托福 GRE 範文 模擬考 外國網站

今天在寫關於托福範文時，發現了這個網站。

http://www.testbig.com/toefl


它提供了美國各大考試的TPO 題庫，以及網民上傳的範文。每一個考題都有數個版本的範文可以參考。我認為這是一個很有價值的網站。因為它很多的資料都是免費的。其實準備寫作上，托福與GRE 分析寫作可以看成是對於未來研究所寫論文的思想鍛鍊。當然GRE的難度較高，但是兩者有許多部分是相通的。好比在恰當處使用恰當的片語，或是利用正確的文法簡潔的切重要旨。這個網站的範文來自世界各地的網友，所以可以拿來對照檢視自己的台式文法錯誤。另外，也可以透過他國考生的文章來了解他國學生對同一議題的看法，提升自己的思想包容性。透過閱讀範文的美文佳句，也能增進自己對英文的優美有近一步的理解。

此外，該網站還提供了範文的評分，我們可以透過此評分來理解考官的平分標準。例如，在托福寫作中，不要犯拼字以及文法錯誤是高分的必要條件。想要高分必須避免拼字以及文法錯誤。台灣人常常以為代表英文好的深難字，或是總字數，反而是其次。


以這篇文章為例：

TPO-48 - Independent Writing Task Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?Because modern life is very complex, it is essential for young people to have the ability to plan and organize.


範文：

ubmitted by alirezakasaie on Wed, 12/14/2016 - 10:34

Since today's technology is advancing rapidly and the world changes continuously, therefore, the modern life is very complex and I believe that it would be essential for young people to have the ability to plan and organize, because it results in better time management, being successful and reducing mistakes.

Planning and organizing helps the youth to manage their time more efficiently. Today, efficient use of time is very important, because technology is progressing very fast and it makes a lot of changes throughout the world which in turn causes a lot of complexity in people's lives. If someone wants to follow these changes and comfort his life, he must know that how to manage the time. Therefore, Having the ability to plan and organize the life enables people, especially the youngers, to manage their time better.

In addition, organizing the life helps individuals to be successful. I believe that what really enables people to be successful is how they keep discipline in their lives. Life works like a system and as the technology advances, this system becomes more complex, which in turn makes the accessibility to success very hard. But, having the ability to plan and organize helps this system to work in a good shape and leads it to the success is planning and organizing.
Having a plan helps the youngers to make less mistakes. Today, the world is changing very fast and the people's lives become more complex every second, therefore making mistakes may have irrecoverable costs in their lives. However planning enables individuals, especially the youth to reduce their mistakes and manage their lives with a high level of precision.
In conclusion, today as the technology advances, the people's lives become more complex and the importance of having the ability to plan and organize will be more noticeable for young people, since it helps them to manage their time more efficiently, to be a successful person and avoid to make mistakes.

TOEFL IBT 範文 integrated writing

Read the following reading passage in three minutes:

In the United States, employees typically work five days a week for eight hours each day. However, many employees want to work a four-day week and are willing to accept less pay in order to do so. A mandatory policy requiring companies to offer their employees the option of working a four-day workweek for four-fifths (80 percent) of their normal pay would benefit the economy as a whole as well as the individual companies and the employees who decided to take the option.

The shortened workweek would increase company profits because employees would feel more rested and alert, and as a result, they would make fewer costly errors ...

The common theme of the short essay and the lecture of the narrator is the policy of 4-day workweek for employee. The essay advocates the benefits 4-day workweek can bring, but obviously the narrator doesn't think so. The following are the major disagreements.

  First, the essay argues that four-day policy will not affect the expense of the company since workers who adopt this strategy will get 80 percent of their salary. However, the narrator asserts that one should not only consider only the salary, but the space, computer, and health insurance accreted with the hiring of new employee.

   Second, the essay highlighted that four-day workweek policy can reduce the unemployment rate, for companies can hire one more person every four 4-day working employees with the same expense. Yet, in the speaker’s eyes, the companies have the alternative to put the same work load on the original employees without hiring new men, which harms the life qualities of the workers instead of improve them as argued in the essay.

  Finally, the speaker challenged the contention that the new policy will allow employees to have more time stay with their families and increase their productivities. In the speaker’s opinion, four-day workers suffer disadvantage over five-day workers because it decrease their accountability. Besides, the company may prefer promoting five-day workers with an eye on their ability to supervise for the entire work week. 

TOEFL IBT 範文 independent writing

Topic:
At universities and colleges, sports and social activities are just as important as classes and libraries and should receive equal financial support.

response:

   It is argued in the statement that the sports and social activities at colleges should be granted the equal amount of financial support because they are as important as academic events such as classes and libraries. I agree that sports and social activities are indispensable parts of college lives. However, the claim that the importance of sports and social activities should be elevated to so high such a level that match academic events as class and study is worthy of discussion worth discussion.

   Traditionally, universities and colleges are regarded as higher educational institution which provides both knowledge and techniques to not only ensure the graduates to succeed in their professional careers, but also enrich their lives. Although social activities and sports are not considered as important formal academic activities such as classes and studies in conventional wisdom, their importance are increasingly recognized in modern society since several studies show that the ‘soft techniques ‘ exercised in these events are actually more influential to one’s career than we may expect.

  Aside from underestimated advantages of sports and social activities at college and universities, a more critical question is perhaps that how do we compare the importance between events of different properties? Sports games and a variety of social activities are undoubtedly valuable. They enrich our lives with myriads of unique experiences and provide irreplaceable opportunities to learn social skill form peers. It has become a necessary process before college students turning into grownups.  

  Then, is it that the conventional wisdom of our society misjudges the situation? Well, not exactly. The traditional training occurred in classroom are the very essential value of college and university that they should be support in highest priority because they are the distilled concentrate of hundreds of years accumulation. Knowledge taught in classes, unlike those loose and plain skills students can learn in sports games and social activities such as clubs or student organizations, is more profound, abstract, and powerful. It is the very thing that makes an educated man different. Academic training opens a window to let us see what we cannot see by ourselves, leading us to one after another wonderland that broadens our bosoms. Formal educations concern about higher ideals that give us faith and dreams. Its pursuit of truth is so pure that it makes us wise and intelligent. It is testified and verified that it is the strongest tools for us to achieve our goals. Formal college training liberates us from the cage of innocence and crudeness. It maintains the stability of modern civilization, and lifts humanity to a higher level. Without it, college and universities are nothing but a habitant for savages, where sports and social activities do not help at all.  

