can networking help you get admitted?
Many things go into presenting a powerful admissions package, whether for 9th grade or business school. I’ve noticed, however, that one element is consistently overlooked, and it’s networking. I once met an applicant to a top MBA program while I was a Director of Admission at the school. He was very strong in the primary quality metrics the program wanted in applicants, however there were two issues. First, when he arrived for his campus visit, he dropped his winter coat on our receptionist’s desk and directed her to hang it up (think: Miranda in The Devil Wear’s Prada). Second, when asked with whom he’d spoken about the program, he stated that he’d read all he needed to know on our website. His disrespect for a member of our staff and his lack of engagement in the community moved him to be denied. Conversely, I worked with a young man who gracefully and consistently engaged with his dream institution throughout the admissions process. He talked with a variety of people, from admissions team members to program staff to faculty and students. His excitement for the school came through in those conversations and what he learned through the discussions ultimately helped shape his essays. It was clear that he’d done a lot of work to deeply understand the community, and to convey how it fit into his vision for his future. He was admitted with scholarship and will start at the dream school this fall.
I understand that this can be a shift in the way we think for a few reasons. Current applicants who graduated during the pandemic might be reluctant to physically visit a campus or get in front of admissions staff. Others simply can’t get over that mildly cringe feeling of cold calling a stranger to ask them to connect. Some may think that the faculty and staff at programs are far too busy to talk to a prospective candidate. Finally, our society communicates largely through technology, so asking a stranger for a face-to-face conversation can be intimidating. Don’t despair! Here are two specific and detailed ways to ace networking.
1. Attend events that the program publishes on their website. At the event, introduce yourself to the speaker, and, If time allows, tell them about yourself and why you’re excited about the school. Importantly, ask them why they love the school or program, how long they’ve been at the institution, and what major changes they’ve seen since they began working there. Get their business card and follow up via email with a thank you note. Once you’ve submitted your application, reach out to them, and let them know how excited you are about the possibility of becoming a community member. Note: if you register for an event and can no longer attend, it’s important to let the staff know before the event. No-shows are noted in files and aren’t a good look.
2. Explore LinkedIn to see if someone you know can introduce you to an alumni or current student at the school you’d like to attend. Once an introduction is made, promptly invite that person to coffee (virtual or in-person, and you’re paying!) to hear more about why they chose that institution, and to learn how it impacted their life. This is an important step, and one that you must be highly prepared for, particularly if someone you know has leveraged their network on your behalf. Lagging email responses or showing up unprepared is an insult not only to the person you’ve been newly connected with, but it embarrasses your contact. Dive into their LinkedIn profile, look at the website for the company they work for, review press or academic articles that describe their work. In short, become an expert on the person you’re meeting with, then send a thank you note after the meeting and keep them posted as you move through the process.
In many cases, the person you’ve talked to (if they’re not in admissions) will reach out to the admissions team to let them know about the positive interaction, and it will be noted in your file. Additionally, admissions teams collect event attendance and engagement in your file and they use the data to factor in to their decision.
Finally, remember, now you’re not only connected to those folks you just talked to. You’re indirectly connected to their network, too. The long-term benefits of thoughtful networking will pay dividends. You’ll grow by meeting new people and exposing yourself to diversity of thought, plus it will provide insider perspective into the institution, it’s programs and community.
