Posts Tagged ‘colleges and facebook’

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Going away to College? Google Buzz Could Keep You Connected

Thursday, February 11th, 2010

clintonjeff/Clinton Jeff

College life: the studying, the papers, the finals (eek!),  make it tough to find the time to keep up with old friends (let alone new ones!) across the oh-so many social networks.  Even before you ever get to college, those campus visits, financial aid forms, and college applications are enough to keep you busy!

Google Buzz, very recently unveiled by Google (we’re talking February 9, 2010),  wants to be your one stop shop: upload your photos, videos, and your status all from one place.  We’ve all got friends who use Facebook or MySpace but don’t Twitter, who favor Flickr over Photobucket  – and vice versa.  Instead of signing into all these separate social accounts Google Buzz aims to replace them all, so you have one place to keep track of everything – and that’s the big difference.

Instead of logging in to a bunch of different sites, you simply log in to your Gmail account, hit up Google Buzz, and tweet, upload, and comment away – after carefully setting privacy settings, of course.  When a friend responds, instant update alerts are sent straight to your inbox, where all of your Gmail contacts have been automatically imported.  You can spend less time finding “friends” and more time hitting the books!  While many social networking sites connect: Facebook doesn’t.

You’ve probably seen your Facebook friends grumbling over recent layout changes, but — do you really think they’d ditch their FarmVille or Mafia Wars gaming apps for Google Buzz (especially with rumors of Facebook email in the future)?  Facebook was made for college students by college students.

We’ve played around with it and, oh yeah — it’s fun!  But, then again, new toys are always fun.  We’ll see if it actually sticks.  Google Buzz might have potential: it’s all in one place (even on the iPhone and Android) with a familiar layout (um, hello Facebook!).  But, after the failure of Google Wave…we’ll just have to wait and see.

What do you think?  Does Google Buzz have everything you need in order  to keep in touch when you head off to college?  Does it entice you to make the Gmail switch (if you haven’t already)?

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Posted in College Life, Fun Stuff, Preparing for College, Technology | 1 Comment »

Foursquare Makes The College Leap

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Courtesy of Mari Sheibley

Courtesy of Mari Sheibley

Colleges are evolving to keep up with current technology: they are using Facebook and Twitter, even YouTube, in an effort to keep your attention!  The new kid on the block, Foursquare, has been picked up by the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Columbia University, and Harvard University as a fun new way to keep college students involved.

Foursquare is the latest social networking application.  The twist?  It’s location based.  Foursquaresters gain points by checking in at their current location, discovering new places, sharing tips and then some, earning badges and maybe a shot at “mayor.”  Mayors can receive sweet discounts at the participating places where they reign supreme.

How are colleges using this to their advantage?  UNC Charlotte was the first university in the country to take advantage of Foursquare’s usability, offering promotions and dining info across campus.  Columbia University offers a discount through the on-campus movie theater and Harvard University was the first to create a special badge just for frequent Harvard visitors.

Think about it: new students can easily find campus hot spots and potentially save a couple bucks as well (if they happen to be “mayor,” that is).  Instantly see where your friends are – maybe cut down on the texting a bit?  We’re only kidding.

Just the same, we’re excited by the awesome potential here for colleges and universities who use Foursquare.  It could just be a match made in higher education heaven.

What do you think?  Is Foursquare another social media fad or do you think it’s the next big thing?

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Posted in College Life, Fun Stuff | 3 Comments »

College Class of 2014 on Facebook

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Want a head start on getting comfortable and creating connections at college before you officially finish high school?  Early decision acceptance students are on it!  My College Guide already helped you get in touch with your favorite  colleges and universities with our Twitter list — now how about getting  connected with your classmates?

We’ve got 51 Colleges with Facebook Pages for the Class of 2014 on our handy list!  Current students are sharing advice on everything from which dorm is the most spacious and favorite college courses to tips for getting around on campus and the best local hang-outs.  Just remember to use common sense and play nice – college admissions are still watching you!

Did we forget someone? Add your Class of 2014 Facebook Page (or Facebook Group) to the comments section below!

1. American University 26. Miami University
2. Arizona State University 27. Middlebury College
3. Boston College 28. Montana State University
4. Boston University 29. Muhlenberg College
5. Butler University 30. Parsons New School for  Design
6. Cabrini College 31. Pitzer College
7. Carleton College 32. Randolph-Macon College
8. Clemson University 33. Rice University
9. College of Charleston 34. Stanford University
10. Dartmouth College 35. Stonehill College
11. Drexel University 36. Union College
12. Emerson College 37. University of Chicago
13. Emmanuel College 38. University of Illinois
14. Florida State University 39. University of Maine
15. Georgia Institute of Technology 40. University of Massachusetts Amherst
16. Guilford College 41. University of Michigan
17. Hamilton College 42. University of Minnesota
18. Hendrix College 43. University of Notre Dame
19. Howard University 44. University of Oklahoma
20. Indiana University 45. University of Rochester
21. Iowa State University 46. University of South Carolina
22. Ithaca College 47. University of Tennessee
23. Marshall University 48. University of Texas
24. Marquette University 49. Vassar College
25. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 50. Wheaton College
51. Yale University

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Posted in Choosing a College, College Life, Fun Stuff, Social Media | 15 Comments »

Early Decision: Is it the Right Decision for You?

