在支持Common Application申请系统的美国大学中，有部分学校会在Supplement部分要求申请者写一篇额外的Essay。关于这篇Essay的话题，不同的学校要求各有不同，但是，大多数的美国大学其实都希望通过此篇Essay了解一个问题——你为什么想要来我们学校?

　　这个问题听起来很简单，但是却有很多申请者都会犯5个同样的错误，下面，楷维留学指南小编就为大家梳理以下在美国大学申请Common Application Supplement部分的Essay写作中，申请者们经常犯的5个错误：

　　美国大学申请Common Application Supplement部分Essay写作常犯错误一：

　　Vague Language - The Essay Is Generic and Lacking Detail

　　模糊用语——Essay内容太泛缺乏具体性

　　If a college asks you why you want to attend, be specific. Far too many supplemental essays resemble this Sample essay for Duke University -- the essay says nothing specific about the school in question. Whatever school you are applying to, make sure your essay addresses the particular features of that school that appeal to you.

　　美国大学申请Common Application Supplement部分Essay写作常犯错误二：

　　Length - The Essay Is Too Long

　　长度——Essay太长

　　Many prompts for the supplemental essay ask you to write a single paragraph or two. Don't go beyond the stated limit. Also realize that a tight and engaging single paragraph is better than two mediocre paragraphs. The admissions officers have thousands of applications to read, and they will appreciate brevity.

　　美国大学申请Common Application Supplement部分Essay写作常犯错误三：

　　Lack of Focus -- The Essay Doesn't Answer the Question

　　缺乏重点——Essay没有真正回答学校的提问

　　If the essay prompt asks you to explain why the college is a good match for your professional interests, don't write an essay about how your friends and brother go to the school. If the prompt asks you how you hope to grow while in college, don't write an essay about how much you want to earn a bachelor's degree. Read the prompt multiple times before writing, and read it again carefully after you've written your essay.

　　美国大学申请Common Application Supplement部分Essay写作常犯错误四：

　　Faulty Tone -- You Sound Like a Privileged Snob

　　错误的语气——让人觉得你很势利眼

　　"I want to go to Williams because my father and brother both attended Williams..." A better reason to attend a college is because the curriculum matches your academic and professional goals. Essays that focus on legacy status or connections with influential people often fail to answer the question well, and they are likely to create a negative impression.

　　美国大学申请Common Application Supplement部分Essay写作常犯错误五：

　　Faulty Tone -- You Sound Too Materialistic

　　错误的语气——让人觉得你很过于物质主义

　　The admissions counselors see a lot of essays that are honest to a fault. Sure, most of us go to college because we want to get a degree and earn a good salary. Don't over-emphasize this point in your essay. If your essay states you want to go to Penn because their business majors earn more money than those from other colleges, you won't impress anyone. You'll sound self-interested and materialistic.

　　在Common Application Supplement部分的Essay题目通常看似简单，实则难写，希望同学们在写作前好好斟酌，切勿犯以上五点错误。