曾子墨：“高中毕业托福660的分数带给爸妈的喜悦，远远超过了我的想象。多年以后，我才明白，原来，660的分数，就像一张船票，能把我送到大洋彼岸，展开我幸福的人生。”-- 选自《墨迹》P20



考托考鸡不止一次，分数还是低得拿不到美国大学全奖怎么办？答：申请TOP-100以外的大学

较差大学怕你拿他保底占了名额不去怎么办？答：Honesty is the best policy [诚实是最好的策略]

国内每年有一万多人全奖留美，按人口平均重庆至少该有300人， 但实际上绝对不超过百人，甚至不超过30人[如果不算重庆高中生考到外地大学的话]

重庆57所高校十几万应届毕业生中还能跃跃试一下的，恐怕只有重庆大学重点本科理工生了[在其它56所学校办成了那叫奇迹]。结果到美国一看，能在抵美前拿到全奖的，重庆大学恐怕算最差的国内大学之一了

而且，重大个别同学准备考托考鸡，基本上只能单打独斗，不仅无人可以与之切磋及互相激励，还要承受万一失败的巨大心理压力，本人谨在此向他们[多数是她们]的勇气致以无产阶级革命派的战斗敬礼！

由于上述种种原因，如果考托考鸡尽管不止一次，分数还是低得拿不到美国大学全奖怎么办？答：申请TOP-100以外但仍可能提供全奖的二三流大学。

但是，二三流大学怕你拿他保底占了名额不去怎么办？答：Honesty is the best policy [谎话总是说不圆的，何况还要在电话中用英语马上作答，这即使对那些有实力拿到美国排名五十左右大学全奖的同学，难度也太大了！]。

那么请看以下回信，并请以一举一反三的精神面对类似的西方文化的诚信考验

I really feel very excited for what you said in your recent e-mail. It seems that I am qualified to work for you as either TA or RA as long as I could convice you that I am indeed committed.

Well, if I said so, how do you know this is not another "empty promise"? This is why I decide to tell you the truth, all the truth.

It is given that we all want to get into at least the top-100 graduate schools in USA and I was not an exception, which was why I took TOEFL again.

Unfortunately, my scores just proved TOEFL is a very accurate test as it did to many peers of mine. The stuff I read at the Chinese going-overseas websites further convinced me that I am not qualified for the top-100. I believe this fact should be more convincing than any promise I could make to you.

Moreover, if I told you I am not going to apply for any other graduate school in USA, would you believe me? This is why I decide to tell you I am also planning to apply for another US school.

As you said, it is still too early for either of us to make the commitment. Therefore, may I suggest the following:

I will keep you posted about my application process. If at any point I feel it is the time for me to make my sincere commitment to you, I would let you know and hope that would not be too late for you to make your offer. At the same time, I hope you would kindly give me a call before you decide to make the offer to someone else.

I personally do not see any better way to deal with this matter. Dear Dr. XYZ, do you think what I said above is reasonable?

Thank you very much for your time and consideration. Honestly, so far in my application process, it is you who has treated me the best.

老中 2008-04-05