![[X]](http://www.schools.com/images/templates/tv/icons/grey-x-10px.gif "Close prompt"){kind=icon}
SUBSCRIBE
E-MAIL5 ways to use social media to get into college
by Loreal Lynch | April 18, 2011
Recently, we released an infographic highlighting the ways college admissions officers are using social media in their recruiting process. More than 80% of admissions officers use social media sites like Facebook to glean information about prospective students. Shocking, right? But instead of being unnverved by this statistic, be optimistic. This presents an opportunity for you to shine. To help steer you in the right direction, we've put together a list of 5 great ways you can use social media to your advantage when applying for college.
 |
1. Gain Insight"Like" the Facebook pages of your prospective schools and follow their Twitter feeds so you can learn more about each school, its campus culture and the kind of student it embraces. That way, you can tailor your social media messaging and your application to be more effective. For example, Butler University's Twitter account is run by the school's bulldog mascot who regularly tweets photos and videos of his latest college antics. |
 |
2. Make a VideoThe personal essay is becoming a thing of the past. In 2010, Tufts University invited students to submit a 1-minute YouTube video along with their application. Even if this is not the official admissions policy of your prospective school, creating a short video of yourself explaining why you want to go to a particular institution puts a face - and character - to your name, which can give you a great advantage. |
 |
3. Start a BlogA blog is capable of accomplishing two things, if done right: 1) it makes you more searchable; 2) it paints a picture of who you are and what you are interested in, acting as a supplement to your application materials. |
 |
4. Edit YourselfTake down any images or videos that might portray you as, um, less than scholastic. You know, like that picture of you on the dance floor. In your Bob Marley t-shirt. Belting the words to “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” |
 |
5. Guard Your PrivacyLast but not least, be vigilant about your account privacy. Even if you take down embarrassing pictures and videos, your buddy might comment on your Wall with a detailed account of how ridiculous you looked that night. You want to make sure admissions officers can’t see that comment, which is why privacy settings are so handy. Use them. |
