Do college admissions thoroughly check your Facebook page?

[broadfruit832]

I applied to grad school for an MSW and I'm afraid that admissions might see my Facebook posts. I have years worth of angry posts and I don't want to have to literally go through every post and delete them, though I also have years worth of happy and fun posts of me with my family and friends doing adventure things. I've posted pictures of food from various cultures, but also alcoholic drinks. My Facebook page pretty much has a balance of the highs and lows of my life. That's just how I am. I share my experiences and my thoughts.

Also, if my name is googled, there is ONE picture of me holding a drink, smiling at the camera, and I'm wearing a tiara indicating it's my 21st birthday. It's not even a trashy picture, just my face, the tiara on my head, and I'm holding up the drink. Other than that, all of my Facebook posts are private. Only my friends can see them, though I've heard there are loopholes. Will college admissions find ways to see the non-public information on my Facebook page? I don't want to delete my Facebook because I'll lose all the pictures and I have to re-add all my friends and family. Is it necessary to literally go through all of my Facebook posts to since i got it to make sure i don't have anything that could reflect bad character or am I ok as long as my page is private? Will that one picture make or break my chances of getting accepted to grad school? I'm freaking out a little bit.

This is a serious question and I really don't want criticism and people telling me "Well you should have been more careful." I already know those things. I just want to know what I can do to redeem myself if it doesn't matter that my page is private. Thank you.

[happyAmbassador532]

I don't think so. I'm in to grad school. I do have lousy posts and pictures (even videos) on my social networking sites like FB. But my application to grad school was approved. So I may say, it is not considered. Nevertheless, be careful. Goodluck!

[Juice Box]

We'll since your page is private I doubt the college could really see anything. But they will or might google you, upon seeing that picture it can really affect how they see you as a person. Most colleges dislike seeing pictures of their soon to be students or current students with any alcohol beverage, due to the fact that they care about their reputation. So you'll just have to wait and see.

Since you said you were aware of your decisions of posting these kinds of stuff on Facebook, I guess you are aware that ANYTHING you post on the internet can't be deleted* and therefore it remains there forever. I hope this information makes you think twice about things you post. Please be careful especially with personal info.

* There are exceptions.

[e.stitch]

I think you will be safe as long as you set it as private. If somehow the university can "hack" to see your private life, isn't that some kind of breaking the law? And I doubt they will take that risk
But if you are worried, try to go to Facebook setting and make sure no one can look up for you except your friends

Better idea:
Deactivate your account and reactivate it again after your admission has been accepted.
How to: https://www.facebook.com/help/www/214376678584711

[Never assume]

First off, why would you open a facebook account using your full name? Once its posted on the internet it will live on forever. They archive everything. Every bit of info you provide them, is potential advertising revenue..