The Social Networking Age Meets College Admissions

College Admissions Meets The Social Networking Age

This is the social networking age. Now, Myspace and Facebook are just as much a part of a person's social sphere as their friends at school. Social networking lets users contact co-workers, classmates, family members and friends and also exchange news and ideas, meet people, blog, post photos and videos, post work and much more. In regard to education, this provides a new way for a scholarship committee to acquaint themselves with those students that are the potential winners of college scholarships a little better.

In recent years, universities and colleges began turning to the Internet and social networking for promotion and recruitment. Prospective students can already do a college search online to get more information about schools and find out more information on their websites. College admissions requirements and recruiting information is posted online on school sites and other sites as well. Many colleges and universities now offer and require that test scores and admissions applications be submitted online to simplify the process of applying. Social networking technology is also easing the process for college admissions screening and recruiting through electronic submittal.

Not long ago, students had to heavily rely on good GPAs and test scores to get noticed in college admissions. Athletes had to rely a great deal on college recruitment efforts, but those who lived in urban areas had a much better chance of being noticed than those in rural areas. Athletes now can send sample videos and highlight videos using the web to coaches and college recruiting officers all over the country. Athletes in parts of the country that aren't usually scouted a lot or don't get a lot of attention from college admissions boards can make themselves noticeable using social networking and the Internet.

New online services are getting schools and prospective students in a way that wasn't really possible in the past. The pinnacle of most high school seniors' graduation is going on to college. Students now have more tools than ever via social networking so they can make connections with and market themselves to colleges and universities. While grade point averages and SAT/ACT test scores remain the main criteria, students with lower test scores have an opportunity to feature other things they're good at. College admission criteria and requirements is slowly being broadened to include potential students' talents, creativity, work experience, employment, activities, interests as well as other determining factors. These factors have always been an influence in college recruitment, but social networking services make it easier than ever for students to assert their aptitude and universities and colleges have the opportunity to see and distinguish them easily. Athletes that participate in football, cheer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, soccer, softball, baseball, swimming, track and others can put in highlight videos using the internet to be given to college admissions offices, recruiters and coaches. Recruitment resources and tools can be used and accessed online.

Potential students benefit from social networking by building peer relationships and networks. Students are able to share thoughts and passions with other people that have some of the same pursuits and skills and then improve and develop them. Many different organizations, clubs, and groups exist in social network groups that bring together students from across the country. Prospective students and alumni are able to give practical advice and ask questions to help students who face college admissions.

Students can now get connected with good schools across the country through their entire high school experience. No longer do college or university searches require a personal visit to a campus college center, but students can access college admissions and recommendations from their home computer. Students are given the chance to present to admissions officers the things they have accomplished, who they are as a person and what their goals and aspirations are.

Author's Bio:R. Lorence is an independent writer. Zinch is one of the very first sites on the internet that is pushing to connect potential students in high school directly with college admissions boards and college recruiting offices in a way that's never previously been done, with social networking. This new college search is going to totally change the entire college admissions process.

Article Source: http://www.religionarticlelibrary.com

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

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