Study – Junjun's Home

随笔：高考之际话高考

高考，对于中国人而言，绝对是除了出生和婚娶以外的一件大事。毫不夸张地说，高考几十年来，不知有多少年轻人，或踌躇满志，或彷徨迷茫，皆有高考改变了命运。如果说高考是唯一的出路，恐怕会有些偏颇。但是不得不说，对于大多数平民子弟而言，高考绝对是一个相对公平而廉价的上升通道。国人所最信奉的“鲤鱼跳龙门”恐怕在高考上得到了充分的体现。

与父辈们对于高考的态度大为不同，近年来不少学者对于高考的质疑之声也普遍增多。只是这些争论大多如国内学术界的范式，永远只提出问题却不给出解决方案。在我看来，在目前中国的关系型经济和社会公平堪忧的制度下，一考定终身恐怕只能是唯一的解决方案。若采用国外的申请制度，我真不知道会有多少的平民子弟得永远生活在社会的最底层。诚然，生活在社会的各个阶层或许会被认为无足轻重。但若“关系”干预到这种上升通道而导致人才无法真正为这个社会服务之时，那就真的“国将不国”了。

在过去的九年时间里，我一直在思考一个问题。那就是高考到底意味着什么？由于高考并不如考研般全国统一划线，所以其效用本身就有了地区性差异。比如，我们可以发现北京和上海地区的孩子在海外名校留学的特别多。其原因除了经济外，则是因为他们大多出身于名校。而倘若放他们到邻近的河北和江苏，很多人的学校都会降一到二个档次。所以，高考其实有时候跟你的能力并不百分之百相关。而高考的分数和对应的录取高校，于未来的就业、出国甚至于婚姻都有着千丝万缕的联系。

而如考英语听力时父母在门外强行拦截行人之类，我不想去谈所谓的人性和自私自利。因为这在当今的中国已经是稀松平常。而我关心的则是，高考到底给我们带来了什么？到底是什么促使了家长们做出了这种无法被道德所接受的行为？的确，考上一个好大学，我们可以少奋斗很多年，得到不错的知识，接受更好的教育。但是这是真正的诉求么？在很多大学沦为职业技术学院的今天，我们又有多少人会去关心知识本身？真正对于知识保持着热情和理想的人们，不得不或渡过大洋，或跨过大陆，去一个完全陌生的地界实现自己的梦想。当然，其中的很多人是高考的胜利者。

所以，大学在今天的中国，其实成了一块敲门砖。因为一个孜孜不倦四年的学生与一个Dota四年的孩子相比，其就业未必会有绝对的优势。而这一切的前提则是，你得能够顺利迈进这个大门。只有当你能够迈入这个大门，你才能真正的去选择是继续Dota，暗黑3，还是图书馆的中外文图书。于是乎，我们的家长也就抛弃了本来就未必存在的功德性和素质，走上街头，如泼妇般展开了激烈的行为。因为，谁都不希望自己的孩子输在起跑线上。毕竟，可怜天下父母心啊。

而真正促成我这么多年思考的，则是来源于我本人03年的高考。以现在学术分析的角度看来，我从2000年的一系列错误直接导致了三年后的一场超级大悲剧。这些错误包括：一个不怎么样的高中，混日子的老师，自学能力的限制和最关键的，学校和自己共同导致的选课错误，最后导致了高考的惨败。其实从今天的角度上看来，这与我们每天在资本市场上看到的故事如出一辙：一个错误的投资分析，进而导致形势误判，然后错误被各种衍生品的杠杆行为逐级放大，其结果自然就是不可避免的崩盘了。当然，其中市场的因素也不可忽略。对于06年开始的金融危机而言，那是05年开始的美国房价跳水；对于我的高考而言，那是神一样存在的03年高考数学江苏卷。只是他们都以自己的方式应了中国的一句老话——生不逢时。

正如我后来跟父母和朋友开玩笑所言，其实03年全面崩盘以后给了我不少的好处：首先，我所在的专科学校给了我很好的数学训练，而这在我看来绝对是我最大的一笔财富；其次，我先后经历过专科，211高校的垫底专业和老牌财经院校的王牌专业。这种经历其实形成了我的第二笔财富。以至于我站在武汉某专科的讲台上时，我非常清楚底下的学生需要什么。因为，我也曾是其中的一员；但是，我也为此付出了代价：比如我的会计知识水平低下而闹的笑话也成了我赢得夫人芳心的“手段”之一。当然，此乃后话。

所以，其实很难说高考到底能带给我们什么。因为，它带给我们的，其实远不是一张高考文凭那么简单。无论结果如何，它都给我们提供了成长的渠道和空间。只是，你高考的表现会决定你所看到的风景：是一望无际的青海湖，还是险象环生的蜀道？而最终的结果是，无论是湖泊还是山峦，我们都得到了大自然的馈赠。而其中的不同，恐怕也就是个人的经历和方式了吧。

说到这里，我已经不知道该如何给这文章结尾了。或许这也是我高考惨败的原因吧——混乱的逻辑+实在是不怎么样的语言功力。我觉着，这应该是通篇中我家乖乖唯一会同意的地方了吧？哈哈哈

Applying Overseas in 2010: My Summary (2)

终于在2010年的夏天搞定了所有的事情，敲定了赴英的行程，也确定了我的两位英国导师。可以说，所有的事情都终于告一段落，可以来写点什么了。毕竟为了这个出国PhD，我的研究生生活实在是或多或少经历了太多。不过也好，不经历风雨，何以见彩虹？正是这些曲曲折折，让我学到了很多，而不仅仅是兰卡斯特大学管理学院的录取以及让众人眼红的奖学金数额。本文是该总结的第二部分，第一部分请点击这里。

选校：英国、美国还是亚洲

其实这是万里长城第一步，也是最难的一步。毕竟学校茫茫，如何选择一个合适自己的，又能让自己中意的学校实在是非常痛苦的事情。对于美国和香港的学校，由于固有的学术倾向（大陆的商学院一般都会跟从香港的商学院做一些研究热点），我们对美国顶级商学院和香港的商学院还可以说了解，但是对于欧洲和大洋洲的学校基本就一无所知了。甚至于我们都不了解他们的科研系统和期刊出版情况。

