How exactly do connections help?

I'm still in high school grinding to try to get into a target school (class of 2026), but my family does have a fair amount of connections which I'm going to try to cultivate relationships with during an internship I'm doing this summer. 

For connections some examples include some people high up (some even in C-suite) companies such as Accenture, KMPG, Goldman Sachs, etc. I'm also an indian male - so not your stereotypical person who might try to get connections.

From my understanding, having these kind of connections can help you get an interview, get your application "moved up" in the applicant pile if that makes sense, etc. Is that right, and how else do connections help - and what else should I be doing to strengthening these connections? I'm also trying to make sure they actually know who I am as a person and not just son of x or whatever.

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