This past year I have met and established some wonderful friendships and collaborations on Twitter. I had the privilege of meeting Jenn Cohen of Sheldon Word Nerd this past summer. I thought it might be fun to list the college experts who I would love to meet IRL (in real life) in 2012. If you aren’t following them already, I’ve included the links so you can!

Akil Bello-This guy cracks me up and is the genuine article. His SAT advice is spot on and he’s quite a wordsmith. I would love to sit down with him and discuss the merits of Manilow’s music (and how he feels about internet shysters trying to rob parents of their hard-earned money).

Kelly Queijo-Kelly is my hero because she walked the 30 mile Komen walk for me and my mom. Not to mention she hosts #campuschat AND has the best go-to site for college visit information. She and I have been Twitter friends since her site launched.

Nancy Berk-Nancy is every parent’s friend and quite the comedian. Her book, “College Bound and Gagged” left me rolling on the floor laughing. I would love to be a guest on “Whine at 9″!

Eric Clark-Eric, my man. A great dad and an educator with a vision to help tutor EVERY student across the country with his Quincy Tutoring network. He’s been one of my biggest supporters and I him.

Wendy David-Gaines-The ultimate POCSMom and a colleague. She approaches the college journey with humor and ideas to reduce the stress while helping parents with support and encouragement throughout the journey.

Monica Matthews-Monica is a parent too but an absolute EXPERT on college scholarships. I wish I would have had her book when my kids went to college. She rocks helping parents and students find and apply for scholarships.

Elizabeth King-Elizabeth writes the most pithy articles about test prep and the value of education. She’s an all star in my book!

Paul Hemphill-My Boston buddy and good friend. Paul and I believe that parents are the customers and colleges should rise up and take notice! Plus, he’s the best at marketing students for college. He gets an A+++ for being a parent advocate.

Jane Kulow-Jane is on the college journey with her kids and visiting colleges as we speak. Her blog ROCKS for parents who are going through the process because you get a real-time parent’s perspective.

Jeff Sheely-Jeff’s common sense approach to financing a college education made me a fan from the first time I met him on Twitter. His College Money blog gives parents and students the BEST advice about debt, student loans and financing a college education.

Gil Rogers-Gil is the first admissions officer I met on Twitter and he helped me answer many a parent’s question. Now he works for Zinch (my fav college related company) and his stellar social media savvy makes him an all-around guru.

Fuji Fulgueras-Apart from teasing me about my Manilow fandom, Fuji is a college admissions counselor and a respected expert. He can answer any questions about college admissions and is always helpful to parents when asked.

Created by: Online PhD

One admissions officer was asked this question and responded using social media (Twitter). Do you think this was from one of those “helicopter” parents?

I would bet that some admissions representatives regret the day that parents found them on Twitter and Facebook. Now they can ask the questions they have been dying to ask, even at the dismay of some of the college representatives.

For colleges and students, social media can be a two-edged sword in many respects. It gives colleges the opportunity to connect with a larger applicant pool and share their message to a vast number of prospective students. But it also allows the parents of those applicants to interact and insert their questions into the process. Social media allows students to connect directly one-on-one with college representatives and current students. But it also means that students need to be more vigilant about their online persona because the colleges are watching.

If you would like to see how two colleges are using social media to reach students, follow the links below:

Hofstra University

Cornell College

If your student is applying to one of these colleges or any other colleges with a social media presence, let them make the connections themselves. Don’t be one of those parents who make admissions officers run for cover. Encourage your student to search for each college’s social media page and pursue those connections on their own. Let them, as one admissions representative once told me, “drive the car”.

