在申请美国本科过程中，我们常常说文书是的一个重头戏。那文书到底指的是什么呢？文书又有哪些要求？
1 以Common Application为例
通常分为三种：
01 Common App Personal Essay
通用文书。一旦申请递交，所有使用Common系统的院校都会收到此文书。
但是也有部分学校不强制要求Common主文书而倾向于让申请者按照自己的要求另写一篇文书（文书和Common主文书可能存在通用的情况，字数要求也可能会稍有差别）。在递交申请的时候，申请者可以按照自己的意愿选择是否依旧在申请表中附上自己的Common主文书。
7道题目选1题，每个题目的权重并不会有任何差别，自由选择即可。
02 College-specific Questions
大学个性化文书，文书题目因学校而异，且并不是每个学校都有个性化文书。
03 Writing Supplements
补充文书，文书题目因学校而异，且并不是每个学校都有补充文书。
补充文书独立于申请表格。如果学校有补充文书要求，但申请者没有递交补充文书，则申请是不完整的。
Common文书题目
文书要求
The essay demonstrates your ability to write 1）clearly and concisely on a selected topic and 2）helps you distinguish yourself 3）in your own voice. What do you want the readers of your application to know about you 4）apart from courses, grades, and test scores? Choose the option that best helps you answer that question and write an essay of no more than 650 words, 5）using the prompt to inspire and structure your response. Remember: 650 words is your limit, not your goal. Use the full range if you need it, but don’t feel obligated to do so. (The application won’t accept a response shorter than 250 words.)
总结下来，最核心的要求如下：
简明扼要，逻辑清晰，构架完整
切题
突出人物形象，展现你最想为人知/让你与众不同一面
原创且真实
避开课程、分数和标化分数方面的落笔
内容积极向上
250-650字
1 Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
有些学生的背景、身份、兴趣或才能非常重要，以至于他们认为，如果没有它们，整个申请就不完整。如果你正是这种情况，请和我们分享你的故事。
2 The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
我们从遇到的困难/阻碍中吸取的教训会为我们将来的成功打下基础。回忆一次面临挑战、遇到挫折、遭遇失败的经历，并说明它是如何影响你的，你又从中学到了什么?
3 Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
请回忆你挑战某种观点或信念的经历。是什么促使你这么做? 结果是怎样的?
4 Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
回忆他人为你做的事情。这件事情出乎意料地让你开心或感激。这种感恩之情如何影响或激发了你？
5 Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
探讨一项成就、重大事件，或者深刻领悟。它促进了你的某个人生阶段的个人成长并引发对自己或者对他人的新的认知和理解。
6 Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
描述一个让你全身心投入以至于废寝忘食的话题，想法或概念。它为什么吸引你？当你想学习更多的相关内容时，你向谁/什么求助?
7 Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
分享一篇根据申请者自行挑选的话题而写的文章，可以是你曾经写过的一篇文章，也可以是不同于以上题目或自拟题目而写的文章。
以University of California Application 为例
加州大学的各个分校申请全部通用University of California Application，其中包括文书部分。各个分校并不会额外要求文书。
8道题目选4题，每个题目的权重并不会有任何差别，自由选择即可。每个题目要求350字作答。
UC文书题目
1 Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
描述你的一次领导经历，可以体现你对他人的积极影响，帮助解决了争端或者是随着时间的推移，对团队的努力做出了贡献。
2 Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
每个人都有创造力的一面，可以通过很多形式表现出来：解决问题，创新思维和艺术创造力等。描述你如何展现你的创造力。
3 What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
你最突出的才能或技能是什么?随着时间的推移，你是如何培养并展示这一才能或技能的?
4 Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
描述一次你如何利用好重要的教育机会或战胜教育相关的困难的经历。
5 Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
描述一次你曾面临过最重大的一次挑战，以及如何战胜挑战，此次经历对你的学业表现有何影响？
6 Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
哪一门学科能够给予你启发和激励，你是如何在课内外继续延展你在这门学科上的兴趣的？
7 What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
你曾做过哪些对你的院校或社区有益的事情？
8 Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?