Students interested in attending an American university should know that admissions officers will base their decisions on more than just good grades and high test scores. They want to know how a student might enhance the university just by being there. A good indicator is an examination of personal interests, often illustrated by extracurricular activities.
想到美國大學就讀的學生應該知道，招生官員做決定時考量的不僅是申請人是否有優異的成績，考試分數是否夠高。他們還想知道，一個學生進入一所大學，能給學校帶來哪些裨益。學生的個人愛好就是一個很好的指標，通常能在課外活動中得到詮釋。
Colleges appreciate an applicant who uses his or her free time proactively. Whether it's working on an advertising campaign at a formal internship, or sorting mail as an assistant for a family friend, internships can help admissions officers see how students apply skills and knowledge to a real world environment.
大學欣賞能夠積極利用課余時間的申請人。無論是參與廣告宣傳活動的正式實習，還是為父母的朋友做助理整理信件，實習經歷都能讓招生官員了解，學生是如何把所學的技能和知識運用到實際中的。
Whether it's starting a blog, forming a company, making a movie, recording a song, or hosting a science fair, colleges value individual efforts because they show signs of leadership.
無論是創建博客、開辦 公司、攝制電影、錄制歌曲，還是舉辦科學展覽，學校都會重視個人的努力，因為這些活動能顯示出學生具備領導潛力。
With so many students applying to the United States with strong G.P.A.'s and exam scores, the extras on your resumes and in your essays could help distinguish you from another student with a similar application.
申請美國大學的學生中，很多都有極其出眾的績點(G.P.A.)和考試成績。在簡歷和申請書中課外專長會讓你從有類似申請材料的學生中脫穎而出。
