When you are researching colleges, it is a good idea to make a note of the alumni of that particular college. The alumni of any school will tell you things that you won’t learn from any website. Here are some tips on how you can connect with alumni from the schools you may be interested in.
Use Social Networking
Connect with alumni through social media! Check out the alumni section of your prospective schools’ website/media and see who some of the more recent alumni are. Many colleges and universities have Twitter accounts, Facebook pages, and even Instagram and Tumblr pages where current students and alumni may choose to interact and share information with others
Talk with More Recent Graduates
Many veteran alumni may have social media accounts. However, their information may be a little outdated as schools change a lot over the years. Getting in touch with a more recent graduate may be a better idea as they will be able to give you the latest information.
Some questions you might want to consider asking alumni are some of their favorite campus memories, what they think of certain classes or the cafeteria’s food, and who some of their favorite professors may have been when they attended school.
Friendly Messages
People are very aware and suspicious of internet scams, especially via social media. Send multiple messages to several alumni, but don’t be disheartened if you only hear back from a few. The best approach is a friendly, casual one. Don’t make anyone feel under any pressure to respond.
Alumni Interview
Some schools may grant prospective students an interview opportunity with alumni. Seize this chance when or if you get it. Remember to keep the conversation polite yet casual and keep things campus-focused.
Alumni can be a fount of insider information about your prospective college. Getting in touch with them to find out more about your chosen school will help you make the most of your next four years.
Use College Raptor to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for schools around the US—for FREE!
