6 Key Tips for Networking With Colleges During Coronavirus

Use these tips to stand out as an applicant.

Anyone in college admissions has heard a story like this: Katie’s grades and test scores put her well above the range for X University. She applies, thinking her admission is as close to a guarantee as there is when it comes to college admissions, and she doesn’t get in. 

Why did Katie underperform her numbers? Colleges do not want to extend an offer of admission to someone who they believe will not attend, no matter how qualified they are. 

This story illustrates the importance of demonstrated interest, or the extent to which you show a college that you are sincerely interested in them. Normally students demonstrate interest by visiting schools, engaging in interviews, and networking with admissions representatives at information sessions. Those opportunities haven’t disappeared during this pandemic. They’ve just moved online. While coronavirus has put the world on pause, there are still ways that you can meaningfully engage with college representatives from home. One of the best is to contact your college representatives through email.

Today we want to share some pointers on how to find your area’s college representative so you can reach out, and some inspiration for what to say when you do.

Find the Right Person: 

Once you’ve decided which school to contact, you can easily find the admissions representative for your state or region through Google. The extra minute it might take to seek out the right audience is worth it, because the person you’re contacting will likely do the initial screening of your application should you decide to apply. Don’t feel awkward about making contact with your college representative. They want to talk to you. Right now, their goal is to sell you on their school. 

Use Your Pitch: 

Make sure to share your basic stats at or near the beginning of the email. This includes your name, grade, current city and state, and school you currently attend. You should also distill your academic interests into a brief pitch that you keep consistent throughout your communication with each college, and include that too. Maybe your pitch is tightly focused, like this: “I am a ballet dancer who is fascinated by biology and hopes to be a dance therapist.” Maybe your pitch is broader, like this: “I’m a history buff and avid reader looking to study the humanities.” Colleges are first and foremost in the business of educating students, and they want to know that you have an academic passion. 

Make It Personal:

Each email you send should be specific to that particular school. You should show that you’ve already done some research. Has someone you know attended Binghamton? Mention it. Did you learn about a really cool event on NYU’s website? Ask for more information. That course in the sociology department looked awesome? See if your representative will share the syllabus. Personalizing your email is an easy way to convey genuine interest. 

Prompt a Response: 

Ask a real question that will prompt a response. Do you want to learn more about a unique academic program the school offers? Or get more information about playing on a club sports team? Are you wondering what kinds of opportunities there are to study abroad? By asking an open-ended question, you’ll induce a response and increase the chances of a meaningful interaction. 

Continue the Conversation: 

Make sure to keep the conversation going! When your representative responds to you, respond to them. If they connect you with someone else, such as a current student or a professor in a department you mentioned, make it a priority to reach out to those people. Each interaction you have is an opportunity for you to make a positive impression. 

Proofread Before Pressing Send: 

Before you press send, reread your email to make sure your work is free of errors and written in a professional tone. You don’t want to be the person who emails Columbia asking for more information about NYU… 

You should aim to contact every school you’re considering. Once you’ve written one email, you can recycle this formula to quickly and efficiently write more. Take advantage of your time at home to foster meaningful connections with colleges. It might pay off when it’s time to apply!