Applying to College? Clean Up Your Online Presence Before You Click Submit

Applying to College? Clean Up Your Online Presence Before Clicking "Submit"

With a quick Google search, college admissions professionals can learn a lot—good and bad—about applicants. A 2023 Kaplan survey of admissions officers at the nation’s top schools found that while some admissions counselors consider looking at applicants’ social media an invasion of privacy, the majority, 67%, say it’s “fair game.” Students applying to college should understand that online content deemed inappropriate, offensive, or reflective of bad character could cause unanticipated consequences.

Social media is a powerful tool that has revolutionized the way we communicate. We all have unlimited connections with others—close to home and around the world—to share ideas, learn about culture, and gain awareness of pressing social issues. That said, with the power of limitless communication comes responsibility, along with the potential for negative consequences.

4 Simple Ways to Clean Up Your Online Presence

ONE: Check your pictures. If they represent the person you are today, the person you want the world to think you are, great! If not, consider deleting some.

TWO: Google yourself. Find out what members of an admissions committee discussing finalists for prestigious scholarships or deciding who comes off the waitlist will find when they Google your name. If you don’t like what you find, clean it up!

THREE: Scrub your content. Although the First Amendment says we CAN say whatever we want, that does not necessarily mean that we SHOULD. When going through your online content, consider playing it safe and taking a more conservative approach to what might be considered 'inappropriate' or ‘offensive.'

FOUR: Unfollow. Consider unfollowing questionable accounts.

💡Pro Tip: Add cleaning up your social media to your college applications ‘to-do’ list and get it done!

For more information on everything related to college admissions, feel free to reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com

For more information on everything related to college admissions, feel free to reach out at kathy@fineeducationalsolutions.com