ResourcesFacebook, Google and College Admissions: Don't Let Social Networking and Your Online Image Sabotage Your Chances
By Allen Grove, About.com Guide In a 2012 survey of 500 admissions officers from top colleges (350 responded), the education experts at Kaplan Test Prep learned that roughly 26% visit social networking sites such as Facebook to learn more about applicants. 27% Googled applicants. Be sure to check out the Kaplan survey. The bottom line: an applicant's online image matters, and in 35% of of cases in which admissions officers looked up a student, they found information that made a negative impression. These numbers should be cause for reflection, but they don't mean you should quickly pull the plug on your Facebook account. In fact, many college staff members and professors (myself included) have Facebook accounts and enjoy using them to network and connect with students. Also, more and more colleges are using Facebook to get accepted students in touch with each other before classes begin in the Fall. As you apply to college, however, keep in mind who might be looking at your social networking sites or Googling you:
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