Have you ever heard the phrase “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know?” It’s often used disparagingly, but there is a nugget of truth in it that you can use in your favor. This week I caught up with Amanda Nachman, CEO and publisher of College Magazine, to talk about networking and making connections. She has some incredible advice and shares some great resources; you won’t want to miss these episodes!
But first, did you know you can text me with your questions? I created this show for you, and I want to hear from you! Just text me 610-222-5762 to have your question answered on an episode of College Admissions Real Talk! This week, I devoted my first two episodes to listener questions.
My first listener asks, “what are the first steps I should take when I apply to college?” In the admissions world, nothing is uncomplicated, and this answer is no exception. This answer has several steps in itself, but I’m going to guide you every step of the way! In this episode I share how to gauge the competition level, how to find the right community for you, and why choosing your major needs to be your FIRST step, not your last. The perfect episode for applicants and their parents who are just starting on their admissions journey.
My second listener wants to know “how do you find the perfect college for you?” It’s such a great question, and one of the hardest to answer! While the answers to this may differ from person to person, you should start with the same practical question: what are my college deal breakers? Starting here, I share how to look beyond the highlight reel and see what a day-to-day experience at a college is really like.
The rest of the week is devoted to my aforementioned conversation with Amanda Nachman, and you’re going to want to take some notes, because this advice is priceless. In episode one, Amanda and I share a deep truth with you; there are people out there who want to help you! It’s true! All you have to do is reach out… which can feel really, really scary. We share why it’s so important to move past those fears and why networking needs to be a part of your application process.
In episode two, we do a deep dive into the origin story of College Magazine, a guide for how to find college success, written by students, for students. Amanda lets you in on her journey to finding her “why” and shares how she made her dream of a national publication a reality, currently reaching millions of students a year. The takeaway: you’re going to hear a lot of “no.” Keep going anyway. This episode will inspire you!
Finally, we discuss Amanda’s favorite pandemic-era networking strategies, explaining how to make a connection when you have to stay far apart. Amanda makes the case for “a DM a day,” shares how to find fantastic people to learn from, and introduces the idea of “building your qualified.” This jam-packed episode gives you plenty of practical, achievable ways to build your network and show colleges the real and wonderful candidate you are!
For more on how to put your best admissions foot forward, pre-order my upcoming book, Get Real and Get In, which offers insight and information about how to access your most important admissions asset: your authentic self. Pre-order your copy today!
And in case you missed some of the recent episodes, you can catch up here.