但是2009-2010的申请年度实在不是申请美国的好时候。我曾参加APJAE结识的夏威夷大学会计系主任甚至于跟我说我“生不逢时”。因为金融危机的问题，美国很多高校都开始缩减资金和博士招生计划，甚至有一些项目当年都不招生。同时，如果大伙儿关注下注明的CD论坛的话，就会发现，大多数北美的PhD都不是大陆直接过去，而是通过国外的MSc过去的。倒不是BS国外的MSc，但是这也算是一种对抗信息不对称（Information Asymmetry)的逆向选择（Adverse Selection）吧。

另一个让我最后不考虑美国的原因是，在Google了一些不同层次的学校教授CV以后我惊奇的发现，其实我们对美国商学院优秀的支持基本仅限于Sloan、Warton、Stern等顶级学校。无容置疑，这些学校的教授的科研成果是非常惊人的，但是呢，一些二流甚至于三流学校的教授是很一般的。事实上，我个人认为，在一个如此的环境下读PhD其实是一个不太值得的行为。毕竟我也要考虑自身的成本。

考虑再三，我决定申请香港、新加坡、澳洲（包括新西兰）和英国的学校。之所以申请香港，是因为他们有着丰厚的奖学金以及与国内高校深入的合作关系，而申请澳洲，则是看上了澳洲政府奖学金的相对要求以及移民的便利性（如果考虑移民的话）。而申请英国，则是两方面的原因：一则是英国会计学在世界范围内的地位；二则是夏威夷的教授推崇。但事实上，我对英国申请一直没有太上心，因为英国的奖学金真的很少。
峰回路转：来自英伦的问候

事实证明，一切没有参考系的决定都是非常不靠谱的。因为财大的前人出国经验寥寥无几，尤其是针对于PhD项目的经验。这种资料缺乏造成了两方面的问题：一是我们学校的国际声誉比较差；二是我申请时候的定位也异常困难。如果说一开始我对这种困难还是比较乐观的话，那么一封接着一封的拒信让我的信心也跌到了低谷。

但是兰卡的情况似乎很平稳。他们的系统非常完美，会通知申请人每一步申请的进展。很快，在我提交申请大概三周以后，我收到了申请开始受理的通知：

Your application for the PhD Accounting and Finance programme is now being considered by the Faculty Admissions Officer, Sarah Patterson, and you will hear from us by 10 February, 2010.

然后在不久以后，我收到了第二份邮件，告诉我申请已经通过了初步审核，正在跟系里协商中。

Your application for the PhD Accounting and Finance programme is now being considered in consultation with colleagues in the appropriate department/academic unit who may contact you directly. You should still receive a decision within the timescale stated in our earlier email.

到底是一个会计和金融出名的学校，呵呵，懂得时不时去调整人们的期望。也就在这时候，我的好友Jenny告诉我，英国的PhD是需要陶瓷的。天哪，我都不知道陶瓷这回事儿，怎么办？申请都提交出去了！

在兰卡的官网搜索，我终于找到了一个大牛。那就是赫赫有名的Ken Peasnell教授。于是，我就发出了我的陶瓷。然而，结果很戏剧。我收到了另一个教授——Steven Young的邮件。这是一个很客套的邮件，甚至直接可以被解读为拒信的。不过后来的发展都出乎了我们所料：

Thank you for your interest in applying to the PhD programme in the Department of Accounting and Finance at Lancaster University Management School. I very much look forward to reading your application. Unfortunately, we are unable to read or comment on any research proposals prior to formal consideration of your application. You will receive information concerning the status of your application from our admissions office in due course.

然而，不知道是这位哥们的大意呢，还是故意给我留了个信号传递，我还看到了老教授给这位年轻教授的邮件。那个邮件也促成了我们认为是拒信的解读：

I have not replied to this applicant. Can I leave the ball in your court?

然后很快，在我还没有解开这段谜团的时候，我收到了面试通知：

Thank you for your email. Please note that your telephone interview will take place at one hour earlier 9.00am GMT (17.00 CHINA) and that Professor Young will call you on the number provided.

这段面试事实上还是很顺利的,而且我在当时就知道了会给我奖学金,只是当时还不知道是否有ORS。而这个面试官，就是之前给我发“拒信”的那位。怎么样？很有喜感吧。事实上，喜感远没有到此结束。Peansell教授后来成了我导师，哈哈。造化弄人吧！

为了奖学金，我可真是“不遗余力”。先后不知道骚扰了多少次项目负责人和系秘书。终于在他们忍无可忍之后（我直接怀疑他们很后悔招了我这么个中国穷光蛋），我收到了一个不再是模板的邮件：

Although a formal decision regarding funding will not be taken for the next month or so, I am writing to let you know that the department has prioritised you in the funding competition as we believe that you are a very strong student. Please therefore work on the principle that a funded offer will be made when making your decision.

按理说，到此，我应该已经圆满了。但是我实在是被那些学校的拒信折腾疯掉了。所以我还是参加了中山大学的博士入学考试，并奇迹般的进入了复试。而正当我因为复试表现而郁闷时候，我收到了一个正式通知：

We are pleased to confirm our offer for you to receive a three-year PhD Departmental scholarship. The scholarship will deliver an annual maintenance allowance of around GBP 13,290 (2009/10 rate, subject to small increase per year to be determined for 2010/11) plus payment of tuition fees. In return for this, we require students to deliver teaching and/or research assistance to the department – training is available for teaching duties as well as peer and mentor support. We also supply a small research budget for conference/seminar-related costs.
补充内容

很多人问我是如何申请的奖学金，如何被录取。说真的，我无法回答。因为这个事情实在是太复杂，往往无法说清楚。招生委员会和学术委员会的标准我也无从知晓。我只能说，这或许是上天眷顾，给我提供了一个学习的机会。而我能做的，就只能是把整个过程给罗列出来。

关于材料的准备，请参见我写的另一个帖子。

最后，我希望大家不要随意转贴，这个帖子中所涉及的邮件内容本人和邮件发送者保留所有的版权，如需转贴，请先征得本作者的同意。

最后祝大家在新的一年里申请顺利！

Revisiting CSLG: A Two-day Trip

It can never be amazed for one, who are quite familiar with me, of knowing the Changshu Institute of Technology. It is a small school focusing on engineering and science majors, locating in a small town near Suzhou. To mention it here in my blog means nothing to its contribution to the academic and industrial world, but purely that as my mother school where I spent my first two years of college life.

