Applicants Ask Colleges: Why Should I Accept You? (1/2)

May first is an important date in the college admissions process in the United States. This is the last day for high school seniors to accept or reject offers of admission in the fall. Offers are sent by April fifteenth.

Acceptance rates at the top colleges were lower than ever this year. No surprise, just more stress from stories of top students getting rejection letters even from less competitive schools.

Numbers tell the story. The Education Department predicts that the number of high school graduates in the United States will reach the highest level ever this year. Three million three hundred thirty thousand students are expected to graduate.

But not only are there more college applicants these days, they are also applying to more colleges. Online and common applications make the process easier. It can mean several acceptances to choose from. It also means more work for colleges to get the students they accept to accept them.

Many colleges and universities hold visiting days that offer a chance to attend classes and stay overnight; sort of a test drive. Some schools send gifts. At least one college has its international students write letters in the native languages of accepted applicants.

参考译文：

5月1日是美国大学录取过程中最重要的一个日子。这是高中毕业生决定接受或拒绝秋季入学接收函的最后日期。接收函于4月15日之前寄出。

今年，优秀高校的接收率会比以往每年都低。毫无疑问，更多的压力来自关于优等生甚至收到竞争性不强学校的拒绝信的报导。

数字说明了问题。 美国教育部预计美国高中毕业人数将在今年达最高水平。333万学生将毕业。

近年来，不但有更多的申请者，他们申请的学校也更多了。在线以及常规的申请途径使申请更为容易。这意味着有跟多的申请者可以挑选。这也表明学校有更多的工作，吸引到他们想接收的学生接受他们的邀请。

许多学院和大学都举行访问日，在访问日中，学校提供参加课程和过夜的机会，这就像买车试驾一样。一些学校会寄礼物。至少，一个学校在给国际学生的接收函中会用该生的母语。

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