Social Media and College Admissions

Okay students, let's be real. Your life is probably all over social media. From TikTok dances to Insta-worthy sunsets to those hilarious Snapchat streaks, it’s how you connect, express yourself, and keep up with everything. But here's a thought that might make you pause before your next post: colleges might be watching. Yes, admission officers could be scrolling through your feeds, and what they see might impact your future.

Are colleges checking your social media? While not guaranteed, it's possible. Think of it this way: Admissions officers want to see beyond your academic achievements. A survey found that 28% actually review applicants' online presence. An admissions officer would investigate your social media accounts if they receive reports about harmful content about an admitted student. Check your privacy settings and use caution when sharing your social media account.

Let's talk about the worst-case scenario. Remember that story about Harvard rescinding offers to students who shared offensive memes? Or the student who lost their spot after a questionable video surfaced? No college wants a student who will bring negativity or controversy to campus.

Use Social Media to Your Advantage

Flip the script and view it as a tool to boost your college chances. Think of it as your chance to shine. Did you win an award? Crush a volunteer project? Create something amazing? Share it! Colleges love seeing passionate, driven students. Another smart move? Engage with the schools you're interested in. Follow them, comment thoughtfully on their posts, and show some love for their campus vibes.

Basically, think of your social media as your personal brand. What do you want it to say about you? Does it showcase your interests, your personality, and your goals?

🎓 Checklist: Using Social Media to Your Advantage in College Admissions

💡 Showcase Your Interests & Achievements

🔹 Post about awards, leadership roles, and extracurricular activities to highlight your involvement.

🔹 Share photos or videos from volunteer work, internships, or research projects to demonstrate initiative.

🔹 If you have a passion project, blog, or business, showcase your progress—it sets you apart!

🏫 Engage with Colleges on Social Media

🔹 Follow the colleges you're applying to on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

🔹 Comment on their posts with thoughtful insights or questions—it shows genuine interest.

🔹 Tag schools when posting about college visits or virtual events to get on their radar.

🎥 Create Content That Stands Out

🔹 Make short informative videos or reels about topics you’re passionate about—colleges value creativity!

🔹 If you're interested in a specific major, post content that aligns with your field (e.g., an aspiring journalist sharing articles they wrote).

🔹 Use LinkedIn to publish mini blogs about leadership experiences or projects that shaped your future goals.

🛠️ Leverage Your Network

🔹 Connect with current students and alumni on LinkedIn to learn about schools you’re interested in.

🔹 If a professor or admissions officer posts something interesting, engage thoughtfully in the comments.

🔹 Share meaningful experiences that reflect your values, goals, and personal growth.

Time for a Social Media Spring Cleaning

Before you freak out, take a deep breath and do a little social media spring cleaning. Scroll back through your profiles and ask yourself, "Would I want a college admissions officer to see this?" “Would you want a grandparent to see your post?” If the answer is no, then get rid of it! Adjust your privacy settings, Google yourself to see what comes up, and remember that even private posts can sometimes find their way into the public eye.

🧹 Checklist: Cleaning Up Your Social Media Before Applying to College

🚨 Do a “Digital Audit” on Yourself

🔹 Google yourself and see what comes up—if it’s not what you want colleges to see, time to clean it up!

🔹 Check publicly tagged photos and remove anything questionable.

🔹 Search old usernames and accounts to ensure nothing embarrassing resurfaces.

🔒 Adjust Privacy Settings Wisely

🔹 Lock down personal accounts if you don’t want them visible (but keep professional ones public).

🔹 Review your followers—remove any spam or questionable accounts that might be linked to you.

🔹 On Facebook & Twitter, disable old posts from being publicly visible.

📤 Curate Your Digital Footprint

🔹 Delete posts that contain strongly divisive opinions, inappropriate jokes, or party pictures.

🔹 Revamp your bio to reflect your college and career aspirations.

🔹 Make sure profile photos look professional & appropriate (this is your online first impression!).

🚫 Be Mindful of Your Digital Trail

🔹 Avoid subtweeting, online arguments, or sharing offensive memes—colleges don’t want students who stir up negativity.

🔹 Even if a post was meant as a joke, remember that context can be lost online.

🔹 Assume that anything you post could be screenshotted and shared beyond your control.

✅ Before You Hit Post, Ask Yourself:

👉 Would I want an admissions officer or future employer to see this?

👉 Does this reflect who I am and what I want to be known for?

👉 Would I be proud to show this to my future self?

Bottom Line?

Social media is powerful. Use it wisely, show your best self, and make sure your online presence reflects the amazing person you are. Because when it comes to college admissions, you want to be ready for your close-up.

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Garrett Educational Consulting provides comprehensive counseling for college and boarding school admissions as well as academic advisement. Click HERE to learn about our services.

Prepared especially for our clients and their families The information included in this newsletter is generic and assumes no liability for loss or damage due to reliance on the material contained herein. Copyright © 2025 by The College Advisor, Inc. All rights reserved.