  Sports and social activities, certainly should not be disregarded, are well justified to have its share in financial support. Nevertheless, compared with the massive influence of the formal education occurred in classrooms, their importance are relatively minute. Therefore, I disagree with the contention that sports and social activities should be granted as much as classes and libraries unless more convincing arguments are available.

 

TOEFL 英文寫作常用語

文章結構

列舉論點：

To start, To begin with, First, First of all, Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Lastly, Finally, In the end

Besides, Moreover, Additionally, In addition, furthermore, Also, likewise, Most importantly

下結論：

As a conclusion, In conclusion, In summay, To sum up, All in all, In short

常用連接詞：

And, so, for, but, yet,

常用轉折詞：

However, Yet, Still, (Nonetheless, Nevertheless), While, Whereas, 

雖然

Though, regardless of, In spite of, Despite

相反地

By contrast, In contrast, On the contrary, Instead, Instead,

因果關係

So, Therefore, As a consequence, As a result, Hence, Consequently

因為

Because, the end result is that, for the reason that,

既然

Since,

導致/造成

Cause to V / Cause N , Lead to ; Bring about, Result in, account for

肇因於

Because of, Result from, Stem from, Due to, Thanks to, Owing to,

表示程度

當然的、絕對的、不能否認的 

Definitely, certainly, absolutely, Of course, undoubtedly, admittedly, undeniably, understandably, it is well-justified, it is justifiable.

可能的

   Presumably, probably, possibly, potentially, likely, perhaps

武斷的

   Overbearing,

精明的 savvy, prudent  

精明 acumen

重要的、關鍵的

Essential, Significant, crucial, important, vital, critical, notable, pivotal, indispensible  

主要的

Prime, subprime, main, overriding, of priority  

輕微的

Slight, minute

不重要的、次要的

Insignificant, marginal, tangential, minor 

Issue

就（你我他）而言…

As far as I am concerned, As for me, To my opinion,

In my view/perspective/

From sb’s angle

考慮到

Considering, given, given that, when it comes to, with an eye on, in sight of, in terms of,  

即使/ 儘管

Even if, even though, / Aside from, Apart from, in spite of, despite

在某種程度上/層次上

To some extend, to the extend of, at __ level

在這個尺度下

To that extent, to that degree, insofar, in this context.

在某些情況下

Under some circumstances

根據 According to, Based on, on the basis of ,accordingly

~ 來說 Frankly/honestly/precisely/generally/narrowly/ fundamentally/  speaking

Basically, Actually, Apparently, Accordingly, Obviously, evidently, Ironically, Certainly, Understandably, Admittedly

目前Today, Nowadays, at present, to date.

過份強調： exaggerate, overstate, overemphasize, overweigh,

低估： underestimate, overlook,

勝過outdo, outweigh, outstand, outshine, outstrip

同意 concede/ accede/ agree

反對 disagree/ discord /oppose/disapprove

阻礙 inhibit/ impede/ obliterate

確保 ensure/

加劇 exacerbate/ aggravate/ 

減緩 emollient/ mollify/ alleviate/ sooth

增加 augment/ exalt/ promote/

減少 diminish/ abate/ enervate

假設

Assuming, suppose, if ,

理所當然

Take for granted, merited

理性的

Dispassionate

冷靜的

Reasonable, sensible,

公正的

Disinterested

偏見

Predisposition biases

如何要推薦函

It should be specified in your email requesting recommendation letters from your lecturers that you are asking for a 'strong' recommendation letter, since it is the only way to guarantee you don't waste the chance to leverage your advantage. 

What does make sense is to write your recommenders now, and say "I wanted to let you know that I'll be applying for graduate school in November, and I was hoping you would be willing to write me a recommendation. I wanted to let you know relatively early since I know that by fall it will have been a while since I graduated." Don't hesitate to remind them about interactions you've had, or about anything you think would look good in the letter. Professors often have to write many such letters, and if you put your good qualities at their fingertips, they're more likely to end up in the letter.

美國研究所如何挑選學生？

Generally, PhD programs in the US have many more applicants than they can accept. The number of positions is limited by finances (a department can only afford a limited number of RAs and TAs), space and resources (students often need offices and access to equipment), and the ability to supervise the students (there is a limit to the number of PhD students a faculty member can effectively supervise). The admissions committee must decide which of the qualified applicants are most likely to be successful researchers while taking departmental "politics" into consideration. These politics include things like the start up package for Professor X included a funded PhD student and a particular resource is already at capacity.

The admissions committee bases its decision on a number of pieces of information including GPA, GRE scores, statement of purpose, references and interviews and for international students TOEFL scores. There is no formula (e.g., 6*GPA+1*GRE+2*References+Publications) by which applicants are ranked, but some universities and/or departments set minimum requirements (e.g., GPA over 3.0 or a TOEFL over 85). The admissions committee looks at the entire application to make an informed judgement. This means that being strong in one area can, and does, offset being weak in another area.

On Negro American Poets in 1910 to 1920

Classifying of negro American poets into 'conservative' and 'experimental' during 1910 to 1920 doesn't seem to be effective in terms of helping us understanding their works. The main reason is that black poets are all dealing with the same subject, the race, whatever their writing styles are. Unlike their white contemporaries, who constantly dealt with various subjects and often battling over styles and artistry, whether they should confine themselves to black experience was under debate in black poets community. Supporters claimed that they should write what they knows best. Some black poets tried to reject the stereotype, and chose not to write about racial subjects. However, they were criticized by the author of the passage that their refusal to look within would only produce not very memorable poems, like those poets about the peace of nature written by some white poets.

