Non-target junior aiming for Big Tech Data Science advice?

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out because I’m at a point where I could really use some guidance from the CS/data community.

For context, I’m currently a junior. Last summer, I interned at Freddie Mac as a Data Science Intern and received a return offer, but I decided to pursue a new opportunity instead. This upcoming summer, I’ll be a Data Scientist Intern at ICF in Reston.

I completed my Associate’s degree in Computer Science at a community college and I’m now studying Data Science at George Mason University (a non-target state school). I’m proud of the progress I’ve made so far, but my long-term goal is to land a Big Tech or top-tier tech/data internship (FAANG-level or companies like Capital One, Fannie Mae, Appian, etc.).

My resume is ATS-optimized, and I actively network by connecting with recruiters and professionals on LinkedIn. However, I don’t yet have a concrete plan for recruiting for Summer 2027 Big Tech internships — beyond grinding interview prep.

I’d really appreciate insight on:

• How should I best prepare for Big Tech data / data science internship interviews?
• What technical areas should I prioritize (LeetCode, SQL, ML concepts, system design, etc.)?
• How can I effectively connect with recruiters who actually hire from non-target schools?
• Any other advice for breaking into Big Tech data roles coming from a non-target university?

Thanks in advance — I’d really value any guidance.