An Invited Presentation

This revisit, unlike a self-conducted behavior that I used to adapt, is following somewhat informal invitation from the Department of Mathematics. The vice dean, Mr. Yu, who, at that time, was my lecturer for calculus, posted this invitation to me. In fact, this invitation has been done for years while it never came into practice. Things are that curious since the invitation were mostly received when I had been in Wuhan, and one time in US for an academic symposium.

The timing this time, unlike those previous instances, is quite appropriate. It is fortunately arranged on the time before my leave for Lancaster. However, the topic that I shall promote for the presentation make me paralyzed. According to the basic need and willing from Mr. Yu, a presentation on my personal experience, focusing on my life from leaving this school in 2005, to the present stage, as a coming PhD student at Lancaster with fully funded offer. Anyway, such willing can hardly be satisfied since, it greatly conflicts the basic principle that a scholar should carry, and the necessary calm a student should have.

An alternative topic that they can accept, lays on the choice for postgraduate admission exams. It has been quite a long history for this school on high support for these activities. In fact, I have received quite benefit when participating my own exams to Nanjing Normal University in 2005. These benefits includes free material offering, very low price training on specific courses, and mental support from others. Nowadays, the students there are obviously getting more. They even have the usage of air-conditioned meeting rooms during the summer.

However, this topic is somewhat rigid for me. The choice on whether to work or to fight for the graduate admissions should never been easily recommended. Such recommendation should be carefully and highly regarded, and taking the individual factors into account. After all, I get a compromising solution. Based on the empirical literatures that I have read in past few years on Chinese stock market, I delivered a professional presentation that covers the advantage that a student with the major of math would have if he/she is devoted into this field. The result, or say, the feedback, is quite under my expectation. That is, they don’t know what I am talking about, though they have had a good way to announce it. For the news article on their website, please click here.
Its Good & Bad

Dingding is still always that busy, and taking dinner with him and his wife, including some other friends, has been a tradition for my visit to Changshu. That is, my trip to Changshu has been extended from a one-day trip to a two-day one. The big difference this year is that, Xie, a good friend and teacher of mine, is too busy as well for his new position in League. This time, I would have to travel with my own plan, besides taking meals with him. But such arrangement brings me quite more free time to talk with others.

In that dinner with Yu, I met some other teachers. And after meal, I took a good talk with Tang in his office. He used to be my calculus during the first semester, and at that time, he was devoting to the books on database management. While later, he became a leader for the modeling team, and received quite some prize nationally. In fact, he used to be a student in computational mathematics, and modeling should be his advantage and interest. Also, I have a good talk with Zhang, who at that time taught me marketing and finance, it is good that his unique foreseeing sight remains, and his courage retained.

Comparing to the school that I joined five years ago, it has been largely improved, both on its equipment and its environment, including the student’s attitude, though the students obviously have not learned the spirit of questioning. However, most of the lecturers in that school remains to be lecturer for many years, if they are taking a similar position in some other better universities, they would have been associate professors, professors, postgraduate tutors and even doctoral supervisors.

But the chat with other younger teachers bring me some concern on their perspective. Lacking the environment for academic discussion and cooperation would largely mitigate their competence on coping with the steps of the mainstream within the area that they are interested in, and such mitigation would prevent them from publishing good papers, which is, no matter where you are, are highly regarded as a key criteria for promotion and high salary. Maybe they only want a quiet life rather than such contributions.
My Thanks to This School

Though not a good school comparing to the later ones that I participated, it provides me good education on mathematics and opportunity of learning necessary computer skills from my roommates. It is what I learned here bring me great convenience on my exploring to the empirical world, and indefinitely promote my admission to Lancaster. Heartedly, wish it goes well.

Applying Overseas in 2010: My Summary (1)

在此之前，我写过一个关于兰卡斯特的博士项目申请介绍。尽管阅读量很大，但是也有很多朋友嫌我写得过于客观。或许这是我最近一直在写学术类东西的习惯吧。这种习惯促成了我写东西强调逻辑和框架，且不过度融入自己主观判断的写作风格。同时，由于当时导师等均尚未确定，也不便说的太多。好在，现在万事俱备，可以来好好写一个总结了。希望各位读者可以喜欢。

考虑到这个总结的篇幅，我将此总结分为两部分。第一部分重点介绍出国这个荒诞想法的来源，而第二部分，则是我为此付出的代价和收获。此处呈现的是第一部分。

2008年夏天：一个梦开始的地方

其实要说出国的想法，就得从2008年夏天的第一次托福考试开始。说起报名，其实是很有点喜感。我有个同门，是个才女，英文奇好。在2007年底时突然跟我说她要考托福去美国，而想鼓动我一同参与。事实上，当时的我而言，正被一篇论文的数据结果折腾的心烦意乱，老板一日三个电话的问候已经搞得我快崩溃（尽管后来证明是基础性工作问题，但当时的我哪里知道？），本已无心去考虑此等“大事”。但是禁不住美女的一次次诱惑，外加个人自负心理的不断膨胀，我终于迈出了这让我“抱憾终生”的第一步。

要说这个新托福的名字一点都没有错。iBT，的确是非常BT。什么综合性听写，人机对话。反正是让我很不爽。更何况，当时我从中国会计学会年会回来的时候，离考试也就两周时间了。前面的复习不得法让我浪费了太多时间。不过后来事实证明，老外的考试制度的确很合理，如果你有足够的英文水平，不复习都能考的不太差。

正是这种盲目的自信让我继续挺进了GRE。事实证明，这一步比托福更加凶险。不说红宝书的单词百年一遇，就那些长难句救助可以让我焦头烂额。我老板也感受到了此种难度，替我推掉了所有的科研任务，不过可悲的是，我的GRE绝对是个大大的杯具。正是因为这个GRE让我情绪走向了低谷。

