Walking the social media tightrope: How students’ online presence can impact college admissions
Did you know that what students’ post online could influence their college admissions prospects? According to a Kaplan survey, 28% of college admissions officers review applicants’ social media profiles. Even more notably, 67% believe it’s fair to factor social media into admissions decisions. With social media playing such a significant role in students’ lives, it’s no surprise that colleges are using it as a tool to learn more about potential candidates.
Interestingly, students seem to be aware of this shift. #WinAtSocial survey results from nearly 1,000 students found that 84% of students feel very or somewhat comfortable with what college admissions officers might find on their online profiles. This suggests that many students are already taking steps to curate a responsible and positive digital footprint.
Why colleges review social media
So, why do nearly a third of college admissions officers check applicants’ social media? If students include links to their profiles in application materials, admissions officers may see it as an opportunity to gain deeper insights into their character, interests, and achievements beyond essays and transcripts.
Alan Katzman, founder of Social Assurity, suggests that social media functions as a digital extension of a personal essay, allowing students to present a well-rounded picture of themselves beyond the constraints of traditional application formats. Given the limitations of a 500-word essay, platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok offer students a chance to highlight their passions, extracurricular involvement, and unique qualities.
Social media can also serve as a dynamic resume, showcasing volunteer work, artistic talents, leadership roles, and other accomplishments. For example, Beth Wiser, admissions director at the University of Vermont, recalls a student who used social media to document her passion for organic gardening. This genuine and thoughtful online presence helped her stand out in the admissions process.
The impact of social media on admissions
While a well-maintained social media presence can enhance an application, a problematic profile can have serious consequences. Admissions officers are not just looking for achievements; they also evaluate an applicant’s judgment and character. Inappropriate posts or offensive language can lead to negative perceptions, and in some cases, even rescinded acceptances. A survey by Inside Higher Ed found that private colleges are particularly likely to revoke admissions offers due to concerns about social media content.
Conversely, a polished and purposeful social media presence can work in an applicant’s favor. Students who use their platforms to showcase positive attributes, such as leadership, community involvement, and intellectual curiosity, demonstrate responsible and positive technology usage. A compelling online presence can reinforce their application narrative and set them apart in the competitive college admissions landscape.
Building a positive online presence
As students prepare for college, they should be mindful of how what they post and say online reflects their personal brand. Every post, comment, and like contributes to an evolving online identity that can leave a lasting impression. Colleges, future employers, and scholarship committees often review social media profiles to assess candidates beyond their formal applications. Even deleted content can resurface through screenshots and archives, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a thoughtful and intentional online presence.
Here are some ways students can bolster their online presence in the face of college admissions:
- Showcase Academic Achievements: Highlight academic accomplishments, such as awards, projects, or research, to demonstrate your commitment to learning and intellectual curiosity.
- Highlight Extracurricular Involvement: Showcase your involvement in extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, or volunteer work to illustrate your leadership skills, teamwork abilities, and dedication outside the classroom.
- Demonstrate Passion and Interest: Share content related to your passions and interests, whether it’s art, music, science, or social justice, to showcase your unique personality and what makes you stand out as a candidate.
- Cultivate a Positive Online Presence: Maintain a positive and professional online image by posting respectful and appropriate content avoiding controversial topics or negative behavior that could reflect poorly on you in the eyes of admissions officers.
- Use Social Media as a Learning Tool: Share content demonstrating your engagement with academic or industry-related topics, such as articles, discussions, or projects, to show your intellectual curiosity and eagerness to learn beyond the classroom.
All in all, the transition from high school to college can be daunting for anyone. But when empowered to navigate social media and tech in positive, high-character ways, students will have a virtual online resume that could help them get into their dream college. If you’re an educator with students applying to college or thinking about starting to apply, check out this #WinAtSocial Lesson Sharpening your online presence for employers and colleges.
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.