Do College Admissions Officers Google You? Unveiling the Digital Dimension of College Applications

27/02/2024•6 minute read

You might be wondering, “Will college Admissions Officers (AO) look me up online? Is my online presence putting my application at risk?” Well, you’re certainly not overthinking. Colleges assess each applicant holistically and they do in fact Google you in some situations. You’d be surprised by the amount of information that can be uncovered from a simple online search!

A survey conducted in the US found that 28% of AOs have indeed searched their applicants online. While this shouldn’t be surprising given that your online presence is publicly accessible, this does demonstrate the significance of your digital footprint. In this article, we’ll address some of the questions you might have regarding the digital dimension of your application.

How long do Admission Officers spend on each application?

It’s no secret that the top universities in the world receive thousands of applications annually, but how much time do AOs spend on each application? While it varies based on the university’s selectivity, an AO typically spends an average of 12 minutes reviewing each application. This emphasises the importance of crafting an outstanding application and making a positive impression within that window.

Why would Admission Officers Google you?

Given the limited time AOs have to screen each application, conducting a Google search is not routine. However, there are instances that prompt a quick search. These searches serve as a secondary screening procedure for AOs to validate any discrepancies they may encounter.

To verify information

Any extraordinary activity in your application might warrant a Google search to verify its accuracy. For instance, if you’ve claimed to have won a prestigious competition that the AO is familiar with, they might look into it further. It’s reasonable to expect any remarkable claims to be fact-checked but if you’re honest and transparent, then there’s no cause for concern.

To scope out any red flags

An applicant’s online presence may also be reviewed if the Admissions team discovers something concerning, whether it’s in the reference letter or the interview. If there are strong inconsistencies between your achievements and your grades, the AOs may want to find out why. For instance, if a participant has conducted independent scientific research but possesses subpar grades in Science, it could raise concerns for the AOs. As such, try to provide clarification on any inconsistencies in your application in the “Additional Information” segment if available.

To learn more about you

You may be searched online if you’ve linked or referred to your social media in your application. For example, if you’ve mentioned your Youtube channel in your personal statement, AOs are more likely to look it up to learn more about you.

This situation can actually be a valuable opportunity! Besides removing any controversial aspects of your digital presence, consider adding content that portrays you in a positive light. This way, if you do end up getting Googled, the AOs will have a more favourable impression.

How to manage a positive digital presence

Tidy up your accounts

Whether you’re a prospective applicant or have already completed your application, it’s wise to do some online housekeeping. Start by Googling yourself! Type in your name and carefully examine the social media platforms that appear. While you may not be able to delete everything, you can adjust some privacy settings to control your profile visibility.

Similarly, we advise checking the posts that you’re tagged in. Your friends and family may have public accounts and their posts with you in it may be visible online. If you find yourself tagged in a questionable post, you may want to consider untagging yourself. It’s better to be careful if you believe it could jeopardise your application!

Be mindful of how you present yourself

If you do intend to maintain a public profile, it's important to pay attention to the image you portray. In fact, a survey revealed that 58% of AOs had a negative impression when visiting an applicant’s profile. Therefore, we strongly recommend maintaining a professional and positive image online.

As you review your online presence, here are some aspects to be mindful of. Are there any profanities or offensive material posted or reshared on your accounts? Is there any indication of alcohol consumption or involvement in illegal activities? Managing these factors is vital as they can influence how others perceive you.

Stay responsible online

Even if your accounts are private, it’s important to remain responsible! There have been multiple cases where students had their spots rescinded due to reports by anonymous users. In 2017, Harvard revoked offers for 10 freshmen after they were discovered to have engaged in unethical behaviour in a private Facebook group. While such situations are rare, the lesson here is to consistently uphold your professional presence online even after admission. Remember, having a private account doesn’t mean you can become complacent!