<p>I’m not sure if Facebook changed this, but if you respond to a message from someone who’s not on your friend list, they gain access to your profile. Just something to note if strangers message you on Facebook.</p>
<p>You might set up a facebook page specifically for schools to find and look at - and keep your personal FB page very private.</p>
<p>Lakemon, et al., I have no idea how many Adm officers actually look at FB pages, and I assume it would only be in the close cases. But the fact is that this officer did make the request and Kaplan’s study says that they do so. So, the first question is: do you risk turning 'em off by denying the request. My point was simply that many of those advising the OP to not ‘friend’ the officer were making moral and philosophical statements - as you appear to be doing – whereas the calculus ought to be one of costs and benefits based on imperfect information as to how much importance the admissions officer would place on the response. If the OP felt that the officer would give no weight to a refusal, that is her risk to take. And if she thinks that the mere fact that officer would ‘intrude’ (and, you can’t know whether the request is a means to spy on her or, instead, is simply to allow the school to market to her) is grounds to dismiss the school from consideration, well… that’s a pretty scary decision to make based on uncertainty as to its motives.</p>
<p>Please understand that I’m not judging the appropriateness of the request. If it’s intended to spy on her, yeah… it sucks. But standing on principle – and thus your “absolute” advice – can be costly.</p>
<p>As to this suggestion by classicalbk – “You might set up a facebook page specifically for schools to find and look at - and keep your personal FB page very private” - unfortunately it’s too late for this student, as the Admissions officer already found her ‘real’ page.</p>
<p>While it would have been better to start the school year with a webpage designed for college admissions people to find, the OP can still put one up and message the Admissions person from the new page, explaining that the student likes to keep school business separate from personal activities, which would show good judgement and professionalism. Then there’s a FB page where the Admissions person can contact the student on a casual basis. Obviously the Admissions person is using a special FB page just for admissions work - so it’s only right that the student should do the same. Which the student could say inspired the new FB page. Just an idea.</p>
<p>classicalbk’s suggestion (of creating a sanitized Facebook page for admission purposes only) makes sense at first glance. But, unless the student creates a different FB account for each college on his or her list (Yikes!), the student might end up with admissions folks from competing colleges colliding on Facebook. Of course, it would be entertaining to see a post from an admissions rep from Grinnell that says, “Looking forward to your visit to campus this weekend,” followed by one from Beloit that insists, “We thought you were coming HERE for the weekend.” 
But, in reality, a college-only FB page is probably NOT the way to go. </p>
<p>And I still stand by my earlier contention that teenagers need to have some little piece of their world that isn’t invaded by the college process. If admission reps want to contact students on a casual basis, then email should do the trick. However, I hope that the admission folks use the same good judgment that I always encourage applicants to use … which is to limit correspondence to that which is necessary or at least reasonable and to avoid an onslaught during what is already a busy and stressful season.</p>
<p>While we are on this topic, why does commonapp require the student’s IM?</p>
<p>Ursa: How many times do I have to say I’m a HE. </p>
<p>If I made another facebook, this admission counselor would be my only friend. I doubt that any other admission officer would add me on facebook and if they did I’m sure they would add my facebook with 640 friends, not my facebook with 1. I really do not see the point at all. My profile is set on private, so there isn’t much an admission counselor will be able to see without adding me. I also have never even seen this admission officer write on a students facebook, but she usually just updates where she is visiting and whatnot. Also, this is a 23 year old young woman. I doubt the older admission officers would do this sort of thing.</p>
<p>I agree with Sally, the invasion of a student’s life by the college process can really get out of hand. My son has received 100’s of emails from colleges seeking his attention from his putting his email address on the PSAT stating how they are so glad he is interested in their college when he hasn’t shown any interest or cares to. This type of pushy marketing is an invasion of a student’s personal space. He hopes it will stop after this year so he doesn’t have to change his email address.</p>
<p>We know many students who changed their name on FB at the beginning of their senior year just for this reason. For example, if their real name is Susy Jones, they might change it on FB to Susy J and also remove any group affiliation such as the high school or city. That makes it much harder for the adcoms to find you. You still have all your FB friends, so the other people you meet in life will be able to find you through them, if they want to add you. You only have to leave it that way during admissions season, and then you can change it back.</p>
<p><em>dies from laughter</em></p>
<p>The admissions counselors at my university have “business” facebook profiles; they’ve been sending friend requests to students (not all admissions counselors - and to not all students) since the summer of 2009. That’s when I was friended by an admissions counselor after our interview. 
It means they think you’re a good applicant and they want to be the ones to say “I got this kid to go here! ME.” sort of. 
within their occupation, networking like this is important. Don’t be alarmed… the fact that they want to keep tabs on you? It’s part of their job description. At least, for some universities (smaller ones w/ less applicants)</p>
<p>It doesn’t HAVE to be an invasion of privacy for either party. You can put the admissions counselor on a certain list such that they have access to nothing. At least, that was possible on the old facebook. The new one… I can’t remember how photos work</p>
<p>that is definately true
also, you should make 100% sure that you can trust her</p>
<p>That is incredibly inappropriate of that admissions officer. I would consider reporting it to the dean of admissions.</p>
<p>I agree with sally and lakemom. Asking a prospective student to friend the facebook page of the college is just another way to engage the student. I don’t think it is inappropriate, just unnecessary. You can ignore the request. It is not a bad reflection of your interest. On the other hand the group facebook pages for incoming freshman once they have been accepted is a great way to embark on new friendships for the upcoing school year.</p>
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<p>I’m just guessing here, but I suspect that this request first landed on applications a few years ago … at a time when colleges were stepping up their multi-pronged recruiting attacks, and someone half snoozing through a planning meeting suggested that teenagers were becoming more apt to communicate via Instant Message than via email. </p>
<p>But as far as I can tell, that ship has sailed, too. My own 14-year-old had a brief fling with an IM account in 6th grade but he never touches it anymore. He and his friends are much more reachable via text, Facebook, and cell calls, with email a distant fourth but still on the list.</p>
<p>I doubt that that colleges do much with IM these days, but current seniors or parents may tell a different story.</p>
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<p>good post.</p>
<p>Id just block the person, so your profile cant be seen from them, but since its not her actual profile just ignore it its kind of strange that an admin is friend requesting you in the first place, OffTopic, first comment! :)</p>
<p>Lemaitre1… facebook…</p>
<p>100% with having a Facebook profile “professionally” that is as a prospective student at their college. You DON’T and SHOULDN’T have one Facebook account if you plan on having personal and student or professional connections.</p>
<p>In general, it’s best not to use your real name on any of these sites anyway, it makes stalking much easier. </p>
<p>If you were my child, I’d tell you to take off any personal name references on your personal page, then make a new page with your real name or a close variation (SuzyJclassof2012 for example) to use for friending college recruiters.</p>
<p>It’s mainly creepy because it sounds like it is a personal page you use for non-school-related things. Fix that by having a page that is for school-related (serious) purposes.</p>
<p>Those who think this is ‘incredibly inappropirate’ must not be famililar with how social media works in 2011. If this isn’t a college you plan to attend, just ignore the request, it is no big deal. Reporting that person to admissions will make you look paranoid and inept using social media.</p>
<p>Facebook is personal, it’s not suppose to be a place where college admission officers add you. Yes, people do use it for business of course but the colleges can have their own page without friending you.</p>