Social media is a great way to keep up with friends and the latest trends in the world. However, did you know that what you post on social media could have an impact on whether you get accepted into medical school? Any time you post on any of your social media accounts, you could unknowingly be doing damage to your reputation.
Do Schools Look at My Social Media Pages?
Most medical schools due their due diligence when reviewing medical school applications, this includes researching social media accounts. Everyone who applies to medical school should just automatically assume that schools will see their social media posts. This information can go a long way in helping or hurting your candidacy.
Will My Social Media Pages be Considered?
If a school takes the time to research your social media page, you can bet that information will be used as part of the interview process. There’s nothing illegal about school’s scanning the social media networks. In fact, it could be an informal background check. Any information obtained could be used in an eventual admissions decision.
What Can I do to Protect Myself?
There are several things you can do to protect yourself and your social media pages. First and foremost, it’s advised to never post anything that might be illegal or displays poor judgment. Make sure all of your accounts are private, and change your settings so that you need to approve tags, check-ins, etc.
It’s a good idea to go through your pages and remove anything that could be construed as objectionable before you send any applications to schools. This includes any posts that may include risqué’ photos or lewd language. In the future, if you feel questionable about posting something, it’s probably best not to.
Also be sure that no one other than you has access to your social media passwords.