An EZ Coach Article | The Actionable Things Blog
So, you've set your sights on your dream college? That's awesome! But did you know that connecting with current students and alumni can offer insider insights into the college's culture, courses, and maybe even give your application an edge?
HERE’S HOW TO DO IT!
Step 1:
SET UP A PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Professionals use LinkedIn for professional networking. Your college application is a professional endeavor, so if you don’t have a LinkedIn profile, put one together. Think of it as your digital introduction.
EXPERT HINT: Use a professional-looking photo, write a short headline and summary about your academic interests, and highlight relevant experiences, like extracurricular activities or volunteer work. If you’re not sure what to say, look at what others have done to get ideas.
EXPERT HINT: Once you have your LinkedIn profile, search for people who have the career you want (other students, alumni, early professionals) and see what they have for headlines, summaries and other profile information. If you notice trends, like common buzzwords, see if you can find a way to use those words in your profile. If you talk like them, they are more likely to perceive you as one of them! THIS CAN HELP YOU MAKE CONNECTIONS!
Step 2:
FIND YOUR ADVOCATES
SEARCH ON LINKEDIN: Go to the college's LinkedIn page and click on the "Alumni" tab. (Did you know, the Alumni tab often incudes current students as well?). You can browse, filter or search by key words to find people with the same interests as you. Look for fields of study, career paths, shared experiences, common cultural backgrounds. Plan to InMessage the people with whom you really resonate (see Step 3).
ATTEND PROSPECTIVE STUDENT EVENTS AND COLLEGE FAIRS: Online or in-person events can tell you a lot about schools. If you’re one of those really extroverted people, and you can ask questions in the group sessions, that’s terrific! Do it. If you’re like me and that is just not in the cards, don’t worry. Take notes of a few things the event host seemed to be interested in or proud of and email the host later. Do not forget to catch their name! If you can’t get their email, call admissions later and ask them or send your email to the general admissions inbox but address it to your new connection individually (see Step 3).
FROM YOUR HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, HIGH SCHOOL TEACHERS/COUNSELORS or PARENTS AND FAMILY FRIENDS: Your school and family network can be a great source of connections. Reach out to see if they know of any students or alumni who attend your dream school. If they do, ask for a personal introduction.
Step 3:
MAKE THE CONNECTION
Here’s the formula! Introduce yourself, tell them why you’re reaching out (be genuine!), be concise, ask for something specific.
Here’s a great example:
Hi [connection],
I'm a high school student exploring [university] for my college studies. [state your common connection if someone referred you to them – so-and-so suggested I reach out to you]. Your journey in [area of interest] caught my eye because I’m really interested in that program. I'd appreciate your insights and experiences at the university in that field. Would you be willing to set up some time to chat with me?
Thank you!
Best regards,
[You]
Most people really like being the expert and having their opinions and ideas valued by others. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how many people are willing and able to talk with you to help you out.
Step 4:
DEVELOP THE NEW RELATIONSHIP
Before your live-chat with your new connection, have a plan and PRACTICE IT! What questions do you want to get answered? At a minimum, plan to ask questions that will help you demonstrate what you learned about the university in your essays. It goes a long way if you can show you took the initiative to really learn about the schools you’re applying to.
Here’s an example discussion guide and some ideas to help break the ice:
Hi [connection], this is [You]. Thanks for taking the time to chat. It’s so nice to meet you.
As you know, I’m considering [university] for [area of interest] and saw you are in that same program. I’d love to know:
What’s great about the program?
What do you wish someone had told you when you were college hunting?
What made you decide on Wonderland University?
Have you always wanted to study Chemistry? How did you get there?
What classes did you like the most?
Which professors were the best?
Are there any clubs or other programs that might be interesting for me to learn about?
CAUTION: Be careful that you aren’t just rattling off questions or “interrogating” the person you’re interviewing about the school. Your goal should be to have an informal, honest, and natural conversation. Listen actively. Leave time for reflection and pauses. Don’t be afraid of brief silences, sometimes people need a little room to think through their answers.
EXPERT HINT: If you’re nervous, take a big breath and let your connection do the talking. Throw out a question and see if it grabs their interest enough to get them going. If they give a cursory answer, try another one. If that doesn’t work, answer your own question and ask what they think. Sometimes asking your connection to tell a story about something can get them talking – for example, “could you share some things about [university] that were really different from high school and how did you adjust?” Ask questions that matter to you - remember to stay authentic; this is not a test.
Step 5:
LEVERAGE YOUR NETWORK
Show admissions officers that you've done your homework. Mention the alumni or students you've spoken with and share something they told you that was meaningful. For instance, reference experiences they discussed that you found insightful or impactful. One great way to do this is to mention your interest in trying a class or program they recommended to you.
Here’s an example sentence you can add to an essay to get the point across:
After speaking with [connection full name], a current [university] student who inspired me with her experiences in [course name], I'm eager to enhance my [area of interest] skills at [university].
BONUS TIPS
Stay Respectful: Understand that not everyone may respond. That’s ok. Thank the people who do.
Professionalism is Key: Keep communications courteous and appropriate.
Follow-up: Stay in touch with your new connections. Thank them; let them know when you apply; tell them if you are accepted and where you go. If you go to the same school, ask to meet them when you get there.
Further Reading:
Remember, networking is about building genuine relationships. By taking these steps, you're not only enhancing your college application but also joining a community that could support you throughout your educational journey and beyond. So go ahead, reach out, learn, and let your enthusiasm shine through!
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