Can colleges see what websites applicants are members of or have an account on(I am not talking about social media). For example, ccan colleges tell if you have an account online with sports authority through the applicants email or some other way? Would they be able to tell what the applicant purchased on the website? Can colleges tell every single account that is linked to the applicants email address?
Thanks
Why would they care? Colleges aren’t going to look at your social media presence.
I’ve heard of colleges looking at applicant’s Facebook profiles. Unless it’s a very small school, I doubt they have time to look at everyone’s profile. They definitely won’t have time to look what each student is buying.
No, no, and, no. Whether they look at your FB/twitter, etc., might be a different story, although I doubt that schools with tens of thousands of applicants have either the time or inclination to do so.
@skieurope is right. I’ve definitely heard of adcoms looking at FB or Twitter, but I’m sure it’s uncommon. Niche sites/ecommerce? No chance.
Social sites where you make information is one thing. (Which as others have mentioned could possibly be looked at but isn’t very likely.). But your online purchases!?! No. Just no.
On the other hand, you’d be surprised what pops up if you are clever with your searches. Many people use the same or similar usernames for their accounts on different sites. So if your name brings up your Twitter, and your Twitter brings up your Instagram, Periscope, YouTube, CollegeConfidential… Probably worth making sure you don’t post unprofessional things just in case. You never know who could find them.
Anything is possible if you know the right people.
I’m curious why you’re asking this (very specific) question…
What did you buy that you don’t want colleges to know about?
If you gave a review of something you purchased on Amazon, someone might be able to tie it to you.
In my last post I was told colleges have no motivation to look up what applicants buy online or what what websites that the applicants have accounts on or are a member of, for example sports authority or amazon, and they also have no motivation to try to find what websites are registered or sign up under an applicants email. I now know that the colleges have no motivation to look up what I said in the previous sentence, but is it in any way possible for colleges to fall of that stuff I just said. I think I am just a little paranoid but I need reassurance. Thanks.
Let’s guess!
Applying to Duke, bought a bunch of UNC apparel?
Applying to Yale, bought a bunch of Harvard swag?
Stanford / UCBerkeley?
Ohio State / UMich?
Turns out this isn’t very fun after all.
Why don’t you just Google your name and see what pops up.
Hehe marvin, I’m guessing this student was not purchasing UNC apparel. I would really like to know the backstory here…
Yeah,my guess is it’s not a Sports Authority account he’s worried about.
What do you think college admissions people do?! Do you honestly think college employ hackers to steal email lists on an annual basis to compare with their applicant email addresses?
Please read the book, The Gatekeepers, to get a better sense of how an admissions office works
If a certain EC may tip you into the accepted pile, elite colleges may look at your public facebook page perhaps as a way of verifying the EC?
Paranoia will destroy ya.
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
I think we’ve exhausted this topic. Closing.