ＧＲＥ單字 如何加強記憶

由於ＧＲＥ的單字偏難，許多人甚至覺得冷僻。我認為與其把背ＧＲＥ單字當作一種無意義的痛苦，不如提高自己對英文能力的要求。許多人認為可以用英文會話解決日常生活問題就叫做英文很好，但何不把標準提高到可以跟老外聊政治經濟，聊文學美術？

在進行深度交流的層次上，ＧＲＥ單詞絕對是必備，而非冷僻。不信的話，多看看Economist, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, New York Times, 你絕對會不時看到一些難字。但是我可以保證，當你背完基本的ＧＲＥ單字後，閱讀這些有深度的英文文章再也不成問題。

現在我要介紹一種記單詞的方法，也就是造句。

Unit 25 的單詞有十個：

1.   document  v.記錄

2.   doggerel    n. 打油詩

3.   dogmatic   adj. 教條主義的

4.   dormant    adj.  不活躍的

5.   dross         n.  垃圾, 沒用的東西  

6.   dupe         v.  欺騙

7.   ebullient   adj.  有活力的

8.   eclectic      adj.  博採眾長的

9.   effervescent   adj.  冒泡的  

10. effete    adj.  缺乏生氣的

這些自的意思如果去查ＧＲＥ紅寶書的話，你只會分別記每個字的意思。然後一般人就會開始復誦，document記錄.....brabrabra。但是在實戰中，你需要的是理解一段文字，而不是考你每一個單字對應的中文翻譯。所以叫有效率的做法是把這些字想辦法串成句子。例如：

The effete doggrel documented how the once ebullient poet, who is renown for his effervescent eclectic poems, became a dormant dogmatic old man that duped people with dross.      

意思大概是：這首缺乏生氣的打油詩記錄了這位一度以生動博引的詩作知名的活躍詩人如何變成一個用拙劣作品欺騙人們的蟄隱的獨斷老人。

要造出這樣的正確句子，你必須理解一個字的字面之意（denotation）、言外之意（connotaion）、以及正確用法。 好比說，dogmatic 可以形容人，但是可以形容物品嗎？或是effervescent 本意是冒泡的，但是引申義是熱情的，有生命力的。這都能透過連貫的句意令人有更深的體會。同時，透過創造類似這樣的「難句」也讓你麵段考試時的艱澀文章時，不至於腦袋打結。

以下為更多例子：

Unit 26

Christine’s emaciated look elicited that the only efficacy of her egotistical effrontery to her boss last week is extra workload and less rests, instead of the embellished myth that egoism is the Elysian elixir to salary raise. 

emaciated 

elicit

efficacy

egoism

egotistical

effrontery

embellish

Elysian 

elixir

Unit 27

In the encomium for the successful entrepreneur’s empirical discovery that emulating behaviours of your peers can both emollient endemic frictions in work area and enhance collaborative productivity. However, the amateur entomologist enunciated,it enervates diversity and engender repression of individuality.

encomium

entrepreneur

empirical

emulate

emollient

endemic

enhance

entomology

enunciate

enervate

engender

Unit 28

The equable erudite scholar essayed to explain esoteric ephemeral experience in epistemology, but the estimable figure suddenly lost his equanimity and started to equivocate when he was asked about his obvious errant premise.

equable 

equanimity

equivocate

erudite

estimable

esoteric

ephemeral

epistemology

equivocate 

errant

essay    

Unit 29

The aetiology of ethnocentric ideology rooted in every Japanese people’s minds is the widespread euphemism for eugenics evinced throughout their primary education during WWII . However, the euphoria permeating the whole Japanese society due to its stupidity might exactly be its eulogy of the upcoming euthanasia. The etymology of euthanasia is eu ‘well’+thantos ‘death’. 

aetiology

evince,

ethnocentric,

euphemism,

eugenics,

euphoria,

eulogy,

euthanasia,

etymology

Unit 30

The expatriated priest tried to exculpate his follower by exhorting the government not to exact additional tax based on existential reason. He expatiating how this execrable act would exacerbate the already sunken morality, and would not exorcise the exigency of the country.

Expatriate

exculpate

exhort

exact

existential

exigency

expatiate sb of sty

execrable

exacerbate

exorcise (sth bad) 

   

GRE 單字準備

不需要背紅寶書

我認為不需要背紅寶書，因為紅寶書是把歷年所有ＧＲＥ考題中出現過的字集結成冊，而非官方公佈的單字範圍。加上本人考試經驗中，ＧＲＥ新制中很多字彙根本不在紅寶書內。也就是說，即是背完紅寶書還是一定會遇到沒見過的字。

除此之外，背單字不能逐字背，尤其是紅寶書中文解釋往往與英文單字有落差。不是說翻譯的不好，而是很多時候字義必須透過文章上下文理解。紅寶書的記憶法固然有效，但是靠諧音或是聯想，終歸死背硬記，而不能放入實際應用。

既然考試總會出現沒見過的字，那我們該怎麼辦？

我的三個準備方針

一、字首字根
       透過不斷做VERBAL的模擬試題，看到不會的字先試著去猜這個字的意思。好比利用字根我們可以判斷詞性，利用字首我們可以判斷詞義。基本上英文單字跟中文字一樣，有所謂的「部首」。好比說 in-, dis-, im-, un-等總是代表「不」什麼，如 inapt, dislike, immune, immoral, unethical等。 而 -al, -ive, -ary, -ful, -ane, -ble 總是代表形容詞結尾，-fy, -en 代表「使」怎麼樣。有了這些規則，我們可以去猜測一個字大概會是什麼意思。有些書專門介紹字根字首，平時沒事可以翻閱，慢慢累積對單字的感覺。

關於單字書，我推薦 新東方大愚 巴朗詞表。

二、文章閱讀
當我們閱讀ＧＲＥ文章時，我們可以把不會的字圈起來，試著從上下文猜測字義。絕對不要放棄不猜，因為從犯錯中學習是最印象深刻的。這樣做的好處是我們可以知道這些字與文句的關係，也就是透過上下文去體會字義。如同我們與人對話時，可以由轉折詞，對方的想法，甚至對方使用的形容詞，去推測對方下一句大概會講的內容。對於一句無法理解的句子，我們可以透過該句子上下句使用的轉折詞，語態變化，去理解這句話是什麼意思。進而推測那個不認識的字可能的意思。等到閱讀測驗結束，我們可以回頭查字典。除了對照猜測之外，有可以重新閱讀上下文，重新理解文意，體會這個英文字該如何使用，是褒義貶義，要在什麼情境下使用。

