编者按：众所周知，在中国要想进入一个好的大学深造，高考可以说是唯一途径，因此它的重要性不言而喻。而对于美国的高中生来说，想要进入一个名牌大学远没有这么简单，让我们一起来看看他们要面临哪些问题。 
　　
　　For many high school students in the United States, junior year is a descent into the 9 levels of academic hell.It is a period of frayed nerves, standardized tests, advanced placement classes, personal statements, and last ditch extracurricular activities.It is all part of the dreaded process of applying to that distant beacon of freedom and security: college.

　　对于很多美国高中生来说，三年级就意味着坠落到地狱的第九层。这个时期充斥着焦躁不安，标准化考试，进阶先修班，个人陈述，最后就是大量的课外活动。所有这些构成了通向遥远、自由、安全的灯塔——大学——的恐怖过程。

　　Every year, US News and World Report publishes rankings of the top institutions of higher education in the nation.Prestigious names like Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and Yale usually top the list.For ambitious students, the mere mention of these names is liable to cause anxiety attacks and stress.Everybody wants in to a prestigious college.A degree from a top university is often associated with better jobs, higher salaries, and guaranteed security for the future.Although the association doesn’t necessarily hold true in all cases, it is still an idea that is deeply ingrained in the minds of many Americans.

　　每年《美国新闻与世界报道》都会刊登国家高等教育学府的排名。声名在外的学校比如普林斯顿大学、哈佛大学、斯坦福大学、耶鲁大学都名列前茅。对于有雄心壮志的学生来说，只要提起这些大学的名字就会造成巨大的焦虑和压力。每个人都想进入一所有名望的大学深造。高等学府的学历通常意味着较好的工作、较高的薪水、以及对未来幸福生活的保证。尽管这种联系并不是在任何情况下都适用，但在很多美国学生的脑海中，要上一个好大学的想法已经根深蒂固。

　　Recent trends, however, may prevent even many qualified students from attending their dream schools.The number of college applicants in recent years has been booming and competition for spots to the nation’s top schools has become increasingly stiff.Factoring in the number of foreign students applying to US schools only makes the ideal college prospects of many applicants seem pretty far-fetched.

　　然而，现在的趋势是有很多优秀学生无法进入他们梦想中的大学。近年来大学申请者的人数急剧上升，对高等学府的竞争也越来越激烈。考虑到申请美国大学的外国学生的人数之多，这些都使得怀有美好大学憧憬的申请者们觉得梦想遥不可及。

　　So, what does it take to get into a great college these days?Here is a basic run-through of the process.

　　因此，现在要进入一个好的大学需要什么呢？下面是一个基本的流程。
　　
　　What’s it take?

　　要求
　　
　　Colleges look for mature, well-rounded students.As such, students are expected to go beyond academic achievement to find opportunities to demonstrate leadership, practice activism, and show involvement in the community.Students with compelling interests who take steps to pursue and develop those interests tend to be in good standing with the colleges.

　　大学需要成熟、心智全面发展的学生。例如，除了学习成绩以外，还希望学生能够做过领导性质的工作、实践活动、集体社会活动等。有特长的学生可以在高等学府里继续自己的兴趣爱好并不断深造。
　　
　　In the Classroom

　　课内
　　 　　
　　Academic achievement is a key element in an applicant’s evaluation.In many ways, it is the most standard benchmark.Colleges look for intellectually mature students who have demonstrated that they can excel under the rigors of undergraduate education.

　　学习成绩是评估申请者的关键。在很多时候，它是衡量的基准。大学需要智力成熟的学生，能够证明自己可以胜任大学本科的严格教育。

　　The GPA, or grade point average, is the standard measurement of a student’s classroom performance.Grades in the US are based on an ABCDF scale, A being the best and F the worst.These grades get translated into a numerical value called the GPA.The GPA is measured on a scale of 0-4. 4.0 has traditionally been the highest GPA possible, although the advent of AP classes has changed that scale.AP classes, or advanced placement classes, are college courses that students can take at the high school level.They tend to be more challenging and often have course prerequisites.Grades earned in AP classes weigh more heavily into the GPA scale, pushing the highest possible GPA up to 5.0.Therefore, students with AP classes who perform well can surpass the traditional 4.0 GPA limit. 

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