According to the CollegeBound Network, nearly one third of college admissions officers admitted to Googling their candidates to help narrow down the selection process. The year 2013 saw a record number of students applying to colleges and universities across the country. Increasingly, admissions officers are faced with a conundrum – how to differentiate all these applicants from the rest. With nearly 35,000 college applications and an acceptance rate of just 5.8%, Harvard would turn away more than 33,000 very qualified students. How many had perfect SATs and ACTs hit the waste basket? How many flawless GPA’s and astonishing academic resumes were shredded? Harvard is but one example of schools with record high applicants. The dilemma begs the question, how can college admissions officers choose from so many worthy students?
According to a Kaplan Test Prep Survey, colleges and universities are looking to see if a student’s social media image matches the images portrayed online. The survey found:
· 27% of admissions officers said they Google prospective students
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· 26% said they look up applicants on Facebook
· 35% said that when checking on a student’s online presence, they found something that negatively impacted an applicant’s chances of getting in – nearly tripling from 12% last year
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Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Tumblr and Vine are the cyber playgrounds of students heading to college. These students are part of the first generation growing up with social media as an integral part of their life. But sometimes with familiarity comes complacency and a false sense of privacy. Everything is fair game online. Anyone can see it. Anyone can find it.
Who’s taking a look besides college admissions officers? Teachers and coaches may take a glimpse at a student’s online presence, after all, they have been asked to write letters of recommendation. Potential employers for summer jobs and internships are also curious.
If any of your social media sites are a little sketchy, then clean it up. Kat Cohen from IvyWise said it well, “Use the grandparent test – If you wouldn’t want your grandparents to see it, don’t put it out there.” Use this as an opportunity to put your best self forward and convey the image you want others to see.
Some suggestions:
· Increase your privacy settings. Limit your posts and who can see them.
· Delete photos that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see.
· Delete foul language or any language that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to hear.
· Include pictures that portray you in a positive light. Admissions counselors want to know more about you, that’s why they’re visiting social media sites in the first place. Brag on yourself. Post videos of a dance recital, sporting event or school presentation.
· Use your social media sites to your advantage. Show off your accomplishments.
· Post interesting articles and events.
· Follow the colleges you are most interested in and demonstrate interest in the school.
· Use the Litmus Test --- when it comes to posts, pictures, status, and interests, ask yourself again about grandma. If you answered no, then don’t post it. Not sure – don’t post it.
· Use common sense and always error on the side of caution.
Use your online presence to portray yourself in the best possible light. Post what makes you interesting and authentic. Show a college admissions officer that everything you described in your application is only enhanced by your online presence. We live in a digital age. Remember --- when you write online, you write in cyber ink. There are no erasers.
Dr. Kathy Levinson is a published author and editor. She can help you plan, edit and proof your common app essays. Maybe you're really strong in math and science, but writing not so much. Dr. Levinson can get you over that hurdle. For more information, visit her website at wordtantrum.com.
