I was at Best Buy today to look at TVs.  It’s been a while since I shopped for electronics.  I’ve caught the digital bug. I forgot how much fun it is to shop for electronics and technology….especially if it makes your room into a simulated concert hall or movie theater:)

The College of Charleston has taken the college application process to a new level.

They’ve incorporated a Twitter, which is a relatively new technology.  By the way if you want to follow me on Twitter, find the link on this blog.

It’s clear that technology will continue to evolve our lives.  In this case, the applicant tweets the college and tells them in 140 words or less why they are perfect for the college.  If the school likes their tweet, the college will follow you back and begin a direct message conversation.

If you’re a parent reading this and this makes no sense, I’ll give you the 10 second lesson on twitter.  Twitter allows you to “follow” someone.  If you find someone or a group you can click a button and you will be following them.  This allows you to see any updates from this person once you’ve logged onto your account.  You can also send a message to anyone that is on twitter.  The public message, however have to be under 140 characters.  These 140 character discussions are called tweets.  (Look on the side post for my tweets).  Not so bad so far right?   All these conversations are public.  Google will even find them.  If you want a private conversation you start a direct message.  Stop your timer, was that 10 seconds.  If I had to explain twitter is 140 characters: “Sign onto twitter and follow someone to see what people are doing/saying.  The 140 character posts are “tweets”. A direct message is private”

The colleges are trying to connect with students.

While this may seem controversial or even borderline ridiculous, the college is doing a few things.  First it is connecting with students on a level they understand.  See your kids are on twitter and the college is only going where their audience is.  Second, the tweet is a very short interview with an admission counselor.  If you ace the interview your application will get more attention.    This is a pretty cool use of technology on the part of the college.

This school has found a unique way to find their audience and is demonstrating they look at more than just grades and ACT scores when they determine admission.  You see colleges have a model student.  Once we identify their model we have a better chance at receiving tens of thousands in free grant money for college.  The College of Charleston is looking for someone creative, interesting, concise, and open to try new things.  I bet if you walked on campus you would see a lot of kids that have these qualities.

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