Admission officials do look into applicants’ social media profiles—about 35% do. To snoop? Not so much, but they do look to ferret out additional details about students…and, maybe…evaluate a student’s judgment and character.
How does social media identify judgment and character? Well, what kind of judgment does a student have who posts pictures of him/herself drinking? What kind of person posts slurs against friends or talks about cheating?
So, it is wise for college applicants, as early as their junior year, to start cleaning up their social medial accounts. You should
• Delete any posts that do not promote you in a good light,
• Get rid of offensive language,
• Do not write anything that is disparaging about a college, even if you’re not applying to that college,
• Do use pseudonyms,
• Make your account private, and
• Delete name tags on posts.
Make sure you sanitize all you accounts. Admissions officials are savvy to more obscure accounts, and they do check chat rooms. Don’t forget to check accounts you may have on YouTube, Instagram, YikYak, Snapchat, Twitter, etc.
Also, take a look at your email address. Don’t put your email on an application form if it is in any way provocative or makes less-than-savory references.
Social media can derail a college acceptance, and you’ll never know about it. Don’t let a small, offhand post affect your future. In fact, some students are now using social media to showcase their character, talents, and even interest in a college.
