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The Social Networking Age Meets College Admissions

The Social Networking Age Meets College Admissions

Welcome to the social networking age. This is an age where Myspace and Facebook are just as much a part of a person's social sphere as friends around the neighborhood and at school. Social networks provide a way for users to stay in touch with classmates, work associates, family members and friends and also post photos and videos, blog, meet people, exchange ideas and news, post work and so much more. Concerning education, this would help a scholarship committee familiarize themselves with people that are potential winners of free college scholarships in more detail.

Recently, univeristies began turning to the Internet and social networking tools for college publicity and recruiting. Potential students are already able to do a university search on the internet to locate schools and find more information on their internet sites. College admissions criteria and recruitment information is available on the internet on school sites and others as well. Many colleges and universities now offer and even prefer that admissions applications and test scores be submitted online to streamline the process of applying. Networking is also easing the process for college admissions screening and recruiting through online submittal.

Not so long ago, students were forced to depend heavily on high grade point averages and test scores to get noticed by admissions boards. Athletes had to rely heavily on recruitment efforts, but those who lived in rural areas had a disadvantage over urban area applicants. Athletes now can send videos using the internet to coaches and university recruiting officers all over the country. Athletes in parts of the country that aren't given a lot of attention from admissions officers or aren't usually scouted a lot can get themselves noticed with the Internet and social networking.

Services online are getting schools and possible students in a way that in the past wasn't possible. The payoff of graduation for most any high school student is going on to college. Prospective students now have more tools and resources than ever by way of social networking to create connections with and market themselves to colleges and universities. While grade point averages and ACT/SAT scores still remain the main criteria, students who have less than perfect grade point averages and test scores have an opportunity to promote other things they excel at. College admissions criteria is being slowly expanded to include potential students' work experience, employment, interests, experiences, activities, creativity as well as other determining factors. These factors have been an influence in college recruitment, but social networking makes it far easier for students to showcase thier aptitude and colleges have the chance to easily see and recognize them. Athletes who participate in hockey, baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, football, cheer, volleyball, track, swimming and others can submit highlight videos using the internet to be given to college recruiting offices, college admissions offices and coaches. Recruitment resources and tools can be accessed and used using the internet.

Students reap the rewards of social networking by building peer relationships and networks. Students are able to share interests and thoughts with other students that have some of the same interests and talents and then improve and develop them. Different clubs, organizations, and groups exist within social network groups that bring together students and prospective students from across the country. Alumni and prospective students are able to give counsel and ask questions to help students that face college admissions.

Students have the opportunity to be connected to good schools around the country throught their whole high school experience. College or university searches no longer require a personal visit to campuses, but students can get access to data and college admissions from their own home. Students are given the chance to present to admissions boards the things they have accomplished, what their goals and aspirations are and what kind of person they are.

Author's Bio:R. Lorence is an free lance writer. Zinch is one of the very first websites online that's really pushing to connect potential students in high school directly with admissions boards and collee recruitment officers in a way that's never previously been done, with social networking. The new college search will completely change the college admissions process.

Article Source: http://blisspublisher.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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