Who’s Watching Your Social Media?

by Claudine Vainrub, Principal of EduPlan / Monday, 03 February 2020 / Published in College Admissions

Alan Katzman, founder and CEO of Social Assurity, guides students on creating a winning social media presence. He is a pioneer in developing and advancing techniques to teach students how to use social media to build a compelling and reflective digital presence as a game-changing tool for creating academic and career success at all educational levels. We’re giving you his top four reasons why you should be aware of how social media can impact your college planning.

Reason #1: Admission Officers Are Looking at Your Social Media
Thanks to Kaplan Test Prep and its annual survey of college admission officers, we know that at least 35% of admission officers in the United States looked at the social media profiles of the applicants during the 2016 admissions process. We also know that admission officers are more likely to look when considering scholarships and when invited to do so by applicants.

Reason #2: Since They’re Looking, Why Not Give Them Something to See?
College admission officers have neither the time nor the interest to search social media simply to find reasons to reject qualified applicants. If and when colleges look, logic dictates they are looking to learn more about the applicant, opening the door of opportunity for the prepared applicant to make a strong impression and stand out from other qualified applicants.

Reason #3: The Best Offense is a Good Defense
Almost all colleges now have a prominent social media presence and encourage applicants to interact with them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. By optimizing social media to showcase their activities, interests, accomplishments and services, applicants can freely and safely interact with colleges, and may very well impress the right people as a result.

Reason #4: Managing Social Media is an Essential Life Skill
Social media is here to stay and will continue to influence character and credibility assessments made by colleges, scholarship committees, and employers. Today, a thoughtful, transparent, and reflective digital presence across social media networks can help students achieve their academic and professional goals and aspirations.

Take Action
Review your social media accounts. What would you like colleges or others to see about you? Want to do more? Social Assurity offers online classes to get your social media presence right.