Semi target (US School), UK Citizen - Questions about networking - SA 2026

I am currently an undergrad at a semi-target in the US (think UNC, WashU, CMU, USC, UCLA, Rice, etc.) looking to recruit for SA 2026 in the UK for IB. To keep it honest, the recruiting in the US is not going that well. It may be due to a combination of factors (grades lower than what might be wanted due to difficult cs courses (economics + cs major), student visa, and semi-target). But, looking optimistically, I have prepped the technicals, understand the whole process now, and have had practice interviewing, leaving me potentially in a good place before the UK recruiting begins. 

I would like to maximize my opportunity in the UK (it's already been a heavy three months). The first step to recruiting in the US is networking, and I understand that that is not as important in the UK. But I also heard how it can be potentially beneficial, leading me to ask you these questions:

1. I have heard conflicting information regarding when I should network. Some previous chat posts have said to do it after you get screened and move on to the next round, while others have implied that it works at any time. As we are ~5 months out from application season, I am wondering if I should try to connect with analysts/assc soon, closer to the application date, or after I submit my application and get screened by HR (I know that HR screening is independent of referrals)?
2. Usually, bankers in the US are very happy to connect you to others when your call is done; is it the same in the UK? I've heard conflicting information regarding this, and it's left me pretty confused.
3. Following up on the previous question, is it true that bankers in the UK don't like it when students / potential candidates "directly" ask for a referral?
4. And specifically, looking at EB and BB, is the dynamic for networking the same as in the US? My current assumption is both require heavy networking, but EB requires even more.
5. Generally, could networking lead to success with the process? Are networking in the EBs more successful than the BBs? Are they equally as successful/not important?

I thought about including my experiences + more info in this post but realized that a) I wouldn't want to bore you, and b) I'm sure you guys could probably make some reasonable assumptions. If I were to give a broad picture of my CV, I'd say - a prestigious, globally well-regarded school (still semi-target for IB!), decent GPA (not extremely competitive), and experience that would match any target candidate.

At the end of the day, I am trying to be as polite as possible when networking and applications come around. I think if I did my undergrad in the UK, I'd be able to understand these nuances, but it is a bit difficult to figure out across the pond - especially when both recruiting cycles seem to be complete opposites of each other. 

Thank you to anyone responding.