The new stalker: Admission officers

Some college admission offices use Facebook, Myspace as factors in application process

Users of social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook have often been warned to avoid displaying private information on their personal pages like phone numbers, addresses, or full names that could attract sexual predators. Now, social networking users must be aware of a new type of stalker: the college admissions officer.In September, Kaplan Inc. issued a press release revealing that one in 10 admissions officers visits their applicants' social networking sites in the application-decision process. Of the 320 college admissions officers surveyed, a quarter reported applicants' pages made a positive impact on the evaluation process. Unfortunately, a larger percentage (38 percent) reported that applicants' pages lessened their chances of being enrolled.One admissions officer, who was searching a student community web site to find feedback on the college he represents, came across a response from a student that led him to search social networking sites to see if the student had an account. According to Kaplan, the admissions officer found the student's profile and "on the profile, the student bragged that he felt that he had aced the application process for that school, and also that he didn't feel that he wanted to attend that school. This led the officer to reject the applicant."With admission into schools becoming more competitive, admissions officers are taking advantage of learning more about their school's applicants by looking at their social networking profiles. Even if profiles are private, admissions officers can learn about applicants from their profile pictures and email addresses. For example, profile pictures showing instances of nudity, alcohol, or rude gestures (like the middle finger in the air) give, even if not intended, admissions officers negative perceptions of their applicants. Also, an email name like lazygal4ever could turn off admissions officers. While it may seem unfair that admissions officers are taking advantage of social networking sites, admissions officers are simply accessing whatever information any internet searcher can find on a student. "Some of my friends could get in trouble with their photos," said a high school junior interviewed by the Chicago Tribune. "I wouldn't want it to be a deciding factor in their future."

Kaplan also reported that the majority of parents of high school students feel that college admissions officers seeking out their child's profile is an invasion of privacy. Some colleges agree with these parents. According to the Chicago Tribune, Northwestern University's Christopher Watson, dean of undergraduate admissions, said that the college's admissions officers view MySpace and Facebook as the student's "personal space." Should college admissions officers take advantage of the Google Generation's usage of MySpace and Facebook to help make an admissions decision? Most colleges do not have a policy in place that prohibits their admissions officers from using students' social networking profiles in their decision process. One of the schools surveyed by Kaplan reported that although its officers might use social networking sites to get better insight into students, they did not use information from students' profiles to determine their enrollment. Generally, the colleges who did look at an applicant's social networking profile did so because it was suggested from an outside source.Although it seems unfair and an invasion of privacy for colleges to look at students' social networking profiles in the admissions process, it really is a way colleges can keep up with changing trends. Some colleges have switched to Facebook as a means to send out emergency messages, as well as to let current and perspective students know about things like upcoming events or admissions deadlines. Colleges could not effectively communicate without adapting their communication methods to match that of their target audience: students. It is important to know that college admissions officers are not the only ones that use social networking sites. More often than college admissions officers, teachers writing letters of recommendation, and potential employers use MySpace and Facebook to see how students present themselves online; therefore, it is essential to be smart about what is put on a MySpace or Facebook profile. Knowing that a picture, email address, or even comment could make or break the chance of being enrolled in a particular college should encourage students to be savvy when it comes to what they display on their profiles.