Are Colleges Looking at Your Child’s Social Media Account?

Many factors make up a college application, and gaining college admission can be overwhelming. Colleges and universities receive thousands of applications for only a few hundred spots. When it comes to deciding which students are the best fit for their school, why not use social media to get a look at the person behind the application?

College admission is often based on data like GPAs and standardized test scores. Yet, there is much more to consider when deciding if a student is a good fit for a particular school. Only the essay and letters of recommendation can give a glimpse into a student’s personality. However, social media accounts can often tell us much more about a person’s lifestyle.

When Do Colleges Look at Social Media?

It is not standard for college admissions officers to peruse your child’s social media accounts.  College admissions counselors simply do not have the time to look up every applicant. Consequently, there are some specific occasions when they might be more inclined to research your child. 

Colleges may look at a student’s social media in a few instances:

1. When the students include links to their social media profiles in their application, applicants do this to add some dimension to their application. If your child is particularly proud of some achievements they want the college to know about, this is a good way to highlight them. 
2. If the admissions officer has reason to believe the student may be a safety risk or a poor fit for the college (e.g., if the student has posted something threatening or hateful), this would be a rare occurrence and only if the admissions counselor had reason to be concerned due to information the student shared in their application.
3. If the student is a borderline applicant and the admissions officer is looking for more information to help them decide. In this case, your child may not be expecting to have their social media viewed by an admissions counselor. This circumstance is why talking with your child about their social media content is important. 

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What Are Colleges Looking for on Social Media?

Your child does not have to be a social media influencer with a perfectly curated profile to get admitted to college. Admissions counselors speak with teenagers daily and know them well. A typical teenage social media profile will not hurt your child to gain college admission. 

College Admissions counselors are looking for signs that a student is:

• A good fit for the college’s community.
• Likely to be successful in college.
• Mature and responsible.

What Can Your Child Do to Protect Their Online Privacy?

If you or your child are uncomfortable with a college admissions counselor potentially seeing their account, you can take steps to protect their privacy. These steps should be part of your social media talk with your child when they first open an account, but a good refresh might also be necessary for an older teen. Protecting your online privacy should be a priority regardless of college admissions. 

There are several things your child can do to protect their online privacy, such as:

• Review the privacy settings on their social media accounts and ensure they are set to the most private possible.
• They should be careful about what they post online and avoid posting anything they would not want a college admissions officer to see.
• They should be mindful of who they friend on social media and avoid adding people they don’t know well.

Should Your Child Clean Up Their Social Media Before Applying to College?

It is a good idea for your child to review their social media presence before applying to college and ensure nothing online could hurt their chances of getting in. However, they should not scrub their profiles completely or try to create a fake online persona.

The college admissions process should not involve lying about yourself to get into the best school possible but rather being the authentic version of yourself to find the best college for you. 

Are There Any Legal Restrictions on Colleges Looking at Social Media?

No federal laws prohibit colleges from looking at an applicant’s Instagram or Facebook profile. However, some states have laws restricting what colleges can consider when making admissions decisions. You will likely never know if a college has looked at your child’s social media account, but it is best to prepare for it to avoid any mistakes. 

What Are the Alternatives to Social Media for College Applicants?

If your child is concerned about their social media presence, there are many alternatives they can use to connect with colleges and other students, such as:

• College websites and online portals.
• Email.
• College Fairs.
• Creating a video profile.
• A well-designed resume.
• Campus visit or Student Orientation day

How Can Parents Talk to Their Children About Social Media and College Admissions?

Parents must talk to their children about social media and college admissions early. This conversation can help students understand the potential impact of their online activity on their college applications. Here are some tips for talking to your child about social media and college admissions:

• Start the conversation early, ideally in middle school.
• Talk to your child about the importance of being mindful of what they post online.
• Explain that colleges may look at their social media profiles.
• Help your child develop a plan for protecting their online privacy.
• Reassure your child that it is okay to make mistakes online but that it is important to learn from them.

As you prepare to help your child through the college admissions process, including their social media profile is essential. Colleges know they can use social media to determine whether your child is a good fit for their school. Use the criteria outlined in this article to ensure your child’s social media profiles only benefit them in the college admissions process. Review online privacy with your child for college admissions and beyond. 

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