進入八月，這幾天回落的氣溫絲毫沒有降低開學的熱情。即8月4日新生夏令營報到之后，上海諾美學校規劃指導辦的新學年工作也如火如荼地拉開了序幕。

　　The relatively mild temperature in the beginning of August has helped to burst our enthusiasm for the opening of a new school year. After all our freshmen arrived on August 4, the prosperous season started with a full package of activities arranged by CCO.

　　規劃講座

　　8月5日，前芝加哥大學招生官Maura Connors女士應邀來到諾美，為我校學生和家長開展專題規劃指導講座。Connors女士就“如何在中國申請人中脫穎而出”這一主題進行了深入分析，講解了招生官是如何評估和篩選申請者的，并在此基礎上從課業成績、課外活動和背景提升上給出了建議。Connors女士在專業選擇上提出了規避熱門而競爭激烈的專業這一申請技巧。同時，她就文書寫作做了特別的強調，“要寫出自己的故事”，她說。的確，一個真實感人的故事讓招生官眼前出現一個形象生動的你，比起平淡如水的陳述，出色的文書一定是錦上添花，甚至可以扭轉乾坤。

　　On August 5, Ms. Maura Connors, former admissions officer at the University of Chicago, was invited to Nais to provide a lecture on university guidance for our students and parents. Ms. Connors made an in-depth analysis of how to “standing out in the Chinese applicant pool". She explained how the admissions officers assessed and screened applicants, and then gave suggestions on how to strengthen your background by improving academic performance as well as extracurricular activities. Ms. Connors also put forward application skill such as avoiding popular and competitive majors. By the end of the lecture, she made a special emphasis on writing essays, "build and develop your own interesting stories," she said. Indeed, an authentic and touching story helps to bring a vivid image of you to the admissions officers. Excellent essays add icing on the cake and may sometimes even turn the tide around.

　　芝加哥大學招生官與上海諾美學校領導合影

　　講座結束后，Connors女士在圖書館接受了一對一咨詢。部分11年級和12年級學生和家長參加了一對一輔導，就自身的申請問題進行了咨詢，并得到了針對性的指導，為進入激烈的申請季做好了更充分的準備。

　　After the lecture, Ms. Connors also offered face-to-face counseling in our library. Students and parents from Grade 11 and 12 participated and asked questions concerning their specific application problems. All of them received useful guidance, which would help them to make better preparations for the intense application procedures.