Navigating College Readiness on Social Media Networks (2023): What Parents, Educators, & Students Need to Know

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August 16, 2021

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A student's college application is more than just the online form and essay. Many college admissions officers will search social media for applicants to get a sense of their personality and potential "fit" at their school. Social media can tell admissions officers a lot about what the student is interested in and how they act.

What parents & students will learn in this course

  • See examples of how social media can impact your college applications
  • Get help in finding a purpose for your time online
  • Learn how colleges will search for you and what you can do to improve what they learn about you
  • Get tips for how to set up and use the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) of these networks to your advantage: 
  • ~LInkedIn: Yes, students can make a profile!
  • ~Pinterest: How to Shine Online with your "pins"
  • ~YouTube: Tips for a positive channel
  • ~Medium: Tips for positive results
  • ~Why Medium.com can be positive for your digital footprint

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Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

Quotation marks

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

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Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Quotation marks

Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

StarStarStarStarStar

Director of College Advising

Educator Webinar Attendee

Quotation marks

This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

StarStarStarStarStar

Irene C.

Educator Webinar Attendee

Table of Contents

A student's presence online can be the factor that helps them stand apart from other college applicants. In this VIP course, students and parents will learn why it is important to consider a student's online presence on social media such as LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube, Medium, and other highly visible networks.

Course download: Navigating college readiness worksheet

Click here to download the PDF for this course.

Parent & student training videos

Navigating college readiness on social media networks

What we're covering in this video:

  • Finding a purpose for your time online
  • Overall social media tips and reminders to create your positive brand
  • How colleges search for you

Student training videos

10 news stories about college readiness on social media

What we're covering in this video:

10 examples from news clips around the world with real-life examples of how colleges and employers are using social media as an extension of your application

LinkedIn: How to set up a profile

What we're covering in this video:

  • Who can have a LinkedIn profile
  • Benefits of having a LinkedIn profile
  • Tips for a positive LinkedIn account

Pinterest: How to Shine Online with your "pins"

What we're covering in this video:

  • Who can see your Pinterest "pins"
  • To pin or not to pin... how to create your online brand using Pinterest boards

YouTube: Tips for a positive channel

What we're covering in this video:

  • Tips for sharing positive videos
  • Settings when you are ready to make your videos Public
  • Good examples of student YouTube channels

Medium: Tips for positive results

What we're covering in this video:

  • Why Medium.com can be positive for your digital footprint
  • How colleges search for students (and what they want to find)
  • How to improve your search results with Medium.com
  • Branding in a positive way for your college and career
  • What to post on Medium.com (with examples)

More college readiness resources

Conclusion

Comment below to let us know what you think, what you learned, or any questions!


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