什么样的文书才能真正抓住招生官的眼球？
麻省理工学院的一名城市科学与规划专业（计算机科学方向）学生Victor D.，在网上展示了他当年被录取的小文书！
话不多说，让我们一起看看这些成功“申进”MIT 的小文书到底长什么样吧！
第一篇：学术兴趣
题目：What field of study appeals to you the most right now?
目前你最感兴趣的研究领域是什么？（100/100）
范文
The application of programming and GIS to visualize pedestrian collision data to advocate for active transportation infrastructure introduced me to the potential of planning + computer science.
应用编程和地理信息系统来可视化行人碰撞数据，以此倡导主动交通基础设施建设，这让我看到了城市规划与计算机科学相结合的巨大潜力。
I’m eager to study human interactions in the built environment and data as a change agent. By exploring my eclectic interests through Course 11-6—ethics, design, statistics, robotics, and public-policy—I can draw connections between disciplines to tackle challenges: transportation emissions, social and racial bias in data, and urban food deserts.
我很渴望去研究人与建成环境的互动，也想探索数据如何作为推动变革的工具。通过 11-6 课程，我可以去探索自己广泛的兴趣，包括伦理学、设计、统计学、机器人技术以及公共政策。我可以把这些不同学科连接起来，进而去解决很多难题，例如交通排放问题、数据中的社会与种族偏见，还有城市食品沙漠现象。
At MIT, I hope to collaborate with others to innovate and design to advocate for accessible, barrier-free, and sustainable environments that embrace diversity. Teamwork invents.
在麻省理工学院，我希望能与他人共同协作、创新与设计。我们要去倡导无障碍且可持续的设施环境，并包容多元价值。团队合作创造无限可能。
作者有话说
现在回头看这篇文书，我觉得当时想得太复杂了，尤其是最后一句，简直像在堆砌流行词。但换个角度看，我在 100 字以内把高中阶段的兴趣点全盘托出，并且清楚说明了我在学习城市规划与 CS 专业时能收获什么。
思路借鉴
很多同学写学术兴趣，容易陷入空洞。这位学长的聪明之处在于，他点出高中做过的具体项目，再把自己的各种小兴趣串在一起，告诉招生官：“看，这就是我为什么选这个专业？”
第二篇：为了乐趣做的事
题目：We know you lead a busy life, full of activities, many of which are required of you. Tell us about something you do simply for the pleasure of it.
我们知道你的生活忙碌，有很多事情要做，其中很多是你必须完成的。请告诉我们一些你纯粹为了娱乐而做的事情。 (223/225)
范文
Strawberries, blueberries, yogurt, almonds, and orange juice. Measure portions, pop them in the blender, and… presto! I love smoothie making.
草莓、蓝莓、酸奶、杏仁和橙汁。衡量好配比，倒入搅拌机，然后…搞定！我超爱做果昔。
As a pro-smoothie-maker, I’ve fostered resourcefulness and adaptability. Blending smoothies is kinda like chemistry but I can be significantly more liberal with my experimentation without… accidents. Sometimes, there aren’t bananas for a strawberry-banana smoothie; no worries, just use an apple instead! If there aren’t any ingredients, I’ll bike to the supermarket. As long I can obtain materials, I *will* have my smoothie.
作为一名“专业果昔制作达人”，我培养了随机应变的能力。做果昔有点像做化学实验，但我可以更自由地进行尝试，而不用担心……事故。有时候想做草莓香蕉奶昔却没有香蕉？没关系，用苹果代替就行！如果家里没食材了，我就骑车去超市买。只要能弄到材料，我一定能喝上果昔。
I’m an avid Mango Lassi enthusiast and connoisseur. Unfortunately, the nearest Indian restaurant is a ways away. Whilst sipping Lassi one evening—perhaps pondering my next—I thought: Why not just make it?
我是芒果拉西（Mango Lassi）的忠实爱好者兼鉴赏家。可惜离我最近的印度餐厅有点远。某个晚上，我一边品尝着拉西，一边思考着下一杯的着落，脑子里突然冒出一个念头：为什么不干脆自己做呢
I consulted friends about their recipes, then researched the drink’s ancient history for a cultural perspective to recreate Lassi. I partitioned yogurt, milk, mango, honey, and cardamom spice accordingly, and Mom suggested cinnamon for extra punch. And finally!—after months of experimenting and tasting, I blended a most delectable Mango Lassi.
