LinkedIn Connection Request Templates for Students: 15+ Examples (2026)
Connection request templates that get accepted by recruiters, alumni, and professionals. 15+ examples for students with acceptance rate tips.
Shanjai Raj
Founder at Postking
Real Question from r/ApplyingToCollege
"I want to connect with this recruiter from my dream company but I don't know what to say in the connection note. Do I just hit 'Connect' without a message? Or do I write something? If so, what? I don't want to sound desperate or annoying but I also don't want to be forgettable. Help?"
Sound familiar?
You know you should be building your LinkedIn network, but every time you go to hit that "Connect" button, you freeze. What do you even say to someone you've never met? How do you sound professional when you're just a student?
Here's the reality: The difference between a 20% and 70% connection acceptance rate is literally 2-3 sentences. Students who master the connection request get responses. Those who don't remain invisible.
In this guide, you'll get:
- ✅ 15+ connection request templates for every student scenario
- ✅ The 3-part formula that gets 60%+ acceptance rates
- ✅ When to send a note vs. connect without one
- ✅ Follow-up message templates after they accept
- ✅ Acceptance rate benchmarks by connection type
- ✅ Common mistakes that get you ignored (or worse, rejected)
Let's turn LinkedIn networking into your unfair advantage—starting with your next connection request.
Table of Contents
- Why Connection Requests Matter for Students
- The Connection Request Formula
- When to Include a Note (and When Not To)
- 15+ Templates by Scenario
- Follow-Up Message Templates
- Common Mistakes Students Make
- Acceptance Rate Benchmarks
- Building Connections Before Job Search
Why Connection Requests Matter for Students
Your connection request is the first impression you make on potential mentors, recruiters, and future colleagues. Get it wrong, and you're just another ignored request. Get it right, and you open doors before you even graduate.
The Data:
- Students who personalize connection requests see acceptance rates 3x higher than generic requests
- 68% of recruiters are more likely to consider candidates who've previously connected with them
- Alumni connections lead to informational interviews 45% of the time when approached correctly
- Connection requests with mutual interests mentioned get accepted 2x more often
As we covered in our Complete LinkedIn Guide for College Students, your network is your net worth—especially when you're competing for internships and entry-level roles.
Connection request acceptance rate comparison
The Connection Request Formula
Every effective student connection request follows this 3-part structure:
The Formula:
[Connection Point] + [Genuine Reason] + [Low-Pressure Ask]
Example:
"Hi [Name], I saw you're also a State University alum working in product management. I'm a junior exploring PM roles and would love to learn from your experience. Would you be open to connecting?"
Why it works:
- Connection Point: Creates immediate relevance (same school, industry, interest)
- Genuine Reason: Shows you're not spamming everyone
- Low-Pressure Ask: Makes saying "yes" easy
Character Limit Reality: LinkedIn gives you 300 characters for connection notes. That's roughly 2-3 sentences. Make every word count.
When to Include a Note (and When Not To)
Not every connection request needs a personalized note. Here's when to send one:
✅ ALWAYS Send a Note When:
- Connecting with recruiters or hiring managers
- Reaching out to alumni you don't know personally
- After meeting someone at an event
- Requesting informational interviews
- Connecting with executives or senior professionals
- Following up after applying to a company
❌ Skip the Note When:
- Connecting with classmates or peers from your school
- Adding someone you just met in-person (they already know you)
- Connecting with people in your extended friend circle
- Following up on a mutual friend's introduction
Pro Tip: If you're unsure, err on the side of sending a note. A brief, genuine message never hurts.
15+ Templates by Scenario
Category 1: Alumni Connections
Template 1: Same School, Same Major
Hi [Name]! Fellow [School] [Major] here—currently a [year] exploring careers in [industry]. Would love to connect and learn from your journey at [Company]!
Acceptance Rate: 65-75%
Template 2: Same School, Different Major
Hi [Name], I'm a [year] at [School] interested in [their industry]. Saw you made the transition from [degree] to [role]—that's exactly the path I'm considering. Would you be open to connecting?
Acceptance Rate: 55-65%
Template 3: Recent Graduate (Within 2 Years)
Hi [Name], just saw you graduated from [School] in [year]! I'm a [year] in [major] and would love to hear about your transition from student to [role]. Open to connecting?
Acceptance Rate: 60-70%
Category 2: Recruiter & Hiring Manager Connections
Template 4: Recruiter at Target Company
Hi [Name], I'm a [year] [major] at [School] very interested in [Company]'s [team/department]. I'd love to connect and learn more about opportunities for [internships/new grads].