Courtesy of: OnlineSchools.com

1. Find people who will be living in your dorm. As soon as you get that letter informing you which building and room you will be living in, you can be sure that there has already been a Facebook group created with your dorm’s name on it. Running a search of your dorm building is a great way to find people who may already live there, find the roommate your school selected for you, and it’s also fun to become friends and begin chatting with other matriculating freshmen who are just as excited as you are.
2. Find housing and furniture if you are no longer living on campus. If you do not intend on living on campus your first year, or if you have completed your first year and want to try moving off-campus, Facebook is a great way to find both new roommates, a new house or apartment for lease, and some cheap used furniture. Facebook Marketplace is helpful, but sometimes just looking through college groups or friends’ and acquaintances status can be just as effective. The way I found my off-campus living and roommates was simple. I scrolled through my news feed, randomly found that an acquaintance had found a 3 bedroom apartment but needed one more housemate. After a few days I was living in a wonderful apartment with two friends. That beats going through a realtor to find off-campus living!
3. Keep up with events happening on campus. If you join a group that is associated with your school, or if you “like” your university’s official page, then often you will be updated on your news feed if any interesting events happen on campus. This way, you don’t have to rely on fliers or word-of-mouth to attend events where you can have fun, be involved with your campus community, and meet new people.
4. Join study groups. Once you’ve begun to get in the swing of things academically, it will be likely that someone in a few of your classes will have started a Facebook group for that class. If so, joining it, or starting a group yourself, can reap many benefits. For one, you can organize study groups more easily, you can discuss class material in a forum format, and you can borrow notes or books if you happen to miss class.

These are just a handful of ways that you can use Facebook to enhance your first few weeks and months in college. Remember, Facebook was founded by college students for college students. If you use Facebook for anything, use it to become more acquainted with your college and fellow students.

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This guest post is contributed by Barbara Jolie, who writes for online classes.  She welcomes your comments at her email Id: barbara.jolie876@gmail.com.

10,000 followers later I would have to say that Twitter has far exceeded my expectations. Not only has it been an effective marketing tool, but it has put me in contact with other college experts; and thus allowing me to exceed my original purpose and plan for using this social media tool. Say what you want about Facebook; Twitter has opened more doors for me than I could have ever imagined.

Here are 10 ways my Twitter followers have made me 1000 times more blessed:

1. I have been able to tap into a vast resource of parents. These parents have made me realize that we all share the same journey that is oftentimes frustration but always rewarding. I’ve been able to draw from their expertise, learn from their experiences, and use all of that to make my blog and my parent college coaching more effective and timely.
2. I have connected with 1000’s of experts in the college arena. I have talked with admissions counselors, college students, college counselors and financial aid advisers. I have gathered all their information and expertise to create a vast network of advice for parents as they navigate the college maze with their teens.
3. I have made friends who have enriched my life. These friends are in all different areas: college experts, test prep experts, breast cancer survivors, parents, tech experts, and even Manilow fans. They have given me all sorts of encouragement and support.
4. I have established business connections. These connections have given me credibility and an opportunity to fine tune my expertise. They have also been valuable mentors and coaches regarding my business and its positive progress.
5. I have had oodles of fun. Yes oodles. I’ve attended chats and laughed as we joked with one another. I’ve had back and forth conversations with other parents and enjoyed learning about their families and their lives.
6. I have stayed up to date on the latest news and controversial topics. Twitter has been a valuable tool to catch up on the news and be the first to know when news breaks: the crash in the Hudson, the Casey Anthony trial, the capture of Bin Laden and the shootings at Ft. Hood just to name a few.
7. I have tapped into the best training in social media. This valuable advice has helped me improve my social media presence and keep current on the latest social media tips and tricks. Following people like @chrisbrogan, @marismith, @joelcomm, @barefoot_exec and @mashable have given me a vast wealth of social media tools to expand my online presence.
8. I have been able to exchange guest posts. Being on Twitter puts me in touch with other experts in my field and enables me to exchange guest posts, thus expanding my internet presence and providing my readers with valuable content.
9. I have been inspired. It goes without saying that there is a wealth of valuable inspiration on Twitter from parents, life coaches, and even parenting experts. They have inspired me to be productive and encouraged me to pursue my passion.
10. I have learned more SAT vocabulary words than I care to mention. With followers like @elizabethonline @akilbello and @sheldonwordnerd you can’t help but pick up on those great vocabulary words that everyone needs to improve their communication skills.

