College decisions and social media

Think before you post. 

This phrase, born in the age of the Internet, has become a modern proverb, used commonly to discourage amoral activity online.  However, in recent years, it has carried a more significant meaning to college applicants.

According to a study published by Time magazine, 40 percent of college admissions officers make use of websites like Twitter and Instagram to learn more about academic candidates.  In many cases, universities use these internet networks to judge an applicant’s potential. These social evaluations are justified, as all posts made online are public, however online networks are generally unreliable sources of data on a student’s character.

Social media sites, though becoming increasingly impactful, do not properly display the values of a college applicant- instead, they are means of frivolity in which users compete for social eminence.  Success on these networks is measured in followers, views, and retweets, in which those who are popular gain a greater following.  “The essence of social media,” an anonymous Internet user writes, “is knowing your audiences and engaging them in something they love.”  In this way, what students post do not necessarily reflect what they value: it reflects their means of gaining popularity.

Ultimately, academic worth cannot be determined by the number of “likes” an applicant receives on Facebook, nor how many followers they have on Twitter.  Popularity is not a proper indicator of a candidate’s values, and social successes do not specify intelligence.  These sites are called “social” networks for a reason- they are correlated more with communal values than ethical and intellectual pursuits.

To read more on social media and college decisions: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kat-cohen/the-truth-about-social-media-admissions_b_3325839.html