Profile shown on Thefacebook in 2005 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Who would have thought back in 2005 when Facebook was first released that in 2011 a survey of 359 college admissions officers from leading Colleges in the United States would reveal that 24% of them would review an applicants social media activity?  A recent post by Allen Grove highlights how a persons Facebook profile may sabotage ones chances of getting into college. The posting titled, ‘Facebook, Google and College Admissions Don’t Let Social Networking and Your Online Image Sabotage Your Chances’ is a timely reminder for all to sit down with their college bound children and discuss how tidying up their social networks may in fact just enhance the possibility of being accepted into College.

However, once your children are granted access to social media accounts and platforms it is imperative that all communication channels are open where dialogue is encouraged between the child and parent alike to reinforce positive social media activity.

Positive social media activity can identify how responsible the owner of the account is and how they interact with society in general. Posts relating to charitable activities, volunteer work and ‘feel good’ moments all can work in a positive way to self promote the social media account holder as a person that should be considered for a college position or employment.

http://collegeapps.about.com/od/theartofgettingaccepted/a/Facebook.htm