Adult life is right around the corner for the graduating class of 2026, and many seniors planning on going to college have to make the difficult decision on where to commit. Social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram can greatly influence a student’s decision making.
The main app that many notice college trends on is TikTok, as Senior Ella Ward describes, “Out of all apps, I’d definitely say TikTok is the most prominent.”
When scrolling on social media apps geared toward short-formed content, there is often an algorithm that these apps follow to give users content geared toward their life and interests. For seniors, there are plenty of ads and videos that often romanticize colleges to get students to consider going.
Trinity High School Senior Aaron Hunsberger explains, “If someone is unsure of where they want to go, they can see what colleges have to offer through their posts, whether it be different classes, programs, or campus life.”
The videos posted on social media can expand the choices for many seniors, since many colleges they may not have heard of could pop up on their feed, leading them to become interested. Posts reaching older high school students also benefit colleges by getting more people to apply. Through these posts, colleges also get their names out there for students who have never heard of them before.
Ward explains, “I think this can definitely influence other seniors by making them discover new colleges, and it probably influences college’s acceptance rates too.”
Some popular trends about college often have to do with “a day in the life,” while others show off dorm room decorations or photos of their college’s campus. Many people are greatly influenced by these videos since the posters often attempt to make the videos as aesthetically pleasing as possible.
Hunsberger describes common trends he has noticed on social media: “I see a lot of people opening their acceptance letters and emails for Ivy League colleges. I also see a lot going around campus to show cool spots they hang out at with friends. They’re also videos of college freshmen or upperclassmen offering advice to new students.”
When thinking about the future of high school seniors, it seems that videos can greatly benefit people in search of different colleges to apply to, but it can also create a false narrative about expecting a romanticized version of the college experience. This can leave many students to being a bit caught off guard when realizing how college will really work.
As these videos continue to gain traction, many wonder how social media will play into the future of college decisions.
Hunsberger believes, “Social media will continue to influence people’s college decisions throughout the coming years. Even though I get a lot of physical mail from colleges, social media is sticking around forever and that’s why it’ll continue to happen.”
Social media can both help students by finding new colleges but also potentially harm them by getting their hopes up for a life that might not end up as they think. Though it may be good to explore options on a social media platform, students must always be wary to ensure they make the right decision on where to commit to college.