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010

Twitter, Facebook, really, the whole internet is buzzing with two words: early decision. Who got in, who didn’t get in, and who is still waiting to hear from their school of choice is all anyone can talk about – even our Admissions Guru has been bombarded with questions. Early decision confusion?  That’s what we’re here for!

It's a LOT to think about!

katrinalopez

You can only choose one school in which to apply for early decision because it is a binding contract (not to be confused with early action which is non-binding).  Apply by the November early decision deadline (which can vary slightly between schools) to receive “the answer” somewhere between December and January.

Even if you don’t receive early decision acceptance, most colleges and universities will defer your application, giving you a chance to gain regular decision admittance.  Simply put, this deferment means that, while you still have a shot at getting into that school, you are no longer bound by the early decision contract.  You should definitely apply to multiple colleges, just know that you will have to withdraw the applications to those schools if you’re accepted early decision

When considering whether or not to send in an early decision college app for a particular school, try to imagine paying for that school without any financial help.  If that thought makes you uncomfortable (or just downright nervous), you should check to make sure that your application is subject to your receiving the minimum amount of financial aid you’ll need. Otherwise, you might end up getting bound to attend that school regardless of the amount of financial aid offered!

Again, this is a binding contract.  Colleges and universities mean business so read that contract carefully!  If you do try to walk away, you will most likely be black-listed not only at that school, but at other schools as well, which can severely hamper your future plans.  Also, if you then decide to attend a different school, that school might just revoke their acceptance of you if they find out that you broke your early decision contract.  Colleges value personal integrity – do you really want to take a chance at severely damaging yours?

But, if you have done the campus visit, taken the college tour, have completely fallen in love with a particular school, and know that it’s your top pick, you might want to consider early decision.  Why draw out the agony of waiting if you can receive your acceptance (or not) early?

Decisions, decisions.

ambrown

Better yet — Class of 2014 Facebook Pages are popping up daily so new students can get acquainted, network, and form friendships with one another before ever setting foot on campus (keep watch for our Class of 2014 Facebook list, coming soon!). That would go a long way in helping to calm first day jitters!

Early decision = fewer applicants.  However, even with a smaller pool of college applications to wade through, the applicants tend to be pretty strong (we’re talking top of their class and super involved) so  it doesn’t mean you’ll have a better chance of getting in.   Early decision is a huge responsibility.  It’s definitely not something to walk into blindly.

So, would you/have you/are you considering applying for early decision?  Why or why not?  Share you thoughts in the comments section below.

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Posted in College Admissions, College Applications | 5 Comments »

How to Increase Your Odds After Sending in Your Application

Monday, January 11th, 2010

mailOnce you’ve sent in your college applications, you might think that there’s nothing else you can do to sway an admissions counselor in your favor. But that’s not always true. Here are a few ways to help your odds in the college admissions game.

While you’re waiting, visit the school and get involved. Schools like to know that they’re more than just a back-up option, so if you take the time to sign up for a school tour, talk with faculty members, take part in campus activities, and participate in an interview, admissions counselors will appreciate the fact that you’re eager to become a part of their community.

Interact with the college community online. In some cases, admissions officers manage their colleges’ profiles on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Become a fan of the school, and start corresponding by asking relevant questions about the academic programs you’re interested in, or sending a note of congratulations for a recent award the school may have won. Don’t use this method to check on the status of your application, or to promote yourself as a candidate—but by engaging with the school community, you may be more likely to leave an impression on the admission officer who makes a decision on your application.

Send updates of recent awards or important activities. While you don’t want to get in your admissions officer’s face too often, if there’s something buzz-worthy going on in your life that didn’t make it onto your college application, by all means, let the school know about it. If the officers haven’t made a decision about you yet, finding out that your school science project just won a national prize might sway the odds in your favor.

Double-check with your high school that all necessary information has been filed. When an entire grade is going through the college admissions process, it’s easy for important materials to get lost in the shuffle—and just because you did your part doesn’t mean that your application is complete. To make sure that the colleges you’ve selected have all the right information on file, ask your high school’s college advisor to make sure that transcripts, recommendations, and other important details have been sent off.

Be creative. Don’t go overboard, but sometimes sending an original postcard or newsletter can help you stand out. Just keep it fun and friendly—resorting to bribery or doing anything that reeks of desperation is bound to turn admissions counselors off.

