According to an annual Kaplan survey, over 33% of admissions officers at the nation’s top 500 colleges found online material that hurt applicant’s chances of admission. Just as social media can be used against you, however, it can also be advantageous in the admissions process.

Here’s how to use social media, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, to demonstrate your digital literacy skills, personality, goals and achievements.

Facebook, the most commonly screened social media platform, can be used to distinguish you from other candidates and create a unique identity. You can show that you are a mature, responsible, career-minded applicant. Have a responsible profile picture. Double check that all pictures (including past profile pictures) available on your profile, as well as your interests, are appropriate. Familiarize yourself with Facebook’s privacy settings to demonstrate you can maintain a professional identity in a public environment.

Twitter can also be used to your advantage by showing your interest and involvement in a school by “following” or “tweeting” at the college. Keep your other tweets focused on a particular topic – maybe it is your academic area of interest. Or maybe it’s just a personal interest. Either way, it will show that you are passionate, which is a quality and attribute that admissions officers are looking to identify in applicants.

Finally, YouTube can be an equally helpful platform. Upload videos to showcase your individuality, personality and even talents. Give admissions officers insight into who you are and how you are different, likable and compelling.

Using social media can be a means for you to differentiate yourself and improve your chances of getting admitted. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by to do so!

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