o you recall the last time you scrolled through your teen’s social media accounts? Put yourself in the role of an admissions officer – what would they think if they saw it?
Whether we like it or not, social media is a huge part of our lives. For our high school kids, it’s a space for self-expression, connection, and fun. But as your teen prepares to apply to colleges, it’s also important to understand that their social media presence could potentially impact their admissions prospects – for better or worse.
Here’s what you, as a parent, need to know to guide your teen to use it wisely.
Reality or Myth: Do Admissions Officers Really Look at Social Media?
The reality is that not every admissions officer has the time to comb through applicants’ social media accounts. Many colleges are simply too overwhelmed with applications to add that extra step to their process. However, that doesn’t mean it never happens.
According to Kaplan Test Prep’s 2023 survey of college admissions officers, 67% believe that reviewing applicants’ social media profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, X, and Threads is “fair game” when deciding who gets admitted. However, only 28 percent have actually done so.
On the flip side, that means that 33% of admissions officers feel that viewing applicants’ social media is “an invasion of privacy and shouldn’t be done.”
Kaplan’s survey further revealed that “when admissions officers do visit applicants’ social media pages that they are much likelier to find something that negatively impacts their chances of getting in than helping them.”
I’ve covered this topic in a previous blog post, where I shared an example of a student not being accepted solely because of a social media post that warranted further investigation.
So before your teen hits “post,” it’s smart to consider who else might be scrolling through their feed. Someone who can decide about their college future could see a seemingly harmless selfie or offhand comment.
The Double-Edged Sword: How Social Media Can Help or Hurt
Although Kaplan’s survey shows that only a small percentage of admissions officers check your child’s social media profiles – that small percentage still means that there’s a chance your teen’s online presence could either strengthen or hurt their chances of admission.
Here’s how:
Positive Potential
- Showcase Passions & Interests: Sharing achievements, artwork, community service projects, or leadership activities can reinforce what was provided on their application.
- Positive Online Engagement: Being supportive, respectful, and thoughtful in online interactions shows maturity and good character.
Problematic Pitfalls
- Inappropriate or Offensive Posts: Photos or videos with unkind or disrespectful behavior can raise a red flag for admissions officers.
- Inconsistent Information: Be mindful if your teen’s social media contradicts what they’ve shared in their application, such as claiming awards or achievements they don’t actually have.
Tips for Parents: How to Help Your Teen Be Smart About Their Online Presence
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Start with a Social Media Audit
Sit down with your teen and review their social media accounts together. Decide if they will keep their account public or take it private. If public, then encourage them to delete or archive any posts that might be considered inappropriate or offensive.
Also, have them Google their name to see what pops up and be sure to address anything that could be problematic.
- Talk to Your Teen About Being Intentional With Their Digital Footprint
Instead of just focusing on what to delete, encourage your teen to share content that reflects their passions, achievements, and character. Like community involvement, extracurriculars, and passion projects.
- Highlight Their Strengths
Your teen can use social media to highlight skills or accomplishments that they didn’t have space to include in their college application. For example, for creatives like artists or musicians, consider curating a social feed with music performances or art portfolios.
For athletes, social media platforms can be great for connecting with college coaches and showcasing athletic talents and game highlights.
- Think Before They Post
Remind your child to be mindful before posting.
One of our counselors, Claudia, has a good barometer: If your teen wouldn’t want grandma to see it, don’t post it.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, social media can have a big impact on your teen’s college admissions journey – either in their favor or against it.
The goal isn’t for them to turn their social profiles into a perfectly curated version of what they think admissions officers want to see. They should definitely be themselves.
But it’s important for them to also remember that what they post is out there for the world to see, including someone who might be making decisions about their college future.
Encourage your teen to be authentic, but also to think twice before they hit “post” and consider how their online presence might be perceived. A little mindfulness now can go a long way in keeping their college dreams on track.
Also, when you’re ready, here are three ways we can help your teen find their best-fit college:
At Stodghill College Consulting, we help each high schooler showcase their unique skills and talents, discover their own brilliant voice, and find a college that will enable them to reach their full potential as young adults.
- Schedule a free discovery call to discuss how we can create an action plan to help your child keep on top of deadlines and create a college list that is personalized to their strengths and talents.
- Get college essay writing support from our essay expert, who will guide your teen through brainstorming and revising until they have a polished final product.
- Hang out in our free Facebook Group for parents where you can ask your burning questions, get answers from myself and the community, and access our extensive video library on college application topics.
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