例如exorcise(驅魔、擺脫不好的影響)這個動詞，我們不知道要說 I exorcise you a demon, 還是 I exorcise a demon from you 在有文章的情況下，我們可以看到例句：The psychiatrist helps the patient exorcise personal demons and guides hims toward mental wholeness. 我們從例句可知，要被祛除的的東西是直接受詞。

利用文章閱讀來被單字的好處是我們可以累積語感。這樣的訓練經過一段時間，我們對於不認識的字或是看不懂的句子的猜測會越來越準。同時我們也做完了VERBEL閱讀測驗，一箭雙雕。

關於文章閱讀，我推薦殺Ｇ四寶之 吳中東閱讀

三、填空測驗

ＧＲＥ句子填空測驗常常要你選出同義字，反義字（synonym, anonym）。透過做題我們可以同時達到被單字以及知道其反義字的功效。這樣的好處是免除了一般單字書單字照字首排列的無意義背法。透過字義分類記憶，我們除了比較容易記以外，更能在寫作考試中彈性應用。 好比說你背了提升 enhance, 但是你不知道減弱undermine,你可能也知道舒緩 alleviate, 但是你不知道其反義詞aggravate。
透過填空測驗，你可以慢慢累積你的字庫，使你累積一堆隨手可用的同類常用單字，在argument寫作中互相替換，增加文采。這些字就是你的子彈，讓你在寫作時免於用詞枯竭。而體會這些字的微妙差異，也可以使你在意思的表達上更為準確。

如 alleviate, emollient, mollify, enhance, rise, increase,improve, relieve, brace, boost, promote, support 都有正向的意思，就是提升、緩和、支持等。
相反的，decrease, aggravate,  diminish, plummet,deteriorate, decline, decay, degenerate, degrade, recess, regress,weaken 都有倒退，惡化之意。

在句子填空中，也常見把意思相近的字做比較，顯現出相近字的微妙差異。
好比說，decline的強烈程度就不如 plummet, 而 deteriorate 通常指的是本來已經很糟了，但是現在更形惡化。

透過句子填空來被單字，也可以同時練習句子填空考題的出題類型，有效增加準備效率。

關於句子填空 我推薦殺Ｇ四寶之 陳聖文句子填空



以下為巴朗詞表單元單字以及單字造句範例：

Unit 25

The effete doggrel documented how the once ebullient poet, who is renown for his effervescent eclectic poems, became a dormant dogmatic old man that duped people with dross.      

document

doggerel

dogmatic

dormant

dross

dupe

ebullient

eclectic

effervescent

effete

Unit 26

Christine’s emaciated look elicited that the only efficacy of her egotistical effrontery to her boss last week is extra workload and less rests, instead of the embellished myth that egoism is the Elysian elixir to salary raise. 

emaciated 

elicit

efficacy

egoism

egotistical

effrontery

embellish

Elysian 

elixir

Unit 27

In the encomium for the successful entrepreneur’s empirical discovery that emulating behaviours of your peers can both emollient endemic frictions in work area and enhance collaborative productivity. However, the amateur entomologist enunciated,it enervates diversity and engender repression of individuality.

encomium

entrepreneur

empirical

emulate

emollient

endemic

enhance

entomology

enunciate

enervate

engender

Unit 28

The equable erudite scholar essayed to explain esoteric ephemeral experience in epistemology, but the estimable figure suddenly lost his equanimity and started to equivocate when he was asked about his obvious errant premise.

equable 

equanimity

equivocate

erudite

estimable

esoteric

ephemeral

epistemology

equivocate 

errant

essay    

Unit 29

The aetiology of ethnocentric ideology rooted in every Japanese people’s minds is the widespread euphemism for eugenics evinced throughout their primary education during WWII . However, the euphoria permeating the whole Japanese society due to its stupidity might exactly be its eulogy of the upcoming euthanasia. The etymology of euthanasia is eu ‘well’+thantos ‘death’. 

aetiology

evince,

ethnocentric,

euphemism,

eugenics,

euphoria,

eulogy,

euthanasia,

etymology

Unit 30

The expatriated priest tried to exculpate his follower by exhorting the government not to exact additional tax based on existential reason. He expatiating how this execrable act would exacerbate the already sunken morality, and would not exorcise the exigency of the country.

expatriate

exculpate

exhort

exact

existential

exigency

expatiate (sb of sth)

execrable

exacerbate

exorcise (sth bad) 

   

德國獎學金

德國獎學金

論壇

just to name a few

CollegeWeekLive Monthly Scholarship

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CollegeWeekLive gives away $1,000 per month just for viewing and visiting US colleges online. Winning is easy - all you need to do is login to CollegeWeekLive and visit 3 colleges that interest you. One lucky winner will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship every month. And many other winners may find the college of their dreams.

Sponsor: CollegeWeekLive

KSOP Scholarship Program

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The graduate school KSOP offers an elaborated scholarship program for excellent students who want to study the M.Sc. in Optics & Photonics. Part of the scholarship is a research assistantship. Within the scope of this assistantship, you will have the opportunity to work on a research project in one of the KSOP institutes.

Sponsor: Karlsruhe School of Optics & Photonics (KSOP)

The Mr & Mrs Hung Mau Wu Memorial Fund Grant

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The Grant is awarded annually to young university students of Chinese descent and/or nationality to help relieve the financial pressure during the study period. The Applicant must be under the age of 25 at the time of application, be of direct Chinese origin and/or nationality and the studies must lead to the minimum of Bachelor’s degree within one of the designated subjects: Hospitality, Business, Education, Medicine OR International Law / International Relations.

Sponsor: Mr & Mrs Hung Mau Wu Memorial Fund

SOSI Research Grant

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Award for the advanced study of olfaction.

