Part 1 Helpful Tips for Choosing a US School 如何选择学校
For most Chinese university students, the US is a favorite destination for further education. But apart from obstacles such as the GRE and TOFEL exams, choosing a good graduate school is no easy take. Admission is very competitive for international students, so it's important to apply to a number of institutions to have a reasonable chance of acceptance. Since the application to most universities requires a certain fee, Chinese students usually choose 7 to 15 universities according to their financial circumstances.
To broaden one's chances, at least one third of the applications should be to less selective schools. Applicants shouldn't limit their choices to the most renowned institutions. Furthermore, one shouldn't rely too much on college rankings. The right school is the one that best meets your own personal needs and interests, rather than someone else's assessment of an institution's prestige.
Usually choices are based on one's personal interests and academic background, but it's important to make sure that one's chosen subject it catered for. Those who want to transfer to a new field must pass certain exams on the subject first.
It is important to make sure that the department has at least some recognition, in the specific field. a well-known professor will be helpful to one's study as well as personal development.
Sometimes it helps to limit the search to one region of the US, such as the east or the west coast, before looking for schools that match other requirements. The most important factors in choosing a location are climate and living costs.
Costs are higher in large cities like New York and Boston. In contrast, they are much lower in the south and in cities like Pittsburgh and Seattle.
The most popular states for international students are New York, California, Massachusetts, Ohio, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, and Texas.
（9）Colleges and Universities（http://www.mit.edu）网站提供全球八十多个国家的三千多所大学信息。该网站按地理分类，详列各国大学名单，并以链接到各校主页的方式，提供查找各大学的信息服务。在实际操作中，只要选择国家，如美国，便可查询到全美大学的网址。
Part 2 Visa 留学签证
Almost every Chinese applicant ahs experienced “standing kungfu”, that is to say, having to stand in the visa hall for two hours while waiting to be interviewed. Although there are some chairs and a water cooler, most applicants have to stand in line with a certain color card in front of a certain window. Why not provide chairs for all, or at least benches? When queried, an American embassy official pointed out that at that very moment some 200 applicants were waiting to be interviewed. If people were seated, they would move slowly. Besides, there is not enough room for a lot of furniture. “Nonetheless, you will notice that people here are well behaved. It’s not as crowded as a typical train station. Of course, we have two staff members to keep order,” he said. Even the rudest people pull in their horns under the strain of uncertainty. Those who get visas seem instantly to forget their exhaustion, whereas those who are rejected succumb to it completely.
The visa officers are frequently criticized for not explaining why applications are rejected. To this the American embassy official replies: “We actually do tell applicants why they don’t qualify for a visa. In order to help them we also have written explanations. Sometimes they want to know more, particularly about what they can do, what documents they can show to qualify for a visa. But it’s not our policy to make suggestions. Our rule is that the applicants themselves must persuade us that they have a situation here in China which would lead them to return.”
Some Americans feel that their Chinese friends have been refused without good reason and want to come to the embassy to complain. Is this useful? “Since most American citizens are not familiar with US visa laws, their coming here is useful in the sense that we can take the opportunity to explain the law” said the embassy official.
下面我们给大家总结了一些签证常见术语：
surname 姓，也就是last name；
first (given) name 名；
sex 性别；
birth date 出生日期；
nationality 国籍；
expiry date ( 或 before) 失效日期(或必须在...日之前入境)；
for stays of 停留期为......
passport No. 护照号；
control No. 编号；
Issue At 签发地；
Issue Date (或On) 签发日期；
visa type(class) 签证种类。
拿到签证以后可别光顾着高兴，别忘了一定要核对上面所说的签证内容，发现问题及时解决。
Part 3 Guide to Studying Abroad 留学指南
Dialogue Script 1 对话原文 1
Brown: Hello, there. You must be Li Ming. Please come in.
Li: Hi, Mrs. Brown, nice to meet you.
Brown: All right now... Let's see. Now, you're interested in attending university in the USA, is that right?
Li: Yes, and I have a lot of questions to ask you.
Brown: Okay, but before I begin to answer your questions, I need to ask you a few questions first. Hmm...now, your major is...
Li: Engineering, Mechanical Engineering.
Brown: OK, I see. And, where did you graduate?
Li: I graduated from Xi'an Jiao Tong University in July 2000. I completed my bachelor's degree. And I got my certificate of CET-4.
Brown: Alright. Now, I'm assuming you want to continue studying in your major. Am I right?
