Why Your Digital Footprint May Impact Your Candidacy

Every week, I read college admissions news so I can stay current and help my clients understand the ever-changing world of college admissions.  Here’s a recent article from the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) regarding social media usage and how a student’s digital footprint can have an impact on admissions.  At My Best College Plan Counseling, we have always encouraged our students to be strategic and carefully evaluate their social media posts as college reps and coaches sometimes turn to social media to learn more about candidates.  In their eyes, what you post is fair game for evaluation. The Washington Post article below highlights differences of opinion between younger and older generations on what is considered appropriate content.  

Young People Face Harsh Reality As Colleges Reject Them For Social Media Posts 

The Washington Post (2/16) reported that after a 19-year-old’s TikTok videos “reached the coaches of the college water ski program she hoped to join,” they sent her an email “saying her videos were ‘too negative,’” and she “was denied a spot on the team.” While corporate social media campaigns “‘raised awareness’ around subjects like mental health and body positivity, young people shared their experiences in droves.” But as they “hit college or the working world, they’re met with a harsh reality: The standard of professionalism among older generations hasn’t changed, and it doesn’t make room for the type of authenticity social media companies tend to encourage.”

Washington Post