Monday, January 25, 2016

Will your social media accounts hurt your college admissions chances?

Grades, SAT/ACT scores, essays, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation ... we already know that college admissions officers look at many factors when making acceptance decisions.

But how common is it for admissions officers to look at applicants' Facebook and Twitter accounts?

Click here to test your knowledge and find out if this practice is becoming more widespread. 

https://ensphere.leadpages.co/ensphere-quiz/

What can you do to make sure your social media accounts won't hurt your chances of admission? For starters, think before you share. Keep in mind that college admissions officers and future employers may see what you've posted.

The admissions officers who were polled said that discovery of photos of drug/alcohol use, criminal offenses, racial prejudice, and inappropriate behavior would negatively affect applicants' chances of admission.

Some students have asked us if they need to set up "college-oriented" social media accounts highlighting their academic accomplishments.

While certain students with special talents, such as musicians, may have social media pages showcasing their skills, it's not necessary to set up new social media profiles across the board. (Studying for the SAT/ACT and working on your essays are better uses of your time!) Simply be thoughtful about what you post publicly. When in doubt, don't post ... or make your accounts private!

After taking our quiz above, remember to download a copy of our College Planning Timeline to make sure you're on track to maximize your chances of admission and your financial aid opportunities.

Speaking of social media accounts, don't forget to like us on Facebook!

Erin, Director of Student Services

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