Li: Actually. I'd prefer to do an MBA if possible. But if I have no other choice, I'll go on with my major.
Brown: Okay. Now, are you familiar with the requirements for an MBA degree?
Li: Yes, I'll have to do well on the GMAT, and I'll definitely need to take TOEFL or IELTS, right?
Brown: You're right. You'll need at least 600 on the TOFEL or 6.5 on IELTS. In addition, you need to have completed a bachelor's degree, too. Have you taken the GMAT yet?
Li: Not yet, but I plan to do it in August.
Brown: The requirements for a Master's degree in Engineering are a little different. You'll need to take GRE and of course the TOFEL or IELTS.
Li: I see. When do I start to apply?
Brown: The best time to start the application process is in November or December of the year prior to your intended year of study. Application forms are available in September and October.
Li: Which schools in Canada offer the MBA degree?
Brown: About twenty. Here's a small booklet summarizing Canadian university programs. You'll find the information you need on page 22.
Li: Great! Thanks a lot. By the way, how about the tuition and scholarships?
Brown: Tuition for MBA programs has been steadily increasing. Some of the universities now charge the full tuition, which means there is no government subsidy. Those universities cost about $10,000 per year-and it's a two-year program. Other universities are still government subsidized, so the tuition is $4,500 per year. In terms of scholarships, usually the top 5 students entering the MBA program are given a generous scholarship. All other students have to pay the full fees. International students have to pay the full tuition-that's $10,000 per year.
Li: Oh. Is it very difficult to get into an MBA program?
Brown: Yes, actually the competition is very tough. MBA students have a pretty easy time finding a good job. So , many students are eager to do the program thinking it will guarantee them success in their careers.
Li: Well, it sure does sound like an excellent way to start a promising future. Um..What is the school year like?
Brown: Classes begin in September each year and finish before Christmas. They resume after New Year and finish at the end of April.
Li: And after April?
Brown: Why, that's your summer holiday.
Li: Sounds great! Thank you very much. I really appreciate for your help.
Brown: You'e welcome. And, if you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me. You know my number, right?
Li: I sure do. Thanks a lot.
Brown: You'e welcome, bye.
讲解：
1.对话中，李明在跟Mrs. Brown咨询到美国留学会面临的各种问题。attend university, 上大学，我们也学过go to college这个说法，也是可以的。college一般指专科学院或综合性大学中的一个学院，在美语中college也用来指大学，而univer sity一般是指综合性的大学。
2.下面再来说说attend这个词，这里表示“参加；出席，到场”，例如：attend chool 上学；attend a lecture 听讲课；attend church 去教堂attend (at) a wedding 出席婚礼；attend a meeting出席会议，等等。还可以表示“关注，注意”，常和介词to联用。例如：We'll attend to that problem later. 稍后我们将关注那个问题。
3. 李明 2000年毕业于西安交通大学的机械工程系，获得了学士学位，并且通过了国家英语四级考试，看来他还是有一定英语基础的。CET就是我们平常所说的大学英语等级考试，是College English Test的开头大学字母缩写。CET是针对非英语专业考生的一种考试，而针对英语专业考生的考试是TEM，也就是Test for English Majors的开头大写字母的缩写。
4. 李明想到美国读MBA课程，他说I'd prefer to do an MBA if possible. do an MBA，是指“读MBA课程，碰巧的是，这里的动词do跟汉语的动词“读”发音一样，这样大家就好记了。if possible，如果可能的话，是一个固定短语，大家可以拿过来直接用。
5. go on with something，继续做某事，如果读不了MBA，那就继续读本专业的研究生。Mrs. Brown问李明对MBA课程的要求熟不熟悉呢？be familiar with something，熟悉某事，那么我们在familiar前面加一个前缀，就变成be unfamiliar with something，不熟悉某事，例如：I'm unfamiliar with the roads here. 这的路我不熟。
6. 李明对就读MBA课程的要求很熟悉，首先要靠好GMAT，并且一定要通过托福或雅思考试。GMAT是Graduate Management Admissions Test的开头大写字母缩写，就是研究生管理学入学考试，美国、英国、澳大利亚等国家的高校都采用GMAT考试的成绩来评估申请入学者是否适合于在商业、经济和管理等专业的研究生阶段学习。托福考试大家都很熟悉了，是Test of English as a Foreign Language，是为赴美国、加拿大等国学习的非英语国家学生提供的英语能力考试。
7. GRE是Graduate Record Examination的开头大写字母缩写，就是美国研究生入学考试，它适用于除了法律与商业以外的各种学科与专业的研究生考试。IELTS，全称International English Language Testing System，国际英语水平测试系统，是为到英语主导教学语言国家的高等教育机构就读而设的语言测试制度，也用于测试赴英语母语国家（主要指英联邦国家）定居人士的英语水平。
8. 不仅仅要通过托福或雅思的考试，还要达到一定的分数线，You'll need at least 600 on the TOFEL or 6.5 on IELTS. 就是你的托福考试成绩至少要考到600分以上，雅思最低要考到6.5分。某种考试得了多少分，这里用的是介词on。complete a certain degree，获得了某种学位。
10.那么什么时候开始申请学校呢？Mrs. Brown的建议是The best time to start the application process is in November or December of the year prior to your intended year of study. 开始申请程序的最好时间是你计划出去学习前一年的11月或者12月。prior to是一个介词词组，表示在...之前。
12.读MBA的学费呢一直在涨价。甚至有些大学现在收全额学费，也就是说没有任何政府补助。这样的大学每年收费大约1万美元，而这些大学的学制是两年。Those universities cost about $10,000 per year-and it's a two-year program.
