Let's Talk About the College Facebook Groups
You'll probably join or be invited to join a Facebook group for colleges that you are accepted to. Below are some tips on how to navigate these groups, which can be wackier than you might imagine.
1. While there's nothing bad about connecting with your classmates before you meet in person, getting to know someone through Facebook and messaging is not quite the same as getting to know them in person. Know that your real friendships will form once you arrive here and meet people face-to-face. There's no need to worry if that isn't happening on Facebook, and if the notifications from the groups are overwhelming you, just turn them off and check the group on your own time. It's okay to save the bulk of your socializing for when you're moving into the dorms and seeing people in person.
2. Do ask about academic and extracurricular interests in the group. Figuring out who wants to try out for the same club sport or acappella group as you can help you prepare for those processes. Figuring out who shares a love for entrepreneurial pursuits or writing with you can lead you to find a start-up partner or a co-editor of a new student magazine. You will learn as much from your peers in school as from your teachers and textbooks, so be sure to seek out interest-based relationships through the Facebook group.
3. Connect with older students in the group. Whatever questions you have about a school that the Admissions Office can't answer can probably be answered by a current student. I personally asked about what walking on to a varsity sports team would be like when I joined the Tufts Class of 2020 Facebook group, and from my conversations with current athletes I decided not to walk on to the Track and Field team. If you have a question, the chances are ten people have the same exact question but are waiting for someone to ask it, so don't be afraid to post questions in the group.