Your Social Media: Making The Right Impression on MBA Admissions

Social media is playing a bigger role in MBA admissions. A 2021 Kaplan survey found that nearly 36% of admissions officers polled report visiting applicants’ social media profiles to learn more about them.

But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While applicants still need to keep a clean image online, experts say social media can—in many ways—offer a platform to showcase what makes them unique. Lisa Bevill, a Fortuna Admissions coach and the former MBA Admissions Director at IE Business School, recently discussed the key ways that applicants can use social media to their advantage.

GOOGLE YOURSELF

First thing’s first: you’ll want to ensure that there isn’t anything negative tied to your name on the internet. Bevill recommends doing a Google search of yourself to start.

“If there are any mentions about you on the first few pages that could hurt your application, edit or remove inappropriate content,” Bevill writes. “Then view your social media profiles from a public perspective (logged out) to see how much, and what, pops up.”

In addition to things like drug references, sexual comments, and profanity, Bevill says applicants should also keep an eye out for any social media rants that they’ve posted in the past.

“Now more than ever, social media blurs the lines between professional and personal, so it’s best to exercise caution,” Bevill writes. “While shorthand has become acceptable across electronic media, profiles rife with grammar and spelling mistakes won’t inspire confidence about your writing skills.”

USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR INTERESTS AND FURTHER YOUR NETWORK

While applicants still need to exercise caution in their social media use, Bevill says, it doesn’t mean they should steer clear of posting anything.

“Social media can be an excellent took for showing admissions committees your authentic self in a less formal manner, which may actually be able to provide a clear picture of who you are and what matters to you in your extra-curriculars,” Bevill writes.

In fact, one of the smartest ways to use social media, as an applicant, is to showcase your interests.

“If your Facebook shows photos of you at a recent beach volleyball tournament, and your Instagram exhibits pictures of your wood-working creations, while your LinkedIn highlights your volunteer experience, we encourage you to share all of that,” Beville writes.

On top of showing your personal interests on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, it’s also wise to show engagement on professional platforms such as LinkedIn. Beville recommends that applicants follow their target schools and find ways to strategically engage with the community.

“This allows you to stay connected and apprised of the latest program news, and deepen your understanding of each institution,” Beville writes. “A well-considered comment may catch the attention of an admissions committee member. Unlike Facebook, LinkedIn is also an appropriate channel to contact alumni networks or groups.”

Sources: Fortuna Admissions, Inside Higher Ed

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