Do college admissions officers really check social media?

Hey everyone! I'm a junior in high school, and I've heard that some college admissions officers check applicants' social media profiles during the application process. I'm a little worried about what they might find if they look at mine. How true is this, and should I be concerned about cleaning up my online presence before applying to college? Thanks in advance!

Hey there! It's great that you're thinking about this aspect of the college application process. While not all college admissions officers check social media profiles, some do. According to a survey conducted by Kaplan Test Prep, around 36% of admissions officers have visited applicants' social media profiles to learn more about them. It's important to remember that this isn't a universal practice, but it's better to be cautious and prepared. Cleaning up your online presence before applying to college is a smart move. This includes not only removing any inappropriate or offensive content but also considering the overall image that your profiles present. If you have public profiles, try to make sure they reflect your interests, values, and goals in a positive light. You may also consider adjusting your privacy settings to limit who can view your content. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that if admissions officers do come across your social media profiles, they'll find content that supports your application rather than detracts from it. Good luck with your college applications!