According to this USA Today article, the number of college admissions staffers using Facebook and Google to try to learn more about an applicant has quadrupled.  A survey conducted by Kaplan Test Prep found that nearly a quarter of the admissions officers at 350 selective colleges said they used Facebook to learn more about an applicant.  Out of that number 12% said that what they saw negatively impacted the applicants chances for admission.

Most colleges don’t check.  It is way too time consuming and some colleges have rules against such activity.  With all of the privacy settings available to Facebook members, you would think this wouldn’t be a problem anymore.  So if any of you college-bound students reading this article let just anyone access your information without being your friend, you need to change this now.  Also, take a moment and Google yourself.  You should be aware of what others may be able to find out about you.