It is sometimes hard to imagine that, a mere five years ago, social media was barely a blip on the radar for most people. Today, it’s hard to find a high school student that doesn’t have a Facebook account. And while platforms like Facebook and Twitter are a convenient way for students to keep in touch and to share their lives with their friends, it isn’t all fun and games—at least when it comes to college admissions. That’s because, according to recent studies, approximately 25% of college admissions counselors report that they check Facebook pages while evaluating applicants.

This means that, assuming you apply to multiple schools, it’s very likely that your Facebook profile will be scouted at least once.

Now, this may sound like bad news, but it’s not. In fact, it’s an opportunity. Below are three steps which will help you turn your Facebook page into an advantage during the application process:

1) Eliminate posts and pictures referencing excessive partying, drinking, etc. You may have heard this before, but it’s important. You can write the greatest essay and do a fantastic job on your application, but careless photos shared on Facebook or Twitter can destroy your chances. Every time you post something, ask yourself, “would I be okay with an admissions counselor seeing this?”

2) Emphasize your strengths. Are you involved in charity work? Share pictures! How about extracurricular activities? Post about them! Facebook is a fantastic tool for expressing your passions and your hobbies, so make a deliberate effort to showcase the traits that are most appealing to admissions counselors.

3) Spend time editing your profile to paint yourself in a positive light. Many admissions counselors are going to be interested in your “info” section—the quotes you share, the interests you list, the TV shows you watch, the books you read. Don’t try to be someone you aren’t—but at the same time, displaying information that makes you appear motivated, dedicated, and studious is a good idea.

It often helps students to think of the admissions process as a “story” that they are telling. The story is comprised of many components—the application itself, essays, SAT and ACT scores, interviews, GPA, and so on.  Nowadays, social media is part of the equation—so make sure you leverage your profiles to your advantage!