The Social Networking Age Meets College Admissions

                                                                                         

The Social Networking Age Meets College Admissions

Welcome to the the age of social networking. Now, Myspace and Facebook are just as much a part of people's social circle as their friends at school. Social networks let users stay in contact with family, friends, classmates and co-workers and also post work, meet new people, blog, post videos and photos, exchange news and ideas and more. With regard to education, this lets a scholarship committee familiarize themselves with the people that are possible winners of free college scholarships a little more.

In recent years, colleges started turning to some social networking tools and the Internet for school promotion and recruitment. Already prospective students can do a college search online to locate schools and browse their internet sites. College admissions requirements and recruitment information is posted via the internet at school sites and other sites as well. A number of universities and colleges now offer and even require that test scores and admissions applications be submitted via the internet to streamline the process of applying. Networking is also easing the process for college recruiting and admissions screening by allowing online submissions.

Not long ago, students were forced to rely mainly on good GPAs and test scores in order to get noticed by admissions boards. Athletes relied on recruiting efforts, but those who lived in rural areas had a disadvantage over urban area applicants. Athletes are now able to send videos across the web to potential coaches and college recruiting boards all over the country. Athletes in places that don't get much attention from admissions boards or aren't recruited often can make themselves noticeable with social networking and the Internet.

Services online are bringing colleges and prospective students in a way that in the past wasn't an option. The high point of almost any high school student's graduation is moving on to college. Students and prospective students have more tools than ever by way of social networking to make connections with and promote themselves to universities and colleges. While GPAs and ACT/SAT scores remain the primary criteria, students who have lower test scores and grades have the chance to showcase other things they're good at. College admission requirements is being slowly stretched to include potential students' creativity, talents, employment, work experience, activities, special interests as well as additional factors. These factors have always influenced college recruitment, but social networking makes it easier than ever for students to showcase thier aptitude and colleges have the opportunity to easily identify and see them. Athletes from softball, soccer, hockey, baseball, swimming, track, basketball, cheer, football, volleyball and others can turn in highlight videos through the internet that can be easily dispersed to coaches, recruiters and college admissions offices. Recruiting tools and resources can be used and accessed using the internet.

Students reap the benefits of social networking by developing peer relationships and networks. Students can share thoughts and interests with people who have similar passions and expertise and then develop and improve them. Many different organizations, groups, and clubs exist within social network groups that bring together students from across the country. Alumni and potential studnets are able to give counsel and make inquiries to help students who face college admissions.

Students have the ability to be connected to universities and colleges across the country throught their whole high school experience. No longer do college searches require visiting a campus college center, but students can access recommendations and college admissions from their own home. Students can present to college admissions boards what they've accomplished, what their aspirations and dreams are and the kind of person they are.

Author's Bio:Richard Lorence is an independent writer. Zinch is one of the first web sites that's pushing to connect potential students in high school with admissions boards and collee recruitment officers in a way that's never been done before, with social networking. This new targeted college search can totally change the process of college admissions.

About the author:
R. Lorence is an freelance writer who has done writing and research for http://www.zinch.com. Get information and advice on college search and social networking.

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