【資訊】Common App公布2018-2019美本申請essay題目

Common App官網最近公布了2018-2019年美本申請essay題目，題目和2017-2018年相同。新一輪美本申請的號角已經吹響，打算2018—2019年美本申請的同學在刷分和做課外活動準備之余，也可以開始考慮自己的CommonApp Essay構思了。Common Application是什么？

Common Application，美國大學通用申請系統，簡稱CA，是美國本土及國際申請者一站式完成大學申請材料的公用申請平臺。適用于包括哈佛，耶魯，普林斯頓等名校在內的美國大學。

2018-2019年CA文書題目：

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.

一些學生有一些具有特殊意義的背景、身份、興趣或天賦，如果在申請材料中不提及這些，那么這份申請材料將會不夠完整。如果你是這樣的，那么請分享你的故事。

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?

從挫折中得到的經驗教訓能幫助我們獲得成功。回憶你面對挑戰、挫折或者失敗的一次經歷。它是如何影響你的，以及你從中學到了什么?

3. Reflect on a time when you?questioned?or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your?thinking? What?was the outcome?

回顧一次你質疑或挑戰某種觀念的經歷。是什么觸發了你的思考呢?結果如何?

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.

描述一個你解決過或者想解決的問題。可以是學術挑戰，研究調查，道德困境——任何你認為對你個人而言很重要的問題，不論大小。說明它對你的意義和你解決問題的方法。

5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or?realization?that?sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

講述讓你成長或者讓你重新認識自己的一個成就、事件、或者感悟。

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?

描述一個讓你流連其中，甚至忘記時間的話題、想法、理念。為什么它吸引你?你想多學習時，會尋求什么/誰的幫助?

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.

題目自擬，可以是之前寫好的文章，或者任何你自創的選題。

最后附一篇耶魯大學Essay范文，作者為Alexander Dominitz，題材類型為The Arts。

"Please turn off all cell phones and pagers. Thank you, and enjoy the show." As the echo of my voice subsided, I seized the walkie-talkie that lay resting on the stool and raised it to my mouth. "Justin," I whispered, "kill the lights." I had just enough time to nod to the sound crew, signaling them to start the overture, before the stage went completely black. As Mendelssohn boomed from the speakers, my fingers fumbled around in the dark until finding the curtain chord. I began to pull downward, hand-over-hand, until the curtain revealed the court of the Duke of Athens. Kelsey's voice sounded from stage right: "Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour draws on apace…"

Breathe. As I leaned against the stage door, the journey that had brought me to this moment replayed in my memory: months of planning with the school's administration—outlining goals and creating schedules; hours of meeting with the faculty—enlisting the art department to build sets and begging English teachers to postpone projects; weeks of rehearsals, preparing the kids for the rigors of "opening night"; even the video that I wrote and filmed over a marathon-like weekend in order to advertise the endeavor.

And finally…all my pessimistic friends who challenged my excitement with their disbelief: "Junior high school students? Shakespeare?" Then I thought, "But just look at them now!" Nina projects on stage—the smallness of her voice ceases to inhibit her performance. Chris watches his blocking—his awkward stance a distant memory. Amber now gestures with purpose—gone are the nervous habits that once characterized each movement. Garret knows every single line by heart—no longer will I be making the 10 p.m. house calls to help him memorize. But what about Brian? Little Brian…. I just don't know. Always so quiet and shy…have I reached him?

The Mendelssohn sounded again: time for intermission. I resumed my scurrying, taking down trees and bringing on columns, fixing loosened safety pins, freshening up faded makeup, and answering questions from the crew: "When do you want the spotlight in 4:1?" "What about the throne and the benches?" "Have you seen my donkey ears?" Suddenly, I felt a tug at the leg of my jeans. I turned around, and there was Brian, looking up at me with round, brown, hopeful eyes. In his usually timid voice, I heard a tone of determination. "Was that good? What can I do better for the next act?" I hugged him, reassured him, sent him to his entrance place, and rushed behind a curtain before anyone could see my tears of joy.

End of Act 5. As the lights came up for the curtain call, the audience rose in standing ovation. The faculty advisor tapped me on the shoulder. "It's your turn…get out there!" I looked out at the stage apron from my post at the curtain, smiled, and shook my head. "No," I said. "This is their moment."

They finished their bows, and as the curtain closed, all twenty five seventh and eighth graders jumped up and down shouting, "We did it! We did it!" Hugs, laughter, and tears gushed from everyone—actors, technicians, and stagehands alike. I just stood there and watched, not daring to disrupt the spectacle, for I was witnessing the burst of elation that only those who have just created something beautiful can know. This was my bow. I did not need the audience's reaction to gauge the impact. I could see the results for myself. I can teach. I can inspire. I can touch lives. That's all that matters.

Alexander Dominitz attends Yale University.

文章整理自common app官網。原文鏈接：http://www.commonapp.org/whats-appening/application-updates/2018-2019-common-application-essay-prompts