Social Media is NOT Private

Star Tribune front page news - College Admissions looking at applicant's social media presence.

Not exactly breaking news but worth repeating.  Social Media is NOT private.  At least as a respondent to an anonymous survey college admission officers are admitting what we guessed at for years.  In this day of competition, how do the colleges make a decision about some excellent (on paper) candidates?

Employers have been saying it for years.  What you post on public places is all part of your true resume'.  You may think that was cute when you were 15 but tyring to win that job at 22 places a different value on those social media pictures.

Most popular colleges and universities are swamped with applications.  There are more applicants than places to place the students. In trying to find the best students who fit the college and alumni image admission people are doing what is easy and available.

Google your own name and see what immediate pops to the surface.  That is without any advance searches of limiting factors.  It is amazing what pictures, words and descriptions show up.  Once it is posted it is out there.  Instead of bragging to friends in words and pictures of what you got away with this weekend, you might want to spend some time cleaning up your public record.

Use your social media as part of your personal capital --put yourself in a positive light and not that of current fool of the week.