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. 

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

College Visits: 4 Steps You Can't Miss!

It’s that time of year again to start planning college visits. As you know, choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions a student and their family make for their future.

How do you know if it’s the right “fit”? Do you ever purchase anything without trying it on or seeing a preview? Odds are probably not, because we have that luxury and we want to know what we are committing ourselves to. So why should your college choice be any different?

All too often students end up unhappy with their choice because they made rash decisions or limited their visits. The stakes are too high to treat your campus visit as a joke.

Follow the 4 tips below, then download our full College Visit Checklist to ensure you are getting the most out of your college visit!

1. EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM
Start planning early: spring of your junior year. Get first-hand exposure to the schools on your list. Keep your options open and make sure to choose a variety of campus environments. Do your best to schedule while school is in session so you can see the campus at its liveliest.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Where is my ideal location? Urban or rural based campus?
• What size school is best for me? 50,000 undergraduates or 1,800?
• How much does this cost? Scholarship opportunities?
• Does the school serve my academic and professional interests?
• Public or private?

DECISIONS! DECISIONS! There is only one way to find out … VISIT!

2. UPGRADE YOUR TOUR
First class … yes please! To maximize your tour, supplement it with some additional appointments and capitalize on all of the resources you have available to you. If you have an idea about what you might major in, seek out the chairperson or a professor in the department. If you have questions about funding and scholarships, meet with a financial aid officer. Or explore the social scene and find student organizations that interest you.
Attend a class.
Meet with a professor.
Meet with an admission officer.
Meet with a financial aid officer.
Attend a club meeting or a sports practice session.
Spend the night in a residence hall.

3. GO OFF THE BEATEN PATH
A traditional campus tour is always recommended. We want you to look at the student union, gym, library and residence halls ... after all, you will be spending quite a bit of time there. Under no circumstances should you visit a campus and only take the traditional tour. After the admissions office spiel, do a behind-the-scenes look for yourself. 

Find the spots on campus where students gather; hang out there and make new friends who can tell you what it’s really like to be a college student at NYU or Penn State that isn’t part of the admissions script. Interacting with current students will often provide you a better feel for the character of the student body and the culture of the school. Walk the extra mile and get the complete picture of the campus.

4. REFLECT
You will thank yourself if you take 10 minutes after each visit to write down your thoughts. Trust us … after about three college visits, your experiences will start to become a blur, leaving you with a blend of tour group buzzwords (Safety! Study abroad! Scholarships!) rather than a grasp of what each school is really like behind the glossy pamphlets. A quick list of pros and cons and a few photos, or notes about something you enjoyed that created a feeling of “home," can make a huge difference.

Take in the atmosphere and ask yourself if you could see yourself eating in the union with your roommate or studying at the library before a big exam. Not feelin’ it? Don’t brush aside that gut reaction—add it to your list of pros and cons.

Have fun! It’s your college experience, time, and education. Allow yourself to get excited about what lies ahead, and make the most of it!

Remember, before scheduling your first campus tour, make sure to download our full College Visit Checklist for everything you need to know to make the most of your college visits!

Have questions or need help with your college list? Contact us by email or by calling the office at (724) 745-0305. We're always happy to help!

Brandy Orlando, College Planning Specialist