Do college representatives ever utilize this site?

College Search & Selection
1

In general, is there any likelihood that an actual college staff member will ever view or participate in a discussion?

2

I have seen several posts by admissions officers.

3

Yes. Some of them post on the individual college forums. They do (usually, I can’t say always) identify themselves. For example, I think MIT & UChicago have representatives, and I know there are more. Personally, I think that cuts both ways. It can be helpful to get info directly from them. But sometimes it stifles conversation that is not favorable to the college, and if I were an applicant I would not want to post my stats and discuss my weaknesses where they could see it. But I suspect they stick more to their school forums, and probably don’t frequent the Chances forum (really, who would want to?), so it seems safer to post there.

4

So I take it that one should be cautious when posting personal information. Regarding discussion unfavorable to the college, can there be any consequence beside other posters being angered or your post being removed?

5

I believe that is against the Terms of CC to post identifying information. But if your situation is unique enough an adcom may be able to identify you. For example: “I attend a small high school in rural South Dakota and I am making up all my EC’s on my application to University of Chicago. Will they try to verify these EC’s?” in that case, they will.

6

I don’t think anyone can definitively answer a question like that. Just be discreet, in what you say, in how you identify yourself, etc., and you’ll most likely be fine.

I’ve heard that sometimes college admissions personnel sometimes participate here, but I haven’t noticed any myself recently – that might just be because of the forums I tend to read (e.g., generally not the school-specific ones). Here’s a posting from one of them that used to participate here:

http://blogs.hopkins-interactive.com/blog/2011/01/the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-of-college-confidential/

7

Just read the JH blog…I agree…people don’t know how to google info on the college’s site…just answered “what math do i need to take and SUNY Bing” and was able to provide a link to the curriculum…not sure why the OP couldn’t do that (or maybe they didn’t know it existed?)

8

From the moderator perspective, it’s not against ToS, but we always advise against it.

That’s just good practice.

We do not delete posts upon request, and never take it upon ourselves to delete posts because they are “unflattering.” In almost all cases, posts are only deleted for ToS violations.