也通過(guò)頭腦風(fēng)暴或自我反思在一定程度上了解了自己。如果沒(méi)有的話，花幾分鐘時(shí)間回顧一下過(guò)往活動(dòng)，起碼得知道自己的性格、學(xué)術(shù)上的長(zhǎng)處短板在哪里。

第三步將學(xué)校吸引眼球的點(diǎn)縮減成特質(zhì)并聯(lián)系自己（找到自己和學(xué)校特質(zhì)間的聯(lián)系）

當(dāng)申請(qǐng)者挖掘出那么一、兩個(gè)吸引點(diǎn)后，要學(xué)會(huì)透過(guò)表面看事情本質(zhì)。因?yàn)閷W(xué)校的特色和申請(qǐng)者不可能有直接關(guān)系，但是這個(gè)特色代表的意義可能和申請(qǐng)者自己的追求不謀而合，就會(huì)形成一個(gè)fit。

第四步融合和證明

證明不能只靠說(shuō)的。當(dāng)前三步驟做完后，就剩一篇有力度的文章去證明申請(qǐng)者的fit了。這里，每個(gè)申請(qǐng)者都有自己的風(fēng)格和習(xí)慣。

兩個(gè)例子，大家可以參考一下Why essay到底怎么寫(xiě)？

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學(xué)生1：西北大學(xué)

Because I inten to pursue a career in photojournalism,I see the Meill School of Journalism as the Holy Grail of eucation. Offering the impressive intellectual an technical resources of a prestigious research university,Northwestern woul provie me the confience of knowing that I woul be getting the most forwar-focuse eucation in journalism… The quarter system an Meill’s internship requirements create an ieal confluence for exactly that experience … Northwestern has a gorgeous location. When I visite the campus,I was smitten with Evanston’s cozy feel. Although I initially picture myself in the heart of a city,Evanston eclipse this vision. The small town environment is comforting without being limiting,offering plenty of cafés,restaurants,an shops to explore…Meanwhile,Northwestern’s scenic lakesie location is the perfect retreat for stuying or relaxing… Brimming with enthusiasm,Northwestern has infectious school spirit. Because I assume leaving home after eighteen years will be ifficult,I count on school prie to bring me a sense of community an belonging. From the fame painte rock to the fountain spewing purple water,the robust loyalty to the university captures my heart… In short,Northwestern is my ream school because it emboies everything I value: journalism,incomparable internship opportunities,ance,an an inspiring atmosphere …

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學(xué)生2：紐約大學(xué)

I’m one being a New Yorker born an raise in sheltere suburbia — I’m reay to get slappe in the face by the unforgiving han of NYC an to become a true Noo Yawk-ah. While not an accurate representation of what all NYU stuents think,the NYU Secrets Facebook page constantly posts the thoughts of NYU stuents resenting the bittersweet inepenence of such a large,non-traitional school,but at the same time falling in love with the knowlegeable an nurturing faculty an classes. I’m one ancing aroun on the outskirts of the arena — I’m reay to plop myself right into the frenzie mist of action. No walls insulate NYU from the sprawling labyrinth of NYC,which is ieal for a unique an exciting college experience…

【微語(yǔ)】你踏上異國(guó)的土地,追逐夢(mèng)想的光芒,每一步都鋪滿了勇氣和希望。