📚 A Guide to North American University Application Systems | 北美大学网申系统使用指南
Applying to universities in the United States and Canada can seem overwhelming, but understanding the major online application platforms will simplify your journey. This guide walks you through the key systems, from the Common App to UC Application, and offers practical advice on every section, so you can submit a strong, accurate application.
申请美国和加拿大的大学可能看起来令人望而生畏，但了解主要的在线申请平台会让你的申请之路变得简单。本指南将带你了解从 Common App 到 UC 申请系统等主要平台，并针对每个板块提供实用建议，帮助你提交一份有力且准确的申请。
1. Overview of Major Application Platforms | 主要申请平台概览
The Common Application (Common App) is the most widely used undergraduate platform in the U.S., accepted by over 1,000 colleges. Many top private and public universities use it as their sole or primary application.
通用申请系统（Common App）是美国使用最广泛的本科申请平台，被 1000 多所大学接受。许多顶尖私立和公立大学将其作为唯一或主要的申请方式。
The Coalition Application by Scoir (formerly Coalition for College) is accepted by about 150 institutions, with a focus on access and affordability. Its "locker" feature allows students to store materials early.
由 Scoir 运营的联盟申请系统（原 Coalition for College）被约 150 所院校接受，注重入学机会和负担能力。其“储物柜”功能允许学生提前存储材料。
The University of California (UC) system has its own dedicated application for all nine UC undergraduate campuses. You fill out one application for all UC schools you wish to apply to.
加州大学（UC）系统有自己专用的申请平台，适用于所有九所 UC 本科校区。你只需填写一份申请，即可申请所有心仪的 UC 学校。
Other notable platforms include ApplyTexas for public universities in Texas, the CSU Mentor system for California State Universities, and OUAC for universities in Ontario, Canada.
其他值得注意的平台包括德州公立大学的 ApplyTexas、加州州立大学的 CSU Mentor 系统以及加拿大安大略省大学的 OUAC 申请中心。
2. Creating Your Account and Profile | 创建账户与个人资料
Begin by visiting the official website of the platform you intend to use, such as commonapp.org. Use a personal email address that you check regularly and will still have access to throughout the admission cycle.
首先访问你计划使用的平台的官方网站，例如 commonapp.org。请使用你经常查看、且在整个招生周期内仍可访问的个人邮箱地址。
Avoid using school email addresses, as many schools block external messages or delete accounts after graduation. Write down your login credentials and keep them secure.
避免使用学校邮箱，因为许多学校会屏蔽外部邮件或在毕业后删除账户。请记下登录凭据并妥善保管。
Complete your basic profile accurately: legal name, date of birth, citizenship, and contact details must match your official documents. Errors here can cause processing delays.
准确填写基本资料：法定姓名、出生日期、国籍和联系方式必须与官方证件一致。此处出错可能导致处理延迟。
For the Common App, you will also indicate your preferred name, pronouns, and gender identity if you wish. These fields are optional but allow you to present yourself authentically.
在 Common App 中，你还可以根据意愿填写偏好的名字、人称代词和性别认同。这些字段为可选，但能让你真实地展现自己。
3. Completing the Common App Sections | 填写Common App各板块
The Common App is divided into several tabs: Profile, Family, Education, Testing, Activities, and Writing. Each tab must be completed thoroughly before you can submit to any college.
Common App 分为几个标签页：个人资料、家庭、教育背景、考试、活动和文书。在提交给任何一所大学之前，必须完整填写每一个标签页。
In the Education section, list your current secondary school and any other high schools you have attended. Enter your GPA, class rank (if available), and current year courses exactly as they appear on your transcript.
在教育背景部分，列出当前就读的中学以及曾就读的任何其他高中。按照成绩单上的信息准确填写 GPA、班级排名（若提供）以及本学年课程。
The Testing section allows you to self-report SAT, ACT, AP, IB, and TOEFL scores. You can choose not to report any tests if you are applying to test-optional institutions, but check each college's policy.
考试部分允许你自行填报 SAT、ACT、AP、IB 和托福成绩。如果申请的学校实行标化可选政策，你可以选择不汇报任何考试成绩，但需逐校核实政策。
The Activities section is critical. You can list up to 10 activities, including extracurriculars, work, family responsibilities, and summer programs. Order them by importance and showcase depth, not just breadth.
活动部分至关重要。你可以列出最多 10 项活动，包括课外活动、工作、家庭责任和暑期项目。按重要性排序，展示参与的深度，而非仅仅广度。
4. Understanding the Activities List | 理解活动列表
For each activity, you need to provide an activity type, position/leadership description, organization name, and a brief description of what you did and any accomplishments. You have only 150 characters for each description.
每项活动都需要填写活动类型、职位/领导角色描述、组织名称，以及一份关于你所做的事情和任何成就的简要描述。每项描述仅限于 150 个字符。
Use action verbs and quantify your impact where possible. Instead of "helped organize events," write "Coordinated 5 fundraising events, raising $2,500 for local shelter."
使用行为动词并尽可能量化你的影响。与其写“帮助组织活动”，不如写“协调 5 场筹款活动，为当地收容所筹集 2500 美元”。
Include significant family responsibilities, such as translating for parents or caring for siblings, as these demonstrate maturity and time management. Admissions officers value context.