Sponsor: Sense of Smell Institute

GotScholarship 20K Give Away

---

We keep it simple. The scholarship is easy and free to enter. The winner is selected by a random drawing. There are no GPA, financial need or essay requirements. Open to all fields of study, the US $20,000 must be used for “educational expenses”, this includes: tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment required for study or towards repayment of outstanding student loans

Sponsor: GotChosen

Amount	20,000
Number of Awards	1
Deadline	June 30
Includes	The US $20,000 must be used for “educational expenses”, this includes: tuition, fees, books, supplies, equipment required for study or towards repayment of outstanding student loans.

GotChosen $1000 Every Month Scholarship

---

Scholarship Highlights: Open to all fields of study, the GotChosen $1000 Every Month Scholarship is easy and free to enter. No GPA, no essay, no financial requirements, and no long forms to fill out. A new winner is selected every month by a random drawing. - Participants must apply every month to be eligible for the current month’s drawing. - Deadline: Last day of every month.

Sponsor: GotChosen

Award Restrictions

Applicants for this award must meet the following criteria:

Other Criteria

Open to United States and international students. No GPA, No Essay - No Long Forms to Fill - Just Register and Apply! You must apply for the GotChosen $1000 Every Month Scholarship each month to be eligible for the current month’s drawing. This is not a loan and there is no payback. This is a FREE scholarship. Privacy Disclosure: GotChosen will not sell or share any personal data from its registrants. Deadline: The last day of every month. NO FEE, AND NO PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.

Host Institution:

This award is linked to a specific institution.

Award Specifications

Additional information about this award.

Amount	1000
Number of Awards	1 per month
Deadline	Last Day of Every Month

序言-使用手冊

使用手冊

本產品保證不含黑心化學成分，全部台灣生產製造，請安心服用。

筆者基於殘害社會理念，提供個人過去準備申請美國研究所經驗給學弟妹參考。本人不保證這套學習方法適用於每個人，亦不保證能獲致良好學習效果或申請結果。使用者需自行承擔使用本產品產生之作用及風險。ＥＴＳ檢驗本產品可能有導致智商增加、英文變好、體重減輕、壓力消失等不可回復傷害。請放在同學無法觸及之高處及陰暗處，本產品含成癮化學成分，務必依照醫師指示服用。

服用方法

本部落格的六個書簽

一、起點

        關於留學一切的起點。所有的知識以及行動都從網頁置頂書簽的「起點」開始。這部分是專門寫給門外漢的入門背景知識。文字淺顯、內容廣泛。讓你從最初的「什麼是留學」到最後的「出國前準備」每一階段有基本的概念。

留學準備的各個階段

    

第一章：留學動機

第二章：培植能力

第三章：考試準備

第四章：選擇學校

第五章：申請文件

第六章：Statement of Purpose（ＳＯＰ）

第七章：投遞申請

第八章：面試

第九章：出國前準備

二、申請資料準備
        包含了針對各項申請國外研究所需要的申請資料的準備方法。
     

三、ＴＯＥＦＬ準備

四、ＧＲＥ準備

五、範例

六、獎學金

第一章：留學動機

為什麼要留學？

如果你會看到這個部落格，表示你對留學應該是有些許的好奇。留學的原因有很多種。有人是大學畢業，想要到國外念個碩士鍍金，看看回國能不能找到更好的工作, 甚至是留在當地。有人則是已經有了工作經驗，想要出國充電，讓自己能在職場上更上一層樓。當然，也有人純粹是為了出國遊歷,享受不同於國內的大學生活。


你要有自己的理由

為什麼要出國留學？這個問題沒有標準答案。但是，你絕對需要有非出國留學不可的理由，這個理由將是你在申請過程中最大的精神支柱，支持你熬過漫長的準備與重重考試。這個動機也將是你在國外面對各種挑戰時，信念的基石。

留學應是手段而非目的

問問你自己，「你的人生志向是什麼？」很多人可能從來沒有想過這個問題，但是這個問題我認為是留學一切的原點。

留學的動機不應該是人云亦云，也不該是一時興起，而是出自於成就自我實現以及追求人生意義這類深刻的理想。唯有對自己的人生志向有明確方向、以及對自己想要怎麼樣的人生有清楚藍圖的人，才能把留學這塊拼圖擺放在正確的位置，作為追求實現自我的階梯。
請記住，留學不是目的，也不是終點。留學只是一種幫助你完成理想的手段、方法。如果留學對你的生涯僅止于增廣見聞、或是拿張文憑，這樣表淺的理由沒有辦法支持你度過漫長的申請，以及在國外所會遭遇的挫折。出自於追求理想而產生的「我必須要留學」的動機，最能內化為強烈的信仰，在遭遇困難時自然而然帶給你勇氣，以及在漫漫長夜時成為心中永不熄滅的燈塔。 當你能把困難與挫折當作日常生活的一部份，心存感激而不是怨天尤人，我相信留學生活絕對會成為你一生最重要，最豐富精彩的一頁。

留學不會是童話故事

 在還沒有出國之前，許多人可能對異國生活有著旖想。無論是歐洲的童話風情，還是美國好萊塢式的刺激，這都只是對異國生活的刻板印象。旅遊與生活是兩件事，生活有金錢、課業的壓力，以及每天重複上演的例行公事。不久之後，就會沖淡你對周遭事物的好奇，而你也開始對所謂的異國情調感到麻木，甚至覺得與國內沒有太大差別。一段時日下來，陪伴你的，可能只有晝短夜長以及刺骨寒風，你會開始懷念那小小的濕熱島嶼，懷念起地震和颱風。

語言
留學面臨的實際問題第一個就是語言障礙。無論你的英文講得多好，只要不是在國外長大，語言的障礙就會存在。如果你是到英文非母語國家求學，語言的障礙將會更大。有志前往外國求學者，應該儘早把外語學好，取得必須的外語考試證書（TOEFL,etc.）。並且把外語融入生活，而非一項科目。因為出了台灣，外語的掌握是越高越好，千萬不要怕自己英文太好。而英文的學習方式也非死背應記，而是應該假想在國外有哪些情境會使用到這些字，不必鑽研艱深的字詞，反而應該廣泛認識各種生活情境會用到的字，例如銀行辦存款，辦手機，繳房租，買菜等食衣住行相關單字。

