Social Media and College
Students, you should use this season of applying to question who you are and how you want to be perceived. Many teenagers react to or post online drama without realizing the impact of their thoughts. For one student from Leesburg, Virginia, a 3 second Snapchat video dashed her college dreams.
The video was released three years after the incident took place when the student was a high school freshman. She celebrated getting her learner's permit with a post that included a racial slur. Once it was viewed by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, her admission offer was revoked.
During the application process, know that social media is an extension of their life. Some students are creating fake accounts to hide their identity, some are washing their social media footprints, and others are saying, “what you see is what you get.” The latter group is against hiding, deleting, or scrubbing their posts. They ask, "would hiding posts, tweets, or blogs benefit the student’s application status if doing so violates the very honor code at the college they wish to attend?"
Colleges and admissions officers are engaging potential students on social media. In the recent application season, six of the Ivy League colleges used social media to boost their applications. When I posted a photo along with a caption saying I was visiting the University of Oklahoma campus, I received 6 retweets and 19 favorites before my tour ended. A few reached out to say "hello".
Colleges will post pictures and videos so you can imagine yourself on campus. They can answer questions relating to the social and emotional life on campus allowing students to make better decisions. In some cases, it could be the campus guides or interns (students themselves!) who are posting on social media. High school students, if you are not able to connect and engage with people at the college you’re interested in (social media, email, calls chat...), it may not be the right college for you. It’s more about connecting and sharing than it is about reading thousands of random posts.
Higher Calling recommends that you connect with each college you're interested in on the social media platforms that you are comfortable using. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Word Press, Pinterest, Snapchat, and various other groups. These connections should enhance your visits at college fairs, virtual tours, and campus visits. For a wide variety of views, follow the admissions office, college newspaper, and a student-run platform.
For colleges that include social media posts as a part of their admissions process, admissions officers may question your judgment if you are taking the time to post disparaging remarks. Your opinions do not have to be mean or offensive. While the majority of college admissions officers don’t have the time or resources to review social media posts, it could very well become the norm. For example, the University of Oklahoma will view your social media if you are being considered for a scholarship.
Personally, connecting with students through social media keeps me connected with you so I can help you develop your online presence. If I’m constantly talking with “sexypoohbear,” I’ll encourage this student to consider what a potential college or employer would think about her or his name. If you're a "what you see is what you get" person, then don't be surprised if your application is denied.
Just be you.
The video was released three years after the incident took place when the student was a high school freshman. She celebrated getting her learner's permit with a post that included a racial slur. Once it was viewed by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, her admission offer was revoked.
During the application process, know that social media is an extension of their life. Some students are creating fake accounts to hide their identity, some are washing their social media footprints, and others are saying, “what you see is what you get.” The latter group is against hiding, deleting, or scrubbing their posts. They ask, "would hiding posts, tweets, or blogs benefit the student’s application status if doing so violates the very honor code at the college they wish to attend?"
Colleges and admissions officers are engaging potential students on social media. In the recent application season, six of the Ivy League colleges used social media to boost their applications. When I posted a photo along with a caption saying I was visiting the University of Oklahoma campus, I received 6 retweets and 19 favorites before my tour ended. A few reached out to say "hello".
Colleges will post pictures and videos so you can imagine yourself on campus. They can answer questions relating to the social and emotional life on campus allowing students to make better decisions. In some cases, it could be the campus guides or interns (students themselves!) who are posting on social media. High school students, if you are not able to connect and engage with people at the college you’re interested in (social media, email, calls chat...), it may not be the right college for you. It’s more about connecting and sharing than it is about reading thousands of random posts.
Higher Calling recommends that you connect with each college you're interested in on the social media platforms that you are comfortable using. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, Word Press, Pinterest, Snapchat, and various other groups. These connections should enhance your visits at college fairs, virtual tours, and campus visits. For a wide variety of views, follow the admissions office, college newspaper, and a student-run platform.
For colleges that include social media posts as a part of their admissions process, admissions officers may question your judgment if you are taking the time to post disparaging remarks. Your opinions do not have to be mean or offensive. While the majority of college admissions officers don’t have the time or resources to review social media posts, it could very well become the norm. For example, the University of Oklahoma will view your social media if you are being considered for a scholarship.
Personally, connecting with students through social media keeps me connected with you so I can help you develop your online presence. If I’m constantly talking with “sexypoohbear,” I’ll encourage this student to consider what a potential college or employer would think about her or his name. If you're a "what you see is what you get" person, then don't be surprised if your application is denied.
Just be you.