请把重要的家庭责任也包括进去，比如为家长翻译或照顾弟弟妹妹，这能体现你的成熟度和时间管理能力。招生官很看重情境信息。
Do not exaggerate or fabricate activities. Admissions committees may verify details, and dishonesty can lead to revocation of your offer.
切勿夸大或捏造活动。招生委员会可能会核实细节，不诚实可能导致录取通知书被撤销。
5. Writing the Personal Statement | 撰写个人陈述
The Common App personal statement offers seven prompt choices, and you must write one essay of 250–650 words. The essay should provide insight into your character, values, and how you think.
Common App 个人陈述提供了七个题目，你需要选择其一写一篇 250 至 650 词的文书。文书应让招生官洞悉你的品格、价值观以及思维方式。
Do not simply list achievements; instead, tell a story that reveals personal growth. A strong essay focuses on a specific moment or experience and reflects deeply on its significance.
不要简单地罗列成就；相反，要讲述一个展现个人成长的故事。一篇优秀的文书聚焦于某个具体时刻或经历，并对其意义进行深刻反思。
Do not write what you think admissions officers want to hear; write a genuine story only you can tell. The voice should sound like you, not a thesaurus.
不要写你认为招生官想听的话；写一个只有你才能讲述的真实故事。文书的语气应该像你的口吻，而非一本词典。
Revise multiple times and read your essay aloud. Seek feedback from a trusted teacher or counselor, but ensure the final draft remains your own work and voice.
多次修改并大声朗读你的文书。向信赖的教师或升学指导寻求反馈，但要确保最终版本出自你手并保留你的声音。
6. Supplemental Essays and School-Specific Questions | 附加文书与学校特定问题
Many colleges require supplemental essays in addition to the personal statement. The most common prompt is "Why do you want to attend this college?" which requires specific research about the institution.
许多大学除了个人陈述之外还要求撰写附加文书。最常见的题目是“你为什么想入读本校？”，这需要你对该校做详细的调研。
When answering "Why this college," mention specific courses, professors, research opportunities, student organizations, or campus traditions that align with your interests. Avoid generic praise like "beautiful campus."
在回答“为什么选择这所大学”时，要提及与你兴趣相符的具体课程、教授、科研机会、学生组织或校园传统。避免“美丽的校园”这类泛泛的赞美。
Other common supplements include "Describe an extracurricular activity," short-answer questions, or creative prompts. Respect word limits strictly; going over can make it seem as though you cannot follow instructions.
其他常见的附加文书包括“描述一项课外活动”、简答题或创意题目。严格遵守字数限制；超字数可能会让人觉得你不善于遵循指令。
Some systems, like the UC Application, have their own unique Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) instead of a single personal statement. You must choose 4 out of 8 prompts, each with a 350-word limit.
有些系统，如 UC 申请，有自己独特的个人见解问题（PIQs），而非单一的个人陈述。你必须从 8 个题目中选择 4 个回答，每题字数限制为 350 词。
7. Requesting Recommendations and Transcripts | 请求推荐信与成绩单
Most colleges require one counselor recommendation and one or two teacher recommendations. Invite recommenders through the application platform by entering their email addresses.
大多数大学要求一份升学指导推荐信和一到两份教师推荐信。在申请平台上输入推荐人的邮箱地址，系统便会邀请他们提交推荐信。
Ask teachers who know you well and can speak to your academic strengths and character. Provide them with a brief résumé or list of accomplishments to help them write detailed letters.
邀请那些了解你、能够评价你的学术能力和品格的老师。向他们提供一份简短的简历或成就清单，以帮助他们写出内容充实的推荐信。
Request your school counselor to upload your official transcript and school profile. Make sure your transcript is accurate before it is sent; check for any discrepancies in grades or courses.
请你的学校升学指导上传官方成绩单和学校简介。在发送前务必确认成绩单信息准确无误；检查成绩或课程是否有出入。
Give recommenders at least three to four weeks of notice before the deadline. Send gentle reminders a week before, and express gratitude after they submit.
至少提前三到四周通知推荐人。在截止日期前一周发送温和的提醒，并在他们提交后表达感谢。
8. Standardized Test Scores and Reporting | 标准化考试成绩与提交
Check each college's standardized test policy carefully: test-required, test-optional, test-flexible, or test-blind. For test-optional schools, decide whether your scores strengthen your application.
请仔细查阅每所大学的标化考试政策：强制要求、可选、灵活或完全不看分数。对于可选政策的学校，需判断你的分数是否能为申请加分。
If you choose to submit scores, you can often self-report them on the platform. However, some colleges require official score reports from the testing agency (College Board or ACT) directly.
如果你选择提交分数，通常可以在平台上自行填报。但有些大学要求考试机构（College Board 或 ACT）直接寄送官方成绩报告。
For the UC and CSU systems, only official score reports from testing agencies are accepted, and they must reach by the stated deadline. Check the minimum score submission window.