文化
另外，文化差異也是許多台灣人常常面臨的問題。在國外常見的現象就是華人自己聚集成一個小團體，自絕於世界各國文化之外。在台灣認為是美德的謙卑，隨和，以及矜持，到了國外可能變成沒主見，缺乏男子氣概，以及有社交障礙。或是台灣人在溝通上可能比較委婉，不敢直接爭取自己的權利或是拒絕他人的要求，害怕正面衝突等，可能在當地造成誤會。此外，對他國的國情、法律不熟悉也常導致糾紛。如何在國外爭取、保障自己的權利是在國內讀研究所無法學到的生活技能。

開銷
前往第一世界，或是已開發國家留學，開銷往往大於國內。以美國為例，研究所一年的學費兩萬到五萬不等。加上生活費依學校地點，以及生活機能等差異極大。有些富裕區域的生活費極高。因此，如何支持自己的開銷是留學的第一要件。
 一般留學生經濟來源主要有：
1.自費
2.公費留考
3.獎學金（Fulbright,DAAD,etc.）
4.對方學校提供之Fellowships,Scholarships, Teaching assistant (TA), Research assistant (RA)

其中後三者與你的大學在校成績有很大的關聯。若是想申請上國際一流學府，大學期間必須努力不懈。而第四者常見於理工科系(STEM)的博士班學生，碩士班較難獲得。

考試方式
在國外的教學以及唸書方法往往有別於國內。國內大學因為教育政策影響，是錄取困難，畢業容易。產生所謂「由你玩四年」的說法。在國外一流大學，讀研究所的學生往往是來自世界各地的精英，讀書挑燈夜戰，甚至畢不了業是常有的事。如果在國內習慣死背硬記得高分的學生，或是考試總是拿滿分的學生，在國外不見得會受到教授青睞。反而是有創造力、批判精神，以及能動手解決問題的學生常常被認為是一流的學生。


出國留學的好處

 講了這麼多出國留學的困難是否嚇到心底才剛萌芽的你呢？還是更激起你挑戰困難的雄心壯志？接下來我們來談談留學帶來的好處。以下略舉幾點。

 找工作

台灣的新鮮人起薪並不高，而且台灣的產業政策不明確，表現每況愈下。加上物價以及房價高漲，年輕人不但工時幾乎全球最長，房價所得比全球最低，對於在台灣的生涯發展可能也難以抱有期待。與其受限於國內低劣的工作條件，何不向外發展，前往工作待遇高，生活品質高的國家工作？

然而，這一點並不容易。因為各國無不想要網羅頂尖人才，同時防止本國的福利資源受到外國人濫用。出國深造，培養自己的專業能力以及溝通能力，絕對能讓自已的工作能力大大提升，獲得外國公司的青睞。以美國為例，加州的矽谷因為網路業的興盛，人才十分短缺，因此許多美國名校資訊科系畢業的大學生在還沒畢業前就已經找到待遇極佳的工作。而在美國名校畢業的理工碩博士也常常能找到可以發揮所長的工作。此外，新加坡，韓國，甚至中國也都在大力網羅世界頂尖人才。如果你夠優秀，實在不必忍受國內糟糕的就業環境。

做研究

老實說，台灣國立大學的硬體設備其實不輸國外一流大學。問題是國內研究所學生要接觸到世界各國前端的研究的機會實在有限。一是地處偏遠，二是國際合作的比率不高，往往念完書對於國外研究室的了解僅限於期刊論文。然而，身處歐美大學，前往哈佛、麻省理工、或是劍橋、蘇黎世聯邦理工等頂尖研究機構當面討教，或是參加各大學所舉辦的conference也不是太困難。如此頻繁的學術交流是國內難以匹敵的。許多歐美學校也常邀請該領域之頂尖學者進行學術演講或是訪問。這些機會都有助益學生建立該領域的人脈或是抓住最新研究潮流。

視野

台灣媒體為了顧及收視率往往不顧民眾知的權利，以國內政治口水，名人花邊，或是血腥暴力事件毒害台灣一般人民的視聽。長久下來導致多數台灣民眾缺乏國際觀以及對全球問題的關心，自外於國際社群。同時，台灣的地理封閉性和文化的單一性造成台灣人民對於全球或是東亞區域政治變化的無感及無知，導致台灣政治經濟長久以來無法擺脫狹隘的格局，成為一個國際化的經貿中心。在全球往來密切的今天，台灣像是一座孤島，一道隱形的牆隔開與世界的接觸。

出國留學，提供你以不同的觀點反思台灣。事情是不是只有一種解決方法？能不能以更大的格局尋求雙贏？看看各國對於教育、國家權力、社會福利、環保、還是經濟問題的處理以及辯論，你會發現自己思考的盲點，以及重新思考人生的意義。

機會

離開同質性過高的台灣，在世界各國流浪尋找落腳處，你會發現，處處是機會。你的思考與當地人是如此不同，往往能看見他們看不見的問題，並且提供解決方案。或許你的國際觀幫你發現一股趨勢，或是你發現台灣食物很受外國人歡迎。甚至國外興起一股東方熱，身在國外的你擁有更多的選擇。

移民

留學生常常在異國找到工作後，自然而然的取得了該國的居留權。對於嚮往已開發國家高品質生活的人，移民不啻為一個留學的好處。中國學生近十年來已經成為全球最大的留學生輸出國，一方面中國人口龐大，另一方面不能否認其低劣的生活條件以及就業環境成為中國人才的推力。自古以來，強國總是吸引各國人民移居。移民先進國家不但生活品質提高，同時也保障了生命財產的安全。

結語：

看完了以上介紹，無論你覺得自己適不適合留學，相信你對留學多了一些了解。若是你找到自己留學的動機，並有克服萬難的信念，或是你不安的靈魂讓妳不想留在台灣，想出去走走。那我們就可以開始進到下一個步驟了。

     

第二章：培植能力

留學沒有捷徑

   申請人必須不斷加強自己的能力，並且不斷以實質成績證明自己的進步，以證明自己有能力以及潛力成為領域內的佼佼者。不要期待自己能僥倖獲得評審的青睞，因為偉大的成功絕對不是僥倖。

