When talking with parents about college admissions, questions about the various social media platforms often come up in conversation. So does some version of the question, “Do colleges really check an applicant’s online presence?”

Generally, the answer is yes.

Checking out the research and doing a bit of qualitative analysis myself, this is what I have learned about how schools consider the online history of college applicants:

When I tell parents these things they usually explain to me how they tell their kids what NOT to post on social media…and…that is it. 

What I say next leaves them looking at me as if I just unlocked a secret: Discuss with your child how they can build an authentic and affirmative presence online. It’s not just what they shouldn’t do. As a parent, at the beginning of each school year, do you only tell your child what not to do? Of course not! Listen to the teacher, be nice to others, study hard, be respectful, do your best, speak up when you think you know the answer, do your homework, and these are just the basics. Parents, it would be wise to help your children create an affirmative social media presence. A few common sense rules and an understanding that it tells their personal, and permanent story about their lives is a good starting point.

Further, the absence of any presence online may prevent problems but it also eliminates the opportunity for someone to post about what they are doing, to show their strengths, showcase their talents, etc. What do they like to do? What are they excited about? What are they doing that helps an admissions officer learn more about them? Parents will often tell me about the talents, skills, and promise their child possesses. My response? It sounds like your child is full of potential. Social media can be a great place for others to learn about what makes them unique. 

The beauty and challenge of social media is that it’s difficult to prescribe a step-by-step approach. When speaking with a student about their online presence, I listen to what they have to say, asking them questions to learn what they like, where they find their energy, how they chose to spend their time, etc. I’ve learned that if I focus on asking good questions, they figure out the answers that are right for them…and they are much more likely to follow through and do so with enthusiasm.  The time spent getting a student to tell me how they will build their social media presence is immensely more valuable than any answer I could provide. While they may need some guidance about what is smart to post and what to avoid, I find they quickly understand what will help and what may be damaging for them. Finally, social media is native to them so more often than not, their understanding is greater than those of us who have adapted to these platforms as adults. 

If you would like to talk this through in greater detail, drop me a note at jeff@www.collegeroutemap.com.

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