不过GRE也有一个好处。那就是，我终于学到了如何写正式的书面英语，第一次在不借助中文母语的帮助下，以一种语言的亲和力感受到了英文写作的那种逻辑。至此，我告别了First，Second这种大学英语四六级时代的简单逻辑过度，进而开始挑战那种依靠内容和段首强制性过度的新时代。
2008年秋冬：我走向了鉴定
1. 北大之行，开拓了我的视野
  
  如果说托福和GRE考试属于常规的技术准备的话，那么2008年9-12月这段时间对我来说就弥足珍贵了。应老板的要求和安排，在2008年中秋节的前一晚，我踏上了去往北京的火车，开始了我在北大2个月不到的“非正式友好访问”。借助着我姐（其实是我师姐）在北大读博的便利，以及我舅舅舅妈和家人的照顾，我开始了在北大的听课经历。尽管说在北京并不是一个很美好的经历，甚至于我有时候都不知道在北大干嘛。走在北京的大街上，我第一次有了一种没有归属感的感觉。但是，北大光华的一些课程却坚定了我的信心。我越发坚信：即使是北大这样的学校，也没法让我受到严格而正式的学术训练。
2. 中澳研讨会：我与澳洲教授的“邂逅”
  
  财大举办的中澳国际研讨会的邀请函终于让我于10月底离开了北京。在北京我第一次感受到了家人的温暖。有家的感觉实在是很好。在中澳的会场上，我第一感受到了良好英文能力在这种国际场合下的便利。曾不止一次的，我替我的同学救场，也与澳洲的教授聊得很愉快。更重要的，我第一次用英文做了一个报告，尽管效果可能不好，但是的确给了我一个锻炼的机会。当看到我们学校某些教授在吃力的用英文做报告时，我一方面感受到了他们作为学者的孜孜不倦，也另一方面为他们为什么不给研究生机会而不解（我这样的老板可真不多，哈哈）。
  
  很快，我引起了Alistair的注意。他是Curtin的会计研究所所长。在晚宴后，我们开始了聊天。他说的第一句话就让我很吃惊“俊，你得出国，知道么？你的英文就告诉了我这个”。我真不知道出国跟英语水平有什么直接的关系。当时我只是觉得这是一个玩笑。此后一直到他离开，他一遍遍的跟我说澳洲的美好，甚至要了我的CV存档，以及在我后来告诉他被兰卡录取时他给我的一份长邮件。我才知道我已经打动了他。但是Curtin实在不是我的梦想。毕竟这只是一个位于澳洲西部以采矿专业闻名的学校。
3. APJAE年会：踏出国门
  
  其实这个会议的论文是我在北京期间投出去的。在澳洲会议结束的第二天，我收到了来自遥远夏威夷的邀请函，同时提供了我1500美金的旅行补助。在我老板的鼓励和“威胁”下，我踏上了美利坚的领土。事实证明，这次出去让我感受到了无限的美好。具体情况可参见我以前写的一个帖子。
  
  也就是在这个会议的午宴上，与我同桌的夏威夷教授在听说了我是硕士以后，开始给我介绍美国大学，比如芝加哥大学擅长什么，宾夕法尼亚大学喜欢什么，伊利诺大学做什么研究的人最多等等，同时用了一堆排比疑问句来告诉我美国情况。比如你想要钱么？你想要很好的科研条件么？你想要一流的学者指导你么？你想参加国际顶级的学术会议么？我们都可以提供给你。我们只需要一样东西：那就是你的头脑和你学习的热情！
  
  恕我没见过世面，不过这些话的确是打动了我。同时他也告诉了我两个选择，美国或者英国。因为他们一致觉得，这两个国家去读会计学是最理想的选择。说实话，这是我第一次听到英国如此的正评价。
结语

上述原因终于促成了我的出国梦想。但是理想终究是理想，事实上，申请之路远非那么容易，在下一部分，我将介绍下我在申请兰卡中的心路历程。事实上，这是我唯一一个真正走到最后的申请。

Towards PhD in UK: Applying for LUMS

最近真是时来运转。前阶段GRE的厄运终于过去了。最近好事儿是一桩接着一桩来，先是通过了中山大学的博士入学考试初试，接着是通过了雅思7分考试。而这两天我又得到个好消息。Lancaster University同意给我提供未来三年（四年）的博士学习奖学金。显然，这是一个非常不错的消息。要知道英国的奖学金非常少，全额奖学金更少。更不用说我的专业，Accounting & Finance，这个商科中的热门专业了。所以说，如果你要问我为什么可以拿到全奖，那我的答案只有两个字：运气！

为什么申请Lancaster？

如果要我说为什么申请Lancaster，说出来的理由恐怕会令诸位大跌眼镜。其实我知道Lancaster，并不是因为他的research。而是来自于Google。我不知道是否是美国文化的影响，以至于在过去几年中，我所看的文献基本都是美国文献，而很少去涉及欧洲学者的研究，也就更不会知道Lancaster了。

对于PhD的申请者而言，我自然不会去关注所谓的综合排名和专业排名了。我更关注的是这个学校的研究实力。而若要看研究实力，RAE则是个不错的选择。尽管大众对此指标褒贬不一，拿来作为一项参考还是不错的。尤其是对于我们这样的远离英国的申请者而言。
如何申请Lancaster？

我这里所说的主要是指PhD的申请，而不包括MSc项目。MRes我不了解，不知是否一致。请大家酌情参考吧。
1. 申请材料的准备
  
  其实申请过程中，我觉得最麻烦的就是材料的准备。尽管麻烦，但是一定要认真。毕竟这是万里长征第一步。下面我就分单项来简要说明。其中大多数经验贴中涉及的材料我就简略交代。
  1. 推荐信和成绩单
    
    这两项我不想多说，直接找学校搞定吧。Lancaster的申请只需要扫描件。对成绩单而言，美国和香港以及新加坡都是需要原件。很多学校的教务处都是固定时间办理的。至于推荐信，找教授写。我的推荐信分别由我硕士导师、我一个熟悉的教授和院长搞定。如果你跟我一样是研究生，一定要在推荐信中适当并充分披露科研能力方面的信息。
  2. 个人申明
    
