Posting college acceptances/other good news on Facebook. Is it wrong?

[hkem1]

There has been some debate around me lately whether or not it is appropriate to post college admission decisions on Facebook.

I got my first acceptance last Monday from a state school that I was not surprised to get into and I really like but is definitely not my first choice. I was honestly way more excited than I expected to be after receiving the acceptance.

I quickly made my Facebook status: Admitted to the Kelly School of Business!!

I received many congratulations, even one from my middle school English teacher that made me especially happy.

One person though thought it was in bad taste to post this information because it might make other people feel bad. At first I immediately rejected this persons comment because I just thought it was ridiculous.
But after thinking about it some more I have second guessed my original action.

December 15th is going to be a extraordinarily good day for some people at my school. They will hear back from extremely selective colleges they have dreamed of going to since they were little. Of course for others, it will be an extremely disappointing day. They will get rejected or deferred.

So maybe it is in bad taste to post acceptances on Facebook. Or maybe accepted students are just trying to enjoy the moment and have no intent to make others feel bad.

Any Ideas?

 

[beachmouse]

Your classmates need to learn that they are not in fact special snowflakes and that the big meanie world doesn't care one iota about their feelings.

If someone is concerns problems with hurt feelings and a college with a 25% acceptance rate, then they're in for an even bigger shock when they discover they were one of 87 applicants for their dream job after college. (or in the case of jobs around here, is one of 64 applicants for an office job that pays $24K a year but actually has decent health insurance)

 

[hkem1]

I think that's all very valid.

So do you think that rubbing something in another persons face is a respectable behavior to partake in?

I personally think I was just excited about my acceptance and was not trying to rub it into people's face; but I think that is more what the debate is about.

 

[scooterbug44]

Posting what schools you get into (especially when you assumed you would get in and have little interest in going there) can be seen as bragging - especially when others are stressing, getting denied, and/or couldn't get in there/afford to go.

It is an exciting process! Congratulations on your first acceptance and I hope they put confetti in the letter like some of my schools did!

It also depends on what you posted: "I am so excited and relieved that I just got accepted to college U!" when your Facebook photo shows you wearing a college U t-shirt is far different from "postman brought a fat envelope from College U, I hope I can choose between all the colleges fighting for my brains - will depend on the best scholarship deal."

Definitely you should post when you decide where to go or if there is a school your friends know you have been worrying about and are really excited to get into - and IMO anyone who is truly your friend will be happy for your happiness.

 

[Rita]

.
I think you may be over analyzing this. You were excited and expressed it. Leave it at that and move on. Most will happy for you and congratulate you. Some, no matter what you do, may find fault. Mentioning good news on facebook is not a bad thing. Let it alone.
Totally agree with Beachmouse.

Just forget it and chalk it up as the complainer's problem.


.

 

[SHELLY]

I'm not a fan of Facebook to begin with, but, when ranking from the very worst to best things to post on Facebook, I'd put posting college acceptance news at about 3,092.

People who "feel bad" about such triffle should not be your concern.

.

 

[beachgirl66]

I can understand how you would be concerned about this, but look at it this way..... I think anytime you share good news on facebook though it could be perceived as "bragging" when you are merely expressing your excitement. What about posting about being on vacation in Florida when other people either aren't on vacation, or have never been to Florida before and would love to go? Or...posting that you are pregnant when there are women that read it that might be upset because they have had a miscarriage or will never be able to have kids?? I could go on and on. I think you should be able to express your excitement about your college acceptance and not worry about how it will be perceived. By the way , congratulations!!

 

[puglet]

I think it is interesting to consider all the firsts that communicating on a new medium like Facebook will bring. The "rules" will evolve over time. I recently had a Facebook friend announce the death of their spouse on Facebook. That was the first I had seen that and it really made me think about this new era of communication.
I certainly think expressing a happy moment is very appropriate. Congratulations!!

 

[hkem1]

It is an exciting process! Congratulations on your first acceptance and I hope they put confetti in the letter like some of my schools did!

Thank you scooterbug44 it is definitely an exciting process.

You bringing up the confetti reminded me of something though. I absolutely cannot stand the online admission notifications that colleges have practically all begun doing.

I have always had this very movie-like idea of waiting for the letter from the postman then eagerly anticipating what could be inside in the kitchen with my parents.

Now the reality is I check my decision on my ipod walking out of the movie theater with my friends.

I would much rather have a letter.

 

[ameliaj]

Thank you scooterbug44 it is definitely an exciting process.

You bringing up the confetti reminded me of something though. I absolutely cannot stand the online admission notifications that colleges have practically all begun doing.

I have always had this very movie-like idea of waiting for the letter from the postman then eagerly anticipating what could be inside in the kitchen with my parents.

Now the reality is I check my decision on my ipod walking out of the movie theater with my friends.

I would much rather have a letter.

I like that letter idea too. Its a lot more personal than point and click. A letter is much more personal and would seem to make you feel a lot more wanted.