2016年
Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
翻译：阐述一个成就、事件或认识。它启迪了你的一段人生成长的历程以及对自己或他人的新领悟。
解析：AADPS分类I-b
字数限制：七选一，250-650词
“Which one is more important, the perfect idea or the indomitable perseverance?” I always have this line pinned to my desk, in China or in America. It was in a regional high school debating contest that I learned the life-changing answer.
It all started with a routine meeting of our school newspaper. People were enthusiastically discussing the upcoming carnival, however most were just trying to suggest minor improvements over past ones due to time and resource constraints. Having been lost in thoughts for a while, I was driven by a sudden impulsion, “We need something new, something groundbreaking! How about a debating contest? From my own model United Nations experience, students would love it!” The room froze for a split second, and slowly all began to clasp their hands hard. I knew I had hit the jackpot.
Things were easier said than done. Our available funds were far from sufficient for the new event, so I had to come up with something in just a few weeks. Without any prior experience, I was forced to resort to soliciting and cold calling. “High school debate, is this a joke?” The campus bookstore manager crushed my hope with a single sentence. Situation was no different for a number of other local businesses. For the first time, we were confronted by the cold reality of society. The morale went all the way to the bottom, and partners already started to propose alternatives.
Yet I would not be defeated so easily. Upon my request, a seasoned marketing specialist, who is Father’s close friend, became our mentor. After a few appointments with him, I realized that I had made so many mistakes. Following his advice, the team worked closely to first develop a ten-page proposal in a matter of days. It includes nearly all aspects of the event, an expanded explanation on the budget, and potential advertising opportunities for our sponsors. Then we took turns to practice our sales pitch, and even attempted to reply to the coldest responses in a positive, humorous manner (“Indeed, fresh from the oven!”). I had done everything I could, but on the day when I received five one-hundred-Yuan bills (and this is not really a large amount) for the first time, I could not believe my eyes.
In the same way, we secured another 4,500 Yuan, which was more than enough to cover the expense. Encouraged by the success, I went on to contact student clubs and administrations of neighboring high schools with my teammates. Eventually, two others decided to join us, and we were even permitted to use the state-of-the-art auditorium of the latter as our main venue. Though we had met countless challenges in various stages from scheduling to promotion, willpower and resourcefulness supported the team till the end. Hearing the thunderous applause when I handed the trophy to the top debaters, I felt all previous efforts were compensated in full plus interest.
My desktop motto was the last debate topic, yet I already saw the value of perseverance before the winner was decided. Later on, the very quality would help me attain many feats, like adapting to an entirely new education system, playing a constructive role in local Christian community, founding an International Club from scratch, and more. No longer trapped by the myth of searching for the perfect idea, I shall confidently walk toward my future one step at a time.
留学文书译文（机翻）：
“完美的想法还是不屈不挠的毅力，哪个更重要？”无论是在中国还是在美国，我总是把这条线别在我的办公桌上。正是在一次地区高中辩论比赛中，我学会了改变人生的答案。
这一切都是从我们校报的例行会议开始的。人们都在热烈讨论即将到来的狂欢节，但由于时间和资源的限制，大多数人只是试图建议对过去的狂欢节进行一些小的改进。我陷入了一段时间的沉思，突然产生了一种冲动：“我们需要一些新的、突破性的东西！辩论比赛怎么样？根据我自己的模拟联合国经验，学生们会喜欢的！”房间里冻结了一瞬间，所有人慢慢地开始紧紧握着手。我知道我中了头奖。
事情说起来容易做起来难。我们现有的资金远远不够举办新的活动，所以我不得不在几周内想出一些办法。在没有任何经验的情况下，我被迫求助于拉客和打电话。“高中辩论，这是个玩笑吗？”校园书店经理用一句话粉碎了我的希望。其他一些当地企业的情况也一样。我们第一次面对社会的冷酷现实。士气一路低落，合作伙伴已经开始提出替代方案。
然而，我不会那么容易被击败。应我的要求，一位经验丰富的营销专家，也是父亲的密友，成为了我们的导师。与他约谈了几次之后，我意识到我犯了很多错误。按照他的建议，团队密切合作，在几天内首先制定出一份十页的提案。它包括活动的几乎所有方面，对预算的进一步解释，以及我们赞助商的潜在广告机会。然后，我们轮流练习推销，甚至试图以积极、幽默的方式回应最冷淡的回应（“真的，刚出炉！”）。我已经尽了我所能，但在我第一次收到五张一百元钞票的那天，我简直不敢相信自己的眼睛。
同样地，我们又获得了4500元，足以支付费用。在成功的鼓舞下，我继续与队友联系学生俱乐部和邻近高中的管理部门。最后，另外两个人决定加入我们，我们甚至被允许使用后者最先进的礼堂作为我们的主会场。虽然我们在从日程安排到晋升的各个阶段都遇到了无数挑战，但毅力和足智多谋一直支持着团队。当我把奖杯交给顶级辩手时，听到雷鸣般的掌声，我觉得之前所有的努力都得到了充分的回报。
我的桌面座右铭是最后一个辩论主题，但在决定胜利者之前，我已经看到了坚持不懈的价值。后来，这种品质将帮助我取得许多成就，比如适应全新的教育体系，在当地基督教社区发挥建设性作用，从头开始创建一个国际俱乐部，等等。我不再被寻找完美想法的神话所束缚，我将自信地一步一步走向我的未来。
标化条件：GPA 3.8 TOEFL 113 SAT 1420
AADPS老师文书点评：遣词造句和个人特色外，留学文书还需要关注的重要方面应该就要数逻辑性了，文书把一个点讲通讲透，让读者能一眼看明白是很有必要的。在与这篇文书的主人公头脑风暴的过程中，我抓住了一个很有意思的点——执着。围绕这条主线，再把孩子的很多活动串起来就说得通了。这篇文书的开头是一个双关的疑问句，试图激起读者在两方面的兴趣——想法和行动的二元对立具体怎么体现在孩子的为人处事中，以及辩论赛到底是怎么一回事。文书的后续段落逐一解开了谜团。
家长感言：作为家长，我也抽出时间参与了一部分的文书创作和头脑风暴。觉得AADPS指导老师们确实称得上是“文书大拿”。丰富的经验成功为孩子申请保驾护航。