    俗称PS。熟悉美国申请的朋友都知道，PS是重中之重。但是在申请英国的过程中是否有用就仁者见仁，智者见智了。我在Lancaster的申请系统中看到的PhD的PS更多是要介绍自己的研究计划。而大多数人理解的PS的内容在我的申请里就只有用几句话来概括了。但是，PS要么不写，要么就好好写。英文不好的朋友们一定要找人改。不一定非要老外，英文很好的中国朋友也可以。如果没有人可以帮忙，那就自己写完了自己读，读出问题来！
  3. 研究计划
    
    这个东西最不好把握，但是也是重中之重。我觉得PhD申请成败的关键就在这个研究计划上。研究计划至少可以看出三方面的问题：
    - 你的英文能力。毕竟没有好的英文能力，很难写出那么十几页的东西
    - 你的学术训练。学术研究跟其他工作一样，也是需要正规训练的。一份正规军的Proposal跟没有任何学术背景人出来东西是完全两样的。明眼人一眼即可以看出来。所以在申请之前，跟老板多打打工吧。
    - 你的理论功底。其实这点跟第二点略有重复。之所以单列，是因为很多人会由于训练的不足而没有理论功底。这个理论功底怎么来？读Paper去吧。
    下图是我的研究计划。图比较小，大家就看个样子吧。
2. 在线申请
  
  这一步就不需要多说。Follow the instruction, and take it step by step.
3. 关键问题：是否陶瓷
  
  估计很多朋友多会想到陶瓷。其实对英国的大多数学校而言，陶瓷是非常必要的。但是就我经验而言，LUMS似乎是个例外。我到现在都没搞懂为什么我的陶瓷会套成那样。如下是当时陶瓷以后PhD Director给我的回复。这封信，当时直接被我朋友判读为“没戏”。然后戏剧的是，此人竟然是我后来的面试官。当然，这是后话了。
  
  Dear Jun
  
  Thank you for your interest in applying to the PhD programme in the Department of Accounting and Finance at Lancaster University Management School. I very much look forward to reading your application. Unfortunately, we are unable to read or comment on any research proposals prior to formal consideration of your application. You will receive information concerning the status of your application from our admissions office in due course.
  
  Regards
  
  Steve
4. 关于奖学金
  
  奖学金，PhD的命根子。要知道，如果全自费，3-4年的PhD费用可不是一般的吓人。更何况，在下穷得叮当响，连MSc都读不起，而只能在国内的一所还算不错的学校的还算不错的专业混了好几年。用了人家三倍的时间来取得了硕士学位。由此见，钱是多么重要！
  
  LUMS是会给PhD提供专门的奖学金的。但是注意，他们的网页信息似乎有问题。如下图网页内容所示，他们的奖学金只是包括Home Tuition和生活费。而事实上，他们给我的Funding同时也包括了海外学费。
  
  如下内容是来自官方网站对奖学金的介绍：
  
  1. Lancaster University Management School Research Studentships
  
  A number of Management School Research Studentships will be available up to the value of £15,000 – this includes a fee waiver and maintenance award. To be considered for this award, PhD applicants should indicate that they wish to request a Research Studentship when completing the ‘source of funding’ question as part of their postgraduate study application. We regret that the closing date for receipt of applications for this year has now passed (31 March 2010).
  
  而这是兰卡小米发给我的最终决定。所以英国的奖学金具体还是需要问下小米的。
  
  Dear Jun,
  
  I hope this email finds you well.
  
  We are pleased to confirm our offer for you to receive a three-year PhD Departmental scholarship. The scholarship will deliver an annual maintenance allowance of around GBP 13,290 (2009/10 rate, subject to small increase per year to be determined for 2010/11) plus payment of tuition fees. In return for this, we require students to deliver teaching and/or research assistance to the department – training is available for teaching duties as well as peer and mentor support. We also supply a small research budget for conference/seminar-related costs.
  
  If you have any queries please do not hesitate to get in touch.
  
  Best wishes,
  
  Joanna
  
  LUMS的这个奖学金不需要单独申请。只需要在网申时候选上这个项目就Okay了。当然，这个奖学金也是有Obligation的。那就是，作为奖学金的获得者，我们必须去从事助教和助研的工作。助研的工作我不清楚。就助教而言，按照面试官说法，是给本科生上习题课。你不需要准备材料，直接读就可以（他的原话）。
申请过程
1. 资料审核
  
  这一步是申请的万里长征第一步。小米会审核你提交的所有材料。我当时推荐信没有学校抬头就被拒掉了。如何搞定么，很简单，用计算机就可以做出来。由于推荐信内容真实性可以保证，我不认为这是一种作假。毕竟国内高校有使用自己信纸习惯的人真的不多。
2. 电话面试
  
  似乎大多数的PhD申请者都会接受电话面试（也不全是，比如Durham就悄悄给了我一个Offer）。电话面试的内容也会因为学校不同而具有差异。就我经历过的LUMS面试而言，似乎包括如下部分：
  - 研究计划。无容置疑，这是最重要，也是面试官最关注的。比如我的面试官非常仔细询问了我的研究情况。包括各种统计学方法，使用的统计软件，以及变量定义的方法等。总而言之，面试官对研究计划很看重。
  - 个人经历。由于本人经历的特殊性，老外对我的教育经历非常感兴趣。比如他问了我专科情况等。同时，由于提供奖学金的同时要求TA或者RA。面试官同时也问了我代课经历方面的问题。
  - 模板问题。比如为什么来英国？为什么不在中国读博士？毕业打算去哪里？等等。这些问题，如果能够结合自己专业特色回答，会很好。
  - 提问时间。你可以问考官一些问题。当然，我是那种“见钱眼开”的人了。所以就问了一大堆关于funding的问题。哈哈
录取结果

申请了英国我才知道。原来他们的Offer和Funding是分开的。也就是说，你拿到的Offer仅仅吸纳归档于美国的AD，却不是正儿八经的Offer。要真的能够成行，您还得继续搞定Funding才行。路漫漫其修远兮啊～
1. Offer
  
