Whether I like it or not, social media has played a big part college process. More so than I would have liked.
It’s scary how easily a 15-second TikTok video can change ev-erything for me. If I scroll through my For You page for even a second, I will find myself seriously considering applying to a new college I’d never even thought about just because a ran-dom person on the internet looked like they were having fun. While these TikToks or Instagram posts can be helpful to dis-cover new schools and get a real glimpse of collegiate life, they can also oversimplify my massive decision. Every school I apply to should reflect my goals and values, but these posts tempt me to forget that, and instead focus only on the immediate thrill of what looks fun or exciting.
However, social media isn’t completely negative when it comes to the college process. These posts introduce me to col-leges and universities I might never have come across through traditional research. They offer me a glimpse into real campus life that no website or tour could ever capture. Seeing real stu-dents walking through their dorms, getting food in the dining hall or cheering at a football game provides an authenticity that admissions emails can’t replicate.
As much as I appreciate this authenticity, I’ve come to realize how truly misleading it can be. These clips condense the com-plexities of college into quick clips of entertainment when, in reality, they’re hiding the less glamorous side of their univer-sities. Just because I’m drawn to the ‘vibe’ of a video doesn’t mean that the school aligns with my academic goals, my per-sonality or the long-term future I want to build. However, the emotional pull of seeing someone your age having a blast on their school campus feels so immediate and convincing that it’s hard not to be influenced.
What bothers me most about social media’s role in my college search is how it’s changed the way I talk about school with oth-er people. When I’m discussing colleges with friends or family, I catch myself referencing things I’ve only seen online, like “oh, I heard their dining hall is really good” or “everyone says the campus culture is amazing,” as if I have actual knowledge about these parts of the school. It feels bizarre that these strangers on social media have become unofficial ambassadors for entire universities in my mind, shaping not just my opinions but also the opinions I’m sharing with my friends. I notice that when I try to articulate why I’m interested in a school, sometimes the real reason is just that I’ve seen it all over my phone and it feels familiar, even though I’ve never stepped foot on their campus. There’s something uncomfortable about realizing that my col-lege list might be influenced more by an algorithm designed to keep me scrolling than by my own independent research.
Even though I recognize the negatives that social media brings, I hate the fact that I’m influenced by people whose lives I’ll probably never intersect with, and whose values or priorities are probably nothing like mine. At the same time, I recognize that this influence is inevitable. Even though I try to remind myself that these videos don’t tell me much about the actual school, it’s hard to completely separate their influence from my thoughts and feelings about college. Social media taps 1. into something instant and emotional, showing me people that I can relate to living a seemingly perfect college experience. I’ve come to realize that I cannot let these posts dictate my choices, -y reminding myself that these decisions have to stay grounded in what truly matters to me. Social media’s involvement in the of college process is all about balance; I need to acknowledge its influence without letting it control me and my choices.
