AbroadEssay美国留学经验交流会Xinyu Nan- University of Florida

Mike Ge- Duke University

Who We Are

• U.S. College Students• AbroadEssay Team

Duke University

• #1 Biomedical Engineering Program in US• #8 Ranking University in the US• Internationally focused• Over 600 Study Abroad Students (10%)

– Undergraduate, Biology Grad, Chemistry Grad, Engineering (electrical, chemical, mechanical, biomedical, civil) Grad, Computer Science Grad, Economics Grad, Fuqua MBA, Duke Medical School, Nicholas Environmental School, Public Policy Grad

University of Florida• Public Ivy league school• Top 5 building construction program in the country

(Rinker School of building construction)• Well known engineering and business program • Material Science 8th, • Nuclear Engineering 10th

• Marketing 8th • Admission Rate: 42.1%• Host more than 6000 international students each

year.

What we will cover today

• Basic Admission Standard

• Application Process

• Importance of Personal Statement

• Writing Tips and Suggestions

U.S. Universities admission is based on:

A) GPAB) Test ScoresC) Personal StatementD) All of the Above

College/Graduate School Application

• Most colleges in China

High test score=Acceptance

Low test score=Rejection • Most colleges in U.S.

High test score=Low test score=

College/Graduate School Application

MIT graduate School Requirement: Applicants are evaluated by their academic records, application essays, letters of evaluation and any other pertinent data they submit. While high academic achievement does not guarantee admission, MIT expects such achievement or other persuasive evidence of professional promise.

What is the U.S. College Admission Standard?

U.S. College/Grad School Application

Which of the following admission part is related to academics?

A) Work ExperienceB) GRE ScoresC) Volunteer Experience

U.S. College/Grad School Application

• Academic - GPA - Standardized Test (TOEFL, GRE, etc.)

Graduate School Tests

– GRE (grad school) • Some programs may require subject tests (check department)

– Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Literature, Math, Physics, Psychology

– TOEFL– LSAT (law school)– MCAT (medical school)– GMAT (business school)

Average GRE Score• Columbia

Verbal: 529 Quantitative: 773

• Cornell: Verbal: 607 Quantitative: 770

• Dartmouth: Verbal: 561 Quantitative: 768

• Harvard: Verbal: 555 Quantitative: 768

• Princeton: Verbal: 626 Quantitative: 731

• University of Pennsylvania: Verbal: 531 Quantitative: 753

• Yale: Verbal: 522

• Quantitative: 743

U.S. College/Grad School Application

• Non-Academic– Research Experience– Work/Internship Experience– Extracurricular Activities– Awards– Other Experiences (Volunteering, etc)

Application Cases

• Case 1Major: Chemistry GPA: 3.56GRE:1280-Published several research papers

-Invent a new nanoparticle

Accepted by Harvard University

• Case 2Major: ArchitectureGPA: 3.45GRE: 1200+- Internship Experience at Beijing

Institute of Architecture Design-Involved in a Olympic construction

projectsAccepted by Berkeley ,

Princeton, and Columbia University

Mike’s Personal Example-SAT:1400+-GPA: 3.7+-Varsity Tennis 3 Years-Florida Academic Challenge: 2nd Place -Math Society: Treasurer-Volunteered over 300+ hours tutor kids

Application EssaysMost required application essays• Personal statement• Resume or CV• Recommendation letters• Other essays required by specific schools

How many recommendation letters do colleges usually

ask for?

Question

Application Tip

Spend significant amount of time and effort on writing and editing

your application essays

Survey

What year are you in college?

