What does Alumni mean?
If you have ever studied anywhere and changed your institution, congratulations! You are an alumn of that institution.
As soon as more than one alum gets together, they become alumni (that's the plural form), and the more alumni/alumnus one institution has, the more vast is their alumni network.
What is an Alumni Network?
Every educational institution has an alumni network, formal or not. These alumni can build business connections, organize reunions, and serve as shining examples of the kind of people the institution produces. Most universities talk extensively about their alumni. For example, Barack Obama, B.R. Ambedkar, and Sara Ali Khan are alums of Columbia University.
why should I connect with alumni?
There are multiple benefits of connecting with alumni when applying to colleges. They provide insights about that university and its culture that cannot be easily googled.
Here is a list of reasons crafted by Alex Lawrence, Assistant Dean & Director of Admissions at UCLA Anderson School of Management:
"One often overlooked resource to consider is the alumni community. Alumni can provide information that you are seeking and in some cases, information that you may not have considered before. Below are my top 5 reasons why you should connect with alumni during your application process.
Experience the school culture: Each school has its own culture and climate. Speaking with alumni allows you to experience that culture first hand. You can also ask what type of people attend the school (bankers, consultants, marketers, teachers). Ask if it is a competitive environment, do people support each other, is diversity and inclusion valued at the school, etc.
Get advice on best way to visit campus /see program in full action: Alumni can provide great advice on how to structure your visit, how to contact faculty, meet with students, possibly sit in on a class, etc.
Gain insights into career options and opportunities: One of the top reasons you are going to business school is to advance your career. Alumni are great resources to understand the impact of the school's career management center on his/her career, what companies recruit/hire students at that school, learn about the career outcomes of other alumni.
Provide a window into specific experiences: Business school is not just about taking classes. It is a wonderful way to test your limits and get out of your comfort zone. Alumni can provide a "window" into specific experiences for consideration - favorite courses, school faculty, classmates, global experiences, signature conferences, academic internships, community service, etc.
Get answers to the "I didn't know what I didn't know" questions: Alumni can provide information that's otherwise hard to find, such as answers to questions about financing your MBA and learning about pre-MBA internship opportunities. "
Also, don't forget they make good friends too!