背景材料：新旧通用申请申请作文题（ESSAYS）对比
新版本
Instructions. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic and helps you distinguish yourself in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don't feel obligated to do so. (The application won't accept a response shorter than 250 words.)
§ Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
你是否有“使你之所以是你”的某种背景或者某个故事，你认为这个故事在你的申请里是一定不可缺少的。如果有，那么请跟我们分享你的故事。
§ Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
请叙述你的一次失败经历或一段低谷时期，它是如何影响你的，你又从中学到了些什么？
§ Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
请回想你曾经挑战某个信念或观点的时刻。当时是什么促使你那样做的？如果重来一回，你是否还会做出同样的决定？
§ Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content. What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
请描述一个让你由衷感到快乐的地点或环境，你在那里做了些什么又经历了些什么，为什么那对你来说是意义非凡的？
§ Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family？
请论述你取得的某项成就或者所经历的某个事件，正式或者非正式都可，它标志着你在自己的文化，社会或家庭背景下如何从一个孩子成长为大人？
旧版本
§ Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.
请评估一个具重大意义的经验、成就、你冒过的险，或你面临过的道德伦理困境，及它对你的影响。
§ Discuss some issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.
请论述个人、本地、国家或国际的议题，及它对你有什么重要性？
§ Indicate a person who has had a significant influence on you, and describe that influence.
请描述一个对你有巨大影响的人，以及他对你有怎样的影响？
§ Describe a character in fiction, a historical figure, or a creative work (as in art, music, science, etc.) that has had an influence on you, and explain that influence.
描述一个小说中的人物、历史人物、或任何艺术、音乐、科学上的创意作品，对你带来什么样的影响？
§ A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your personal background, describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter that demonstrated the importance of diversity to you.
学术上的兴趣、个人观点、及生活体验皆促成多元化，配合你的个人背景，描述一次经历，说明你能带给大学校园什么多样性，或说明多样性对你的重要性。
§ Topic of your choice. 自选题目
本文来源：网易教育频道专稿
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王晓易_NE0011
