【心动的文书】如何在同样经历的学生中突出个人能力？

首先我们要知道MSc statistics看重的各部分能力：数理统计和分析能力（学术），统计软件的熟练程度（R, Python, SASS等），研究过程中运用统计术语和方法进行数据处理和结果产出等。整体来看，统计学是定量金融的基石（后者更强调金融相关的理论知识和实操能力如通过量化进行风险管控，定价等金融业务）

今天#心动的文书#栏目，老师就跟大家分享一下如何通过描写自己的经历来突出自己的优势，表达自己对该专业和未来的热情和追求，从而吸引招生官。（下划线加粗为好词好句，大家可以收藏积累哦~）

01 PS Sample

My enthusiasm toward statistics might trace back to my sophomore year when I first applied statistical instruments and theories. Cooperating with another student, I fathomed the development route of Beijing tourism within 10 years. This study took us 4 weeks to collect valuable data and design regression models.【大二统计学报告：研究北京近10 年的旅游发展情况】In this process, we carried out a linear regression analysis via SPSS, and established a multiple linear regression model to eliminate the multicollinearity. So powerful were the statistical tools that our report received teachers’ approval, but at the same time a teacher also pointed out that domestic referable statistical methods are less applicable in today’s digital age. He suggested us expanding our vision to international avant-garde methods.【指导老师的反馈：使用的统计工具已经过时，建议学习前沿的统计技术】His words keep me wondering what breakthroughs modern statistics has made, sowing a seed in my mind to increase my knowledge of frontier statistical techniques.

这段通过描写大二的一份统计学报告，指导老师给出的改进意见启发「我」去关注当今学术界最先进的统计理论和方法，也由此索性决定转专业到统计学领域（以seed为文眼）。

Before the seed grows, I spared all efforts to enrich my theoretical and pragmatic skills in statistics. Optioning in Statistics, I was capable of utilizing R, SPSS, and Stata to deal with fundamental data related to insurance and the economy.【掌握基本的统计工具R, SPSS, Stata】That was a preliminary step, and I hope I will be equipped with a higher-level application of advanced statistics from sampling to regression, enhancing my full-chain statistical mindset and adapting to cross-industry statistical work. So I continued to attend online courses given by expert professors, furnishing myself with a more systematic structure of statistics.【自我提高意识：自学网上统计学课程】More than that, I always remember to exercise my statistical awareness both academically and professionally.

这一段主要用来过渡，把匹配的能力说清楚之后重点放到下面几段去阐述。

Typical was my graduation thesis that pierced the commercial endowment insurance industry. As the aggravating population aging and decreasing fertility rate, young laborers in China are facing a heavy burden of supporting the elder, which makes endowment insurance an alternative to relieve such tension.【分析能力：中国的人口结构现状—人口老龄化加剧，生育率持续下跌，老年人迫切需要一份保险来缓解年轻人的养老压力】My intention is to explain why young people are willing to purchase insurance and how it lifts their loads. Reviewing the whole process, I should say the most difficult step is data processing. A large volume of data was retrieved from the CFPS (an authoritative and reliable family-oriented questionnaire designed by Peking University). My ensuing operations were as follows: I selected the three sub-questionnaires from the latest database with a total of 200-page questions; after referring to the manual, I determined 15 lines of data that were set as independent variables, as well as the young’s purchasing behaviors as dependent. Through simple data processing like excluding missing values and winsorizing abnormal ones, I retained 6482 pieces of data about groups from 18 to 35 (age). At last, I built a Probit model for regression and an LPM model for robustness test.【解决问题能力和数据处理能力：处理庞大的问卷数据库，选取有关变量，剔除缺失值和异常值，缩尾，数据清洗，模型回归和稳健型检验】Despite lacking relevant experience, I succeeded in employing my analytical and Stata skills, at the same time discerning my deficiencies in data processing. I will bear in mind the problem of how to choose variables based on data features and seek professional answers. Massive data has been an integral part of the big data times, so it must be challenging but meaningful to disclose data essence via skillful information exploration.

详细讲述「我」如何克服苦难去应对超量的数据，如何根据数据特点选取变量并挖掘出数据内在本质。最后一小段关于数据提炼和挖掘的思考也对应了统计学最关注的问题

Speaking of big data technology, I recalled my attempt to predict the popularity of media content based on machine learning. Making full preparations, I furthered my data processing (normalization, one-hot code, mapping) and witnessed the power of AI in data analysis. At first, I clarified the distribution rules of the “shares” label and drew the histogram, based upon which I summarized the data features and conducted descriptive statistics. Likewise, by cleaning and pre-processing data, I separated the label and performed logarithmic transformations among data with maximal values over 5000. PCA and random forest generating the model, I cross-checked its validity and accuracy after integration with stacking. Such high efficiency in sorting out data impressed me deeply and stimulated the seed to sprout.

这一段经历虽然沿用QF的实习，但是在具体表述上各有侧重。统计学这里没有具体从宏观的行业范畴去讲，步骤上没有太大差别，但是却呼应开头「接触前沿的统计工具」，也再次证明「我」对统计分析的熟练程度

Stepping out of the ivory tower, I directly secured an internship at China Life Reinsurance Company. Every day I was busy with obtaining data from the Alipay application, data screening & analysis with R, and descriptive statistics about the settlement of claims and causes of diseases. In addition, I also observed how expert data analysts capitalize on machine learning for data prediction, which once again proved the potential of modern statistical technologies. In my opinion, digging out valuable information from complicated data is worthwhile, which clears my vocational objectives.

同样，实习这段也是重点保留了数据处理和分析相关的细节，同时补充了数据分析在先进统计分析技术支持下的高效和价值的提升。

Now the seed has bloomed, so I am resolved to undertake the position of data engineer at highly-competing companies like Alibaba Group, ByteDance, and Tencent. These Internet enterprises, pursuing innovation and vigor, must engage themselves in various projects, from which I can hone my Python, R, and allied technologies and try to make feasible business plans. In the coming 5 years, I shall try my best to obtain the CFA and CPA certificates, dedicating myself to investment decisions, quantitative analysis, and product design. I am looking forward to my achievements in this field.

按照seed的发展势头铺叙职业规划；不同于QF的金融性质，统计学可以以技术为导向。

I reckon that postgraduate learning will make the seed flourish, so I pinpoint the MSc in Statistics program at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Carefully browsing through the curriculum, I find your program aligns with my career aspiration perfectly. Textbook-based courses including Basic Statistical Theory, Advanced Probability Theory, and Advanced Statistical Theory supplement my academic shortage; practice-focused courses such as Multivariate Data Analysis and Statistical Methods for Genetic Analysis are where I am interested.【分别从理论和实践培养的层面表达对项目学习的期待】I have no doubt that your renowned faculty will lead me to a deeper and broader statistical world. Besides, many students at UIBE get employed by famous Internet or securities corporations after graduating from your program.【母校同样毕业于NUS该项目的校友的就业前景很好】For a private reason, Singapore, reputed as the garden city, magnetizes me with its diverse natural landscapes and humane characteristics.【自然风光和人文情怀】I expect I will spend my postgraduate life pleasantly.

02 总结

统计学项目鉴于其应用广泛和跨学科的特点，适合很多专业的学生申请包括Mathematics, Engineering, Biostatistics, Physics, Economics等，但是不管什么专业，在体现的能力方面都是有一定共性的。写作过程中要注意筛选匹配的经历才能更好的凸显申请者的竞争力。