Internet "foot print" affecting admissions?

Question

Do adcoms Google applicants and does that play a significant part in the decision?

I'm wondering if it is best to reduce my Google footprint. Should I try to hid my Facebook? I also write for a small website (thecitizenscholars.com) which pops up if you search my name. Can that only hurt my chances?

gcb09173 · Answer

Only plays a part if it looks negative to them. They will likely google you at some stage before giving an admit.

Make your facebook private and unsearchable. Twitter revise and review privacy if you feel theres anything that might be questionable concerning your utmost moral character etc.

Putting 2+2 together do you actual 'Edit-in-chief' the site as if so it looks like a more significant undertaking in which case you may want to talk about it - (If so) you obviously have some interests outside of work and I dont think the website can hurt you if its maintained etc. (it seems a relatively recent enterprise?)

I dont think anything online will support you getting in - however it could very quickly find you getting dinged if they find a comment or picture etc that puts your integrity or professionalism to question. I.e. something negative will get you dinged - fast - but otherwise it doesnt matter much.

jz4analytics · Answer

Thanks for the advice.

Yes, I did start the website and edit everything on the page. And yes, it is only a few months old. But I've been thinking about shying away from the site and NOT mentioning it in applications. Politics comes in, and politics makes me nervous. I've considered removing my last name, at least during application, if some of the material can get me dinged.

I also have a Facebook and LinkedIn, but I don't think anything on there will make me look bad. FB is mostly pictures with occasional posts (which I like to keep non-confrontational)... some music or links to WSJ or The Economist. That said, maybe I'm wrong, and making myself unsearchable would be safer.

gcb09173 · Answer

Making youself unsearchable and fully private during applications would be no bad thing - in some ways keeping your social life hidden online is more professional. Facebook really is a pain with what can appear on your page given other peoples comments etc. I think its always best to keep all posts/pictures to friends visible only.

With the website - going to first name only for time being would work fine - also I have had friends who have used their Mothers maiden name as a pseudo name instead of their actual surnames for personal online activity (they keep their real photos and background details so you know its them if you see it) - That seems to work quite well for hiding from any random google searchers.

jz4analytics · Answer

I guess it's a good idea to make FB posts/pictures private (even for post-school). No reason not to. They can still see the profile to verify that I'm a real person.

With the website, I guess I should decide if it helps or hurts. I'm sure there are some positive qualities (I built the website, set up Google AdSense and Analytics, got writers together, and edited articles) but there are also concerns (what if an adcom finds some material disagreeable?). This is not my job, it's just a side-project for fun, and trickles in a few dollars at a time.

Internet "foot print" affecting admissions?

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