13.至于其他的大学呢仍由政府来资助，所以他们的学费就要少很多，大约每年是4500美元左右。subsidize，指“资助，给予津贴”，名词是subsidy. scholarship是奖学金，那这些大学都对奖学金有什么规定呢？通常是申请读MBA课程的学生中的前5名获得一大笔奖学金，其他的学生得付全额学费，国际学生也得支付全额学费，大概每年要1万美金。in terms of 这个习惯用语表示“在…方面，就…而言”。
14.那申请就读MBA课程很困难吗？Is it very difficult to get into an MBA program? get into a program，就读某个课程，参与某个计划。实际上申请就读MBA课程的竞争很激烈，因为拿到MBA学位的学生找工作非常容易，所以很多学生都渴望能得到这种学习的机会，他们认为这种学习会保证自己将来在事业上的成功。guarantee 这个词是“保证, 担保”的意思。例如：The rain guarantees a good crop this year. 这场雨保证了今年有好收成。I can't guarantee you anything for now.现在我还不能跟你承诺任何事情。
15.那么学年是怎么划分的呢？上课时间是每年从9月份开始，圣诞节前结束。新年之后继续上课，四月底结束课程。resume，做名词是“简历”的意思，作动词，表示“再继续, 重新开始, 恢复”，例如：We resumed our work after a rest. 休息之后我们重新开始工作。一般美国的大学在四月底结束课程后，会开始一个summer term，也就是夏季学期，学生们也可以在这个期间选课进行学习。
Dialogue Script 2 对话原文 2
Li: In applying to a US graduate school, what is the simplest rule?
Zhang: The earlier, the better.
Li: Is the process very complicated?
Zhang: Yes, the process is arduous, so make up your mind firmly before you begin preparation.
Li: What should be done first?
Zhang: Read a number of related information about international study. And discuss with your family, teacher, and friends.
Li: This work should be done before or after the GRE and TOFEL exams?
Zhang: Before the exams.
Li: How long should a student need to prepare for the two exams?
Zhang: He/She should need at least six months to prepare for the two tests, but that also depends on his/her level of English.
Li: OK, what's the next step?
Zhang: Write to the chosen schools to ask for admission and scholarship application forms.
Li: What are the necessary application materials?
Zhang: They usually include personal statement, recommendation letter, official transcripts, CV/resume, study plan, scholarships and copies of your TOFEL and GRE scores.
Li: If one has received admission letter, what should he/she do then?
Zhang: Write to the schools to say thanks and keep contacting them for offers. Admission letter only mean they have decided to enroll you, not necessarily that they will give you a scholarship or TA/RA.
Li: Before setting off for the states, what final preparations should be made?
Zhang: Arrange your schedule. Apply for a passport and student visa. Buy any necessary items for your life in the US. Deal with the financial problems, that is to say, to change money. Book the air ticket.
