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The Social Networking Age Meets College Admissions
This is the social networking age. Today, Facebook and Myspace are as much a part of a person's social sphere as their friends at school and around the neighborhood. Social networking allows users to connect with friends, work associates, classmates and relatives and also exchange ideas and news, meet people, blog, post work, post photos and videos and much more. Regarding education, this could allow a scholarship committee to acquaint themselves with those that are possible winners of college scholarships on a more personal level.
Recently, univeristies started using social networking and the Internet for college PR and recruiting. Potential students are already able to do a college search using the Internet to find schools and read more on their sites. College recruiting information and admissions instructions is available online at school sites and other sites as well. Numerous universities and colleges now offer and require that admissions applications and test scores be submitted online to streamline the process. Networking is also making the process easier for college recruiting and admissions screening with online submittal.
In the past, students have been forced to heavily rely on high GPAs and test scores to get noticed by admissions boards. Athletes relied a great deal on recruiting efforts, but for those living in rural areas had a disadvantage over those living in urban areas. Athletes are now able to send sample videos and highlight videos across the internet to prospective coaches and college recruiting offices anywhere. Athletes in places that don't get a lot of attention from admissions boards or aren't scouted much can make themselves available through the Internet and social networking.
Services on the internet are getting possible students and schools in a way that was never before possible. The pinnacle of most high school seniors' graduation is going to college. Students have more tools than ever before by way of social networking in order to establish connections with and promote themselves to colleges and universities. While GPAs and ACT/SAT test scores still remain the primary criteria, students who have lower GPAs and test scores have the opportunity to showcase other things they are good at. College admission criteria is slowly being stretched to include prospective students' employment, creativity, interests, experiences, activities as well as additional factors. These factors have always been an influence in college recruitment, but social networking services make it a lot easier for students to showcase their talents and universities and colleges have the chance to appreciate and distinguish them easily. Athletes from all sports; hockey, soccer, baseball, softball, cheer, football, volleyball, basketball, track, swimming and others can send in highlight videos online that are easily provided to coaches, college admissions offices and recruiting offices. Recruiting resources and tools can be used and accessed through the internet.
Potential students benefit from social networking by building relationships and networks with peers. Students are able to share information and dreams with people who have similar abilities and hobbies and then improve and develop them. Various organizations, clubs, and groups exist within social network groups that bring students and prospective students together from across the country. Former students and potential studnets are able to give practical advice and make inquiries to help students that face college admissions.
Students have the chance to connect themselves with schools across the country throught their whole experience in high school. College searches no longer require visiting a college campus, but students and prospective students can get access to data and college admissions from home. Students get the chance to present to college admissions officers the things they have accomplished, what their goals and aspirations are and the type of person they are.
About the Author:Richard Lorence is an free lance writer. Zinch is one of the original websites online that's really pushing to connect potential students in high school with admissions staff and college recruitment offices in a way that has never previously been done, with social networking. The new targeted college search is going to revolutionize the entire process of college admissions.
