Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Colleges Using Social Media to Get a Deeper Look at Students Enrolling
After reading the article listed below, I have many thoughts. Colleges using TargetX such as Twitter and Facebook to look at applicants is a great idea. Looking at someone's online profile is the best way to really understand what kind of person they are. If a college got an application with straight A's and plenty of community service hours, they might think that person is good to accept in their school, but if they look on that person's Facebook account and see inappropriate pictures then they might think otherwise about accepting that person. Seeing someone's profile "offers the complete and authentic picture of their interests, concerns, and goals." Studies show that the number of admission officers using Facebook to learn more about an applicant has quadrupled in the past year. For some students, this could break them. But students should already know what is acceptable online and therefore should only post appropriate things because you never know who could be on your profile. Now i'm sure people have different opinions but I think colleges using TargetX have an advantage over colleges that just read applications. Colleges need to take a step further and look at students on a more personal level. The TargetX Tool allows colleges to do so and I think all colleges have this for many reasons. First, to learn more about students that they don't write down on their application. Lastly, because it makes students think twice before they post things online.
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I defiantly that this could be a mixed feelings topic but I agree that it is a good incentive to keep your online clean and appropriate. It can shows schools who you really are and you don't want to be declined to go to a school because of a stupid picture or post. Its a good way to get people to be more conscious of their online activity.
ReplyDeleteI think that that in today's world, people spend more time on social media web sites than on their college applications, so colleges might as well see what we have posted. It kind of scares me that colleges can see what we post online, but it is where the future is going. If a student's acceptance is denied based on what they have on a social media site, it is nobody's fault but their own, as they should be aware and cautious of what is posted there. Good Job Mollie :)
ReplyDeleteAnother engaging post, Mollie. You present a well constructed analysis of the article and offer your insight as to why we should pay attention to our digital footprint.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with both of the previous posts, I pity the person who writes something off color on a social media site. It's easy to type an immature or impulsive phrase - I'd even say that many folks have thoughts like this all the time. However there is a difference when a mistake goes no further than your classmate or neighborhood street or high school versus being available to the global internet community for as long as it's maintained.
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