Most colleges and universities now use social media to connect with prospective students. StudentAdvisor.com posts a list of the Top 100 Social Media Colleges with links that make it easy to connect with what they are doing on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and iTunes. For other schools, visit the Admissions page and look for icons that link to social networking sites. Here’s what prospective students can do.
• Flip through the photo album, a good supplement to the website’s virtual tour.
• “Like” or “follow” the Admissions office. It’s one of the best ways to get updates about deadlines and activities.
• Check out departments and student organizations. Ideal if your child has specialized interests.
• Seek out student blogs and videos, which offer candid insight into what life is really like on campus.
• Ask questions. A thoughtful question or comment on a Facebook page is a good way to get information — and to get noticed.
Schools usually ramp up outreach once students are admitted. Participating in admitted student groups is a great way to connect before getting to campus. Also, remind your student to check e-mail. Colleges often use it to send reminders about upcoming deadlines and even to announce acceptances.