Social Media's Impact on College Admissions

Do you remember staying up late researching colleges that had the best mascots? Do you remember looking for colleges that had school colors that matched your aesthetic? Or were you solely researching universities that were aligned with your academic goals? Were you researching a combination of all? Do you remember that feeling of doubt after sending in your applications and just HOPING that one of them would work out?

Gone are the days where a singular envelope arrives with no indication whether you were accepted or denied. The anticipation is there, but the announcement has been taken away from many students in 2023. Seeing the email with the subject line “Congratulations” is a clear indicator of good news. Looking in your mailbox and seeing a large envelope with smiling faces of students from the university is also a positive indicator. Students are given the news before they are even able to open the email/document. That is only ONE concept of the modern, college process that many of us can not relate to. 


Image Source: Giphy


To gain acceptance to the university of your choice is an incredible accomplishment. College is as competitive as ever. Every high school pushes a well-rounded applicant and tries to get all of their students involved in foreign language, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), art/music, AP classes, and more. They want their students to be a multi-faceted threat. However, will their social media account be the one facet that can throw everything else away?


As we have explored over the last couple weeks, a digital tattoo/footprint can be both helpful and harmful depending on what is following you. After reading an article about a student being rejected from an athletic team because of her negative Tik Tok posts, the reality for high school and college students should be setting in. The university denied her because the presence associated with the student online does not match the positive nature the university holds themselves to. 


This is something that our youth needs to remember! Our youth needs to know that what they may say, and post online may be true to their own identity and make them feel safe and confident sharing but does not have to align with the goals and digital presence of future universities and employers. Yes, your honesty is appreciated. Yes, you have the freedom to post whatever you feel comfortable sharing. BUT other people do not have to agree with your shares and stand behind your views to reflect those of the company or school. This is why it is ESSENTIAL to FILTER your public profile regularly. We must think- is this something I should share with the world or something I should share with my family/friends?


To continue that conversation, a different article mentioned there has been a steady incline of admissions offices checking the social media profiles of their applicants. The article also mentioned the challenges they face given that many social media accounts are either private or disappear to the public after a certain amount of time with Instagram/Snapchat stories. This is good for our teenagers!! Keeping the social media profiles that have limited viewing to the public eye is key!! You can have a social media account, be smart about what you post, but also use the features in the best way you can. Use private profiles to your advantage.


So, keeping that digital tattoo/footprint activity that is in my back pocket and bringing it out every few months with the middle schoolers seems beneficial. As you deep dive and search into your digital presence, what do you see? What can you access? What will other people who know nothing about gain from seeing this profile? Students should get in a habit of regularly checking their presence, but also reflecting on what is out there by thinking about how it can be perceived by others. 


Image Source: Tenor

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