Chances are you’ve been on Instagram at least once today (I know I have!) Social media is a large part of our everyday lives now, and that includes how we research and find out more about organizations. Social media can serve as a unique research tool, and you should take advantage of it. Here are some tips to help guide you in using social media in your college search! 

Look at several social media platforms and accounts 

Instagram is an excellent place to start, but it is not the only social media site colleges utilize, so it shouldn’t be the only one you do either. Exploring the same institution on different platforms will help you get a more comprehensive look at the school’s atmosphere, focus, and culture. For example, by visiting a college’s LinkedIn, you may learn more about alumni and their journeys or faculty members’ stories and experiences. Longer form videos on YouTube provide more content of on-campus activities, and even Pinterest can show the vibe of an institution, both of which Anderson University uses. On ZeeMee, you can chat directly with current students to gain more personal and candid advice and first-hand depictions of what a college is like.  

For an even deeper dive, look beyond the school’s official accounts. For example, Anderson University’s main Instagram account is @andersonunivsc, but there are numerous other accounts that highlight various aspects of AU campus life: @autrojans, @au411, and @diningatau, to name a few. Look through each account, its following, and its commenters. Exploring the pages of current students can show a more informal and everyday side of what being an AU student could look like.  

Pay attention to the focus of the social media accounts 

What seems to be the main thing they promote on their accounts? It could be community, academics, extracurriculars, sports, or a combination of all these. Understanding what you most want out of your college experience and comparing that to what the college seems to be most proud of can be a great way of gauging whether your values align. Something that drew me to AU when I was a senior in high school planning for college was how the social media reflected their care and emphasis on students. It was clear that a campus culture of belonging and community where each student is seen and valued was expressed.  

While looking, reflect on where you could see yourself fitting in or getting involved 

Another thing to pay attention to are the campus clubs and organizations that are featured. Are there groups that pique your interest? Could you envision yourself attending events or joining organizations?  

Getting involved encompasses more than just on-campus activities. Where can you see community opportunities in the area surrounding the campus? Local churches, downtown excursions, or broader community groups can enrich your college experience and knowing that there are chances to explore outside of the campus can make a difference in your college decision.  

After surfing the various accounts and platforms, ask yourself, “Did I say yes more than I said no?” 

Searching for a college can be a stressful and overwhelming process, so you want to look for places that make you excited and passionate rather than unsure or nervous. When scrolling through an institution’s Instagram, did you find yourself inspired by the opportunities presented, or did they fall flat?  

As this generation knows all too well, social media can portray the best while hiding the worst. While this may be true, exploring several sites of a college helps you gauge whether the content presented is consistent and honest or not. These practices were especially helpful for me in my college search. Seeing pictures from events like Welcome Week, from inside classrooms, and from students who explore downtown Anderson or take a trip to Greenville on the weekend, I was encouraged by the beaming smiles and possibilities represented. Exploring social media helps you learn what common interests you may share with the community of that college. Scrolling through the many clubs and organizations AU has piqued my interest, and I was impressed by the sheer amount and variety of the extracurriculars offered. 

The post that perhaps led me to consider AU as one of my top picks was the annual Cookie Day post. AU sent its future Trojans one of the First Lady’s cookies in the mail with cute confetti and a card with your name, which prompted me to excitedly post the package on my Instagram story tagging them. To my surprise, they reposted my story on theirs! This showed that they take pride and put great effort into social media and how it can inspire potential students. Now within my senior year at AU, I can confidently say that the individuals who work on the social media team are brilliant, creative, and honest professionals who want to represent their school as it is.  

So, seize the opportunity that social media presents to aid in your college search. By seeing the people, places, and attitudes represented, hopefully you will find an institution that makes you emphatically say yes more than you say no.  

Connect with Anderson University on Social Media here!