How Twitter Has Helped Colleges

By Chris Hogan

Many Universities and Colleges use Twitter to connect with the student body and faculty to tell them about important things happening on campus. As this social networking site becomes more and more popular each day, it is important to realize how tweets can have significant impact on everyone.

As an avid and regular Twitter user myself, I have discovered a variety of ways these institutions have used Twitter in the best ways possible.

1. Better way to promote themselves for potential prospective students -- Colleges have a new way of spreading the word about their school by posting tweets on upcoming tour dates for perspective students to visit and telling the student what to expect on during the visit. They also point out other events including financial aid night and other key dates that matter. This method is more traditonal now a days rather than sending out brochures and other mailing information to that student.
2. Informing the university body about important information -- Many people have smartphones these days and can use their Twitter apps on them easily to connect with their university's Twitter page and read the latest news. Schools update with tweets at any time about school cancellations, sudden changes as well as sporting events on campus and what different clubs and organizations are doing.
3. Connecting with Students -- Whether you are a potential incoming  or current student, there are questions that are needed to be answered that the students may have. I have seen many colleges have answered a person's tweet on things like when is move-in day, when is the next open house and what would you say are the preferred majors at your school? This process is alot easier to do rather than emailing or calling the admissions office from time to time and it has seen positive results occur from it.
4. The future of Twitter between the two -- From all the observations I have seen and conducted, there is a ligit shot of this becoming a top ways of how social media will connect colleges and students together. We are in a world where we need things brought to our attention faster and Twitter is a great tool for that.