Colleges Looking at Social Media: Protecting Your Online Identity
In 2017, Harvard University rescinded offers to at least ten admitted students because of offensive social media posts. That case was a wake-up call that admissions officers sometimes look beyond the application. While it is still rare for your online presence to determine admission, colleges looking at social media is no longer unheard of. In fact, surveys by Kaplan Test Prep as recently as 2022 found that more than a quarter of admissions officers have checked applicants’ social media at some point. The reality is that while social media is not a formal part of the evaluation process, it can raise questions if admissions officers find something concerning.
Start With Google
The first step is to search your own name. Colleges looking at social media may start with the same simple Google search that anyone else would use. Type in your full name, and if your name is common, try pairing it with your high school, hometown, or activities. For example, “John Smith soccer team” or “Jane Doe debate club” can help you identify what admissions officers might see when narrowing in on your background. It is usually safe to assume that officers will not go beyond the first few pages of results, but you should. Click into links, images, and cached pages to make sure nothing problematic is connected to your identity. This process can take time, but it gives you a realistic view of how searchable you are.
Audit Your Social Media Accounts
Once you know what comes up in search, it is time to review your social media platforms carefully. On Facebook, check for old photos, party posts, or heated comments that could be taken out of context. Untag yourself from pictures posted by others, leave questionable groups, and review your “likes” to ensure they reflect well on you. Some students even change their names slightly to make their accounts harder to find, but if you do this, keep the name similar enough that it does not raise suspicion. On Instagram, focus on images, captions, and hashtags. If your account is public, assume admissions officers may see everything. Consider setting it to private or at least replacing profile photos and bios with something more neutral or professional. Twitter, now X, is another platform that often requires a clean-up because students may tweet quickly without thinking. Go back through old posts and delete offensive language, arguments, or controversial statements. If you prefer to keep your account public, make sure the tone of your tweets reflects maturity. YouTube and TikTok can also be areas to review. Remove videos that might be embarrassing, off-brand, or unprofessional, and highlight those that showcase your talents or passions instead.
Strengthen Privacy and Security
Even after cleaning up accounts, you should adjust privacy settings to minimize risks. On every platform, restrict who can see your posts, send you friend requests, or view personal details like your birthday or location. While total anonymity is not realistic, becoming harder to find limits the chance of an admissions officer stumbling on something unflattering. Keep in mind that screenshots can live on even if content is deleted, so the best approach is to combine privacy settings with responsible posting. If you are creating new content during application season, pause before posting and ask yourself how it might be interpreted out of context.
Beyond Traditional Social Media
Colleges looking at social media may also encounter older content on forums, blogs, or websites you forgot about. If you once ran a Tumblr, WordPress blog, or gaming forum account, revisit it to confirm what is still live. Remove or archive posts that would not reflect well today. If someone else has posted harmful content about you, you can contact the site administrator and request removal, using terms like harassment or defamation. In some cases, you may also need to submit a re-crawl request to Google so outdated results disappear more quickly from searches. While this process is not instant, it shows initiative and helps align your online presence with your current goals.
Why Colleges Care
Most admissions officers are not actively scrolling through Instagram or TikTok feeds during the evaluation process. However, they are responsible for building a campus community and protecting their school’s reputation. When they do look, it is often to confirm that there are no red flags such as discriminatory remarks, evidence of illegal activity, or public behavior that contradicts the values of the institution. The Harvard case was extreme, but it underscored the point: social media is public, and once something is online, you lose control over how it is shared or interpreted. At the same time, your digital presence can be a positive tool. Sharing achievements, volunteer work, or creative projects online can strengthen your application if discovered.
Take Control of Your Digital Narrative
The takeaway is not to erase your identity online but to make sure it represents the best version of you. Imagine your application is nearly perfect but an admissions officer sees tweets or photos that create doubt. Do not let small missteps overshadow years of hard work. Colleges looking at social media are simply checking whether applicants will add value to their community and not bring unnecessary risk. By reviewing your accounts, deleting questionable content, and thinking strategically about what you post, you can ensure your online identity supports your goals instead of undermining them.
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