Yes… Colleges Are Looking at Your Social Media when you apply

In today’s digital age, it’s no secret that colleges are increasingly using social media to learn more about potential applicants. In fact, a recent survey found that 68% of admissions officers say they view applicants’ social media profiles.

So, what does this mean for you? If you’re applying to college, it’s important to be aware of what colleges are looking for on social media and how to manage your online presence accordingly.

What Are Colleges Looking For?

When colleges look at your social media, they’re looking for a few key things:

• Your character and personality. Colleges want to get a sense of who you are as a person, beyond your grades and test scores. Your social media posts can give them a glimpse into your interests, hobbies, sense of humor, and values.
• Your academic potential. Colleges want to see that you’re engaged in your studies and that you’re capable of succeeding in college-level coursework. Your social media posts can provide evidence of your academic interests and abilities.
• Your leadership potential. Colleges are looking for students who will be active participants in their campus communities. Your social media posts can show colleges that you’re involved in extracurricular activities and that you’re a leader in your school and community.
• Your overall fit for the college. Colleges want to admit students who will be happy and successful at their school. Your social media posts can give colleges a sense of whether you’re a good fit for their campus culture and academic environment.

How to Manage Your Social Media Presence

Now that you know what colleges are looking for, it’s time to start thinking about how to manage your social media presence. Here are a few tips:

• Be mindful of what you post. Remember, anything you post on social media is public. Before you hit “post,” take a moment to think about whether you would be comfortable sharing this information with a college admissions officer.
• Be authentic. Don’t try to be someone you’re not on social media. Colleges want to get to know the real you, so be yourself!
• Use social media to showcase your best self. Use social media to share your academic accomplishments, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work. This is a great way to show colleges that you’re a well-rounded student who is involved in your school and community.
• Be consistent. Keep your social media profiles up-to-date and make sure your posts are relevant to your college goals.
• Be professional. Even if you’re not applying to college yet, it’s a good idea to start thinking about your online presence now. Make sure your social media profiles are clean and professional, and avoid posting anything that you wouldn’t want a college admissions officer to see.

By following these tips, you can create a positive social media presence that will help you stand out to college admissions officers.

Here are some additional tips for managing your social media presence for college admissions:

• Make sure your privacy settings are set to private. This will prevent people you don’t know from seeing your posts.
• Use strong passwords and change them regularly. This will help protect your accounts from being hacked.
• Be aware of the potential for cyberbullying. If you see someone being bullied online, report it to the social media platform or to a trusted adult.
• Take a break from social media from time to time. It’s important to have a healthy balance between online and offline activities.

By following these tips, you can use social media to your advantage in the college admissions process.