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.

译文：一些学生有一些具有特殊意义的背景、身份、兴趣或天赋，如果在申请材料中不提及这些，那么这份申请材料将会不够完整。如果你是这样的，那么请分享你的故事。(较2016-2017题目不变)

IDP热辣点评：第一题关于interest (兴趣) 和talent (天赋) 的文书题目是存活率最久的，也是Common App中最经典的文书题目之一。可见出题者和申请者都此题能反映出招生官最想看到的内容。是最受申请者的喜欢的题目之一查看完整版本点评>>

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? [Revised]

译文：从挫折中得到的经验教训能帮助我们获得成功。回忆你面对挑战、挫折或者失败的一次经历。它是如何影响你的，以及你从中学到了什么?(微调)

IDP热辣点评：对于绝大部分的高中生来讲，尤其是“备受呵护”的中国留学生来讲，几乎没有遇到所谓真正意义上的挫折或者失败，一般都是考试失利、友谊的小船翻了或者是校园活动或社团竞选失利查看完整版本点评>>

Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome? [Revised]

译文：回顾一次你质疑或挑战某种观念的经历。是什么触发了你的思考呢?结果如何?(较2016-2017题目有微调)

IDP热辣点评：这个题目较之去年只有一丁点的调整，但是题目主干的相关内容出现了非常大的偏颇。去年更多的是倾向于挑战他人的“动机”而今年的题目则是侧重于“思考和结果”查看完整版本点评>>

Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma - anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution. [No change]

译文：描述一个你解决过或者想解决的问题。可以是学术挑战，研究调查，道德困境——任何你认为对你个人而言很重要的问题，不论大小。说明它对你的意义和你解决问题的方法。(较2016-2017题目不变)

IDP热辣点评：这是一个综合类的题目，只要你能想到的问题你都可以将其罗列在这题目范畴下。大到全球气候小道生活琐碎只要你能说清问题对你的意义，并提出解决方法查看完整版本点评>>

Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. [Revised]

译文：讲述让你成长或者让你重新认识自己的的一个成就、事件、或者感悟。(较2016-2017题目有微调)

IDP热辣点评：首先来看看去年的题目中“marked your transition from childhood to adulthood”，Adulthood可以翻译为成熟。但是很明显这个题目是超纲的，因为作为本科申请阶段的学生大多数都是一群十八来岁的嫩头青，再怎么成熟在招生官眼里来讲还是幼稚的查看完整版本点评>>

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? [New]

译文：描述一个让你流连其中，甚至忘记时间的话题、想法、理念。为什么它吸引你?你想多学习时，会寻求什么/谁的帮助?查看完整版本点评>>

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. [New]

题目自拟，可以是之前写好的文章，或者任何你自创的选题。查看完整版本点评>>