  在电话面试以后，admission office就会开始受理申请。他会根据系里的态度（接受，拒绝）来给Offer或者拒绝。英国的Offer分为Conditional Offer和Unconditional Offer两种。前者Offer代表学校愿意录取你，但是呢，你还有一些条件没达到。常见的条件有均分，语言等。比如我的录取条件就是：
  - 雅思考过7分或者托福超过100分
  - 硕士毕业并取得学位
  在满足了上述的条件以后，admission office就会发给一个unconditional Offer。这时候，我们就可以开始下一步工作——签证了。
2. Funding
  
  关于奖学金的问题。录取和奖学金是分开的。英国的Offer类似于美国的AD，本身不带任何funding。所以更多情况下，我们套用美国的说法来讨论英国申请。比如将普通Offer叫做AD，而只将Funded Offer作为Offer来称呼。但是在看BBS时候要注意，由于大多数申请英国的学生均为MSc，他们获奖概率实在很低。所以一般他们直接套用英国说法。
未完待续

由于申请还在进行中，因此先写这么多，以后再更新。
鸣谢

我非常感谢Jenny Li在申请过程中给我提供的大量帮助，也感谢色猪，荣荣，小宁，Jash和绝望等朋友在我备战雅思过程中给我的帮助。谢谢你们！

Some Words For My Application: A Review

近阶段总是在忙活博士入学考试的报名和海外研究生院的申请工作。说实话，GRE的考试失利还是给我造成了不小的心理阴影。这不得不让我相信我家乡的谚语——“不听老人言，吃亏在眼前”。现在想来，可能是我当时也过于inherent了，Kuan的说法并没有错，GRE的Second Attempt的确是需要Confidence的，而且也是Consequenced的。无奈，我是个学会计的学生，成本-效益原则已经深深映入了我的脑海。如果说把托福考试和GRE考试仅仅当作学习英语的学费，似乎有点心有不甘。毕竟，作为学费，这个价格似乎有点高。更何况，对我这个穷光蛋而言。

其实真的申请国外学校的时候才会发现：对一个真的想出国的人而言，读经济管理类专业绝对是个大大的“杯具”。尽管说在我们英明的政府和党的领导下，我国的经济还是大有起色。但是在国际视野的比较下，我们还真是个不折不扣的发展中国家。而这样的身份则是直接造就了申请上的杯具。从寄托和太傻这两个国内最大的留学版块上我们就可以看到，最容易出国的专业基本都是理工专业。而商学院出国留学的人则是少之又少（注意：这里我不包括自己付学费）。相比较理工类专业出国的相对泛大众化，商学院的Overseas PhD项目似乎更像是精英的游戏。

从Chasedream，一个比较大的商学院论坛来看，直接从国内学校来申请美国商学院PhD的Offshore Application的成功率是非常低的，尤其是申请一些顶级学校，如MIT的Sloan，Havard Business School，UCLA，Rochester等。而拒绝大陆中国学生的申请原因主要集中于两点：

语言能力：相对于Science和Engineering的学生而言，商学院对申请者的英语要求高得多。从事业发展角度来说，商学院毕业生需要更多的去进行各种商业谈判和商务写作；从学术来说，商学院的论文往往都会有大段的描述性文字来“讲故事”。试想，没有足够好的英文怎么行呢？而大部分国内学校的毕业生的英文水平的确也没法达到这个要求（除了北清的牛人）。
研究背景：如果说英文水平是可以通过努力提高的话，那Research Background就更加要命了。由于众所周知的原因，国内商学院的Faulty们的论文质量普遍难以达到国际水平。即使国内顶级学校的几个海归faculty，他们的论文也多发表在B类期刊，相当于欧美博士生的水准。试想基于如此的Faculty水平，如何能指望学生作出国际水平的研究呢？以至于我有次跟Bill开玩笑说，如果可以借给我一篇SCI的论文，不用多大的IF，我就能在学院斜着走～～。

我的猜想是，可能就是基于上述原因，才导致了很多人的曲线救国。比如北大的Heng Yue，就是在HKUST读的MPhil，然后去Purdue读了PhD。而同样北大的Guohua Jiang也是在HK读了硕士以后去Hass读了PhD。香港中文大学的年轻副教授Cong Wang则是在新加坡国立大学读了硕士，然后在美国完成了博士学位。当然，也有例外，比如Wei Luo，其实还是我校友，在中南财大毕业后去了Pittsburg。

考虑到了我的比较soft的背景，以及不太对得起观众的G和T，我就没有申请美国。毕竟我可不想拿着几百美金的申请费去打水漂。要打水漂，找水塘边的瓦片就Okay。作为心理安慰，我横扫了香港的几所学校。毕竟香港的申请费相对便宜。甚至于比国内的学校报考费还便宜。例如HKU，HKUST，CUHK的申请费都是150港币，CityU是一百港币。而国内的，比如我报的中山大学，我师妹报的北大分别都是200元RMB。上财的报名费更是高达250元。最好的还是新加坡的南洋理工，PhD似乎并不需要支付申请费，只需要把Package寄过去就可以。

相比较亚洲和美国的学校，英联邦国家和欧洲的博士项目则要直接的多。比如澳洲和英国的大部分博士都是3年项目。他们的博士就像faculty一样上下班。工作时间就在各自的Office里做研究。其实想想，这样的工作压力还是很大的。毕竟他们没有美国的那种Course可以作为初到国外的缓冲。不过意识到这种差异也让我了解了为什么这些国家都需要申请者提供Research Proposal。毕竟他们需要找的是veterans，而不是什么都不会的rookie。不过相比美国那种动辄五年到七八年的博士学制，这些国家的短学制则是非常有吸引力。但是考虑到那些在这些国家的水货Master在国内造成的影响，国人对此类学校的毕业生的印象恐会打折。