讲解：
1. 申请赴美读研究生，最简便的规则是什么呢？那就是“越早越好”。The earlier, the better. apply 是“申请”的意思，例如：I want to apply for the job. 我想申请这项工作。这里apply for something是指“为...而申请”，而apply to someone/something for something就是指“向某人或某个机构申请某物”，例如：You should apply to the consul for a visa你应该向领事申请签证。
2. 申请过程是非常复杂的，这里用了两个形容词来形容，一个是complicated，另一个是arduous，arduous既可以指“费劲的，费力的”，也可以“辛勤的”，例如：Preparing a Dictionary of the English Language is an arduous work. 编写一本英语语言词典是一项艰巨的工作。所以在开始准备申请学校以前，一定要下定决心，就是make up your mind firmly.
3. 是的，申请学校要做多方面的准备，在考托福和GRE之前，要多读一些关于留学的资料，并且和家人、老师和朋友仔细商量。至少要提前半年准备托福和GRE考试，当然，根据考生英语水平的不同，准备的时间也不一样。He/She should need at least six months to prepare for the two tests.也可以说It takes at least six months to prepare for the two tests.
4. 下一步就要给你选择的学校写信，索要入学和奖学金申请表格。那必要的申请材料都包括哪些呢？申请材料中要包括个人陈述，personal statement，推荐信，recommendation letter, 官方学生成绩单，official transcripts, 个人简历，CV/resume,学习计划，study plan, 经济能力证明，奖学金的申请材料，GRE和托福成绩的影印件。scholarships and copies of your TOFEL and GRE scores. 这些材料都需要花费时间来准备，越详细越好。还要注意的是要尽早吧这些材料寄给你所申请的学校，因为美国的研究生院事按照接受材料的先后来审阅材料的。
Zhang: I was told that US graduate schools require a personal statement as a part of application process. Is it true?
Li: Yes, it is a must.
Zhang: So we have to prepare a well-written personal statement.
Li: In general, admission officers are looking fro two important things in one's personal statement.
Zhang: What exactly are they?
Li: First, evidence of your achievements that are not reflected in other parts of your application. Second, how and why the events you describe have shaped your attitude, focus, and most of all, your intellectual capacity.
Zhang: So the statement should center on ...
Li: The statement should focus on one's personal background, the reasons why you are applying to a particular graduate program, and your career and personal objectives.
Zhang: Thank you for your information.
Li: It is my pleasure.
讲解：
1. 申请到美国去读研究生课程都要求必须有个人陈述。it is a must. 这里的must做了名词，表示“必须，一定”。例如：Comfortable shoes are a must when taking a walking tour of Wales. 去威尔士旅行徒步旅行时舒服的鞋是绝对必要的物品。
2. 所以一定要准备一分写的很好的个人陈述。一般来说，招生负责人在你的个人陈述中要看两点重要的东西，一是在你的申请中的其他材料中没有反映出来的成绩和优点的证明。另一点就是你所描述的事件是如何塑造了你的态度和目的，尤其重要的是你的智力。most of all是一个习惯用语，表示“最重要的是”。
3. center on 跟focus on差不多，都表示“以...为重点，以...为中心”。个人陈述的重点应该放在个人的背景描述，申请某一特殊研究生课程的原因，你本人的职业以及你个人的学习目的等等。好，我们再来听一遍刚才的对话。
Dialogue Script 4 对话原文 4
Li: Nowadays English-speaking countries are no longer the only destinations for Chinese who want to study abroad.
Zhang: You're right. An increasing number of Chinese students have applied to non-English countries like Germany, for example.
Li: Why is Germany becoming popular among Chinese students?
Zhang: Because German education has a good reputation. The free tuition in public universities is of course another reason for this attraction.
Li: Then international students pay nothing for education.
Zhang: No, they have to cover such expenses as accommodation, insurance and books.
Li: Do international students need language level certificate?
Zhang: Yes, they need a language level certificate for a student visa. In addition, it is a must for foreign students to take German Language Entrance Exam for Foreign Students.
讲解：
1. 现在，说英语国家不再是想出国留学的中国人的唯一目的地了，越来越多的中国学生已经向非英语国家申请留学，比如说德国。abroad表示“去国外，向国外”，可以直接跟动词联用，例如：go abroad，出国，I've never been abroad before, so I'm really excited about the trip.我以前从来没有出过国，所以想起这次旅行就十分兴奋。
2. 那中国学生为什么会喜欢上德国呢？因为德国的教育有良好的声望，而且公立大学免收学费也是它吸引人的另一个原因。reputation表示“名声; 声誉”，例如：He is a man of good reputation.他是一个有声望的人。那么He is a man of no reputation.就表示“他是一个默默无闻的人”，也就是“没有声望的人”。
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