Application Timeline

• Freshmen Year -Start to learn about study abroad information

-Constantly improve your English• Sophomore Year

-Start to get involved in extracurricular activities and research/work experiences-Prepare for standardized tests

Application Timeline

• Junior Year-Finish all the standardized tests-Select the schools you will apply-Start to prepare for application materials

• Senior Year -Finish all the application -Make final decisions

Importance of Personal Statement

Personal Statement

• What is it?– Single most important writing document that

college admission officers look at.• How long American students spend writing

it?– 1-3 month (Brainstorming Writing Editing)– Ask 3-4 people to edit it (professors, peers,

professional editors)

Personal Statement: Importance

• 9/10 Admission Officers from Ivy League Universities say that Personal Statement is the difference maker when 2 applicants have similar grades and test scores

Personal Statement Objective

• To demonstrate your writing ability• Sell yourself and explain why you are a

good match to the program• Describe your experiences• Opportunity to talk directly to admissions

committee– Call attention to important parts that might be

overlooked

Common Topics

• Academic Objectives– Why do you plan to attend grad school?– What do you plan to do with the degree?

• MIT– Why do you want to pursue a graduate

degree in mechanical engineering? Why MIT instead of other schools?

Common Topics

• Career Plans– Where do you see yourself 10 years from now

(long term/short term)?

• Harvard– What do you plan to do with your degree in

biochemistry? Do you wish to pursue a career in industry or education? Why?

Survey

How many people have written a personal statement before?

If so, was it difficult for you?

Writing Difficulty & Editing Importance

• No set writing format nor standard• Hard to prepare / no set application

essays writing class• Miscommunication between applicant and

admission committee

Common Writing MistakesStructural

• Misinterpret the purpose or topic– Because of cultural differences

• Lack of specific personal or social experiences that set the applicant apart

• Language used either too boastful or too humble

Common Writing MistakesTechnical

• Grammatical mistakes• Poor word choice• Sentence structure and word flow• Excessive wording and information

What should you NOT include in your personal statement?

A) Personal ExperiencesB) Excessive grades & test scoresC) Your future goals and visionD) None of the above

Abroadessay Example Essays

修改过的例文

Writing Tips/Suggestions

• Understand topic and requirements of essay• Be honest and sincere• Do not apologize or bring up your faults

– Never bring up failing a class, getting a bad grade on a test and explaining it

• Focus on your positive qualities without exaggerating

• Mention your future vision and plan in your field

Xinyu’s Medical School Personal Statement

-What qualities a doctor should have? Study ability, Compassion, and Responsibility

-Selected three experience to demonstrate these qualitiesWork in pathology lab, Volunteer in the hospital, and work for a clinical research project

-Sincere and Interesting

Recommendation Letters

• Letters of Recommendation– Permits committee to think of you as a person– Quality rests on quality of relationship with

professors• Make good impressions• Make research contacts with faculty• Seek out experiences setting you apart

– Letters from employers can be included• Info on your duties and aptitude, motivation and

quality of work relating to field of study

We Can Help You: AbroadEssay

• Website: www.abroadessay.com• Geared toward Chinese students• Team Advisor-Dr. Lawrence Boyd from

Duke University

We Can Help You: AbroadEssay

• Work Team– Editors from top universities (Harvard, Princeton,

UPenn, Duke, other Ivy League Universities)• Vast writing and editing experiences• Understand college admissions process and writing• Educational writing, scientific writing, university newspaper,

recreational writing

• Editors with experience in many majors– Engineering, Math, Computer Science, Biochemical

Sciences, Political Science, History, Economics, International Studies

We Can Help You: AbroadEssay

• Helped over more than 300 students last year to get into American Universities

Our Services

• Essay Evaluation• Full Editing Service (2-5 days)

– Personal Statements– Recommendation Letters– Resumes– Scholarship Essays– Research Proposals

• Repeat Editing Service (3X revision)• Brainstorming Service

Advantages

• Native English speakers• Copious editor comments with reasons

justifying corrections• Detailed editor reflection and suggestions

for the essay

Contact Us

• Mike Ge– Duke University– Email: abroadessay@gmail.com

• Xinyu Nan– University of Florida– Email: abroadessay@hotmail.com

Good Luck!

• Special Thanks To:– Beijing University– Yafa– Duke University– University of Florida– YOU

Q & A