The Power of Networking: How High School Students Can Leverage Connections for College Success

Preparing for college can be extremely stressful for most high school students. Getting into the right university can completely change the trajectory of your life, and most guys and girls are aware of this. Because of that, high school students are always on the lookout for ways to improve their applications.

“Networking is one of the best ways to get into certain schools,” according to H&C Education, a college admissions consulting company. Connections are especially important if you’re looking to get into the most prominent institutions in the US, which have limited spots.

Importance of Networking

When we talk about networking, most people think about the potential benefits for business people. However, building a rapport with other people is every bit as important for high school students. Here’s how networking can help you out in some of the most prominent colleges:

• Show Your Interest

By joining certain organizations and doing projects with prominent individuals in a field, you’re showing your interest in a particular science. This sends a strong signal to the admissions office, showcasing your potential as a long-term prospect and a future scientist.

• Grab a Letter of Recommendation

Getting a strong letter of recommendation can do wonders for your case. However, to get this letter, you should previously build a strong rapport with professors and other alumni. Besides showing your engagement in the field, a letter of recommendation can serve as a test of your character and ability. 

• Gain Insider Information

If you build a good relationship with former admissions officers and former students, you can gain a lot of insider information about the admissions process. For example, you can learn about the main things a college is looking for in individuals and how to make your case stronger. You might even get a personal recommendation. 

• Check Out Internships

If you wish to make your application much stronger, you must gain access to exclusive research opportunities and internships. These programs are extremely hard to get into, and they only accept a small number of top-tier students. However, by getting a nod from the right person, you might get an invite. 

6 Steps of College Networking

If you’re looking to improve your college application through networking, you should follow these steps:

1. Start Early 

Instead of waiting until the last moment to create your network, we suggest you begin during the initial years of high school. Not only will this open new opportunities to buff up your resume, but it will make it feel less forced. 

For example, if you start chasing professors for a letter of recommendation during your senior year, most of them will see through your intentions.

2. Use Social Media

The best, least intrusive way to connect with someone is through social media, whether we’re talking about professors, professionals, or other students. Certain networks, like LinkedIn, are especially fantastic for high school students as they allow you to share your entire resume.

It’s important that you take your time building a relationship with people. Talk about life and other topics before asking for any favors. We also recommend that you post about your interests within the particular field of study often.

3. Try Cold Emails

If social media doesn’t help, you can always try sending cold emails to professionals, former students, professors, and admission officers. The best way to go about things is by going to the college website and looking for different information.

Alternatively, you can use certain Google queries to find former students. We also suggest you get informed about the best internships within a specific field of science. Find people who can get you into these resume-building jobs and try to create a relationship with them.

4. Attend College Events

Whether we’re talking about open houses, info sessions, or campus tours, these events are great for meeting other students and faculty. Be as talkative as possible and introduce yourself. Ask questions to pry out insider information that isn’t available to other students.

5. Look for Mentors

Someone who has previously applied for a specific college can give you valuable insights into the process. This person can give you valuable insights into the entire process, whether we’re talking about required materials or focus areas.

A mentor can also review your letter of recommendation and other documents you want to send to college. If you’re unable to find anyone to help you out, you should always consider spending money on college consulting services. 

6. Be Proactive 

You must think above and beyond your personal interests when connecting with someone. Keep in mind that the other person might not want to interact with you, as you might not have anything to offer. 

Because of that, you must be very cordial and praise their achievements. You should follow your “target’s” work and try to provide value. Learn more about their hobbies and interests, and try to find topics that bring you closer.

Going Viral Through Networking 

Networking is especially great for high school students who have something to show. If you’re part of a large project or if you created a worthwhile invention, networking with others will help spread the message.

Simply being active on social media and having a large professional following will allow you to get noticed by the wider community. Even if you don’t get into the college of your dreams, other institutions might see your viral content and give you a shot. 

Last Thoughts 

Although networking is a great tool for helping you get into the best schools in the country, you need to be smart when using this method. You must provide something interesting to the other person so they have a reason for following you.

We also recommend that you build a relationship early on. In fact, don’t be too aggressive when pushing your agenda; most professors won’t see kindly to this. Instead, talk about scientific developments and new trends, and give the other person some food for thought. 

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