Acceptance Rate: 40-50%
Template 5: After Applying to Position
Hi [Name], I just applied for the [Position Title] role and wanted to introduce myself. I'm a [year] with experience in [relevant skill]—excited about the possibility of contributing to [Company]!
Acceptance Rate: 45-55%
Template 6: After Career Fair or Info Session
Hi [Name], great speaking with you at [Event/Career Fair] today! I'm the [School] student interested in [topic you discussed]. Would love to stay connected.
Acceptance Rate: 70-80%
Category 3: Professionals in Your Target Field
Template 7: Informational Interview Request
Hi [Name], I'm a [major] student at [School] passionate about [industry]. Your work on [specific project/company] caught my eye. Would you be open to a brief chat about your career path?
Acceptance Rate: 35-45%
Template 8: Shared Interest or Content
Hi [Name], loved your recent post about [topic]! As a student exploring [field], I found your perspective on [specific point] really valuable. Would love to connect.
Acceptance Rate: 50-60%
Template 9: Industry Leader in Your Field
Hi [Name], I'm a [School] student building skills in [area]. Your experience with [company/achievement] is incredibly inspiring. Would be honored to connect and follow your insights.
Acceptance Rate: 30-40%
Category 4: Event & Conference Connections
Template 10: After Virtual Event
Hi [Name], enjoyed your talk at [Event] on [topic]! I'm a student at [School] working on [related project/interest]. Your insights on [specific point] really resonated—would love to connect.
Acceptance Rate: 60-70%
Template 11: LinkedIn Live or Webinar Attendee
Hi [Name], attended your session on [topic] today. As a [major] student, I found your advice on [specific takeaway] incredibly helpful. Thanks for sharing—would love to stay connected!
Acceptance Rate: 55-65%
Template 12: Same Conference Attendee
Hi [Name], saw you were also at [Conference]! I'm a student from [School] interested in [topic]. Would love to connect with fellow attendees.
Acceptance Rate: 50-60%
Category 5: Professors & Academic Mentors
Template 13: Professor in Your Field of Interest
Hi Professor [Name], I'm a [major] student at [School] particularly interested in your research on [topic]. Would love to connect and learn more about your work.
Acceptance Rate: 65-75%
Template 14: Academic Advisor or Mentor
Hi [Name], I'm exploring graduate programs/careers in [field] and came across your work at [Institution]. Your background in [area] aligns with my interests—would you be open to connecting?
Acceptance Rate: 55-65%
Category 6: Peer & Classmate Connections
Template 15: Classmate from Another School
Hi [Name], fellow [major] student here! Saw your post about [project/topic]—really impressive work. Would love to connect with other students in the field.
Acceptance Rate: 70-80%
Template 16: Student Organization Leader
Hi [Name], I'm involved in [similar organization] at [School]. Saw you lead [Organization]—would love to connect and potentially exchange ideas!
Acceptance Rate: 75-85%
Follow-Up Message Templates
Once someone accepts your connection request, don't let the conversation die. Send a follow-up within 24-48 hours.
After Alumni Accepts:
Thanks for connecting, [Name]! I'm currently a [year] planning my career path in [industry]. Would you be open to a 15-minute call sometime? I'd love to hear about your experience at [Company] and any advice for students.
No pressure if you're too busy—I know your time is valuable!
After Recruiter Accepts:
Thanks for connecting! I'm very interested in [Company]'s work in [area]. I have experience with [relevant skill/project] and would love to learn about opportunities for [internships/full-time roles].
Would it be okay to send over my resume and schedule a quick chat?
After Professional Accepts (Informational Interview):
Thank you for connecting! I'm exploring careers in [field] and your path from [previous role] to [current role] is really inspiring.
Would you be open to a 20-minute informational interview? I'd love to hear your advice on breaking into the industry as a student. Happy to work around your schedule!
After Event Connection Accepts:
Great connecting after [Event]! I'm working on [related project/interest] and would love to stay in touch. If you ever want to chat about [shared interest], I'm all ears!
Common Mistakes Students Make
❌ Mistake 1: The Generic Copy-Paste
Example: "I'd like to add you to my professional network."
Why it fails: Obviously a default message. Shows zero effort.
Fix: Use templates, but personalize with their name, company, or a specific detail.
❌ Mistake 2: The Resume Dump
Example: "Hi! I'm a 3.8 GPA student with leadership experience in 3 clubs and skills in Python, Java, C++..."
