——By Christian Tanja
作者简介：Christian
Tanja，UCLA学士，加州大学洛杉矶分校UCLA的前任招生官。在UCLA从事招生工作的过程中，Christian为成千上万的学生提供了申请加
州大学和其他一流大学的一手讯息。他在美国各地和中国访问过多所高中，并参与众多招生活动，目前在凯斯国际教育担任高级升学指导顾问。
虽然人们常常根据排名来择校，然而Christian Tanja认为，大学的声望以及与申请人之间的匹配度却是更为重要的考虑因素。不仅申请人需要认真考虑目标大学是否真的适合自己，事实上，招生官在收到申请时，也会仔细考虑学生与学校之间的匹配度。
如何评判匹配度呢？作为UCLA的前任招生官和升学指导顾问，Christian
Tanja总结了"BRAVE"准则。BRAVE代表了五个方面：B-Behavior（行为）、R-Relation（关系）、A-
Attitude（态度）、V-Values（价值观）和E-Environment（环境）。
Ranking. Everyone talks about it. Hopefully by now you know that
everyone has their own opinion on it. How specific ranking companies
rank is very different, and their criteria are diverse. Similarly,
everyone has their own opinion of what is the perfect school, usually
determined from what they understand of these rankings. Many students
and families believe that the best fit for them, without giving thought
to what ranks means or to whether or not they are competitive applicants
to that school. The number one ranked school does't automatically mean
it provides the best fit for an applicant. Nor does it mean that the
25th ranked school is the 25th best fit for an applicant.
Fit
1. Adapted or suited;appropriate
2. Proper or becoming
3. Qualified or competent, as for an office or function
4. Prepared or ready
5. In good physical condition; in good health
It's time to think about rankings and fit differently. Yes ranking
could be a starting point,but it should never be the ending point. There
are many things that influence ranking, but the same things don't
always influence fit. Fit is determined by two things---the student and
the university. In other words, to understand a university's fit, we
must research its reputation. By understanding a university's
reputation,you can determine if a university or school is a good match
for you. Reputation and fit will be the focus of this article. My advice
to you is to start thinking about these qualities than you think about
ranking.
What is 'reputation'? What schools have the best
Economics departments or faculty? Will I be able to play competitive
basketball there? It's important to research what kind reputation you
are looking for in your dream school. What is 'fit'? How do I know what
school is best for ma? Isn't the better ranked school the better fit for
me? Not always. Sometimes the best-fit school for you is one of which
you have never heard. With over 3000 college and universities in the US,
it's easy to overlook a majority of them. Now take a look at who you
are----What do you like to study? Where do you see yourself thriving?
How strong of an applicant are you? Will that be good enough at the
schools in which you are interested? These are some questions you should
be thinking about and the answers will help lead you in the right
direction. More importantly your focus on looking at reputation and fit
will be critical for your college selection. It is completely possible
to have multiple schools for which you are a good fit. That's why
students apply to more than just one or two schools. Whether you have
yet to apply, or have received multiple admissions, fit and reputation
are important to think about in either case.
Rep-u-ta-tion
1. The estimation in which a person or thin is held, especially by the community or the public generally.
2. Favorable repute;good name
3. A favorable and publicly recognized name or standing for merit,achievement, reliability,etc.
4. The estimation or name of being, having, having done, etc., something specified
Let's go back to the admissions side of the desk. Aside from looking
at your strengths as an applicant, as well as your motivation to be at a
college (both are big parts of the application process), college
admissions offices are looking for how good of a 'fit' you are for their
university and how they will be a good 'fit' for you. Let me introduce
to you an acronym to help you better understand fit: BRAVE. Have you
considered the following when researching your college?
B-Behavior
The way the students act, make decisions, control their lives,etc.
What to look for: Campus social life, study habits, campus safety,support and resources available.
R-Relation
The way students communicate with each other (in which ways they do
it, how they do it, and how often), engage in intellectual conversation,
manage disagreement,etc.
What to look foe: Different kinds of student groups, percentage of international students on campus
A-Attitude
How students feel about the university's purpose, missions, vision,
identifying whit other students, student groups, the student body, and
university as a whole.
What to look for: students testimonials,
student survey results, university mission or vision or vision
statement, code of conduct, campus culture
V-Values
The students' beliefs and traditions, approach to learning, risk-taking, time management, etc.
What to look for: campus traditions, alumni network, faculty and student interactions.
E-Environment
The way students approach the campus environment in terms of study
and social balance, layout of buildings, and location and size of
campus.
What to look for: location,size, weather
It's important to research some of these things because you don't
just go to a university to study, you also go to live and develop into
the person you will be someday. Before you start trying to change
yourself at the last minute to be a better fit for the Ivy League, first
explore what schools and universities are the best matches for you.
Starting early and choosing a college that is a better match to what you
want (being mindful with your strengths and your motivations) will
ensure that you will be successful in that university. Be 'BRAVE'and
make sure you are happy with your college choice based on what you are
looking for in your dream college. We can't go back in time to undo
grades and tests, nor can we rewind the clock to participate more in
extracurricular activities. So find a school that is the best fit for
you and you will be happier and more successful.
The ultimate
question is: what do YOU look for? Will it be the prestige of their
academic program, the depth of their extracurricular activities, the
prowess of their athletics program, their sunny location, their smaller
size, or their higher ranking? There are many angles to look at. The
lesson learned is to look at many angles, not just one and not just
ranking. Find college with the reputation you are looking for and ensure
that you are the best fit for them. It goes both ways. You have to be a
good fit for the college and the college has tobe a good fit for you.
If that happens, you will thrive.
Tips：凯斯国际教育
凯斯国际教育是目前国内最专业的升学指导机构之一，致力于为有志于申请美国名校的中国学生提供专业、权威、高度个性化的升学指导服务。凯斯国际拥有来
自哈佛大学、麻省理工学院、斯沃斯莫尔学院、布朗大学和哥伦比亚大学巴纳德学院等美国著名大学和文理学院的外方资深升学顾问和中方升学指导顾问。独创的大
学升学指导课程以及申请材料审核制度在保证学生名校申请的同时，关心学生个人成长，实现学生整体能力的提升。
2013年5月凯斯国际教育将入驻成都，如需咨询，请到成都市福兴街1号华敏翰尊国际大厦28楼。