   我從高三確定錄取大學之後就立定留學的志向。並且從大一就開始朝這個方向努力。並且立定進度表。然而，因為我的申請目標皆為目標領域內世界前五十名的學校，加上當時太過天真，第一次申請全部沒上。直到隔年經過一番反省，認清事實，改變策略，終於收到錄取通知。

  若是你在大學就訂定留學目標，其實，從大一就可以按部就班的開始努力。我們先來看一下戰鬥計劃：

 

專業能力

課業

1. ＧＰＡ

  想要進入世界一流學府，ＧＰＡ（grade point average）必須要好才能申請到好學校。因此在大學期間的ＧＰＡ就非常重要。ＧＰＡ的算法因校而異，但是原則上是成績乘以學分做加權平均。通常學校寄發的成績單（transcipt）上會有總成績對照的ＧＰＡ。


申請美國學校時，對方常常會要求分別列出專業科目ＧＰＡ （major GPA）以及 畢業最後六十學分ＧＰＡ（last 60 GPA），所以主科分數重要性大於通識，大四大三的成績又比大二大一重要。ＧＰＡ計算機

  為了拉高成績，有些人會建議修給分甜的課或是修比較簡單清鬆的課。若要申請到美國不錯的學校，好比說美國排名前三十的學校，ＧＰＡ需要3.7（大約學業平均87分）以上比較有機會。若要申請美國前一百名的學校，ＧＰＡ最好不要低於 3.0 （學業平均78）。切記，有些台灣大學（清華大學ＧＰＡ換算表）採用最高4.3的grade point 算法，但是美國要求的是最高4.0的算法。所以要注意不要高估了自己的ＧＰＡ。

2. 書券獎

申請美國名校時，學歷（curriculum vitae）上若能在課業表現上注明書券獎，那肯定能證明你的專業能力突出。

書券獎指的是全班前三名，亦或是全班第一名。通常英文寫做Ｄean's List，也就是學院長的名單。有些人會在 成績後註明 Top 5% of the class, 通常這也和書券獎的意義相同。由於美國學校每年收到來自全世界大學的申請資料，各校的給分標準不一，所以有時他們會要求申請者的成績必須在前班前20%。注意，這只是最低門檻（requirement）。

3. 獎學金

不要以為獎學金代表的只是金錢收獲。獎學金也是學業表現的指標。好比大學校內外常有什麼「優秀學生獎學金」、「台德交換獎學金」、「吳健雄獎學金」、「扶輪社獎學金」等等，都是有成績競爭性的，甚至有些獎學金是有國際公認性的，對申請學校有幫助。

 4.比賽           

  國際型的比賽可以客觀評量申請者的水平，因此是一個很好的學業評量標準。例如國際的機器人足球競賽，勝利者必然是打敗世界各方高手。若是在大學期間有機會參加國際型比賽，與全球知名學府的學生一較高下，務必把握機會。大學讀外文系的暢銷作家王文華曾提到他之所以可以申請上史丹佛商學院就是因為他曾在國際的英語辯論比賽獲選最佳辯士。

  然而，專業不相關的比賽對申請進入研究所並沒有太大幫助。例如游泳比賽冠軍不會對一個申請數學研究所的人有太大幫助。另外，校內或是太小型的比賽對申請學校沒有太大的加分。切記不要把小學國中高中的得獎寫在履歷內，越久遠或是越小的獎項月沒有價值。

  5.專題研究   

  對於研究導向的研究所來說，專題研究的成果直接反映申請者做研究的能力。是比學業成績來得更直接的指標。做研究必須要有發現問題、解決問題的能力。做研究的表現也可以判斷出一個人的個性適不適合作研究。例如耐性、抗壓性、人際關係等等。

  對於想要出國的人來說，大學期間最好參與專題研究，一方面確認自己對做研究的興趣，一方面證明自己不只是紙上談兵。做專題研究可以讓指導老師幫你寫一封推薦信，有力的推薦信甚至可以直接推薦你到外國大學。

  最好的情況裡，你在大學期間或許能夠發表一篇論文，或是參加conference報告。由於論文是一個研究成果的展現，因此能發表論文代表你已經對學術有所貢獻。站在教授的角度，他需要的是會做研究的研究員，而不是一個只會考試而不會獨立思考的學生。

語言   

    英文             

英文是世界上國際交流主要使用的語言，也是課堂溝通的語言。通常學校為要求申請人通過英文檢定，如ＴＯＥＦＬ、ＩＥＬＴＳ、ＧＭＡＴ等。 以美國研究所為例，好的學校ＴＯＥＦＬ要求至少為 85分, 而有些更要求到100分。ＩＥＬＴＳ主要用在英國，但是美國也開始慢慢接受，ＩＥＬＴＳ通常需要6.0以上，也有些學校要求到7.0。

  大學期間，必須多充實自己的英文能力，如閱讀英文學習雜誌，上校內英文授課的課，或是英文寫作課，還有參加英語演講社團。如果想要講一口流利的英文，可以上校內或是坊間的英語會話課。或是與校內的外國學生做語言交換。平時多看看ＴＥＤ的影片，可以試著把字幕關掉，或是多聽ＢＢＣ的廣播，如果更有時間，可以上免費的雲端課程如Coursera, 聽聽外國教授上課。

     其他留學國語文

 大部分國家並不以英文為母語，因此除了基本英文能力之外有可能被要求必須具備一定程度的該國語言能力。就算讀的是以英文授課之國際學生學程，在日常生活中會幾句該國語言絕對能減少很多的不便。對於非英文授課之學位，如果是要前往日本就讀，那麼Ｎ1檢定通過應該是最基本的，如果是要前往德法等歐洲學校就讀，同過法檢，德福考試也是入學的基本條件。

工作經驗     

  雖然留學應該從大學就開始準備，而畢業後直接前往國外唸書，但是對於某些領域來說，工作經驗的重要性大於在校成績或是研究成果。例如商管領域幾乎所有的ＭＢＡ都要求工作經驗。工作經驗對於申請工程領域的研究所也有很大的幫助。