Do nothing. At many ultra-selective schools, admissions officers are sorting through mountains of applications, and don’t want to be bothered with more information after the stated deadline. Depending on the school, going overboard can actually hurt your chances of getting in—so, before sending in additional materials or a letter, have a look at your top school’s admissions guidelines, and see if it says anything about their perspective on materials sent after the deadline. In most cases, following up won’t cause problems, but it would be a shame if your hand-decorated letter went straight into the trash bin.

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Posted in College Admissions, College Applications | 3 Comments »

Protect Your Online Image (Colleges are Looking at You!)

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Chances are you have a profile on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or one of hundreds of social media websites out there. Don’t think your friends are the only ones checking out what you wrote: colleges and universities may be using what you post as a deciding factor as to whether or not you receive that all important acceptance letter!

Colleges "get" social media...just like you.

Matt Hamm

We’ve mentioned that colleges are using social media like never before.  The cold hard truth?  Colleges are all over social media sites and have a lot of students to choose from — so don’t give them a reason to  pass you by!  Avoid these all too common mistakes — protect yourself and your future.

1. It’s nothing personal. Sure, it’s tempting to vent about your ex-boyfriend or blab about your wild weekend, but stop right there!  In this case, your mom was right: if you can’t say anything nice…don’t say anything at all (or, at the very least, consider private messaging instead)!

2. Mind Your Manners. While you may not be posting anything too personal, excessive swearing is a red flag to admissions and a potential turn off.  Keep it clean and keep it rated “PG.”

3. Strike a Pose? Guess again!  Colleges won’t stop at reading your posts – they’ll scope out your photo albums as well.  Underage drinking, smoking, or worse will put a definite damper on your future plans.  But don’t think it stops there: photos that your friends post of you could be just as damaging!  Consider changing your profile setting to “private” where applicable to prevent prying eyes from seeing something less than flattering.

Do you have any tips to add?  We’d love to hear them!  Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Posted in College Admissions, College Life, Fun Stuff, Preparing for College, Social Media, Technology | 2 Comments »

Getting Started at College: Tips for Settling in at the Beginning

Monday, January 4th, 2010

Andrew Stawarz/Andrew Stawarz

If you’ve already received an acceptance letter from your early-decision school, congratulations! Your time worrying about getting into school is finally done—but what do you need to know when you actually arrive at college? Here are a few tips that will help make the transition from home to the frosh dorms simple and painless.

Connect with other future students in advance. These days, it’s easy to connect with your future classmates before you even set foot on campus. Just search Facebook for groups, fan pages, and people connected to your future school—more than likely, you’ll find a group dedicated to admitted students in your class. If not, start your own, and others will soon discover you. If anyone in the group lives nearby, see about getting together for lunch. It will be great to have a familiar face on the first day of school.

Buy or rent your textbooks before you arrive. During the first few days of school, you can spend hours in line waiting to purchase your textbooks, which are often sold at heavily inflated prices. Skip the lines and the high prices by getting a list of coursebooks in advance from your school, and purchasing copies online from Amazon.com or renting copies from Chegg.com or Bookrenter.com.

Once you get your course schedule, find all of your classrooms in advance. There’s nothing more embarrassing than walking in during the middle of a lecture on the first day. Make sure it doesn’t happen to you by taking a walk around the campus and locating all of your classrooms, using a campus map to get your bearings.

Take part in Welcome Week activities. Your school will probably offer a few days packed with games and activities designed to help you meet fellow students and get used to the school. Though some of the activities may not exactly fit your interests, it’s important to get involved—this is a great opportunity to find new friends before you even start classes.

Find out about clubs, intramural sports teams, and the Greek scene. During the first few days of school, most colleges’ various activity groups will set up information booths, where representatives can talk to freshmen about what’s involved in joining or participating in a club. Scout out the groups that appeal to you, and come prepared with questions. If you’re thinking about getting involved in the campus Greek scene, this is also a great time to work out which fraternity or sorority seems like the best fit, and find out about their welcome mixers.

Get your student ID card and rent a fridge as early as possible. Your student ID card is your key to all sorts of campus activities, from meals to gym use, so be sure to get your photo taken for your school ID as early as possible, to avoid long lines. Also, unless you’ve purchased your own mini-fridge, you’ll want to rent one from the school—so be sure to register for one before they’re all gone.

Talk to your academic advisor and your R.A. During the first week of school, it can be helpful to schedule one-on-one meetings with both your academic advisor (who helps you with managing your course load and other academic matters) and your resident advisor (an older student who can help you navigate the rest of college life). If you have particular concerns about either academic or social issues at college, these people are trained to provide you with the support you need.

Send your parents home. Though it can be tempting to keep your parents around for moral support as long as possible, once they’ve helped you with anything you need parental assistance for (unpacking your luggage, dealing with the financial aid office, etc.), let them head back home. It may feel a little scary to be on your own, but you’ll get used to it soon—and just remember, all the other freshmen are in the exact same situation. You’re sure to find a friend or two among them.

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Posted in College Classes, College Life, Housing | 6 Comments »

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