从失败中探索进入名校的路

我小女儿初中最后一年，申报了在伦敦的三所著名高中，结果最想去的一所却只拿到备选名额，略感失望之余她给校长写信，希望能再有一次机会。

从失败中探索进入名校的路

THE HEADMASTER

LITTLE DEAN’S YARD

LONDON SW1P 3PF

5 December 2018

Dear headmaster,

校长您好！

Thank you for offering me a position on your waiting list. Westminster sixth form remains to be my top choice for my A levels. Although North London Collegiate School and City of London Girls School have replied with offers, I am happy to wait for an opportunity at your prestigious school. Indeed, hearing about Westminster school was what inspired me to apply for A levels in the UK in the first place. It is unfortunate that my journey flying from Canada with jetlag had hindered my performance and regret not performing to my full potential.

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非常感谢贵校将我列入备选名单，到西敏寺学校读高中是我的第一选择，虽然北伦敦学院和伦敦城女子学校都已经向我发出了录取通知，但我愿意等待贵校有新的机会出现。事实上正是因为了解了西敏寺学校的显赫地位，才激发了我对来英国读高中的向往。遗憾的是，从加拿大远程飞来马上投入面试，时差使我没有充分发挥出自己的潜能。

Westminster is my dream school. Not only for its rich history, endearing traditions, outstanding international reputation and exceptional academic performance but also for its beliefs and pursuits in education which very much align with my own. I left UK at the age of 11 after securing a place in the top ranking school in Canada, University of Toronto Schools after undergoing rigorous examination and interview processes. In my second year there, I was awarded the Christopher Wilson Scholarship out of my entire school for showing great potential in the sciences. I not only have multiple achievements in mathematics contests but also have a flare for the arts: Japanese drumming (taiko), winning awards for the violin and being an avid painter and crafter. In my spare time, I bake scrumptious desserts like matcha French macaroons and the famous Victoria sponge, also going to yoga classes regularly to stress and relax.

西敏寺是我梦寐以求的学校，不仅是它有悠久的历史、优良的传统、著名的国际声誉和杰出的学术成就，而且它对教育极致的信仰和追求也令我深深折服。我11岁离开英国去加拿大求学，通过严格的考试和面试竞争进入多伦多大学附中就读，在第二年即获得全校唯一的克里斯多夫.威尔森科学奖，并参加多次数学竞赛获奖。我还参加太鼓社团，赢得小提琴竞赛，喜爱绘画和手工。课余时间，我愿意自制法式马卡龙饼干和著名的维多利亚蛋糕，也定期参加瑜伽压力和放松训练。

I am a Positive Mental Health Comittee Executive, taking initiatives to organize workshops and relaxation weeks for my peers and advocating the importance of a good mental well-being. I also volunteer at Runnymede Healthcare center and have learnt to become a more empathetic and supportive community member.

我在学校负责一个学生正念精神健康委员会，为同学组织讲座和放松周等活动，宣传精神健康的重要性。我还是拉尼米德健康中心的自愿者，努力把自己培养成更具同情心和乐于助人的社会成员。

To prepare for the Westminster entrance exams, I learnt the entire GCSE curriculum under 3 months, on top of my very different curriculum of studies and exams in Canada. I am a fast learner, passionate about my studies, a problem-solver who takes pleasure in the pursuit of knowledge and academic excellence. I thrive in environments that push me academically with competitive peers, I will take on challenges and one day, I will hopefully help shape futures and histories.

为了准备西敏寺学院的入学考试，我在加拿大紧张的学习和考试之余用三个月时间复习了与北美不同的英国初中课程体系，在对知识和优异成绩的追求中，我找到了投入热情，快速学习和解决问题的乐趣。一个竞争的学习环境更能激发学习的潜质，我愿意面对挑战并为改变未来出一份力。

 

Beyond the academics, I hope to continue to stretch myself beyond the curriculum with your co-curriculars Options and cultural perspective. I am excited by the prospect of attending the weekly John Locke Lecture, participate in community service and explore the numerous society available to join at Westminster. ​

参加课外活动和文化体验也是学习的一部分，我渴望聆听学校里每周的约翰.洛克讲座，参与社区服务并了解各种各样的社团活动。

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I believe that my experiences have allowed me to possess the core values of a Westminster student: resilience, courage, curiosity, kindness and inclusivity. I hope that you would give me the opportunity to further develop these as well as other skills which will prepare me for life beyond school and to become a valued and beneficial member of society. My older sister, who currently works as an A&E doctor under King’s College Hospital Trust sets a prime example for me, I have always wished to study and learn alongside her. I hope that I can be considered as a top priority on your waiting list so that my family can be reunited again in London. I promise to bring the best part of my experiences to share and contribute to your school. ​

我想我的经历使我具备了西敏寺学生应有的核心价值：灵活、勇敢、好奇、善良和包容，并希望在贵校进一步发展这些特质，使自己成为即有社会需要的技能，又能为社会创造价值的一员。现在英国国王学院附属医院急诊科工作的姐姐一直是我的榜样，我希望有一天能回到她的身边学习，全家人再到伦敦团聚，我也会把在加拿大所学到的精华分享给同学们！

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Thank you for your time and consideration. ​

多谢您抽时间阅读此信并予以考虑。

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Yours faithfully ​

​您忠诚的

Raina Xing ​

邢加