How to Audit and Polish Your Social Media Before Applying to Business School

Before you hit “submit” on your MBA applications, take a critical look at your digital footprint. Admissions committees increasingly review applicants’ online presence, and a thoughtful social media audit can help you put your best foot forward. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure your profiles support – and never undermine – your candidacy.

1. Google Yourself

Start with a Google search of your name (and any variations you use). Check the first few pages of results on multiple search engines, including Yahoo and Bing, and try running a search on Perplexity AI. Review what’s publicly visible, especially from a logged-out perspective, and flag anything that could raise questions or reflect poorly on your personal brand.

2. Take Inventory of All Accounts

List every social media account you own, active or inactive. Don’t forget platforms you rarely use, like Pinterest or YouTube, and check for old accounts you may have forgotten about. Make sure you control all accounts associated with your name and deactivate or secure any you don’t want visible.

3. Review and Update Profile Information

• Ensure your bios are up-to-date and accurately reflect your professional and academic brand.
• Check that your contact information, profile images, and usernames are consistent across platforms.
• Make sure your bios are free of slang, errors, or outdated information, and that your tone aligns with your MBA goals.

4. Scrub Inappropriate or Irrelevant Content

Go through your posts, photos, comments, and likes. Delete or hide anything that could be considered unprofessional, controversial, or inconsistent with your application narrative. Err on the side of caution – if you have doubts about a post, remove it.

5. Check Branding and Visual Consistency

• Use professional, high-quality profile and cover images.
• Update or remove pinned posts that are outdated or irrelevant to your current goals.

6. Optimize Privacy Settings

Review your privacy settings on each platform. Decide what you want to be public and what should remain private. Remember, even private posts can sometimes become public, so always think before you post.

7. Highlight Achievements and Leadership

Use your social media to reinforce your MBA story:

• Share professional achievements, leadership roles, and community involvement.
• Pin or feature posts that showcase your impact, awards, or relevant experiences.
• Engage with content from your target schools and industry leaders to demonstrate genuine interest.

8. Compare Against Industry Benchmarks 

See how your profiles stack up against other MBA applicants or professionals in your field. This can help you identify areas for improvement and set realistic goals for your online presence.

Final Tip:

Your social media presence is an extension of your MBA application. Take the time to audit, update, and optimize your accounts so admissions committees see the best version of you – online and off.

Sign up for a Free Profile Review, and get tailored advice from the experts at Admitify on how to maximize your strengths and boost your chances of admission!