Beyond the applications, essays, and all the noise, there are opportunities present to make a more personal connection with a college in ways that can help potential students learn more about the campus beyond the marketing and application materials. This goes hand and hand with opportunities to potentially make a connection with staff in admissions or elsewhere on campus. These folks are busy but they want to make the most informed decisions possible about how well each student may fit in. Regardless of whether the school has 1,500 applications or 100,000, every little bit can help. If your admissions counselor knows you on a more personal level, they’re much more likely to advocate for you.

Start with what you find on the school’s website. If you go to the bottom of the webpage, you’ll see links to all of their social media sites. From Snapchat to Instagram to YouTube, you don’t have to connect with all the channels, but definitely go with the ones you’re already on anyway. When you’re feeling it, comment on a post–or let’s say you’re visiting the campus and you like what’s happening, post about your experience, use hashtags, interact with the community, etc. Don’t be surprised if the school’s administrator for that site follows you back. One caution, if you don’t like the experience, tell your parents but don’t put your thoughts on social media!

As you begin to narrow down your choices, look up the contact information for the admissions office and note any important application deadlines. Many websites will explicitly tell you this information and who represents your region. If not, call the admissions office general line and ask to speak to that person. Make sure that before you call you have already prepared questions to ask!

Many admissions counselors either live in or they travel to the regions they represent each fall…and often in the spring as well. Find out if they’ll be coming to your high school for an information session. If not, are they doing any other local events? College fairs? After their presentation, make sure to walk up and introduce yourself. But before you do, practice your introduction until it flows off your tongue. Aside from your name and high school, what are a few things you want your admissions counselor to remember about you? This is a great opportunity to talk to them about the unique qualities and interests you would bring with you to college.

When you’re visiting a school and going on a tour, don’t be shy. Chat up your guide. They will most often be a current student, they’re a great source of information for you and they signed up as a guide because they want to answer your questions! 

Whether you’re online, talking with an admissions counselor at a college fair, or on a campus tour with a student guide, consider the best questions to ask in advance. Run the them by family and friends and get their feedback. The answers you receive will only be as good as the questions you ask. Further, admissions folks answer the same questions over and over…and over and over and over again. Ask a great question and it’s much more likely you’ll be the person they remember!

Finally, be mindful of the fact that college reps have very busy schedules, be concise, and make sure to show your gratitude with a thank-you note, shout-out, or email.

If you would like to talk this through in greater detail, drop me a note at jeff@collegeroutemap.com.

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