How to Use LinkedIn to Stand Out in College Applications | Student Guide

Getting into college takes more than good grades these days. Many college admission teams now look at social media before saying yes to students. About 28% of them check social media profiles when making their choices. That’s why having a strong online presence and knowing how to use LinkedIn matters so much. LinkedIn gives you a perfect place to highlight your achievements and stand out from other students.

Think of LinkedIn as your online resume that works around the clock. While Instagram and TikTok show your fun side, LinkedIn helps you look professional to college teams. Whether you’re a student ready to build your online presence or a parent helping your teen prepare for college, this guide will show you how to use LinkedIn to catch the eye of college admissions officers.

Why LinkedIn Helps With College Applications

Your online presence tells colleges who you are. College teams want to know more about you than just your grades. LinkedIn lets you:

• Highlight your academic achievements: When you list your academic wins, like honor roll or special projects, colleges see that you take school seriously. This matters because it shows you’ll likely also do well in college classes. Plus, you can add details about projects that don’t fit on regular college forms.
• Share your leadership roles: Leadership shows colleges you can take charge and help others work together. Whether you led a club, sports team, or class project, sharing these experiences proves you can handle responsibility. Colleges want students who will lead campus activities and inspire others.
• Display your volunteer work: Helping others shows colleges you care about more than just yourself. When you share your volunteer work, colleges see that you’ll likely join in and make their campus community better. It proves you understand that college isn’t just about taking classes – it’s about making a difference.
• Connect with students at your dream schools: Following and talking with students who already attend your favorite colleges helps in two ways. First, you learn what these schools want in new students. Second, it shows colleges you’re serious about joining their community. This kind of research and networking stands out when you apply.
• Post about your projects and wins: Sharing updates about your achievements lets colleges see your growth over time. Maybe you finished a big science project or helped your debate team win. These posts show you’re active and constantly learning new things, which is exactly what colleges want to see in future students.

Unlike other social media, LinkedIn helps you look professional. It’s like having a resume that grows every time you accomplish something new.

Setting Up Your LinkedIn Profile

Making a good LinkedIn profile is easier than you think. Here’s how to start:

Choose a Good Photo

Your profile photo is your first impression, so make it count. Use a clear picture of your face with a plain background—nothing busy or distracting. Dress like you would for school pictures – aim for a neat and professional look. Show a friendly, natural smile that helps you look approachable. Remember to use a solo shot—don’t crop yourself out of a group photo, as this can look unprofessional.

Write a Strong Headline

Your headline sits right under your name, making it one of the first things college admissions teams will see. Start with your current high school name to set the context. Then, highlight the key activities or leadership roles that make you stand out. For example, you might write: “Honor Student at Lincoln High | Debate Team Leader | Future Engineer.” This quick snapshot tells colleges who you are and what you care about in just a glance.

Tell Your Story

Write your “About” section like you’re having a friendly chat with someone interested in your goals. Share what subjects excite you and what you love learning. Talk about where you see yourself heading and what you hope to achieve. Include your biggest wins and proudest moments. However, ensure they’re relevant to your academic journey. Most importantly, keep your story concise – aim for 3-4 short paragraphs that effectively convey who you are and what matters to you.

Showing Your Academic Work

Your school achievements are essential to share. Here’s what to put on your profile:

Special Classes

List the challenging classes you’ve taken. Include your AP classes, honors courses, and other special programs. Don’t forget your summer classes – going the extra mile shows colleges you love to learn, even when school’s out!

School Awards

Share your school wins, such as making the honor roll, earning subject-specific awards, and achieving above-average success in contests. Make sure to include your best test scores, especially in subjects you want to study in college. These wins show colleges you’re ready for challenging college classes.

Big Projects

Show off the work you’ve done with your own hands. Share your research papers, science fair projects, stories you’ve written, or computer programs you’ve made. This helps colleges see how you use what you learn to fix real problems.

Sharing Your Extracurricular Activities

Colleges want students who do more than just study. Show them what you do outside class:

Leadership

Show how you’ve been a leader. Tell them about running student clubs, heading up sports teams, or leading big projects. When colleges see your leadership skills, they know you can help other students work together to get things done.

Helping Others

Tell them how you help your town. Include the time you spend at food banks, local charities, or helping younger kids learn. Show that you stick with these good deeds over time. Colleges love to see that you’ll help make their school better.

Sports and Arts

Share your involvement in athletics and the arts. These activities show colleges you’re good at doing many things at once and working with others. They also show your willingness to share creative ideas.

Making Good Connections

Building genuine connections makes your profile stronger:

Who to Connect With

Start with people who know you well – teachers who’ve taught you, coaches who’ve trained you, and leaders who’ve guided you. Then, contact students at colleges you like and friends from your activities. This shows colleges you’re good at building relationships.

How to Connect:

When you add new people, write friendly notes; don’t just click “connect.” Express gratitude to people who help you and leave complimentary comments on their posts. Share your updates about school and activities to keep in touch. Think of it like making friends at a new school.

Posting Updates

Being active on LinkedIn shows you take charge of your growth. Share updates when you finish big projects, win competitions, or help in your community. Let people know when you take on leadership roles or learn new skills. These posts show colleges you’re continually growing and doing new things.

Keep your posts clear and easy to read. Add good photos that show what you did – a picture of your science fair project or your team after a big win works well. When others helped you succeed, tag them in your post to thank them. Always check your spelling and keep your tone upbeat and friendly.

Think of each post as a chance to show colleges who you are. Share the things that make you proud, but stay humble. For example, instead of saying, “I won first place,” tell what you learned from the experience or thank the people who helped you get there. This shows colleges you’re someone who lifts those around you while working toward your goals.

Staying Safe Online

It’s vital to stay safe while using LinkedIn:

Privacy Tips

• Check your privacy settings often
• Choose who can see your connections
• Control who can view your profile
• Monitor who can tag you

Safety Rules

• Only connect with people you know
• Don’t share personal details
• Keep all messages professional
• Tell someone if anything feels wrong

How Can Parents Help?

Parents play a key role in helping teens build a strong LinkedIn presence. Take time to look over your teen’s profile and suggest people they might want to connect with. Watch their posts and give friendly tips about what looks good and what could be better. When you spot chances for them to grow – like local events or programs – share these opportunities with your teen.

Remember to find the right balance when helping your teen. Let them take the lead in building their profile and making connections. Your job is to guide them when they need it, not run their account. Think of it like teaching them to drive – you’re in the passenger seat offering tips, but they need to learn to steer independently.

The goal is to help your teen grow into a confident online professional. When they need help picking a profile photo or writing about their achievements, offer suggestions but let them make the final choice. This helps them learn how to present themselves well while building the skills they’ll need for college and beyond.

Recap & Next Steps

Building a good LinkedIn profile takes time and knowledge. While these tips help you start, many students and parents find that getting expert help makes a big difference.

Bright Future Branding knows how to help high school students create LinkedIn profiles that college teams love. Our team can:

• Review your current LinkedIn page
• Differentiate your profile
• Plan and create content

Don’t leave your college chances to luck. Call Bright Future Branding today to learn how we can help you create a LinkedIn profile that gets you noticed by your dream schools.