Social Media and College Admissions — from socialassurity.com by Danilo Umali
Excerpt:
1. We want a presence on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. These are the social networks where the colleges are looking. Colleges are making a lot of inroads with LinkedIn since they are beginning to correlate job positions and success with the colleges that led these individuals to these careers. It may lay the groundwork for a new ranking system. Many students are going to need LinkedIn to find their next job. Why not start now?
2. According to Alan Katzman, It’s OK to make mistakes. Just because you are “holding a red cup” in a photograph doesn’t mean the college is going to blacklist you. Colleges do, however, want to make sure that they are getting “more than test takers.” Do your stated passions align with what they are seeing on social media? Are the additional insights gained from your social network reinforce their admissions and scholarship award decisions? Do you come across as racist? Are you intolerant?
3. Not being on social media is a red flag. A large percentage of college applicants are on social media. Not having a presence can introduce more suspicion that can hurt your chances. At the very least, students competing against you will have the advantage of giving colleges more avenues to discover them.
4. Many parents believe that their students shouldn’t be reduced to a test score, an application, and an essay. Well, here is your chance. Leverage social networking as an enhancement to the application process. Give the colleges more opportunities to discover who your student is as a complete and well-rounded applicant.
5. College admissions is one thing and finding a job is another. Colleges and careers go hand in hand. Social networking is no different. Your student needs to embrace social media sooner rather than later. If you think colleges are flocking to social media, what do you think employers are doing? When your student learns to manage his or her social networking, they will have a leg-up when it comes to the job search.