College Tip of the Week #10: Social Media

Let’s talk about social media and college admissions. Many of us have Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, or Twitter, with hundreds of posts and followers on our accounts. Believe it or not, colleges will often look at a student’s social media profile to learn more about them and help distinguish that student from other applicants.

Depending on the content of your posts and the tone, this can impact your application either positively or negatively. This is why it is so important to check your social media accounts right now, and remove any content you may have that is threatening, bigoted against any group of people, or sexist. You should also refrain from posting content of this nature in the future, even beyond applying for colleges, as it can impact your job applications and perception by others.

Because college is where you will live and interact with other students and people in the community, colleges do not want someone who is biased against others. We encourage you to try to utilize social media in a positive way by discussing your passions, volunteer events, job opportunities, leadership positions, and any other way you have improved or benefited your community. You can also follow your colleges to learn more about their campus culture and life, as well as post pictures you took while visiting the college with your positive experiences.

Social media is a powerful tool you can use to create your own digital portfolio, allowing you to show your altruism, kindness, and humanity to not only colleges, but also your employers, friends, and family.

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