In a rather not-so-surprising turn of events, college hopefuls are resorting to using Facebook to downgrade the chances of rival applicants- in an attempt to get the top spots in the nation’s best universities. 

Apparently, openings in the best US colleges are hard to come by these days.  The Chicago Tribune is reporting that some students and their parents are resorting to a tasteless tactic: bashing other applicants via Facebook and other mediums such as letters to administrators.  The letters, mailed to college admissions offices, typically arrive without a signature. They say that rival applicants cheated on exams or got suspended for underage drinking.  Sometimes, they include an unflattering newspaper clipping or a sly suggestion to check out pictures on a student’s Facebook page.

This nation is seeing an unprecedented number of college applicants due to the increasing number of high-school graduates- which neared nearly 3.3 million this year.  With so much competition, sabotage was likely to occur at some point.  The way their doing it is what’s raising some concern.

Read Write Web is reporting that students and even over-competitive parents are sending admissions personnel links to competing students Facebook profiles in an attempt to uncover rude and un-flattering photos that they hope would sway the people in charge.  Not only Facebook links, but other social networks, blogs, etc. are being sent as well.  I think Sarah Perez at RWW said it best: “will Gen Y finally learn the perils of over-sharing?”

With so many photos going on Facebook everyday, it’s only a matter of time before they get into the wrong hands and embarrass you.  Most of the photos being posted are when the people are either drunk or acting foolish, and they’re posted without the person realizing that they can backfire and be used against you.  I don’t agree that they should be sent to College admission offices, but if you’re dumb enough to share unsavory photos with the world, you should have seen it coming.  

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Entry was posted on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 at 8:22 pm under Social Media.

Read more entries by Justin Montgomery.
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