Why it fails: Connection requests aren't cover letters. Too much, too soon.
Fix: Keep it conversational. Save credentials for your profile and follow-up messages.
❌ Mistake 3: The Immediate Ask
Example: "Can you help me get a job at your company?"
Why it fails: Comes across as entitled and transactional.
Fix: Build the relationship first. Ask for advice, not favors.
❌ Mistake 4: The Apology Opener
Example: "Sorry to bother you..." or "I know you're busy but..."
Why it fails: Undermines your value before you've even introduced yourself.
Fix: Be confident and respectful, not apologetic.
❌ Mistake 5: No Follow-Up After Acceptance
Why it fails: You wasted the opportunity to actually build a relationship.
Fix: Send a follow-up message within 48 hours with a specific, low-pressure next step.
Acceptance Rate Benchmarks
Here's what to expect based on connection type:
| Connection Type | Average Acceptance Rate | With Personalized Note |
|---|---|---|
| Alumni (same school) | 45% | 65% |
| Recruiters | 30% | 45% |
| Industry professionals | 25% | 40% |
| After event/meeting | 60% | 75% |
| Classmates/peers | 70% | 80% |
| Professors | 55% | 70% |
| Cold outreach | 15% | 30% |
Key Insight: A personalized note typically doubles your acceptance rate for cold outreach and increases it by 15-25% for warm connections.
Building Connections Before Job Search
The biggest mistake students make? Waiting until they need a job to start networking.
The 6-Month Head Start Strategy:
Months 6-4 Before Graduation:
- Connect with 5-10 alumni per week in your target industry
- Join industry-specific LinkedIn groups
- Engage with content from companies you're interested in
- Build relationships with no immediate ask
Months 4-2 Before Graduation:
- Request informational interviews with your top connections
- Start following recruiters at target companies
- Share your own content about your learning journey
- Offer value (share relevant articles, congratulate on achievements)
Months 2-0 Before Graduation:
- Reach out to recruiters with your strengthened profile
- Leverage warm introductions from your network
- Apply to positions where you already have internal connections
Result: By the time you need job leads, you have a network ready to help—not a list of strangers you just spammed.
For a complete roadmap on building your student LinkedIn presence, check out our LinkedIn for College Students guide.
Your Next Steps
Connection requests are just the beginning. Here's your action plan:
This Week:
- ✅ Identify 10 people you want to connect with (mix of alumni, professionals, recruiters)
- ✅ Customize 3-5 connection requests using the templates above
- ✅ Send connection requests to people you met recently (strike while the iron's hot)
This Month:
- ✅ Send 20-30 connection requests per week (LinkedIn's safe limit)
- ✅ Follow up with everyone who accepts within 48 hours
- ✅ Request 2-3 informational interviews from accepted connections
Before Graduation:
- ✅ Build a network of 200+ relevant connections
- ✅ Maintain relationships by engaging with their content
- ✅ Position yourself as a connector (introduce people in your network)
Related Resources:
- Complete LinkedIn Profile Guide for Students
- How to Get Recruiters to Message You
- LinkedIn Content Ideas for Students
FAQ
Q: How many connection requests can I send per day as a student?
A: LinkedIn doesn't publish official limits, but stay under 20-30 per week to avoid triggering spam filters. Quality over quantity.
Q: What if someone doesn't accept my request?
A: Don't take it personally. Professionals receive dozens of requests daily. If it's someone you really want to connect with, try engaging with their content for a few weeks, then send another request.
Q: Should I connect with people at companies I'm applying to?
A: Yes! Connecting with recruiters and employees at target companies increases your visibility and shows genuine interest. Just make sure your profile is optimized first.
Q: Is it okay to withdraw a connection request that hasn't been accepted?
A: Yes. If it's been 2+ weeks with no response, you can withdraw and try a different approach later (like engaging with their content first).
Q: How long should I wait before sending a follow-up message?
A: Send your follow-up within 24-48 hours of them accepting. Strike while you're top of mind.
Q: What if I have nothing in common with someone I want to connect with?
A: Find something—even if it's "I admire your work in [field] and I'm a student trying to learn more about it." Genuine curiosity goes a long way.
Remember: Every professional in your dream company was once a student who didn't know what to say in a connection request. The difference between those who made it and those who didn't? They sent the message anyway.
Your network is waiting. Start connecting.
Written by
Shanjai Raj
Founder at Postking
Building tools to help professionals grow on LinkedIn. Passionate about content strategy and personal branding.
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