Think Before You Post

What is a cause and effect relationship that takes place in the Article?

• Because college test preparation experts have cautioned applicants against posting inappropriate things online, most high school seniors are using social media less often.

• Because college admissions committees are increasingly likely to consider social media posts, applicants are cautioned to check their online privacy settings.

• Because a student applied early to more than one institution, which was in violation of an agreement, early admission is no longer offered to students who apply online

• Because some incoming students had their admission offers revoked after posting offensive jokes online, the Facebook group for incoming Harvard freshmen was shut down.

Which of these is most important to include in a summary of this Article?

• A student who applied early to both Colgate University and another institution was ultimately denied admission at both schools.

• College admissions experts urge students to consider whether what they share online would be considered appropriate.

• Test preparation company Kaplan Test Prep released the results of a poll indicating that 10 percent of admissions officials checked applicants' social media pages.

• While teenagers might find silly or vulgar usernames amusing, college admissions officers may consider them to be immature or unprofessional.

Which is the closest synonym for the word scrutinize, as it is used in the Article?

• Improve

• Explain

• Modify

• Examine

Which of these is a statement of fact?

• It is impossible to truly gauge an applicant's moral character or maturity level based on a few social media posts.

• Harvard University withdrew the admission offers it had made to 10 students in response to their posts on a Facebook page.

• School counselors have not done enough to warn students about the extent to which social media activity can affect acceptance into college.

• Social media largely influences students' daily lives, so it makes sense that it would play a significant role in the college admission process.

Based on the Article, the reader can infer that __________.

• Colgate dean of admission Gary L. Ross would likely frown upon Harvard University's decision to revoke admission to students based on jokes they posted online.

• As associate director of college counseling at The Westminster Schools, Nancy Beane probably uses a humorous e-mail address when corresponding with students.

• The 10 students who had their admission offers withdrawn by Harvard University were probably able to attend the institution the following year.

• The student who applied early to both Colgate University and another institution likely regrets that she chose to boast about doing so online.

The Article states:

In April 2017, the university revoked the offers of admission it had previously made to 10 students. This happened after the students made offensive Facebook posts. The case involved jokes about the Holocaust and sexual assault that were shared in a private Facebook group for incoming Harvard freshmen. These jokes were no laughing matter for the Ivy League institution.

Which would be the closest synonym for the word offensive, as it is used above?

• Obligatory

• Intellectual

• Disrespectful

• Lengthy

Which passage from the Article best supports the notion that moral character can be a deciding factor in whether or not a student is accepted into a college or university?

• Grandmas aside, students seeking advice on cleaning up their social media pages can also look online. Test preparation company Princeton Review offers tips for college applicants.

• The company also advises students to check their privacy settings. That way, they will know what can be seen publicly.

• At California's San Francisco University High School, college admissions counselors are paying attention to the growing trend.

• In April 2017, the university revoked the offers of admission it had previously made to 10 students. This happened after the students made offensive Facebook posts.

Based on information in the Article, the reader can predict that __________.

• Princeton Review will offer free tips exclusively to students who receive college counseling at The Westminster Schools.

• Admissions official Gary L. Ross will strongly urge California's San Francisco University High School to help Jon Reider clean up his online presence.

• In light of the incident in which students had their college admission offers revoked, Instagram will begin limiting the number of photos that teens can upload.

• Students seriously hoping to attend Harvard University will be very careful about what they post to Facebook.