Over 25% of Colleges Now Prying Into High Schoolers’ Facebook Profiles

According to a recent Kaplan Test Prep survey, which polled 350 admissions officers from colleges all over the country, over 25 percent said they had looked up applicants on Facebook and Google. Many high school students are now taking steps that were common place among older college students entering the job market: they’re changing their names on Facebook, or they are ditching the site altogether.

The same Kaplan survey found that 15 percent of schools have a rigid social media policy when it comes to admissions. That may not seem like a lot, but compared to the college admissions climate even just a few short years ago, it accounts for many schools.

According to Nancy  McDuff, associate vice president for admissions and enrollment management at the University of Georgia, students open themselves up to inquiries from schools when they put themselves out there online.  “If a student mentions something in their application that isn’t well explained, and you’re looking for more information, you may check their Facebook,” she told Time Magazine. “They’re writing about themselves. That’s no different from what a guidance counselor may write about them when they ask for someone to write a letter of recommendation.”

Keep in mind that if students properly use Facebook’s privacy and sharing controls, then this would greatly limit what a snooping admissions officer could see. Be sure to check out and share our complete guide on the subject:

How to Lockdown Your Facebook Account For Maximum Privacy and Security

How far should these schools be able to go in researching prospective students?


Recommended Resources


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