我先向朋友们咨询了食谱，又研究了这种饮品的悠久历史，希望从文化视角还原拉西。我按比例调配酸奶、牛奶、芒果、蜂蜜和豆蔻香料，妈妈还建议加点肉桂提味。终于！——经过数月的试验和品尝，我调制出了一杯极其美味的芒果拉西。
Smoothies are an enjoyable and relaxing way to exercise creativity while connecting with others. After all, drinks should be enjoyed together—an experience that transcends generational gaps and differences. When my parents and I make breakfast, I’m on smoothie duty. When my little cousins visit, we make milkshakes. I take pleasure in sipping smoothies, communally.
制作果昔是一种既愉快又放松的方式，既能发挥创造力，又能与他人建立联系。毕竟，饮品应该一起分享——这种体验能够跨越代沟和差异。当我和父母做早餐时，我负责做果昔；当小表弟表妹们来访时，我们一起做奶昔。我享受的是大家共同品味果昔的过程。
作者有话说
当时写这篇文书时，我的想法是“选什么话题既荒诞又能体现深度，还能让招生官记住我呢？”我考虑过写音乐、骑行、散步、摄影、电子游戏等，但不知道该如何把这些话题写得与众不同。思虑再三，我选择写自己热爱的做果昔。现在看这篇文书让我尴尬得脚趾抠地，但莫名觉得有些治愈，我还是很喜欢它。
思路借鉴
招生官每天看几千份申请，绝大多数人都在写打球、弹钢琴...如果你能像他一样，把做果昔这种生活日常写得趣味盎然，又能展现出自己爱折腾、乐于分享的好性格，就能瞬间让招生官记住你。
第三篇：社区贡献
题目：MIT brings people with diverse backgrounds and experiences together to better the lives of others. Our students work to improve their communities in different ways, from tackling the world’s biggest challenges to being a good friend. Describe one way you have collaborated with people who are different from you to contribute to your community.
描述你如何与不同背景的人合作，为社区做出贡献。 (223/225)
范文
Last year, my European History teacher asked me to host weekly workshops for AP test preparation and credit recovery opportunities:
去年，我的欧洲历史老师让我主持每周的辅导研讨会，帮助大家备考 AP 考试以及补拿学分。
David, Michelangelo 1504.
大卫像，米开朗基罗，1504 年。
“Why is this the answer?” my tutee asked.
“为什么是这个答案？”我辅导的学生问道。
I tried re-explaining the Renaissance. Michelangelo? The Papacy? I finally asked:
我试着重新解释文艺复兴。米开朗基罗？教皇？最后我问：
“Do you know the story of David and Goliath?”
“你知道David和Goliath的故事吗？”
Raised Catholic, I knew the story but her family was Hindu. I naively hadn’t considered she wouldn’t know the story. After I explained, she relayed a similar story from her culture.
因为从小在天主教家庭长大，我很熟悉这个故事，但她的家人信奉印度教。我天真地以为所有人都知道这个故事。在我向她解释之后，她也跟我分享了她所在文化里的一个类似故事。
As sessions grew, I recruited more tutors so everyone could receive more individualized support. While my school is nearly half Hispanic, AP classes are overwhelmingly White and Asian, so I’ve learned to understand the diverse and often unfamiliar backgrounds of my tutees.
随着学员增加，我招募到更多辅导老师以提供个性化支持。学校近半数学生是西班牙裔，AP课堂却以白人和亚裔为主，这让我学会理解学员多元背景。
One student struggled to write idiomatically despite possessing extensive historical knowledge. Although she was initially nervous, we discovered common ground after I asked about her Rohan Kishibe keychain, a character from Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure. She opened up; I learned she recently immigrated from China and was having difficulty adjusting to writing in English. With a clearer understanding of her background, I could now consider her situation to better address her needs. Together, we combed out grammar mistakes and studied English syntax. The bond we formed over anime facilitated honest dialogue, and therefore genuine learning.
