【Career Development Centre of Student Affairs Office】Further Study Insider (9) — The University Selection Pyramid: A Strategic Approach to Reach, Match & Safety Choices

【學生事務部 生涯發展中心】 升學情報 (九) -- 金字塔選校策略：如何合理分配衝刺／匹配／保底院校

 2026-01-26     SAO-SCS     Bulletin / 公告 

Many postgraduate applicants fall into one of two traps: either applying exclusively to highly competitive institutions, or limiting themselves to ‘safe’ options only. This imbalanced approach often results in complete rejection or eventual regret. The following strategic pyramid framework can help you optimise your application portfolio effectively.

 

Understanding the Pyramid Structure

 Reach Schools (20% of applications)
  • Typically have acceptance rates below 30%, but there is still a chance.
  • Your profile is slightly below the average of their candidates (e.g., a GPA difference of 0.3-0.5).

Strategic Approach ⇒ Target 1-2 aspirational choices where:

  • You possess at least one exceptional strength (e.g., publication in a prestigious journal).
  • You are a highly compatible academic fit.
Match Schools (60% of applications)
  • With an acceptance rate of 30–70%, your background is similar to those accepted in previous years.
  • The subject ranking, location and facilities meet your core requirements.

Strategic approach ⇒ Apply to 3 to 4 universities where:

  • The curriculum directly supports your career aspirations.
  • In recent years, there have been successful admissions of students with similar backgrounds.
Safety Options (20% of applications)
  • You have an acceptance rate of over 80%, and your credentials exceed their typical admissions criteria.
  • You must be genuinely happy to study at these schools. Avoid a mindset of reluctant acceptance.

× Avoid selecting schools that you would not consider for admission. 

Ideal safety choices:

  • Maintain credible programme rankings.
  • Offer distinctive resources (e.g., industry-academia collaboration programmes).

Remember: Admission success stems from careful planning, not chance. Taking a balanced approach maximise your opportunities while ensuring quality outcomes.

在研究生申請過程中，許多申請者容易陷入兩個極端：要麼只申請錄取難度極高的頂尖院校，要麼僅選擇錄取門檻較低的保底院校。這種不夠科學的選校策略往往會導致兩種結果：要麼全軍覆沒，要麼事後懊悔沒有挑戰申請更好的學校。以下金字塔選校策略，助你科學分配申請院校種類，最大化錄取機會！ 

 

金字塔三層結構解析

 衝刺院校（佔申請總數20%）
  • 錄取率低於30%，但並非毫無機會。
  • 你的背景略低於往年錄取平均分數（如GPA相差3至0.5）。

策略 ⇒ 選擇1至2所夢想院校，但需符合： 

  • 至少具備一項突出優勢（如頂尖期刊論文）。
  • 專業方向高度契合。
匹配院校（佔申請總數60%）
  • 錄取率30%至70%，你的背景與往年錄取者相若。
  • 專業排名、地理位置、資源等符合核心需求。

策略 ⇒ 選擇3至4所，需符合：

  • 課程設置與職業目標密切相關。
  • 近年有相似背景學生成功錄取案例。
保底院校（佔申請總數20%）
  • 錄取率高於80%，你的背景明顯優於往年錄取者。
  • 必須是願意就讀的院校，避免勉強接受的心態。

× 切勿選擇完全不考慮入讀的院校。

理想保底院校：

  • 專業排名尚可。
  • 擁有吸引你的獨特資源（如校企合作計劃）。

申請不是靠運氣——科學規劃才是致勝關鍵！