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Ask the college counselor: Do admissions officers look at Facebook? |
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Q: I am on Facebook a lot with my friends, just to, like, stay in touch, share photos, nothing serious. Sometimes we use four-letter words in our conversation, it doesn’t really mean anything. My mom saw my page and really got on my case for this. She says college admissions people read applicants’ Facebook pages and judge them on that. I think she’s over-reacting. First of all, those people probably don’t have time to search for every applicant on Facebook. But also, most of the people using Facebook are teenagers and you have to expect that language. I mean, it’s just for fun, no big deal, right?
A: Using Facebook to “stay in touch” is not wrong, of course, and it is fun. In fact, it’s so much fun that thousands of people who are far beyond their teenage years use it. (Go ahead, look me up.) But it is wrong to assume that admissions people do not take the time to check applicants’ entries on social networking sites. They do. They don’t have the time to check every applicant; but they check many. Silly, frivolous things don’t turn them off. But entries that reflect bigotry, racism, homophobia, intolerance, or a violent nature definitely set off alarms. The admissions people aren’t trying to spy; they are trying to gather any additional information that could help them decide if a person should be admitted to their academic community.
How do admissions people obtain access to Facebook? It’s pretty simple to be ‘friended’ by someone who is already on Facebook. Or the admissions officer could have a friend or relative with access. Once on, you can enter any name and see if that person has a Facebook page. Many users choose to have ‘restricted access’ — so that only their name, photo, and school affiliation are given, along with pictures of their friends, whose basic information can also be accessed by clicking on their photos. If someone has not used the restricted access option on his or her profile, however, the information is visible. Also, the messages that people post to another user’s “wall” can be read by anyone with access to that user’s page. Yes, there are safety measures that you can select, but can you be completely sure that everything you write on Facebook and send to others won’t be seen by someone you don’t know?
What about those four-letter words? If, as you say, this language “doesn’t really mean anything,” then why use it? Four-letter words are not the exclusive property of teenagers, unfortunately; but being teenagers doesn’t give you and your friends the right to use them and expect to be granted some sort of immunity. At best, admissions officers reading your words might think you sound unintelligent; at worst, they may think you crude. And, given the very competitive nature of admission at some places, do you want to give them any excuse at all for choosing another applicant over you?
The identity people project on the Internet reflects them, even if they think it’s a big joke. People — of all ages — have said things, and posted photos, that they later regret. My own rule about e-mail is this: Never put anything in an e-mail that you wouldn’t be willing for the whole world to see. You ought to apply this to Facebook and other social networks as well. Once something is on the Internet, it’s out there, creating an impression about you. And if it’s a negative impression, it can hurt you.
I agree with your mom. Choose your words carefully. (By the way, “like” is another four-letter word that is overused. It should be used only for 1) comparison and 2) to express a favorable feeling.)
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Very true. Everything that you put out there (Facebook and other online social network sites) is open to public scrutiny and criticism. Facebook etiquette should mirror the basic, golden rule of good manners: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Otherwise, it may come back to haunt you.
Heather for Children’s Aid NYC
Comment by Children's Aid NYC — July 16, 2009 @ 8:33 am
While I agree that people should be smart and safe about publishing their identities on the Internet, I believe that this type of article creates unnecessary social networking paranoia. Like the author said, these days there are greater options for privacy protections, and college counselors cannot access restricted information. It is not easy to friend anyone: people don’t invite or accept friends they don’t want or would pose a threat, e.g., teenagers as a whole friend other teenagers, rarely adults and especially adults they don’t know. And the “heard it through the grapevine” argument is ridiculous- unless someone did something extreme and CNN or dlisted newsworthy.
We need to teach teens how to use the Internet intelligently and realistically. Rather than telling them not to cuss (which is a bit like telling them not to have sex), we should be teaching them how to use the tools of the Internet to their advantages.
As a teacher it has been my experience that many schools and parents are naive about Internet threats and as a result they spread fear and untruths rather than helpful teachings.
To the student who sent the note: the fact that you are conscious of the image you are publishing makes me think that you are already adjusting the things you need to on the Internet to be protected and safe.
I’d be more worried about the things your friends post in non-restricted ways! No matter what protections you use, unfortunately that does not guarantee your neighbor is.
Good luck!
Comment by Anonymous — July 16, 2009 @ 5:25 pm