很多同学在申请美国高校时，都会遇到这样的问题：我成绩这么好，教育背景也不错，为什么等不到名校录取通知？为什么某某同学的成绩还没有我好，就被录取了？其实，关键就在留学文书上。浅白来说，在成绩、背景等相差不大的情况下，这些资料只相当于敲门砖，能保证你的留学申请能被招生官看到，不至于直接被PASS，而招生官对你的评价，留学文书占很大一部分。你的留学文书中是否有招生官想要看到的内容，是否符合招生官的审美观，将会直接决定申请结果。那美国留学文书究竟该怎么写呢？听听留学专家怎么说吧。
1. What are the US students most concerned when applying schools? Is the US News ranking one of the sources?美国的学生选校时会参考大学排名吗?是怎样选校的?
When it comes to college, US high school students are generally looking for affordability, fun, and strong academic programs. Resources like scholarships and financial aid can be a huge determining factor in how a US student selects their colleges or universities. Many US students fear taking on too much debt, so many apply to schools that offer generous financial aid packages. Some students even choose to attend their local state university instead of an Ivy League school because in-state tuition for state universities is often cheaper than tuition for Ivy League institutions.
美国高中毕业生会考虑这样几个方面：我是否能支付的起学费，这间大学的生活是否有趣以及课程体系。就费用来说，奖学金和助学金起着决定性的作用。很大一部分美国学生不愿背负过多的债务，所以很多院校提供多样的经济援助。更有一群优秀的学生，他们进入当地州立大学就读而不是选择常春藤院校，就是因为实惠的州内学费。
Apart from affordability, US students are looking to explore and build fun memories while in college. College is a place of discovery where students try new things. Many students look for fun through social organizations like fraternities or sororities. Others become members of athletic organizations like club sports or intramural sports. Some students are just party animals who attend parties every weekend without having real extracurricular activities. Everyone’s definition of fun is different and US students are looking for institutions that can fulfill any interest, a place that they can call their second home.
除了学费问题，美国学生也很注重有意思的校园生活方式。大学是尝试全新事物的地方，一些学生享受社交组织，如兄弟会、姐妹会。也有的学生喜欢体育组织，如俱乐部，一些校内范围的赛事，当然也少不了派对狂人们。每个人对有趣的定义和追求不相同，美国学生希望去寻找能够装下他们兴趣的校内组织，他们希望大学能有像家一样的功能。
Strong academic programs are essential because students are looking for a school that will challenge them academically and help them grow intellectually. US students are also looking to gain critical thinking, communication, or career-specific skills that can help them succeed after they graduate from college. Since many US students hope to find a job right out of college, it is important that colleges and universities can provide rigorous courses that prepare students for the real world.
美国学生对课程体系也很重视，毕竟这能提升他们的学术能力并带来综合成长。美国学生希望提升批判性思维能力、交流能力以及职业技能。美国有不少学生希望在本科毕业后开始职业生涯，所以能提供高水平课程的大学非常重要。
The US News ranking is a common resource for US students and helps them better understand the overall quality of different academic institutions. However, ranking is not the main factor when US high school students select their schools. I previously mentioned that US students are looking for a college that they can call home.
USnews排名对美国学生来说也是一项用于了解大学的公众资源。但是，排名不是美国高中学生择校的主要原因，我之前有讲过美国学生希望大学能有像家一样的功能。
As a result, US students consider an institution’s culture and living environment. If a student has always lived in a city and hates nature, he or she would probably not choose to attend a school that is isolated in the mountains. If a student is a foodie, the student might want to attend school in a city that offers a good variety of international cuisine. The typical US student is looking for a place where they can live comfortably while they study, not just a school that has a high ranking.
也就是说，美国学生除了考虑排名以外更重视大学的文化和生活环境。如果有一位学生他或她一直居住在城市里且对自然环境不感兴趣，这位学生很难在一所位于深山里的大学里享受大学生活。我再举个例子，如果一位学生是个“吃货”，那么这名学生可能期待生活在一所位于大城市的大学，因为大城市通常都有各国美食。典型的美国学生考虑学习和生活一体化，二者能够和自己的兴趣结合，而不仅仅是单纯的排名。
2. What should Chinese high school students prepare or practice before apply US universities?中国的高中生需要着重发展哪些能力，才能更好地符合美国大学的申请要求?
I think more Chinese students need to sit down and reflect on what they truly want to gain from college. Traveling to a foreign country for your undergraduate education is a big deal and more students need to think about the reasons why they are
