English Proverbs

1. English Proverbs • 1. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions • 好心办坏事 • 2. Where there’s smoke there’s fire • 无风不起浪 • 3. The first step is always the hardest • 万事开头难

2. 4. He who hesitates is lost • 犹豫不决失良机 • 5. The squeaking wheel gets the oil • 无声无息, 亦无所得 • 6. A leopard cannot change his spots • 本性难移 • 7. Man does not live by bread alone • 人不能只靠面包活着

3. Cover letter • Department of Information and Electronic EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou.310027P. R. China • 18 March, 2004 • Professor Jerry. D. Smith • Chair • Department of Information and Electronic Engineering • University of Maryland • College Park, MD 22222

4. Dear Professor Smith, • Dr Chen Jihai of Zhejiang University, P. R. China, who was a visiting scholar in your department from 2001 to 2002, advised me of your outstanding Ph.D. program in information and electronic engineering. He recommended me to apply to do the program as he knows well my academic background and abilities. I am currently a master's candidate in information and electronic engineering and plan to defend my master's thesis in June next year. I am especially interested in your doctoral program because my research interests parallel those described in the program.

5. As you can see from my curriculum vitae, my education has given me a broad background in the field of information and electronic engineering. I did my B.Sc. in Applied Mathematics, which helps to lay a sound foundation for the master's degree. The courses I have taken at the master's level have introduced me to the exciting field of information engineering and motivated me to pursue it further. In my undergraduate years, my GPA in major courses is 3.8/4.0, and I have remained top 10% of about 150 students in my graduate studies. In addition to my strong academic preparation, I am also well prepared linguistically to pursue advanced studies in the United States, which you can see from my TOEFL and ORE scores in the enclosed CV.

6. My research interests are described more fully elsewhere, so I will only offer some highlights in this letter. I am primarily interested in the application of electronics for economic purposes. I have worked with Dr Chen and Professor Zhang on research topics like the use of electronic communications in community courses and issues related to e-markets. This research experience has provided me with not only a deeper understanding of the basic principles of the discipline but ways of solving practical problems. I am pleased to learn from your Web page that several professors in your programs are specialists in these areas. I am confident that I can add to your research strength in anumber of ways. As the CV shows, I have already begun to present and publish my work in the field.

7. I believe that a period of advanced study in your department at Maryland will be a new and valuable beginning of my life-long career. I have enclosed mycurriculum vitae for your consideration. I have also enclosed a separate sheet with the names of three people who will be happy to supply letters of reference. If you need further information, I can be reached by e-mail: lwh@zju.edu.cn or at the above address. • Thank you for your consideration and I look forward to hearing from you. • Sincerely yours, • •W. LiuLiu Weihua • Enclosures: • Curriculum vitae and Transcripts

8. Personal Statement • Background and Objective • "Never give up," my mother has always said to me. I gained strength from her words every time I was faced with difficulties and was about to give up. When I was in high school, my mother was laid off by her company. But with the help from the local government and her own determination, she started her own printing business, which has been very successful. With my mother as an example, I have learned to be independent and hard-working for I know success is the result of one's determination and hard work.

9. I will graduate from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineeringat Zhejiang University, China, in the summer of 2005. In order to succeed inthis increasingly competitive world, I must work hard to pursue my goal of becoming a research scientist in the field of electrical and electronic engineering. With my outstanding performance in undergraduate studies and my interest and determination, I have decided to further my studies in the United States. I believe pursuing a higher degree abroad holds the key to myprofessional advancement and a better future.

10. Intellectual and Research Interests • My interest has always been in electrical and electronic engineering. How a chip could do so many things such as computing and controlling was something mysterious to me as a child. The mystery faded away gradually, but my interesthas grown stronger after I took courses in electronics and circuits at Zhejiang University. I have performed successfully in all the major courses with a GPA of 3.85/4.0. Last year, I joined a Student Research Training Program (SRTP) in the university, a program which aims at helping students develop research skills. I am now working with other four classmates in a project called "Operating Reserve Assessment in Electric Power Systems". I have attempted to use a mathematical model based on a hybrid deterministic and

11. probabilistic approach to assess the Operating Reserve. We hope that the new method will help to improve the conventional approaches used in the power system in China. The project is still in progress and is moving on smoothly. • 1 have also participated in a group in which students from many departments in the university are working together to design and make robots for the ABUAsia-Pacific Robot Contest, Bangkok 2004. We are now working in the National Key Lab of Industrial Control Technology at the university under the guidance of Professor Wang Dawei, an eminent specialist in robotics. I find the project intellectually stimulating and inspiring. I can show my creativityin designing robots, mapping the route they take and the strategies they are expected to adopt. More importantly, I have learnt to cooperate with otherteam members efficiently. This work will continue until next year.

12. Reasons for Applying to the University of Central Florida's Graduate Program • As an undergraduate, I realize what I know and can do is very limited. In the present world of economic globalization and keen competition, I believe whatone learns from one's home institution is not sufficient. So I have decided to go abroad to further my education. When I learned about the graduate program of Electrical Engineering of the University of Central Florida, I knew I had found the ideal place for bringing my research potentials into full play. I have a special interest in Power Engineering, and I am very pleased to know that a number of professors at the university are leading specialists in these areas. I believe studying in UCF is a very important step to my goal of becoming a

13. research scientist. With my academic background, my spirit of perseverance, and my willingness to cooperate with others, I am confident that I am the type of student UCF expects and I can learn as well as contribute to the program in the university. • The voyage in the sea of life is only beginning. I will not and should not give up my goal.

14. Band 6 examination

15. Topic for discussion • Writing maketh an exact man

16. Of studies • Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. Their chief use for delight, is in privateness and retiring; for ornament, is in discourse; and for ability, is in the judgment and disposition of business. For expert men can execute, and perhaps judge of particulars, one by one