Networking as a prospective transfer?

I go to a non target LAC but I’m trying to do the Columbia 3+2 program. For those who don’t know you spend 3 years at a LAC and then 2 at Columbia engineering & get degrees from both. Here’s my issue: application decisions don’t come out till April (the portal isn’t even open yet, but I meet and surpass the prereqs for it thankfully so I try not to worry too much). SA2028 recruiting season is pretty much kicking off already, and I’m deep into networking & cold outreach. My LAC has very few alumni in finance, and most did this program years ago when recruiting was not as early as it is now. 

My question is, should I network with people at Columbia already? Multiple people have told me to (including a VP literally last week) and frankly I am not gonna get much of a hit rate otherwise. My one saving grace is that I already have three finance internships (two corporate finance and a search fund, yes I know it’s not directly IB but I’m also recruiting for summer 2027 concurrently in Europe so bear with me - I do hope the latter will give me an edge if it works out). I’m also spending this year abroad at Oxford, and I’m trying to milk its credibility for all it’s worth. I do put the Columbia line as an intended / planned route, bc I wouldn’t qualify otherwise for that graduation date. I am obviously honest about the fact that I’m not there right now. 

Also how many emails should I send per week? I’ve been doing 50 so far but do tell me if I should up my game. I have a few warm connections that are yielding other connections thankfully but I need more in IBD in particular. Idk I haven’t done the whole 100 coffee chats thing. Am I too late? 

Do any of you guys have experience networking / recruiting as transfers in recent years? I am really freaking out tbh