Right and Wrong Ways for Collegebound Students to Use Social Media According to International College Counselors
(PRWEB) June 13, 2017 -- Last week some kids learned a lesson the hard way. They had their acceptances from Harvard rescinded. This means kids who worked long and hard to get into a top Ivy League school – and got in – were disinvited.
Why did they get their offers get withdrawn?
They posted stupid things on social media. According to The Harvard Crimson (6.5.17) these kids set up a private Facebook group chat and sent each other the most offensive things they could come up with, including messages joking about child abuse, the Holocaust, and specific ethic and racial groups.
“Students need to think not only how they want to be seen today, but how they want the future to remember them, “said Mandee Heller Adler, Founder and CEO of International College Counselors.
Lessons to take away
1. Anything posted online is permanent. Who a person is today, may not be who they would like to be seen as tomorrow. Also, even if posted content is deleted, there is a possibility it can still be seen. Best not to post questionable content in the first place.
2. Anything posted online is NOT private. No matter how “dark” posts appear, whoever posts them always risks the chance of someone taking a screenshot of it and reposting it elsewhere. Also, privacy filters are constantly changing.
3. Anything posted on social media should be acceptable for the world to see. This doesn’t mean posting things that are boring or completely sanitized, it means students shouldn’t post embarrassing things about themselves of their family or be offensive to anyone. Offensive includes “questionable language.” It is possible to still be funny and interesting.
While the Harvard incident was an extreme, college admissions officers ARE looking at social media to learn more about students who are applying. Get caught posting the wrong things, and there will be no acceptance at all.
Students who use social media the right way can improve their chances of getting in. Post content that shows positives like, leadership, initiative, diversity, interests and passions. Post accomplishments, including artwork, sports highlights, music, performances, community service, and more.
“When it comes to social media, parents also need to set good examples for their kids,” said Adler.
Students who need personal consulting on their online presence or other aspect of college admissions, please contact International College Counselors at 954-414-9986 or at International College Counselors
College advisors at International College Counselors are available to help students in the U.S. and anywhere else in the world.
About International College Counselors
International College Counselors helps students find, apply to and gain acceptance into the college of their dreams. The expert educational consultants at International College Counselors are dedicated to helping students and their families successfully navigate the college application process.
Additional Resources
From Public School to the Ivy League: How to Get Into a Top School Without Top Dollar Resources by Mandee Heller Adler, Founder of International College Counselors
Cheree Liebowitz, International College Counselors, http://www.internationalcollegecounselors.com, +1 (954) 414-9986, [email protected]
Share this article