有一位学生掌握了丰富的历史知识，却很难写出地道的表达。起初她很紧张，直到我注意到她钥匙扣上的岸边露伴——那是《JOJO的奇妙冒险》里的一个角色。我们找到了共同话题，她也对我敞开了心扉。我了解到她刚从中国移民过来，还在适应英文写作。在更清楚地了解她的背景后，我可以结合她的实际情况去更好地满足她的需求。我们一起排查语法错误，研究英语句法结构。我们因动漫建立起的纽带促进了坦诚的交流，进而实现了真正的学习。
作者有话说
我对题目的理解较字面（与不同家庭/种族背景的人合作），但现在看来这道题又很多解读方式。“应对世界重大挑战”最初让我惶恐——那时自认并没解决过什么世纪难题，但关注后半句“成为好朋友”后，下笔顿感轻松。
思路借鉴
真正的多样性和社区贡献不需要你去搞什么惊天动地的大项目。尊重身边跟你背景不同的人，找到共同语言，真诚地去帮助一个人，这种接地气的感觉比高大上的空话更有说服力。
第四篇：挫折和意外
题目：Tell us about a significant challenge you’ve faced (that you feel comfortable sharing) or something that didn’t go according to plan. How did you manage the situation?
请告诉我们一个你曾面临的重大挑战或者一些未按计划进行的事情，你是如何应对的？
范文
Reed Making Journey簧片制作记
I slathered the string with bee’s wax as I bound the cane to the staple. Three… Nine… Twenty-seven times I wrapped the cane with the spool.
我把绳子涂满蜂蜡，将芦竹绑在哨座上。绕三圈……九圈……二十七圈。
My first reed was crooked, but at least it was something.
我的第一支簧片是歪的，但至少有个雏形了。
Despite regular practice, I failed to make reeds of an acceptable quality, despite studying oboe reed anatomy and reed-making styles. Yet, frustration mounted, as even the slightest misalignment could ruin an entire reed—and, honestly, patience isn’t my strong suit.
尽管勤加练习，深入研究了双簧管簧片的结构和制作方法，我还是做不出质量合格的簧片。挫败感与日俱增，因为哪怕最轻微的错位都会毁掉整支簧片——而且说实话，耐心本就不是我的强项。
New plan: my friend and I decided to experiment with a 7-11 plastic Slurpee Cup. About an hour in, we realized the cup’s diameter was disproportionately large for an oboe reed. Perhaps we should’ve considered that we asked a *bassoonist* for advice on what size cup to get. We laughed in our failure together, happy to have tried something new and knowing 7/11 would always be there next time…But I still hadn’t made a usable reed.
新方案：我和朋友决定尝试用 7-11 便利店的思乐冰塑料杯做实验。大约一小时后，我们意识到杯子的直径对双簧管簧片来说大得离谱。或许当初不该找一个巴松管演奏家请教该买多大杯子。我们一起笑着接受失败，既为尝试了新事物感到开心，也知道下次肯定还会去 7-11……但我仍然没有做出能用的簧片。
Time’s up: A few days before a concert, my primary reed cracked. Panicking, I asked my teacher for a reed, but they were unavailable. I cannibalized the old reed for parts and precariously frankensteined a new one. The concert was a success! It certainly wasn’t the best reed ever, but, hey, it was a working reed.
时间到了：音乐会前几天，我主要用的簧片突然断裂。慌乱中向老师求援未果，我只能拆解旧簧片零件勉强拼凑出一个新簧片。音乐会演出超级成功！虽然这算不上什么精品簧片，但至少能用了。
Lesson learned: always have spares…...
经验教训：始终要有备用件......
作者有话说
最开始看到题目有些被吓到：MIT是要我倾诉创伤吗？后来聚焦后半句“计划之外的事情”，回答起来就轻松多了，所以我写了关于制作双簧管簧片的故事。
思路借鉴
招生官不想要一个完美无瑕的人机，他们想看到一个活生生的人。学长没有硬写自己最后成为了簧片制作大师，而是坦诚地用文字展示了尝试的过程、面对失败时的幽默感，以及应变能力。
