申请耶鲁大学的材料：推荐信(一)

宋国明

    贡献了筠儿的作文，居然引起了一些家长关注和评论。能够以“过来人”的身份帮助大家，真是我始料所未及。这样很好，去年我曾在网上看到很多热心人登的有用的信息资料，如今有此机会正该回馈。

    征求了筠儿的同意，问他要了高中的成绩单和老师的推荐信，筠儿大大咧咧无所谓，说只要不登老师的名字就行，我说这个我当然晓得，让他放心。两个老师因为不太会用网，居然都把信的PDF版给了筠儿，也算天助我也。我在这里把老师信末所附的电话号码和名字都裁掉了，以保障他们隐私权。

    这里登的是历史老师的推荐信，为方便家长，我照例翻译了一下，为了照顾原文，译文有些地方明显的是英文句式与修辞习惯，请见谅。

    我想借这个机会说明一下找老师写推荐信的原则。为毕业生写研究所的推荐信我写了十几年了，推荐人对学生的认识深浅还有推荐信的“真诚度”明眼人一读便知，所以一定要找对本人学业和人品两方面都要有较深认识又欣赏自己的人来写才好，不至于空泛。有些关于个人人品素质的话，自夸自赞不灵，得要推荐信里写才行。若成绩单你我都是一样的全A 4.0,这时候推荐信里对你个性品德领导能力等等的评语就变得很重要了，是不是？此处这位历史老师写的信，从头到尾内容详实，观察入微，真情流露，我翻译到最后一段，看到自己的孩子这么得师长和友朋的喜欢，忍不住老泪纵横。能找到这样一位老师写推荐信，真是筠儿的造化。（后注：这封信请历史老师写，是因为之前她曾再三告诉筠儿，说申请大学的时候务必找她写，她有好话要说。） 

以下是历史老师的推荐信：

敬启者：

    我以最大的热情为宋筠同学写这封推荐信。我认识宋筠已经三年多了，第一次遇见他是当时在苹果城西区高中上高二的他选修了我的AP世界史，他同时也参加了我所指导的学校历史社团“传奇社”。下个学期他将选修我的荣誉社会学课。

    宋筠是我所教过的所有班级里最有天赋的一个学生。在我三十年的教学生涯之中，我想不出还有任何其他学生像他这样，不但在每一门学科都显现天赋，同时本身又是一个优秀的青年。宋筠的确是一个文艺复兴时代所称的全才，作为学生，他深得老师喜爱，作为同侪，他鹤立鸡群。宋筠在高中选修多门AP课，包括世界史、生物、心理学、美国文学与历史、法语、和英语文学，其他课程可以在他的成绩单上查到。我提到这一点是为了说明他愿意接受挑战、努力作到最好。他修的AP课考试成绩每一门都是满分5，目前考了十门，都得到5分。这样的记录固然十分优异，但其实宋筠的成绩单尚不足以显示他那天生的好奇心和动力，与随之而来的那份对于追求知识的渴望和决心。

    除了选修多门高级课程，宋筠还在苹果城西区高中参与了多项社团组织，包括数学社、工程社、校报编辑部、苹果城荣誉乐团、和越野长跑队。而且，他还在一些社团组织担任领导角色，包括全国荣誉学生会和科学杯校队，此外他还被选为学校代表参加全州的夏令培训营。也就是说，宋筠不仅仅是一个学业优良的学生，他还是一个综合素质优良的个人，参与多项活动帮助全校凝聚成一向心整体。这样的组合难能可贵。

    就他个人方面来说，我认为宋筠谦虚宽厚而有礼，总是孜孜不倦认真向学。他不但得到同学们的敬重，就连有幸教过他的老师们也有同感。由于他的能力和品德，他在他参加的每一个组织都有重要价值。宋筠心地善良、做事尽心尽力，我用笔墨难以形容我对这个年轻人的敬意，他让这个世界变得更好，而他自己却如此谦虚，我甚至怀疑他到底是否知道他给周遭的人带来怎样的激励。总之，宋筠得我推荐程度之高，是我过去从来没有给过任何一个学生的。与他相识，才了解什么样的人可以称作“不可思议”。。。

To Whom it May Concern:

    It is with a great deal of enthusiasm that I write this letter of recommendation for Andrew Sung.  I have had the pleasure of knowing Andrew for the past three years.  I first met him during his sophomore year at Appleton West High School when he was enrolled in my AP World History class.  He is also a member of Legends, our school’s history club which I advise.  This semester, Andrew is enrolled in my Honors Sociology class.

    As a student Andrew is the most gifted young man I’ve ever had in my classroom.  In over thirty years of teaching, I can’t think of any other student I’ve had who is not only gifted in every academic field, but is also an outstanding young adult.  Andrew is truly a Renaissance man.  He is a delight to have as a student and stands out among his peers.  Andrew has taken numerous AP courses while in high school.  Some of them include World History, Biology, Psychology, American Studies, French Language, and English Literature.  Other courses are reflected on his transcript.  I note this because it speaks well of his desire to be challenged and strive for the best.  He took the AP exam associated with each course and scored a “5” on each of them.  As of this date, he has scored a “5” on each of the ten AP exams he has taken.  While that record is very impressive, what the transcript doesn’t reveal is that Andrew has the natural curiosity and drive that result in a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to learn.

    In addition to being involved in numerous advanced courses, Andrew has also been involved in many clubs and organizations at Appleton West High School.  These organizations include the Math Team, JETS (junior engineering team), Talisman (the school newspaper), City Honors Band, and Cross Country.  Furthermore, he has held leadership positions in the National Honor Society, the Science Bowl Team, and as a representative of our school at Badger Boys State.  In other words, Andrew is more than just a highly gifted student in the classroom; he is a well-rounded individual who gets involved in the numerous activities that build community in our school.  This is a rare combination.

    On a personal note, I find Andrew to be modest, kind, and respectful.  He is always conscientious and constantly in search of knowledge.  He holds the respect of his peers as well as every teacher fortunate to have him as a student.  Because of his ability and personal integrity, he is a great asset to any organization he joins.  Andrew is kind-hearted and dedicated to doing his best.  Words cannot express how much respect I have for this young man.  He makes a positive difference in this world and is so modest that I doubt he understands how he inspires those around him.  In sum, Andrew Sung receives the very highest recommendation that I have ever given a student.  To know him is to understand the word “incredible.”  Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me  

Sincerely,