Thanks to all my 10,000+ followers for enriching my life and expanding my reach beyond my small little south Texas world. I will never take you for granted AND if there is EVER anything I can do to help promote you and/or your business just shoot me an email or DM me on Twitter. I’m all about paying it forward!

Special thanks to @GreekforMe for suggesting the topic of this blog!

Here are my top five tips for college-bound teens and college students jumping into the social media river.

1. Try new things. Facebook and Twitter are the basics. Consider expanding your reach by signing up for accounts on LinkedIn, Tumblr, or any other platform that intrigues you. And if you get your hands on a Google+ invitation, give it a test drive.
2. Mind your audience. If you are using your social media for professional networking, then remember that anyone (uncle, co-worker, teacher, etc.) can find what you are saying. (Everyone from my grandmother to my boss can see my tweets.) Even if you “protect your tweets” or have really tight Facebook privacy settings, nothing is private. Anyone can take a screenshot of anything they see on Facebook, or retweet you into the twittersphere for all to see. There have been countless examples of people losing their jobs or even being denied admission because of inappropriate posts on social networks. Make sure you’re not one of them.
3. Don’t be afraid to say “hello!” Social media has created the world’s largest networking event. Feel free to offer comments, ask questions, and challenge opinions. Never lurk in the corner.
4. Speak clearly and carefully. Avoid spelling and grammar errors; watch out for foul language. If you want to be taken seriously, make your posts reader-friendly.
5. Leverage your presence. If you’ve invested time in building your online influence, then make sure people know it. Put links to your social profiles on your resume, or consider building a personal website. Whatever your major or intended major, be it Dance, Sociology, or Marketing, your digital presence will set you apart.

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Adam Britten is a recent graduate of Syracuse University, where he worked as a member of the school’s social media team. In the fall, he’ll be pursuing a Master of Digital Marketing. He maintains the blog www.genYspot.com.

It’s never too early to start the “branding” process. Lauren Joffe of The Real College Guide lays out a clear strategy to get the ball rolling. Parents should pass this along to their college-bound teens.

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Just because your GPA has made Dean’s List every semester and your work experience is better than most does not mean you have a slam-dunk when it comes to landing a job or an internship in today’s hypercompetitive market. According to the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE), all students need to create their own personal “brand.” This is what sets you apart from your equally qualified peers.

Get the Ball Rolling
So what is a personal brand, anyway? “Personal brand is about the unique strengths and attributes each person has. It’s what makes a person stand out and how people think of him or her,” says Paula Loop, U.S. and global talent leader at professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). “Think about how you want to be known, then you can focus on building skills and doing things that will enhance that image. Students who are able to communicate a strong personal brand — the unique strengths they can bring to an organization — are more attractive to employers.”

Start by introducing potential employers to your unique strengths using your resume and cover letter. Remember, these documents will serve as a company’s first impression of you, so it’s critical that you perfect them. Your resume and cover letter will be the first defining aspects of your brand, so make this introduction count by positioning yourself properly, beginning with presentation. Finance majors will have resumes that look much different — in design elements such as font and layout — from those of graphic designers. This also holds true for what your resume says: Certain industries place a heavy emphasis on internships, while others value research or volunteer experience.

Perfecting Your “Elevator Pitch”
Loop affirms the importance of your “elevator pitch,” essentially a 30-second description of who you are, your background and career aspirations. Imagine being in an elevator with a potential employer and he or she asks you to describe yourself and your personal goals. Would you be able to give an articulate, clear response?

Says Loop: “This should consist of no more than five sentences. The first two highlight one’s background. The third displays interests and recent accomplishments. The concluding sentence should address what an individual is seeking in a job and career. The most effective elevator pitches are short and memorable.”

To help guide your pitch, keep in mind these fundamental questions:

• Who are you?
• What are your accomplishments?
• Where are you going, and what are your ultimate goals?

When fine-tuning your pitch, also keep in mind the following points that will help create an outline:

• How have your past experiences with internships, volunteer work, etc., prepared you to meet your goal?
• What are your strongest skills?
• How do you stand apart from other entry-level applicants? What makes you unique and memorable?

