2025年12月(8)

在這一期的電子報裡，我們要談三個重要的主題。

一、如果你預計在明年申請美國碩士班或博士班，在現在這個時間點，有七件你一定要知道的事，以確保你明年申請的過程順利，並提升你錄取美國排名前五十的大學之機會。

二、在準備研究所申請的過程當中，很多申請者不清楚 AI 到底可以使用到什麼程度。最關鍵的問題是：「在準備與申請的過程當中，如果過度使用與仰賴 AI，可能會須要承擔哪些後果？」

三、在目前已全球化的時代裡，有越來越多人因為興趣，或是為了提升自己在職場上的價值，而渴望探索不同的領域。如果你正在考慮跨領域或轉換跑道，你第一件要做的事是好好了解自己。問題是：「怎麼開始？」下面會提供一個例子給你參考。

現在，我們依序來談這三個主題。

一、美國研究所的申請截止日，大多落在十一月底到十二月初。換句話說，如果你是明年要申請，從現在開始，你有十一個月的時間。下列七件事，從現在就開始行動與預備：

（一）愈早愈好：開始經營你的 LinkedIn，去呈現你的專業能力與知識，這樣你會更容易被看見與獲得機會。

（二）一月：請專業人士幫你徹底檢視履歷，找出你欠缺的關鍵經驗，以有足夠的時間去補齊。

（三）四月：若申請的系所有要求繳交寫作樣本，從這個時候開始準備。

（四）七月：針對你有興趣的研究主題、方向或領域，列出你的「指導教授候選人清單」，並開始寫信聯絡他們。

（五）八月：開始聯絡推薦人，詢問對方是否願意幫你寫推薦信。

（六）一月到十月：考托福或雅思。你可以報考多次，但最好在十月底前，確認成績達到想申請的各校之門檻。

（七）任何時間：記錄你的人生故事與專業經驗。要寫出別於他人的自傳與就學計畫，這些素材相當重要。

二、關於 AI，有三件事你必須注意：

（一）如果你想要擁有某種未來，你就必須培養「能夠走向那個未來的能力」。但若你將能培養邏輯判斷能力的機會交給 AI，那麼你將無法判斷與決定自己未來的方向。你必須要有所警覺，因為這是只有你能為自己決定的事。

（二）AI 可以幫你整理想法與釐清方向，但無法用你真正的口吻與思考方式說出你的故事。如果你的故事是 AI 幫你寫的，你就失去了「你的聲音」。而那個聲音，正是你和其他申請者不一樣的地方。

（三）用 AI 寫 email 很容易，但用 AI「建立關係」是很冒險的事。如果你用 AI 來和人對話，對方永遠不會認識真正的你。等到雙方都想要更進一步認識對方時，終究還是得面對。

特別是在寫信給可能是未來的指導教授時，重點不是寫出一封完美的 email，而是你是否是以一個真實的人去互動。

有一、兩個怪怪的字或文法有點問題，其實沒有關係，真正重要的是你的真誠。只要你在互動過程中有運用策略，方法對了的話，你不只能獲得關鍵資訊，甚至是獲得取得經費的機會。

請記住，跟教授們聯絡到最後，你可能會有機會和他們進行一對一視訊，所以千萬不要一開始寫信給他們時就用 AI，不然見面時的印象落差會很大，對你沒有好處。

三、如果你正在考慮轉領域或跨領域，但對未來的方向感到迷惘，請先問自己這個問題：「我的成長背景和過去的經驗，是如何形塑了我現在想追求的夢想？」

寫下這個問題的答案，越詳細越好，因為這會幫助你了解背後真正的原因，而這個了解，會對你的未來發展有很大的幫助。

接著，請畫出你的范恩圖（Venn Diagrams）。Dr. Ting 從大學、碩班到博班的范恩圖如下，可作為你在畫自己的范恩圖時之參考。

加油！

預祝 2026 新年快樂！

Let’s talk about 3 important things in this issue.

First, if you are going to apply to graduate schools of the Top 50 universities in the United States (U.S.) next year, there are 7 things you must know and be aware of at this time to ensure the success of your application.

Second, many applicants do not know to what extent they should use AI to help with their graduate school application. It all comes to this critical question: What are the consequences if overusing AI in this process?

Third, nowadays, many people in the world are exploring different disciplines because of their unique passion or in order to make themselves more valuable in the job market. If you are thinking of transitioning or changing to another discipline, or even combining two or more disciplines, you may want to know more about yourself first.

Let’s dive into these 3 different topics in order.

1. Application deadlines are usually around late November and early December. If you are applying next year, you have 11 months from now.

Here are the 7 things you should do:

(1) ASAP: Start to run your LinkedIn page to present yourself as an expert (to be) in the field you are in.

(2) January: Have an expert look into your CV or resume to identify the gaps that need to be filled.

(3) April: Begin to work on your writing sample if it is required.

(4) July: Start to reach out to those U.S. professors whose work you are interested in or who you feel like working with in the future.

(5) August: Reach out to potential references who you would like them to write a letter of recommendation for you.

(6) January to October: Take as many TOEFL or IELTS exams as you can or want. By October: Make sure your TOEFL or IELTS scores meet the requirements set by the universities you would like to apply to.

(7) Anytime: Document your personal stories and professional experiences for your personal statement and statement of purpose.

2. If you want to have a future you desire, you must develop the abilities needed for that future. However, if you do not even have the ability to think logically to figure things out, you will not be able to determine the direction of your future. Do not let AI take all your learning and growing opportunities away. This is the first thing you need to become more aware of because no one else can decide for you.

Second, AI is useful because it can help you organize your thoughts and point out a direction for your next step. However, if you allow AI to write your story for you, you would lose your voice, which differentiates you from other applicants. In order to stand out, you need to tell your story in your own way, which is unique and should be appreciated more by you.

Third, of course, writing an email is easy for AI. However, if you use AI to connect with people, people will not know who you really are. Sooner or later, you will still have to reveal your true color to the person if both of you would like to connect further. When you email to your potential advisors, it is not about writing a so-called perfect email. Instead, you need to show up as a real human being. A couple of weird word choices or minor grammatical issues would make no harm. If you reach out genuinely and strategize along the way, you will be able to get useful information and even obtain funding opportunities. Anyway, show who you are in the first place because, at the end, you will have to meet with your potential advisors one-on-one online if you get the chance. Don’t risk losing their trust!

3. If you do not know how to determine or proceed further with your future goal, ask yourself this question: How did my background and past experiences shape the dream I would like to pursue now? Write down your answer as detailed as possible so that you can know your reason.

Next, draw your (Venn) diagram(s). Below are Dr. Ting’s for your reference:

Happy Holidays!