当然，这些学校跟美国相比，也有很大的局限性。那就是funding的严重不足。以英国和澳大利亚为例，这些国家都是“教育产业化”的楷模。他们即使有funding，也会优先提供给自己人，比如澳洲提供给Citizen和PR，而英国则是给EU的学生。更多的，他们会对外国学生claim非常高的额外学费。这估计也是个产业化的特色吧。不过说实话，就我个人的理解而言，这种自我封闭恐怕对研究水平的发展是很不利的。在这点上，New Zealand首先给出了移民和学生的优惠政策来吸引高级人才。毕竟，不说别的国家，就说中国，澳洲和新西兰都快成了高考垃圾的摇篮了。

无疑，申请这些学校是个体力活。整天转悠BBS和浏览学校的网页实在是个辛苦工作。为此，我不打算继续申请了。还是准备国内的考试比较靠谱。尽管说无论经费、设施、办公室条件、行政效率等方面，国内学校跟人家差距太大。但是毕竟轻松得多啊。人生苦短，何必搞得如此劳命？伤财就算了，毕竟我现在是跟红苗正的无产阶级，实则无财可伤也。

Reading in Middle Night: Feel About Silence

Due to the difference on the timing patterns at home and that on campus, I prefer reading at night these days. Unfortunately, the books that I am now reading is not a fiction, or some poems, but the electronically versions of textbooks, which are corporate finance, basic econometrics and accounting theory. All these books are written in English. In fact, I should have found some Chinese versions to read, which may accelerate my reading. But the question comes. That the books are pretty expensive, purchasing all these books can be a great bill. Then, to save up some money, I shall keep on reading the original version.

Thanks to the practice that I have took in past years for TOEFL and GRE, that my reading ability has greatly been improved. Reading the text is now a great challenge for me. That is also a key reason why I prefer to save up the expenses of purchasing all these printed books. Admittedly, the electronic version are also of good readability since that are all colored pages. Though I am not a kid anymore, I still prefer such styles, which, according to Bill, sounds like a favor of a little girl. Anyway, my accepted English competence and the colored style promotes my determination of reading such books. You know, each of them are as thick as 700 pages, quite a pile of blocks!

But not all the books are that attractive. Some handbooks on research, which are mainly published by some top publishers, and organized as a collection of academic papers, are nightmare for readers. I have two volumes of Handbooks for Management Accounting Research, though they are regarded as essential collections for important literatures on this branch, I don’t have the power to read. That’s partially why I eventually give up my application to Shanghai University of Finance and Economics. The Financial Accounting written by William Scott may be a bit simpler since its original orientation as a undergraduate textbook. The English version for this book is more or less a bit plain to read, and can hardly attract the interest of a reader. In such situations, the Chinese version can be regarded as good substitution.

I don’t know whether it is necessary to write posts in a styled way for my blog. I have tried to write two articles in such way. Hand-coding for such writing is a good way, and is likely to be more efficient. While, frankly, I always recongize the blog as a personal clip board where I can express my own way of thinking, and i should not keep on writing all the articles in a styled way, as what I did frequently for an academic paper. The words from a random though, though may be of disorder, fully reflect my present situation and feeling. I appreciate the free mind in this process of writing, and the free style of writing as a consequence.

This world needs serious thinking, but not only serious topics. They want relaxation and luxuries as well.

Goodbye! North America and My American Dream!

Quite a long time I denied all the requests from my heart of writing a post in English, the reason can be quite simple. The failure on GRE directly abandoned me the American dream; what’s more, it deeply hurts my passion to my future life in years. In the past days, weeks and months, again and again, I have tried to imagine my life, a big house, a tenured position. But now, everything is gone. And, my purpose of learning this language has become invalid as well. Even till now, I don’t think the English can be useful for my graduate study in China, since most PhD candidates in the major of accounting are without good competence of foreign language, and such faults are also retained by most professors as well. in contrary, such competence may cause envy from colleague sometimes.

I can hardly remember when I devote myself to the study of this language. I admit that I never met the top level, since I never entered a top primary school, middle school, college, and the graduate school. But undoubtedly the American dream works. During the high school, I started to read some English newspapers, listening to the VOA News, and to chat with my English teachers and friends in English. Obviously such activities help me build a solid foundation, which is still beneficial today. (Just imagine how many students are still fighting for oral and listening sections).

The failure of the college entrance directly abandoned my improvement of English. The teachers for students of the technical school are that poor, that the memory of the English courses at that time is only the tricks, like the faults of the pronunciation, verbal and grammars from the teacher. And CET-4 and 6 are passed respectively, though the scores were not very high, but identical to my competence. Frankly, there is little improvement on my English during the four year study in college.

A great improvement of English competence comes to me when I entered the graduate school. For the research purpose, I have to read many papers from top journals written English. Obviously, good competence on reading formed since high school brings me great benefit. Even till today, I am still quite pride that very few graduate students around can take a faster speed than my reading. (A younger student used to acknowledge her greater amount of reading, while after some talking; it is found she only read the abstract and conclusion). And what’s more, the failure of GRE can not only mean failure, in fact, I learned how to write in a formal way. Without such training, I don’t think I can write an English paper and present in Hawaii.

Anyway, the GRE is failed, and my American dream is breaking down. With the concern of my willing to be a research, professor or so, PhD is an optimized choice still, since its honored acceptance here in China. I will fight for some top universities in China, no other school will be considered since its limitation on marketplace. I don’t want to be a loser when graduated in three or four years.

Thanks for my brother; it is your help and encouragement that bring me confidence and broadened horizon;

Thanks for my parents; it is your help and support on my feeding up that I have the opportunity to make these attempts, though they are not successful;

Thanks for my uncle and aunt; it is your kind suggestion that prevent me from making wrong decisions;

Thanks for my uncle Yang yang, to be specific; you give me too much, courage, confidence, horizon and the meaning of a human being;

And thanks for Mr. Zhou and Ms. Luo; it is your encouragement during my early stages that I can obtain all these capabilities;

As a final, thanks for Peng and my present professor, though we have only a connection for less than three years, your determination and encouragement help I learn to be a rookie researcher. I am convinced what you taught me can be beneficial when doing independent research in future.