  工作經驗在某些情況並不能為申請者加分，必須工作內容能與大學專業相輔相成才有加分效果。而對理學院而言，在企業的工作應驗可能不如在校的研究成果來得重要。

   工作經驗不僅增加對社會問題的了解，對申請研究所的動機以及目的會更有把握，也讓申請人在面試或是自傳上也更能有所發揮。

其他

    培養對新事物的好奇心

       好奇心對於申請人的影響比較間接。對於做研究來講，在專業中興趣廣泛比較能找到志趣相投的指導老師，對於人際交往來說，興趣廣泛的人比較不那麼無趣，可以豐富自己的言談，與同學相處愉快。同時異國生活中總是充滿新事物。對於新奇事物的好奇心可以幫助申請人更快融入環境，減少思鄉之苦。

     大學時代除了多閱讀書籍、多參與社交、社團之外、應該多接觸新事物，對未知的事情保持好奇，對害怕的事物勇於挑戰。遇到問題要有樂觀的思維，也要做最壞的準備。
     興趣廣泛的一大好處，就是能多吸收知識，並把申請過程中痛苦的語言考試化成學習的機會。無論是英文考試的閱讀測驗文章，還是聽力測驗的對話，把它們當做吸收新知的機會。這種廣泛學習的習慣能幫你省下來的學習時間非常可觀。例如，在文章中看到的句型結構如果換成是你，寫不寫得出來？模仿這些範文的寫作技巧，或是遣辭用句，絕對可以提升你的寫作表現。

     申請學校期間，你必須寫許多的英文文章，或是英文書信給教授、學校。這些作業曠日費時。與其用一種無可奈何的態度痛苦的做這些事，何不把這些繁瑣的事當作練習與陌生人溝通的機會？學習如何應對也是增進人際關係重要的一課。
    

   良好的體能

       良好的體能是一切的基礎。好的身體使人工作勤快，效率卓著。另外良好的體能可以應付異國的氣候變化，以及可能有的過敏反應。一個人出門在外，沒有親朋好友可以求救，但是自己的雙手萬能，雙腳無敵。有健康的身體加上健全的心理素質，才不會讓生活的瑣事影響了課業。

   人際溝通的技巧

   溝通技巧的重要性不亞於專業能力。能把自己的工作表現完美呈現，或是完整地讓教授，同學理解自己的想法，熟練的口語表達、上台簡報、或是臨場的幽默感在職場上或是在學術圈中都是不可或缺的能力。然而，表達能力往往是華人的弱項。華人內向害羞的個性，或是崇尚謙虛的美德，只該留在華人圈中。

   大學時代應把握上台報告的機會多鍛鍊自己的台風，以及多參與社團幹部、學生會的活動，讓自己在面對人群時能夠侃侃而談，甚至能唱作俱佳，這樣的表達能力絕對能讓人驚豔而對你印象深刻。

    獨立生活的能力 

平常應該學著打理自己的生活，從三餐到洗衣買菜，水電修繕等，在國外都需要自己應付。開車被視為基本技能。台灣人普遍較歐美人晚獨立生活，因此最好早早學會這些基本技能。

第三章：考試準備

美國留學考試最主要的考試有兩個，TOEFL（托福） 和 GRE（Graduate Record Examinations)

托福主要是美國留學的語言程度檢定。只要是英文非母語的外籍學生都必須通過一定門檻的托福成績才能申請美國的研究所。一般來說，托福成績的要求是在85分以上。

GRE

There are a number of limitations to the GRE in terms of predicting research success, but it is the only standardized metric admissions committees have access to. The weight given to the different sections of the GRE and the subject tests can vary substantially among departments.

Compensating for low GRE scores

A low GRE scores can be offset by a strong research record highlighted in the SOP and letters of reference. The SOP and letters of reference can also be used to make the admissions committee aware of any extenuating circumstances that may have lead to the low GRE scores. A Strong GPA can also help offset low GRE scores. The best way to offset a low GRE is to retake the GRE. The GRE is typically offered year-round for applicants. Upon receiving a lower-than-expected GRE score, you can, and should, immediately register for another GRE exam and begin preparing. Because of the short turn-around time, any preparation you did for the previous GRE should allow you to prepare much more quickly this time.

You are technically permitted to take the GRE once every 3 weeks, or 5 times a year. However, repeat testings are detrimental to your schedule, morale, and finances, so it might be best to keep taking the test only until you receive a satisfactory score that you feel will represent your target school's applicant criteria, not until you receive the best score you believe is possible for you.

Once you have received the score you are satisfied with, the ETS offers a service to allow you to selectively determine which scores you provide to schools you are applying to, called ScoreSelect. This way, you can present your best cumulative score to the applications committee without being concerned about an older test, or one where extenuating circumstances made you perform worse than expected.

After test day, you can send additional score reports for a fee, and select from these options for each report you'd like to send:

• Most Recent option — Send your scores from your most recent test administration
• All option — Send your scores from all test administrations in the last five years
• Any option — Send your scores from one OR as many test administrations as you like from the last five years

You will select by specific test dates, so your scores are all from the same testing session.

This applies to both general and subject GREs.

The ScoreSelect option is available for both the GRE® revised General Test and GRE® Subject Tests, and can be used by anyone with reportable scores from the last five years.

Again, I want to add that, in my experience, the GRE is a 'filter', nothing more. In many cases, even low GREs will be considered and not automatically discarded. Most top admissions panels do not accept one candidate over another simply based on GRE. I know for a fact that some colleges don't even require candidates to submit GREs. When I was applying to CS Ph.D. programs a few years ago, for example, I noticed that MIT did not require GRE scores to be submitted.

TOEFL

Improve your English and take the TOEFL again; generally schools have minimum TOEFL scores, and taking a student whose English isn't good enough can be a huge headache. Some schools in the US will do phone/Skype interviews with foreign prospective students to get a sense of their English.

Meeting the minimum requirements

Every university/department handles the stated minimum requirements differently. Sometimes a hard threshold is used such that if an application fails to meet all the minimum requirements, it will not be considered at all. Other times, the threshold is soft, and applications that do not meet all (or some) of the minimum requirements will still be considered. If you do not meet the minimum, only the department you are applying to can tell you if you are eligible to apply.