对于 UC 和 CSU 系统，只接受考试机构发出的官方成绩报告，且必须在规定截止日期前送达。请确认最晚送分时间窗口。
English proficiency tests like TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo are usually required for non-native speakers. Waivers may be available if you have studied in an English-medium school for a certain number of years.
对于非英语母语者，通常需要提供托福、雅思或 Duolingo 等英语水平考试成绩。如果你在全英文教学的学校就读达到一定年限，可能获得豁免。
9. Financial Aid and Scholarship Applications | 助学金与奖学金申请
If you are applying for need-based financial aid, submit the CSS Profile and/or the FAFSA (for U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens). International students typically only need the CSS Profile, but check each college's requirements.
如果你正在申请基于需求的助学金，请提交 CSS Profile 和/或 FAFSA（适用于美国公民和符合条件的非公民）。国际学生通常只需提交 CSS Profile，但需查看每所大学的要求。
The CSS Profile is more detailed and asks about family finances, including assets and expenses. Make sure to gather tax documents and bank statements in advance.
CSS Profile 更为详细，会询问家庭财务状况，包括资产和开支。请务必提前收集税务文件和银行对账单。
Many universities also offer merit-based scholarships that are separate from the application. Some are automatically considered with your application, while others require an additional essay.
许多大学还提供与申请分开的择优奖学金。有些奖学金随申请自动被考虑，而另一些则需要提交额外的文书。
For external scholarships, search reputable databases and note deadlines. Never pay a fee to apply for a scholarship; such requests are often scams.
对于校外奖学金，请在可靠的数据库中搜索并记录截止日期。申请奖学金绝不要付费；收费的通常都是骗局。
10. Reviewing, Paying, and Submitting | 检查、缴费与提交
Use the "Preview" function to see your application exactly as the admissions committee will view it. Check for formatting errors, missing information, or typos in every section.
使用“预览”功能查看申请表格的呈现效果，一如招生委员会所见。仔细检查每个板块是否有格式错误、遗漏信息或拼写错误。
Application fees typically range from $50 to $90 per college. Fee waivers are available for students with financial hardship; you can request one through your counselor or by qualifying criteria on the platform.
每所大学的申请费通常在 50 到 90 美元之间。经济困难的学生可以申请费用减免；你可以通过升学指导或平台上的资格审核来获取减免。
Do not wait until the last minute to submit. Technical glitches or payment processing delays can cause you to miss a deadline. Aim to submit at least 48 hours before the due date.
不要在最后一刻才提交。技术故障或付款处理延迟可能导致你错过截止日期。尽量在截止日期前至少 48 小时完成提交。
Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation email from the platform and usually from the college as well. Save these emails and check your spam folder regularly.
一旦提交，你会收到平台发送的确认邮件，通常还会收到大学的确认邮件。请保存这些邮件，并定期检查垃圾邮件文件夹。
11. Tracking Your Application Status | 追踪申请状态
After submitting your application, each college will create an applicant portal for you. You must activate this portal and check it regularly for updates, missing documents, and final decisions.
提交申请后，每所大学都会为你创建一个申请者门户。你必须激活该门户并定期查看更新、缺失文件和最终决定。
Missing items, such as recommendation letters or official test scores, will be flagged in the portal. Address them immediately to ensure your application is complete by the deadline.
若缺少推荐信或官方考试成绩等材料，门户中会标记出来。请立即处理，确保申请在截止日期前材料齐全。
Do not panic if the portal does not reflect recent submissions immediately; it can take several days for documents to be processed and matched to your file.
如果门户没有立即显示近期提交的材料，不必惊慌；文件可能需要几天时间进行处理并与你的档案匹配。
Some colleges release decisions on a specific date and time, while others use rolling admissions. Keep a spreadsheet of deadlines, portal links, and decision dates. Respect the colleges' request not to call for status updates unless truly urgent.
有些大学在特定日期和时间发布决定，而其他大学则采用滚动录取。请用电子表格记录截止日期、门户链接和放榜日期。除非确实紧急，否则请尊重大学的要求，不要致电询问状态。
12. Special Considerations for International Students | 国际学生的特殊考量
As an international applicant, you must carefully complete the citizenship and visa sections. Provide accurate passport information and indicate whether you will need a student visa (F-1 or J-1).
作为国际申请者，必须仔细填写国籍和签证部分。提供准确的护照信息，并说明是否需要学生签证（F-1 或 J-1）。
Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by certified translations. Some universities require a credential evaluation from agencies like WES or ECE, so check requirements early.
非英文的成绩单必须附有经认证的翻译件。部分大学要求通过 WES 或 ECE 等机构进行学历认证，请及早确认要求。
Bank statements or affidavits of support are often required for the visa process, but some colleges also ask for proof of funds at the application stage. Prepare these documents in advance.
办理签证通常需要银行对账单或经济担保书，但有些大学在申请阶段也会要求资金证明。请提前准备好这些文件。
Pay attention to English proficiency deadlines, as they may differ from the general application deadline. International financial aid deadlines are often earlier as well.
注意英语水平考试的截止日期，因为它们可能与常规申请截止日期不同。国际学生的助学金截止日期通常也更早。
Published by TutorHao | University Applications Revision Series | aleveler.com
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