Social Media: Digital Footprint, Networking, and University Admissions

Over the past few weeks there have been several conversations on campus centered around the Internet, specifically the use of social media.  We, at the University Advising Centre (UAC), thought it was a good idea to chime in on the topic. We’ve made a splash in the world ourselves. We have our GoogleSite, this place on Blogger, we’re even on Twitter. We see the importance and the advantages of reaching out to students and families via the Internet.  Recently, at school, there was a panel discussion on the role of blogging in the classroom. Two of our teachers even blogged about that session: one prior to the event; the other post the event.  It was a timely discussion as students applying for admissions around the world have turned to blogging about their experiences via the New York Times. This proves that there is a network that is created as a result of blogging. This proves that there is a network where students are able to reach out and help each other. This proves that there is a network of peers waiting to be discovered. Reading first hand, through the posts, about the admissions process, adds value to the experience. Students realise that they share so many experiences with others. What better way to gain information than from your peers?

We, at the UAC, see the value of the connections made via the Internet; university admissions departments are also turning to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Blogs. These tools are generally used for marketing and advertising purposes, but there is a trend to use social media more as an asset for admissions purposes.  As we started tweeting about visits from university representatives, university admissions officers re-tweeted us, followed us, and favourited our tweets. As a result, we’ve been able to establish contacts and make connections in a very short span of time. As students and parents follow us or follow admissions pages on Twitter, or as they Like official pages on Facebook, we ask students to be mindful of their digital footprint and to consider the impression that they are making.  While we urge students and parents to use social media for all of its advantages, we also urge caution in order to protect online reputations.

Here are our top five tips to consider as you think about your digital footprint:

1.     Did you create your email address when you were 13? Are you still cuteboy12 or pinkflowers? It may be time to change your email address to indicate your name.

2.     Before you Like a page on Facebook consider your privacy settings. Are your photos or your status updates available to your friends, friends of friends, and to members of the groups you belong to? It’s sometimes hard to do, but please do think carefully before you post photos, change your status update, write on other people’s walls, or comment on people’s photos. If you Like an official page, you will be informed about campus news and happenings. You can ask questions (make sure you don’t ask them something that is easily available on their website). In addition, you can make connections with current students. Recognise that it is a two-way street. You can see the happenings of the university and if your privacy settings are not right, university admissions staff are privy to your doings online too.

3.  University websites generally have a link to their official blogs. We recommend you follow these to gain information and see the current trends at the university.

4.     If you do not use Twitter solely for professional purposes, we recommend you protect your Tweets.  The advantage of Twitter (as we have discovered too) is the ability to follow specific professors and receive campus news. This information may go a long way in helping you write your college essays.

5.   YouTube is a tool that university officers use widely. When you subscribe to university channels you will gain lots of information (keep in mind, it is used for marketing purposes). Please think carefully before you post a comment. Ensure you consider all other videos you have liked or uploaded before you make yourself known to the YouTube channels of universities.

There are so many ways to make connections with students, professors, and admissions officers, to research universities, and to create your own personalised networks.  We want you to use them to acquire all the information you can devour, and to use your online presence to your advantage.  We do, however, also need you to think carefully about your actions online and offline.  

If you were to only take a few things  away from this article, we’d like you to use social media to gain information, to connect with people, and to form communities. Please take this opportunity to look at your digital footprint and analyse the aspects of your life that will become a permanent, public image. Happy, safe surfing and networking.