English Learning: Quite a Long Way to Go

It is quite amazing that I found an article that was written by myself about five years ago on some suggestions of how to improve the English to the young students. It was invited by my dorm mate Ding who used to be the dean of the department of study, the student union of dept. of Software Engineering and it was scheduled for a presentation. But I was not that confident to take it ( I was of no experience on lecturing at that time), and then it was posted as printed.

This is an article that was revised by Mr. Hutchison, a kind teacher from Canada, who is now still teaching in Changshu. The reason why I post that old article here is, there are really great piles of useful and native expressions from Mr. Hutchison, and they are significant to us even today, when our English has been greatly improved. Following is the old article without any modification. But remember that the copyright is sincerely preserved.

The Introduction of English Approaching

Gu Jun, 03 Statistics, Math Dept.

Distinguished mates:

Firstly I would like to introduce myself, I am Gu Jun, the 2^nd year student as a statistics major from Math Dept. I get extremely glad and delighted to be standing here, sharing my experience on my English approaching with all of you.

I am, of course, quite strange to you, while I am quite familiar with the mates in the 2^nd year, I am just fortunately invited by Ding Wei, many of you should be quite familiar with this name, who is the leader of the Study Dept in your Students’ Union and, also my dormmate.

Before my speech, I see that there has been 2 mates sharing their English study experience with you, and I don’t want to just repeat their words, such as how to enlarge your vocabulary, how to pass the finals, etc. What I want to talk about is just something about oral English and its relation with the traditional English learning.

You can apparently see the importance of oral English. English is not only a kind of tool that is only used for exams but it is a communicating tool, just similar to the mobile phones on your hands. Just taking your future as an instance, you all sitting here are software-engineering majors, who will go to some computer company to be programmers. But in many large companies, such as Intel, IBM, or Microsoft China, English is just their working language, you must communicate with others in English, but if you cannot speak even one simple English statement, how can you successfully worth your salt?

PRETCO, CET-4/6 is of course very important, I admit, I am now also very busy preparing for the CET-4 on Jan. 8, but I do remember they are not the only purpose that you learn English. Just consider that even you get the full mark in CET, but when coming across a foreigner, you get so nervous, or rather say fearful that you are unable, even to speak one word out, then I shall ask, where is the benefit that you learn English?

Following is just some personal advice on how to improve oral English, but human characteristics varies, you may find some better and more suitable methods for your present situation.

If you want to practice your spoken English, I think the first element that you need is just courage, you should be able to get rid of embarrassment whiling talking to others in English, you must learn to speak English with others, such as the foreigners in our campus. Have you ever seen the tall man? Yeah, he is Allistair Hutchison, who is really a kind man, and so is his wife. I talk to him sometimes, in fact, speaking English to some foreigner is not so fearful as you imagine, what you must do is just to say and be calm.

Once you want to speak good, smooth English, you need a lot of opportunities to practice, but you may tell me that you have not got the environment for that language, so do I, Chinese is our native language, not only you, but also I can seldom get the opportunity to speak English. So the way that I choose is just to write. I write about 20 English emails per week, the destinations are various, ranging from my brother, and my pen friend in USA or just my classmates here. The more you write, the more familiar you will be with English, once you are familiar enough with the frequent words in English, you are able to speak good English naturally.

The core of English study is actually very clear. That is, you should learn to think in English, instead of Chinese. You can speak English to yourself which I think a really good and sufficient promotion to your oral English practice.

What I talk about above is just the way to practice oral English, but I recognize that you are advised to read extensively. Without large vocabulary as the basis, how can you successfully express your minds in English?

Well, time is up, I think I should wrap up, wish you all would speak English smoothly in the coming future.

Thank you so much for your patience.

Math Department

Dec.7,2004

If you are interested in such topic, please contact the author with following email address directly: gujun1225@cslg.cn (Not Available Any Longer)

Recommended by

The Study Department,

Student’s Union

Department of Software-engineering

GRE: A Temporary Farewell

GRE, a famous exam that is required by most graduate schools overseas, ranging from top universities like Harvard and MIT, to some ordinary schools, carries the dream of the youngsters who are willing of going abroad. Since its first in mainland of China in 1980s, millions of excellent young students and scholars has started their career. And for me, within the new generation of the dreamers, comes into the team as well with the first step of preparing for TOEFL and GRE.

Thanks to my solid foundation that I formed in high school and college, I get a reasonable result on TOEFL, though it is not very high, but acceptable considering my two week preparation without any guidance from the experienced takers. However, the good fortunate on my trial stops here. The experience that I obtained during the process of my GRE seems to be totally different, with one word in general, it is a experience full of depression, from the first attempt in June to this time. The only difference here is that the flu gets involved.

Preparing for the GRE do occupy quite plenty of spare time. For Chinese students like us, especially like me who don’t have that solid foundation on vocabulary, and little experience of living abroad that can help building up the routine of thoughts with the language of English. Unlike TOEFL that is focus on the basic vocabulary and grammar points referring to the ordinary usage of the language, GRE is a academic ability test, with the English as a medium. That is, if you are a GRE taker, you are expected to read and write as the native speaker does.

Taking the lesson from the failure in June, I focused on the vocabulary. After the hard-working of some months, my vocabulary is somewhat improved. Though I cannot correctly tell all the words but I can approximately figure their meanings. But then the flu comes again after the cold at the beginning of October. In a day my temperature was boosted to 39.8 degrees and was sent to the hospital by my dorm mates. I really appreciate their kindness in this very moment; it is their kindness that accompanies me in that two days that withdraws the homesick that a patient can always suffer from. While, my best female friend, tingting, came to my dorm mate and help me doing some cleanings. They are indeed my best friends permanently!

Now that the failure of my attempts on GRE is partially determined, I don’t want to be depressed again. Instead, I would prefer some alternatives besides going abroad. Though it is my initial power of learning English, which directly drove me the boost on my English since high school, but it is not the only purpose. With solid foundation on English that was built during the preparing of these two most difficult exams in mainland, I get some benefit on preparing for the graduate entrance exams in China. I wish I can successfully obtain a PhD degree in China, though it is not the best choice that I am longing for.

Maybe such is the nature of the life!

1. Lancaster University Management School Research Studentships