I am often asked for advice and insight into how to decide which schools to apply. Well, here is a tip I share with anyone who will listen.

Follow, friend, like and comment on every social media account for a college or university of interest.

This is a simple, easy and often helpful resource to gain the following:

Follow a college’s social media accounts. Often schools have Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages for not just the university but for individual offices, programs and schools within the university community.
For example, I follow the Instragram page for a specific college’s basketball team because I have a client who is interested in playing for this coach/college and it gives me insight into what is important to the team. They post team dinners, team community service projects, pre-season training work outs which all show that team unity is of importance to this coach. This gives a potential player a feel for the team, which can help instrumentally in deciding whether to apply.
Many schools, programs, clubs, offices and teams have their own social media accounts. Find them and follow them! Are you interested in a certain major at a university?
For example, if I am interested in computer science at Montclair State University, I would follow their College of Math and Science’s Twitter feed to see what they find relevant and important.
Or love rugby? Follow a school’s club rugby team and learn about them!
Interviewing as an applicant? If you interview at a college, use the information you learn from following their social media accounts when discussing your interest and demonstrated knowledge of the school.
Learn and gain insight: As a high school student who is unsure of where to begin, start with a university’s social media accounts. This is easy and fun for the student to learn in a casual way that will give the student a deeper level of understanding and feel for a certain school.
*What’s the take away? Using social media to gain insight, knowledge and a general feel for a certain school will help a high school student not only feel better prepared to apply but more confident in himself. You’ve got this!