Once you’ve drafted something impressive, practice it! Nothing is worse than stumbling through your elevator pitch with a bunch of “um’s” and “you know’s” popping up in every other sentence. Rehearse in front of your mirror, your parents or anyone who can give you constructive feedback regarding body language, tone and fluidity. Be friendly, make eye contact, and give your interviewer a strong, confident handshake.

Brand Yourself — Online!
Despite the ever-expanding social networking sphere, it’s surprising how many students do not properly brand themselves online. Chances are your potential employers are Googling you, which means you need to take advantage of the online world of networking.

“Ignoring or failing to create a business-appropriate image on social media sites like LinkedIn and Facebook can create issues,” says Loop. “Establishing and maintaining a professional social network profile is vital because potential employers are also online. A LinkedIn profile that displays your accomplishments, experience and goals can highlight your personal brand and enhance your job search.

Here are a few pointers outlined by PwC when it comes to branding yourself on the Internet:

• Use social media, but use it correctly. Actively participate on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, but ask yourself if your profiles are appropriate to be viewed by an employer. According to a CareerBuilder.com survey, almost 45 percent of employers will look at your social media profiles to get better insight. Post all your contact information and join alumni groups to increase your chances of connecting with a potential employer.

• Be conscious of every email you send. Whether using your smartphone or typing on your computer, always use proper grammar, spelling, punctuation and etiquette whenever writing an email. During networking and job hunting, you will primarily communicate with people via email, which means sloppy emails equal a sloppy image. Don’t discredit yourself by forgetting to give an editorial eye to every email sent.

• Add links to your online signature. When sending emails or creating your social media profiles, include a couple of links to websites you enjoy, published work you’ve written, and your LinkedIn or Twitter accounts. Give employers an easy outlet to further understand who you are and where your interests lie.

B-E Aggressive
While formulating your brand is the first step, it’s important to constantly stay in touch with contacts, actively research your industry and develop a relationship with your university’s career services center.

Loop encourages students to do one thing each week that will help advance their career. This ranges from sending “hello” emails to contacts within your networking sphere to reading informative blogs related to your particular field. And since up to 80 percent of jobs are found through networking, it’s important to keep your networking sphere intact and growing.

One of your best resources as a college student is your university’s career services center, which can provide you with exclusive job offerings, resume critiques and mock interviews. Take advantage of these opportunities while you can to fully maximize your hiring eligibility.

“There are many important facets to personal branding, but networking is critical,” says Loop. “Start with friends, family and alumni from your school. Those are the people who know you best and will want to help.”

And for those interested in seeking further assistance in crafting your personal brand, PwC is launching Personal Brand Week 2.0 in February, so check out PwC.com for more information, helpful worksheets and career tips.

If your teen is headed off to college in the fall, make note of these helpful offerings and share the information with them. If your teen is still in high school, bookmark this page because some day in the not-to-distant future you’ll be asking yourself, “Now where were those websites for college students?”

Koofers.com–Did you ever wish you had someone’s notes from a course you were taking or copies of study guides and past exams? This is the place where college students can find those FREE by simply registering with a college email account. Practice with previous exams; review shared notes and study guides. Find materials from your class, instructor and university, or from students in equivalent courses nationwide. Added bonus–course and professor reviews!

RateMyProfessors.com–Want to read ratings from actual students? This is the place to go to find out: overall quality, helpfulness, clarity, easiness AND “hotness!” You can read comments and even the books the professors use in their classrooms. There is also a forum to chat with other college students.

BecomeAlum.com–This offering (in conjunction with students and advisors) helps students compose a degree plan to assist them in finishing “on time”–which translates into huge cost savings. BecomeAlum guides the student through the process of creating a plan to meet degree requirements, taking into account prerequisite sequences and semester course offerings.

CollegeThrive.com–Provides college students with tips, advice and resources related to college life, academics, health and fitness, financial and prospective students. There’s even a job board!

CollegeDrop.com–Every college resource in one place–a smorgasbord of college-related links. Websites are submitted by subscribers and rated as well. The categories include: college blogs, college bound, compare colleges, financial aid, homework help, online universities, student collaboration, textbooks and tools.

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