Well there’s no accounting for taste, but there most certainly is a need to have a taste for a good online filter. Whether you’re applying to an undergraduate or graduate program or changing careers, job hunting or the like, the culturally accepted practice of keeping one’s personal and professional life separate has never been more important than in our digital age where information about you is essentially seamless and readily available.
We’ve spent the a part of the last 18 months on Zoom in our Pajamas and an odd background noise has removed this norm – personal and professional lines are blurred slightly. That said…..
In a recent SURVEY of admissions officers, 70% indicated that checking an applicant’s social media was acceptable. There were striking differences among public and private universities where 47% indicated that online applicant profiles are viewed! An astounding 42% said what they found had a negative impact! (Hard to believe-click the survey link at the start of the paragraph for full details.)
FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
As you explore universities, post-graduate opportunities including fellowships, potential employers, and assorted organizations, you’ll be faced with the choice to connect through social media. First, let’s talk about Facebook “Fan” pages. Many organizations – including potential employers as well as colleges and universities will invite you to “like” their page.
There is essentially nothing to be gained by becoming a “Fan”, and you invite yourself to public scrutiny from admissions and scholarship representatives and organizational hiring recruiters. (Not to mention we really don’t know where that data goes !!) Unless you have your Facebook privacy settings locked down, once you hit the “fan” page, you’ve established a connection that allows others to see your posts and to view pictures you may unknowingly be tagged in which without explanation can cast a dark shadow on your integrity. We all make mistakes, but you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Aside from doing your best to keep your Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts positively spotless, think about settings that limit others from viewing information about your personal life.
Embrace the process of spring/summer cleaning and delete questionable and less-than-flattering posts, pictures and the like.
In contrast, consider using your social media accounts to actually build a portfolio of that showcases your interests and accomplishments including: ADMITSEE and ZEEME and even Linked-In. (Admitsee is also an option for those families unable to retain the services of a College Advisor – giving you access to student applicants for feedback on your portfolio/essays.)
Here are two additional resources offering some interesting insights on the trends in social media. For example, Carnegie Mellon has an optional question on the CommonApp allowing you to enter your ZeeMe profile!
This some advice for Parents on your career / job search:
Another accepted life practice is not to burn your bridges behind you. Are you consistently missing out on interview invites? If you smell smoke, it’s probably a burning bridge and a recent feature on LinkedIn may be the reason your former colleagues have less than flattering comments or remain silent when asked to recommend you. You cannot control what others say about you, but you can make sure you don’t end job and employer relationships on a sour note. Recruiters are using a LinkedIn feature allowing them to make connections well beyond those you selected and noted on your resume as a recommendation. Check out this resource:
Students and Parents: Missed opportunities are just that and you may never know why you didn’t receive an acceptance letter to the college or job of your choice. What you do control is your own behavior and the safeguards for sharing of information.
It’s time to set your 2021-22 goals- some personal, some academic and undoubtedly you are ready to begin the year with anticipation and excitement.
We’re back to in-person learning!
Are you still On Target? Joyful? Motivated? Confident?
The COVID-19 pandemic likely challenged many of your plans the past year+. Please reach out for guidance.
I’m here to assist in many ways- from:
Helping recent HS graduates ’21 renegotiate financial aid awards and perhaps re-evaluate choices about whether to enroll this fall and courses to consider given the past two years and AP results.
Seniors ’22-Ready for College Apps–? Have you created your Common-App – Started College Essays?
9th to 11th– Establishing ways to engage in extracurricular activities
Exploring the best learning opportunities online and in-person, including summer collegiate programs, internships and volunteer programs – WHAT’s YOUR PASSION PROJECT?
Evaluating college choices and majors in the absence of campus visits
Recreating your test taking schedule and test prep in our new TEST OPTIONAL college application cycle
Starting on your Common Application and brainstorming your college essays –at least 2 and as many as 7 essay prompts!
Students Take the Lead!
The college application process has many moving parts. While students are indeed busy, I want to stress the importance of this being a student driven process. Students are encouraged to take the lead navigating, as it is excellent preparation for the undergraduate experience ahead (course registration, summer internship and study-abroad applications, paying bursar bills, etc.).
Whether you’re ready to write your college essays or just beginning to research colleges and majors, or perhaps you’re spending your summer exploring or deepening an academic/personal interest, I invite you to contact me to schedule your Educational and College Planning Assessment available for rising seniors and all middle and high school students.
Does your student have an Educational & College Admissions Plan? On Target?
Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D.
Personalized Educational & College Admissions Services
South Florida 561.509.0021
Boulder/Denver 720.737.9944
Nationwide Online 833.MY.ESSAY
www.collegecareerconsulting.com
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Congrats!!! A SAMPLE of our recent College Acceptances Include:
UC Berkeley, Carnegie Mellon, UPenn, Princeton, Cornell, U. Michigan, Northwestern, Georgia Tech, Barnard, Columbia, Smith, Stanford, University of North Carolina, Vassar, Brown, Bowdoin, Wellesley, USC, Emory, U.Illinois, Notre Dame, NYU, Rice, University of Chicago, Washington University (WUSTL), Drexel, Tulane, London School of Economics, Purdue, Swarthmore, SCAD, Ohio, Georgetown, Hamilton, Reed, Miami, Johns Hopkins, University of Florida, University of Arizona, Penn State, Villanova, Northeastern, SUNY-ESF, St. Johns, Embry-Riddle, Colgate, Fordham, Columbia, Barnard, Syracuse, Swarthmore, Pittsburgh, Dickinson, Colorado, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Howard, Fordham, SUNY Stonybrook, Duke, Case Western, Rochester Institute of Technology, Parsons, Virginia Tech, Boston U., Hobart & William Smith, Claremont Mckenna, Davidson, Westpoint, Gettysburg, Amherst, Temple, Denison, Howard, UT Austin, SUNY-Binghamton, Hamilton, George Washington, American, Indiana, SMU, James Madison, and many more!…
WRITE YOUR STORY
College Consultant Bonnie Rabin with STEM student and College Admissions Acceptance Letters
SENIORS- ARE YOU READY FOR COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON AND WRITING YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS – COMMON APP 2022-23
Bonnie
Nationwide Online College Admissions Planning https://collegecareerconsulting.com/online-college-counselor/
Professor Emeritus & Cornell Alumni Representative
Founder, President College Career Consulting, LLC Serving Clients in South Florida, Boulder, CO, Denver, CO & Remotely Wherever You Are Florida: 561.509.0021
Bonnie R. Rabin, Ph.D. is the founder and principal educational consultant of College Career Consulting, LLC. She has over 30 years of experience as a university faculty member and shares her knowledge, professional resources and support with students who are ready to advance their lifelong educational and career journeys.
