THE LAST THING YOU NEED is for your first-choice college to see you hanging out at a party (even if you weren’t doing anything illegal) when the guy behind you is doing a keg stand. So, if you don’t already have your privacy set to just friends, do it. If you haven’t already removed your friends’ ability to tag you in photos, do it.
With that said, don’t feel as though you have to delete or make major changes to your Facebook account the second you send out your college applications! The social media site can actually work to your advantage, showing admissions officials how well-traveled, well-adjusted and well-rounded you are. Of course, not all colleges use Facebook when evaluating prospective students. But of those who do, here are some of the things they look for.
1. PHOTOS OF YOU WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS DOING POSITIVE THINGS. It’s not so much that you have to look popular, but rather that you’re “normal” enough to easily assimilate to college life.
2. PHOTOS OF YOU DOING VOLUNTEER WORK. Did you help build a wheelchair ramp for a neighbor? Serve Thanksgiving meals at the homeless shelter? Work with seniors over your summer? Be proud of
your volunteer work and share the photos (assuming you have permission to do so).
3. EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (E.G., VARSITY SPORTS, PLAYING IN THE MARCHING BAND, SCHOOL THEATER). You know how extracurricular activities can impress on an application, so why wouldn’t they translate well into photos?
4. STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE. Got a photo of you in front of Stonehenge? A view from the Eiffel Tower? Post it and label it so they know you were there!
5. AWARDS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS. You don’t need to list all your accomplishments, but sharing some good news with friends and family is a natural move that can make a great impression. “Happy to report I came in second in the Spanish poetry competition!” is simple, but effective.
6. WHAT YOU’RE LOOKING FOR IN A COLLEGE. “Any recommendations on great art schools?” or “Know any colleges with awesome study abroad programs?” shows you’re serious about college life.
7. ABSENCE OF COMPROMISING PHOTOS. There should be no photos of you with alcohol, drugs, rude gestures, inappropriate clothing, offensive costumes, etc.
8. SUBSCRIPTIONS TO POSITIVE GROUPS (E.G., ANIMAL RESCUE). You know how you can join groups and “like” pages? Those can help admissions reps get a feel for who you are. Which also means you shouldn’t “like” groups such as the “I LOVE FOREIGN BEERS!” club.
9. VIDEOS OF YOU ENGAGING IN A HOBBY (E.G., ROCK CLIMBING). Your extracurricular activities don’t have to be school related. How about an underwater video of you scuba diving? Or the view from the top of the trail you just hiked?
10. PHOTOS OF YOU WITH POSITIVE INFLUENCES (E.G., TEACHERS, MENTORS). Admissions officers like to know you’re hanging with a good crowd. Although they can’t always tell from looking at your friends, labeling a photo of you and your mentor can go a long way.
