According to 2018 Kaplan Test Prep survey, about 25% of college admissions officers review applicants’ social media profiles. With that in mind, now is a great time to start polishing your profiles before submitting your college applications. We’ve compiled three user-tested tips to help you get going.

1.       Never Forget: Posts are Forever

Your friend tagging you in a funny photo from a late night may seem hilarious now but it’s important to remember that although you may later delete it, there is a chance it will live on through their profiles or screenshots. Furthermore, personal posts you make on channels such as Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, and SnapChat can easily be saved and reshared—leaving the content to spiral beyond your control. Take these comments for example.

Reduce risk by posting content that reflects the positive version of yourself that you want colleges to see. If you are unsure about a post, imagine how a parent, guardian, or teacher would feel seeing it. Taking a moment before tapping “share” can make a big difference.

2.       Use Social Media for Networking

What’s the due date for FAFSA? What’s life on campus like? How can students view their application status? Many students have similar questions, and they can often find answers through social media.

 Many colleges, student groups, and advisers are active on platforms solely for the opportunity to inform prospective, upcoming, and current students.

Take advantage of Facebook groups filled with peers asking the same questions as you, follow resources like the College Board or FAFSA, and interact with students who are committed to helping you succeed.

Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA, created an Instagram account run by students. The goal is to share the college experience from a student perspective. Prospective students visit the page to ask questions. These questions range from the best places to eat to tips for choosing a major.

3.       Create a Holistic Picture of Yourself

With an endless amount of social media platforms, it can be difficult to consistently show the full picture of yourself across them all.

While every profile, whether private or public, should represent the best version of yourself, try creating one profile that captures your full story—academics, sports, leadership, work, awards, and more.

You can use this on many platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and the Cirkled In platform, which helps students build holistic profiles of their accomplishments and connect with colleges that match their goals.

With these tips, we wish you happy tweeting, posting, and sharing!

Looking for more tips on college admissions? Follow us on Twitter.